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Please click onto the document to read this week’s Market Summary.

The same Norfolk Local Action Groups that were set up to deliver LEADER business growth funding now also distribute the new LIFT funding for the benefit of small and medium sized SME rural businesses and the local, rural economy generally. LIFT stands for Local Investment in Future Talent and can offer 50% funding to projects that will enable people living in rural areas to find paid employment or to start their own businesses. LIFT can also contribute up to 50% of staff training costs for those currently employed in rural businesses.

The funding comes from the Europeans Social Fund and grants in the region of £5k -£50k are available for approved projects.

 Applications can be from individual businesses but they  are particularly keen to hear from business networks or groups of businesses working in partnership. Also training providers that could offer staff training to a number of business customers that is subsidised by LIFT.

Companies that have links with local community organisations could also usefully pass on the message that LIFT is offering grants for projects that will work intensively with people to prepare for and find work. 

More information can be found at www.liftprogramme.co.uk or by contacting the LIFT team directly on 01603 222771 or by email to lift@norfolk.gov.uk

2020 has been a year unlike any other. For most of us, it has meant time away from our family and loved ones. We could all do with a bit of cheer right now surely?

Here at The Black Swan, we are pleased to be able to offer all of our customers a reason of encouragement for you and your staff to visit our wonderful establishment.

Over the next month, we are offering you the opportunity to come and eat, drink and stay with us with some attractive offers. We see small and medium sized businesses in the local vicinity of Horsham St. Faith as our natural partners to benefit from the services available at The Black Swan and we would be delighted to welcome you here to sample both our wonderful menu and the welcoming atmosphere.

We are currently running three unique offers here at The Black Swan to entice you to visit. Firstly, why not join us for a drink to see what it’s like here and the measures we have put in place for COVID. With plenty of sanitization areas and all staff with PPI, we have lots of space for socially distancing in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. We also use the NHS Test and Trace app here. Our ‘Buy One Get One Free‘ voucher is for you and/or your staff to use for the purchase of beers, wines, or other beverages in our comfy lounge bar, or on our outside patios if the weather allows.

Our second offer is our own extension of the ‘Eat Out To Help Out‘ scheme which allows you to try our amazing and varied menu for yourself. Book a table today and take advantage of up to 50% off your bill (max £10.00 per person)

Or why not treat yourself to ‘Sunday lunch and an overnight stay‘ for you and a guest. Relax in our restaurant and select from our a la carte menu then retire to one of our individually appointed en-suite bedrooms for only £99.00 per couple.

Simply download the attached .pdf file for your vouchers today and come and visit us or contact us on 01603 897787 or email us at info@blackswaninn.co.uk to see how we can help accommodate you.

The Black Swan is an attractive, recently refurbished, 18th Century building on the picturesque village green at Horsham St. Faith; tucked discreetly away but conveniently located just by (but not too close to) the airport. With plenty of off-road parking for our guests, we look forward to welcoming you soon.

Region’s businesses urged to join free Peer Networks programme

Small businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk have been encouraged to sign up for a new free Government-funded programme to grow and develop their organisation for future success.

The Peer Networks programme is part of the government’s national COVID-19 response and will be run locally through the New Anglia Growth Hub, supported by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The schemes aim is to create diverse cohort groups to collaboratively work through common business issues, enabling businesses to discuss challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback and implement practical solutions to overcome them.

The sessions will give businesses the flexibility to create a trusted support network, build and strengthen their business, improve its overall performance and give them the ability to trade in the ‘new normal’.

Each group, which will be led by an experienced facilitator, will meet for a total of 18 hours plus each business owner will take part in a further 3.5 hours of one-to-one support matched to their needs.

New Anglia Growth Hub will support up to 250 eligible businesses through the Peer Networks programme, with the first cohort meeting at the beginning of November.

New Anglia Growth Hub Manager, Richard Glinn, said: “The phrase ‘it’s good to talk’ is certainly relevant with the Peer Networks initiative.”

“Businesses will be able to build a trusted network of peers with whom they can share experiences and knowledge, learn with and rely upon for support and advice to help overcome challenges.”

“We have engaged with some excellent facilitators who will work with each cohort to help stimulate worthwhile, meaningful discussion and enable deeper learning and collaboration.”

“The programme will provide a much-needed support network and sounding board for businesses, helping them to grow and flourish during these current challenging times.”

Peer Networks is open to any SME that has operated for at least one year, has at least five employees, a turnover of at least £100,000 and an aspiration to improve.

