Member News

In his much-anticipated summer economic statement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a draft of measures aimed at boosting the UK economy: including a temporary holiday on stamp duty on the first £500,000 of all property sales in England and Northern Ireland, with immediate effect.

In a move firmly aimed at boosting the property market, the tax threshold has been temporarily raised until 31 March 2021. Stamp duty was previously paid on land or property sold for £125,000 or more.

Hatch Brenner Conveyancing Executive Rachael Hughes commented: “Myself and the Hatch Brenner Residential Property team very much welcome the introduction of the stamp duty holiday. It will give people looking to buy a home confidence, and make it more affordable for people to move house during the current coronavirus pandemic. It is a positive action by the Government to keep the housing market moving. We have seen a steady flow of enquiries from those planning on buying or selling a property – even through lockdown. In particular, since the easing of lockdown, and the relaxation of social distancing to 1m, we have been really busy with lots of new properties entering the housing market as people review their circumstances.”

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is the tax paid in England upon completion by those buying properties and is dependant on the price of the property in question.

From 8 July 2020, anyone completing on a main residence costing up to £500,000 will not have to pay any stamp duty, and any properties costing above £500,000 will only be taxed on their value above that amount. Between £425,000 to £925,000 above £500,000, the stamp duty would be taxed at 5%, and the £575,000 after that (£925,001 to £1.5 million) would be taxed at 10%. Anything remaining over £1.5 million would be taxed at 12%.

According to the BBC News, the stamp duty holiday will cut £4,500 off the average stamp duty bill and save some up to £15,000: Stamp duty holiday: How will it work?

First time buyers

The new stamp duty holiday replaces the previous first time buyer stamp duty discount whereby they previously did not pay stamp duty up to a property value of £300,000.

Landlords and second home buyers

Under the terms of the stamp duty holiday, landlords and second home buyers are eligible for the tax cut, but will still have to pay the additional 3% stamp duty they were previously charged.

Government stamp duty rate calculator

The rates have been adjusted in the Government SDLT calculator which is an easy tool to work out the SDLT payable for most residential property transactions.

Our team of Residential Property Solicitors has extensive experience in advising those looking to move house. Call 01603 660 811, or email info@hatchbrenner.co.uk and we would be happy to help.

Read more: The housing market re-opens: Covid-secure guidance to get the residential property sector moving

New advertising campaigns highlight the benefits of being a client of a proactive and innovative network of accountants. 

On the back of successfully delivering services, support and guidance to its 77,000 clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, TaxAssist Accountants is launching new campaigns to attract new business start-ups and those wishing to switch over to a more proactive and supportive accountant.

James Mattam, Group Business Development Director at TaxAssist Accountants, explains, “We’ve had some fantastic feedback from the network’s clients on the speed and comprehensiveness of communications we’ve been providing. The support delivered by the accountants during the lockdown, has made a huge difference to them personally and professionally, as well as ensuring their business’ ability to survive.

“We are now targeting those looking to start a business and business owners who feel unsupported by their current accountant through this challenging time. We believe they will benefit enormously from the quality and breadth of services that TaxAssist Accountants offers, including the very latest software and apps.

“We have also been running a series of webinars to raise our profile with business start-ups, the first of which, ‘Starting a Business‘, was held on 1st July. We have also created a new dedicated client hub on our website full of useful content to support clients to manage their business’ finances and to work closely with their accountant in the post COVID-19 environment.”

TaxAssist Accountants across the UK have been incredibly busy over the last few months helping clients with grants, funding applications and furloughing claims. All have continued to fully operate, reporting new business enquiries and client referrals throughout lockdown. Clients can make an appointment either via telephone consultation, video consultation or as they gradually begin to re-open, by visiting a shop or office.

TaxAssist Accountants has ambitious growth plans and also wants to talk to retiring accountants, or those seeking to sell their practices at this time. They can be introduced to a TaxAssist Accountant who is interested in buying a block of fees and will incur no broker fees by selling directly to the franchisee local to them. Further information on this scheme can be found here.

