Businesses across west Norfolk are being encouraged to complete a new coronavirus business impact survey, to help the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and other agencies focus their economic response and recovery efforts on current and emerging issues. Cllr Graham Middleton, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Business Development said: “We are acutely aware of how challenging it is for many businesses at the moment. We need businesses to take part in this survey so that we can fully understand the nature of those challenges and what sorts of things might help them now and in the future.” The survey is available online at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/2021CouncilSurvey and should take around 15 minutes to complete. Businesses can complete the survey more than once if circumstances or their views change. Survey response data is non-business-specific and will directly inform both our conversations and our economic response and recovery work with partners from Government, New Anglia LEP, other local authorities and local business groups. Cllr Middleton added: “The more we understand about the pressures local businesses are under, the more we can tailor support to help them recover from the pandemic. The survey will be open for a while and we would urge businesses to complete it more than once if they are affected by changes in government guidance etc. We recognise that this is not a static situation, but one that is ever-changing.”
John Morse, Operations Director of marine survey company Gardline, has been appointed as new Vice President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council.
Commenting on his appointment, John said: “I am very excited to take up this new role. As an employee of Gardline, which is one of the largest Great Yarmouth employers, plus my previous relevant experience, I will be able to contribute to the Chamber’s forthcoming development and help to support this vital industry sector.
“I believe there should be a concerted effort to regenerate a new economy in Great Yarmouth, based upon the offshore renewables and other related opportunities. An economy such as this will provide long-term employment, net inward migration and general viability away from, but parallel to its traditional tourism base.
“I think it should be the responsibility of every Chamber member to provide support and direct mentoring to businesses in Great Yarmouth, and in collaboration, we should all strive to generate a strong, vibrant, and expanding business environment for the town.”
The following is update on the BIS Business in You (BiY) campaign businessinyou.bis.gov.uk. So far there have been over 90,000 visits to the “Business in You” portal and there are now 9,900 subscribers to email updates.
The current theme is employment which covers existing and new offers to businesses, cutting across several departments and channels. There is also a new online tool, “Taking on an Employee”, which brings together everything a business needs when considering employing for the first time. The new tool can be found at: www.businesslink.gov.uk/employ.”
The Business in You has also teamed up with The Guardian and Channel 4 as part of the drive to support small and medium sized businesses.
The partnership includes a competition run by The Guardian for start-ups and growing businesses, who get a chance to win a package of business support, mentoring and £15,000 worth of advertising in The Guardian. Channel 4 have produced adverts and video clips, which show real-life case studies of successful small businesses designed to inspire new start-ups and help existing ones to grow. To find out more go to www.guardian.co.uk/business-in-you
Finally, a major direct mail campaign has also been launched – targeted at growing businesses – via Companies House, who are in turn promoting BiY through their new “Get it Right, First Time” series of events. Events are taking place in London on 3 July: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/getitright.htm
The team at Tiger Eye are delighted to announce The Boudicca Appeal has been selected as their charity of the year for 2021, with the charity being nominated for the second year running.
Following a staff vote, The Boudicca Appeal was once again chosen for its vital work in the Norfolk community. The Tiger Eye Team will make The Boudicca Appeal the focus of fundraising efforts for 2021. Whilst the pandemic and lockdown may make fundraising events and projects more difficult, Tiger Eye look forward to generating vital funds for the appeal where possible.
The Boudicca Appeal, one of many programmes under the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity umbrella, aims to raise funds for a new dedicated breast cancer unit at the NNUH. Over the past five years, the current breast cancer unit has seen an 80% increase in patient numbers, meaning that as it stands, the current unit is unable to provide same-day diagnosis to all visitors.
With the NHS facing its biggest challenge in 72 years in its battle against the coronavirus, resources are already strained, and the unit is of critical importance. With the pandemic at hand, the need to provide same-day diagnostic tests is crucial, in order to reduce stress and anxiety for breast cancer patients by removing tough wait times between referrals, tests and diagnoses for the 7,000+ women and men who are referred each year.
So far, The Boudicca Appeal has raised £440.4K – 55% of its £800K target. Tiger Eye look forward to supporting The Boudicca Appeal in getting closer to achieving their goal.
Norfolk Bound showcases Little Massingham Manor, a sublime Arts and Crafts house with 63 acres of tranquil grounds, which has recently undergone a complete reinvention – and consequently now offers group/corporate stays, health retreats, events and workshops. A step away from our busy lives into an exclusive and immersive experience surrounded by nature.
We provide luxurious holiday accommodation across North Norfolk as well as at Little Massingham Manor.
We are Sidegate Motors and Sidegate Motorpark, with our two forecourts diagonally opposite one another we are Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft’s best choice for car buyers! With over 50 years’ experience selling quality used cars and vans, it’s safe to say you are buying from the best. Previously we have also had 40 years experience as a Peugeot franchised dealer. During this time we have won numerous awards for customer satisfaction including the prestigious Peugeot Gold Lion Dealer on numerous occasions. This award is only presented to the very best in the dealer network and is something we are very proud to have achieved. We’ve also received the HIGHLY RATED AWARD FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS 2021, 2022 and 2023 from Autotrader. In 2022 we were named as a finalist in the AUTOTRADER CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD and this year, we were honoured to WIN an award at the 2023 MOTOR TRADER INDEPENDENT DEALER AWARDS.