For further information or to sign up, please visit newangliagrowthhub.co.uk/peer-networks

TaxAssist Accountants’ strong performance has seen the network of small business specialists maintain the 21st place in the highly regarded Accountancy Age industry league table with a 9% increase in fee income, up from £41.5m to £45.3m.

Celebrating excellence in accountancy practice, the Accountancy Age Top 50+50 spotlights the top accountancy firms in the UK ranking them according to UK fee income for the last financial year.

Karl Sandall, Group Chief Executive Director at the TaxAssist Group, said: “We’re pleased to have retained our position at 21, because of a strong growth rate that has outpaced many other firms.

“I suspect we will see some very different results in the sector off the back of this year, but we remain optimistic, having witnessed a gradual recovery since lockdown in terms of new client numbers and sales. This is due to the sustained support given to our accountants and their clients and the excellent efforts of everyone throughout the network to keep trading.

“We are continuing to recruit many new franchisees to our network who can see the value of our brand name and the evolving and comprehensive support that we provide. Small business clients have needed our assistance like never before to help them to survive and thrive and our network of high street shops with their highly visible presence are ideally placed to service this increase in demand.

“I feel confident that our adoption of a best-in-class technology suite combined with our full-service offering, including a range of complementary services which both attract and support clients, bodes well for future performance.”

In her analysis, Beth Mason of Accountancy Age stated that the data reveals a “robust performance from UK firms despite (the) challenging environment”. She goes on to predict: “Over the course of 2021 we may see growth in a number of areas, with sustained investment in technology and additional services as firms recognise the importance of innovation to capture a greater share of the market.”

To see the list of the Top 50 firms and an analysis by Accountancy Age click here.

Just last week we had confirmation from the Norfolk Trusted Trader scheme that we had been accepted after their in-depth audit of our company. It is a great pleasure to have been awarded this accreditation as it highlights to future clients that we stand up to Trading Standards strict guidelines.

So, feel free to get in touch with our small family-run business for all your garage door needs.

Providing professional accountancy and tax advice to farmers, landowners and those in the agriculture business remains one of M+A Partners’ core areas of expertise.

Our Agriculture team works to understand the ever-evolving economic pressures faced by this sector, acting for clients to deliver astute commercial advice.

We are therefore delighted to welcome Senior Accountant, Glen Trevatt to the M+A Partners team. Glen further strengthens the knowledge of our agriculture experts, having previously worked for a Chartered Accountancy firm in the region, providing specialised accounting services for farming clients.

Manager, Derek Maher commented: “Our strength is the expertise gained from years of advising clients whose businesses are primarily centred within the agriculture industry. It is fantastic to have Glen on board, as someone that recognises the differing needs of those within the sector and the various external factors that each business is required to manage.”

Although Glen will be working with many of M+A Partners’ agriculture clients, there are opportunities for Glen to develop relationships with clients across other sectors; broadening his experience and helping the diverse businesses we work with.

Glen commented: “There are many challenges and changing regulations currently facing those working within agriculture, and so it is a positive move for me to be joining a firm with a long-standing tradition of working to help farming businesses. I am looking forward to building relationships with M+A’s clients to provide industry-specific guidance, advising on the tax reliefs, business structures and future planning available to ensure sustainability for the long-term.”

Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict transforms uncomfortable encounters into stronger relationships.

Workplace conflict is inevitable. Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict helps learners improve self-awareness around conflict behaviors. Rather than focus on a step-by-step process for conflict resolution, Everything DiSC Productive Conflict helps learners curb destructive behaviors so that conflict can become more productive, ultimately improving workplace results and relationships.

By increasing self-awareness around conflict behaviors, Everything DiSC Productive Conflict helps learners effectively respond to the uncomfortable and unavoidable challenges of workplace conflict.

A 22-page Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Profile provides an in-depth report that highlights techniques to improve self awareness around conflict behaviors. With strategies to curb destructive responses, learners discover how to step back and reframe productive responses to conflict situations.

Contact us to find out more :

email        hello@corporategrowth.org

web         corporategrowth.org

call          01379 890313 or 07931 098 023

 

The Norfolk Mead have re-launched their popular takeaway Afternoon Tea menu for lockdown 2.0 in November.

The autumn-inspired menu includes a flapjack with ruby chocolate frosting, mixed berry cheesecake with caramelised white chocolate crumb alongside owner Anna’s famous chocolate brownie with coffee caramel topping. The full cream team also includes fresh sandwiches which have been refreshed to include smoked ham with Dijon mayonnaise, mature cheddar and chutney, and egg mayonnaise with mustard cress. For savoury fans, there is an apple and sage sausage roll, and of course, our amazing plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and fruit jam. 