A lot of exciting work is already underway in Great Yarmouth…Now the Government has invited Great Yarmouth as one of just 101 places to apply for a Town Deal of up to £25m to drive economic regeneration, recovery and growth through:

• Urban regeneration, planning and land use
• Skills and enterprise infrastructure
• Connectivity

The Government would like local people to help decide how the money could be spent. A Town Deal Board, of local leaders from the private, public and third sectors, has been set up and is crafting a Town Investment Plan to support the bid. The Board is asking local people to submit ideas to help build this Investment Plan for how that money could be spent. How would you invest?

Please share your ideas here

Lots already happening

We’ve already seen the lovely Venetian Waterways restored, the exciting new £26m Marina Centre is taking shape, while the Winter Gardens restoration is one of just 12 projects nationally invited to apply for major National Lottery funding to bring it back into use.

Soon we’ll have a welcoming new Market Place. That’s part of a £50m vision for town centre regeneration, which includes relocating the library to a larger building in a more central location, converting space in empty or under-utilised historic buildings into new homes, building new quality housing and establishing a heritage centre.

In addition, a new £120m Third River Crossing will support the ambitions for the town centre as well as improve connections between the Port and top-performing Enterprise Zone, helping to support investment opportunities across the energy sector, including the burgeoning area of offshore wind. 

Please click onto the document to read this week’s market summary.

Norfolk Chamber Strategic Partner LV Shipping was invited by the EIC (Energy Industries Council) to take part in an exclusive Round Table webinar discussion with Graham Stuart MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exports for the Department for International Trade). The event took place on the morning of 8th July and comprised representation from a pre-selected 12 EIC member businesses in a discussion with UK government to assist the Minister and other high level Department of International Trade representatives in understanding the energy industry better and, in particular, the challenges and opportunities that British suppliers to local and global energy sectors are facing. The event enabled the chosen EIC members to put forward their views on the industry’s most pressing needs,  highlight the work they are doing to survive and thrive in the current tough market, and find out about government thinking and directly influence its strategies on diverse topics including COVID-19 recovery, international trade, Brexit, energy transition and energy policy. The full diversity of the UK energy industry was represented covering different sectors (oil & gas, nuclear, renewable), types (EPCs, OEMs, SMEs) and strategies (exporters, technology developers, cost leaders etc) . LV Shipping, with global offices in energy hubs such as Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth, Houston, Rio, Baku and Singapore, was represented by their UK Sales Director, Kevin Walsh, who spoke up for the Logistics sector in what proved to be an enlightening event with the opportunity to promote the LV name amongst some major players in the energy industry and government.”

Captain Fawcett Ltd is simply delighted to be recognised as an East of England Export Champion by the Department for International Trade (DIT). It is particularly welcome in this, Captain Fawcett’s 10th Anniversary year. Celebrations to mark the occasion have, of course, been somewhat delayed due to unfolding global events yet plans for developing product ranges and reaching out to new territories have continued, albeit with meetings taking place online rather than the company’s preferred face-to-face approach. Combining a unique brand of Edwardian derring do with a humorously idiosyncratic take on what it means to be a gentleman in the 21st century, Captain Fawcett Ltd is a manufacturer, distributor and exporter of high quality gentlemen’s grooming products (First Class Gentlemen’s Grooming Requisites). Based at his Gentlemen’s Emporium in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, UK, all Captain Fawcett oils are produced in-house and the legendary wax is still made by the company’s founder himself. Captain Fawcett Ltd is proud of being a niche brand, uncompromising on quality. All packaging is made in the UK, as are all Fawcett products. Attention to detail is paramount. It is a great honour to be included amongst those fine companies acknowledged for an inspirational attitude to growing a business through exporting products and thus championing this outward bound approach in the East of England. As an Export Champion, rest assured Captain Fawcett Ltd will be playing our part in peer to peer conversations, encouraging fellow companies in the East of England region to start exporting, to offer practical advice on how to turn exporting ambitions into reality and to share our experiences of how the DIT helped Captain Fawcett Ltd to forge ahead into new markets. Beginning as an entrepreneurial start-up, Captain Fawcett Ltd is now an established SME, exporting to 42 countries world-wide, including key and emerging markets such as the US and India. With the ever increasing demand for high quality British products, there is undoubtedly fantastic opportunity for British businesses to build stronger trading relationships and win greater access to some of the largest and fastest growing markets in the world. All hugely exciting for a business begun at a kitchen table in Terrington St Clement! Captain Fawcett founder, Richie Finney, says “For any business interested in exporting, I’d say don’t hesitate to get in touch with the DIT. They have a superb network of International trade advisers local to territories worldwide, ready to help with tailored advice, guidance and running workshops on a vast range of topics, plus relevant funding support. It will be a great honour to inspire other UK businesses who haven’t yet begun to sell overseas to dive in and start swimming!”