All our 200+ used vehicles in stock all prepared to a high standard having undergone a 100+ point safety check and every vehicle includes a comprehensive warranty. We won’t be beaten on price, all vehicles include our 50 mile Price Guarantee. We can provide flexible finance packages to suit any budget and we can normally find a solution for all credit types. This includes no deposit options which are available on most vehicles, subject to status.
Additionally, if we don’t have it we will find it for you through our supplied to order service. So, if you have viewed them all, test driven a couple and narrowed it down to a specific model or budget we will consult with our carefully selected partners and locate your dream vehicle.
It doesn’t stop there though! We have our own large Peugeot & Citroen Authorised Repairer workshop. Providing servicing, MOTs and vehicle maintenance, we are equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment to work on all makes of vehicle. Our highly trained workforce have the ability and expertise to quality check every vehicle we offer for sale as well as maintaining your vehicle and after your purchase.
We are family owned and family run, this means that at Sidegate Motorpark your treated as more than a number. Our passion is providing customers with the right car for them at a great price. We want our family to look after your family’s motoring needs from first car to last. We are proud to boast Sidegate Motorpark is the best way to find your next vehicle!
The World Trade Organization (WTO) seems incapable of bringing its members together in a binding agreement to complete the Doha round of trade talks, and yet countries are still queuing to join.
In September 2003, talks being held in Cancun, Mexico, collapsed in the face of irreconcilable differences between rich and poor countries. In December 2005, another make-or-break WTO meeting failed in Hong Kong.
Director-General Pascal Lamy reported to the WTO General Council on 1 May 2012 that, with regard to the Doha Round, “my conversations over the past few weeks with Ministers and delegations have provided me with a sense that Members wish to continue to explore any opportunities to gain the necessary traction and make tangible progress soon”.
So not yet dead, but certainly not about to come to a conclusion any time soon.
Nevertheless, the WTO remains open for business and countries continue to make their way through the long accession process, with the two most recent recruits being Montenegro and Samoa.
They have become respectively the WTO’s 154th and 155th member after both informed the WTO that they had accepted their membership package. Under WTO rules, a country becomes a member 30 days after national ratification.
As part of their accession commitments, both have agreed to further liberalise their trade regime and to accelerate integration in the world economy. The countries have also pledged to provide a transparent and predictable environment for trade and foreign investment.
Samoa has promised to fully implement the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement by June 2012.
See the WTO website for details of the accession package agreed by both countries.
Avoiding video call fatigue – I’ve got the video blues
In this weeks episode of Impromptu Business Chat, James and Mark share their experiences of the video blues. Since the first lockdown, businesses have become ever more reliant on video calls, but is it now starting to impact our metal health and wellbeing. As usual they share 3 top tips, and along the way they draw inspiration from Harvard Business Review, Jeannette (Pritchard) Pearce MBE and Huey Lewis & The News!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, please like us, and leave a comment. We would love to hear what you are enjoying about the podcast, and it helps others to find us!
With an employment rights report, commissioned by the Prime Minister from a leading venture capitalist,a second publication has appeared with the aim of making life easier for businesses.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) have put forward a comprehensive plan for growth which they describe as the culmination of 18 months’ evidence gathering by the 2020 Tax Commission and the start of a major new campaign.
A joint project by the TPA and IoD, the Commission in its final report calls for “radical but realistic reform” of the UK tax system including the abolition of eight taxes and the creation of just one – a Single Income Tax.
According to a full analysis of the proposals by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr), a leading economics consultancy, the changes would increase GDP by 8.4% over 15 years – equivalent to an additional £5000 per family in 2012-13.
Among other recommendations, the report suggests that marginal tax rates should not exceed 30%, and the personal allowance should rise to £10,000. Taxes on capital and labour income “disguised as business taxes” should be abolished and replaced with a tax on distributed income.
Furthermore, transaction, wealth and inheritance taxes should be abolished while transport taxes should be cut.
Income Tax and Employees’ and Employers’ National Insurance should be merged into a single tax on labour income, with rates levelled down so that certain groups do not face higher bills.
Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax should be replaced with a single tax on capital income – dividends, interest and rent – at a rate of 30%.
Allister Heath, Chairman of the 2020 Tax Commission, concluded: “It is time for Britain to make a vital choice between tweaking the status quo and letting our economy continue to be crippled by complex and punitive taxes, and drastically changing course with a radical but realistic plan for a tax system fit for the 21st century.”
Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice has recently visited China on a mission to open up trade for Britain’s farming, food and drink sector.
“Food and farming already plays a vital role in the UK economy but I believe there are still great opportunities for growth in emerging markets like China,” he explained. “We need to keep ahead of the game by developing strong trade relationships with the world’s second largest economy.”
China’s growing middle class is increasingly buying foreign food and drink, seeing it as aspirational and recognising its high quality.
Whether it is Scotch whisky or frozen lobster, artisan crisps or malt drinks, an increasing number of British favourites are becoming supermarket staples, the Minister claimed.
He was looking to build relationships with key retailers and importers to smooth the path for British producers looking to make their mark in China. At the same time he was also promoting high quality breeding pigs from UK producers.
China is the world’s biggest market for pig meat and, at the end of his visit, the Minister announced a £50 million trade deal to sell British pork.
As well as the trade in breeding pigs, Mr Paice promoted the skills and technologies available in the UK to support breeding programmes, which have the potential to be even more lucrative.