James Holliday, Owner of the Norfolk Mead commented: “Whilst we are all devastated to have to close for the second time this year, we understand that we are all in this together when it comes to managing the coronavirus pandemic. Following the hard work of core members of our team throughout the lockdown earlier this summer, we are well placed to launch our refreshed cream tea takeaway service by this coming weekend. A cream tea has proved to offer a feel good uplift for people, and we hope our customers enjoy this moment amongst these worrying times.   “As we offer cream tea delivery, it’s also a great option for people to share with their loved ones who they can’t see in person during lockdown – and we are sure our kind hearted customers will once again treat their neighbours or elderly relatives. We are very grateful for the ongoing support of our local community.”    Priced at £16 per head, delivery is £3.50 within 18 miles of Coltishall (NR12 7DN), and the team will consider further deliveries – although this may be subject to an additional delivery charge. Afternoon tea can also be collected directly from the Hotel in line with the most recent social distancing and Covid-secure guidelines.    The Takeaway Afternoon Tea Delivery and collection is available every weekend throughout November. Order Norfolk cream tea delivery here, or email info@norfolkmead.co.uk

Course held at Rossi’s Leisure Ltd, NR28 0JQ. on the 12th November 2020

Costs are £62.50 (+VAT) per person and there are limited spaces available to book.

All Courses are fully Accredited, Lunch Included and free parking.

Call for futher information or Book online; https://shepherdshsltd.co.uk/first-aid-work-training-open-courses/

Courses are compliant with Current HM Gov & UK Resus Coronavirus Guidelines.

• Twice-weekly flights to Tenerife in winter 2021/22
• 9 destinations on offer for summer 2022
• More demand expected for 4 & 5-star all-inclusive hotels with private pools or villas

TUI UK has launched winter 2021 and 2022 holidays from Norwich and is set to put summer 2022 holidays on sale from 5th November, with thousands of free kids’ places, low deposits from £75 per person and £0 deposit on direct debit bookings made online on offer. This comes as 86% of customers surveyed in September said they expect to have gone on holiday again by next summer – reinforcing the growing appetite for future travel post Covid-19.

With on-going travel corridor uncertainty for some regular favourites this winter, those craving sunshine during the coldest months have already booked for next winter, with strong demand for Tenerife so far from Norwich Airport. For winter 2021/22, TUI will operate two weekly flights to Tenerife which will also connect with five Marella Cruises itineraries, including Canarian Flavours, Colourful Coasts and Island Explorer.

With 57% of customers saying they expect to book a Mediterranean beach holiday for 2021, TUI anticipates greater demand for summer 2022 as people want to ‘make up’ for not being able to go away this year. So far, Greece is the standout destination of choice based on current bookings for next summer, with Turkey and Egypt also popular, and patterns indicate these trends could continue into 2022.

The summer 2022 programme from Norwich Airport will see nine destinations on offer, with reintroduced flights to Ibiza, three flights every week to Majorca and three Greek islands on offer.

TUI is seeing an upward trend in 4 and 5-star all-inclusive hotel bookings for next summer, with over 40% of customers surveyed expressing this preference. This includes hotels which offer the ‘best of both worlds’ with villas or room options with private pools and accommodation as families in particular seek to continue to feel safe in their ‘bubble’. TUI will be offering 233 different options in 155 hotels for this growing category in summer 2021 and expects this trend to continue for summer 2022.

In the same vein, 18% of customers surveyed said they would look to book a villa holiday with car hire included, making social distancing easier on holiday. TUI is offering 150 villas with flights and car hire included for summer 2021 and summer 2022 in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Portugal, Italy and Florida. 

Richard Sofer, Commercial & Business Development Director at TUI said: “Our latest customer survey and booking patterns for next summer indicate that the great British public are looking forward to future holidays even more so as they may have been unable to take one this year. This is why we have launched our future holiday programmes through to the end of October 2022, so that families and couples alike can plan ahead to next year and beyond to make informed choices about what will make their perfect holiday from the wide range we have on offer.”

Richard Pace, Managing Director of Norwich Airport said: “The launch of TUI’s winter 2021 and summer 2022 programmes gives passengers the opportunity to book with confidence and look forward to a well-deserved break. It’s fantastic news for our airport and our region, with air travel and international connectivity critical to both. We welcome TUI’s announcement and look forward to seeing a return to passenger growth, with a clear demand for travel post-COVID-19, and a variety of routes offering passengers a great choice of destinations.”