DIT assistance Companies looking for support from DIT should call 01707 398 398 or email eastinfo@mobile.trade.gov.uk. They can also visit great.gov.uk, which has information on live export opportunities and includes general information on exporting and events.

Freebridge Community Housing are delighted to announce that their outgoing Chief Executive, Tony Hall, has been nominated for a Housing Heroes Award in the Lifetime achievement in housing category.

Tony Hall, who will be leaving Freebridge at the end of the month, after almost 14 years at the head of the West Norfolk housing and community organisation, has spent over 30 years working at a senior level in social housing and local governments all over the country.

Tony was previously Director of Community with the Borough Council and oversaw the transfer of almost 7,000 homes to the newly established Freebridge in April 2006. Since then the organisation has made an impact through activities such as the decent homes improvement programme, the regeneration of Hillington Square, taking over the ownership and management of Providence Street Community Centre and the Discovery Centre, and developing many new homes.

The Housing Heroes Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 10 September as part of Housing 2020 – Europe’s largest housing event, which this year is going entirely virtual.

Tony Hall said: “When I announced my retirement at the beginning of the year I didn’t think I’d be finishing my time in housing in such unusual circumstances. That said I feel very lucky to have worked in this hugely rewarding sector in a job that I’ve enjoyed and hearing the news of my nomination has been a very pleasant surprise during my final weeks here at Freebridge Community Housing.”

The winners of the 2020 Young Norfolk Writing Competition – Norfolk’s largest annual creative writing competition for young people aged 11 – 18 – have been announced alongside the identity of the fourth Young Norfolk Laureate.

The annual competition, which celebrates creative writing in all its forms, is a partnership between the National Centre for Writing (NCW) and Young Norfolk Arts (YNA). It received a record number of entries in 2020 with over 500 young people in the region submitting their freshest, boldest work.

Hannah Garrard, Learning and Participation Programme Manager, NCW said: ‘The fact that young people in Norfolk have been writing so creatively and eloquently throughout these difficult past months is a testament to their strength of character and resilience. Never has access to writing, reading and books  felt more important for this generation of creatives. Giving young people a platform to express themselves is what the YNWC is all about and it’s been an honour to read their work this year.’

Lucy Farrant, Director of the Young Norfolk Arts Trust, said; ‘It is a great honour to partner with NCW on delivering the competition and hosting the awards event. It is always one of my favourite parts of every Young Norfolk Arts Festival as it is a joy to celebrate the talent of all of our young writers and for them to inspire their peers and future generations.’

The winners of the Yong Norfolk Writing Competition 2020 (in alphabetical order) are: • Mathilda Armiger, 18, Paston College • Florence Bullion, 14, City of Norwich School • Kasey Challenger, 18, Dereham Sixth Form College • Jessica Creedon, 17, Notre Dame Sixth Form • Ella Cunningham, 13, Norwich High School for Girls • Mathilda Peak, 13, Litcham Secondary School • Ryan Taffee-Fowle, 18, Wymondham College A further 12 young writers received commendation from the judges.

The competition is supported by Norfolk County Council and Arts Council England and focuses on engaging young people to become more involved with the arts while celebrating the writing talent in the region. Entries could take the form of stories, lyrics, narrative for games, graphic stories, poems, spoken word, scripts, podcasts, plays, articles, journalism or essays.

Robert Rickard, 14 – 19 Advisor for NCC, said: ‘The competition is a great collaborative initiative that we are delighted to support each year. Across the UK, writing talent remains hidden among many thousands of young people: we are proud to help many of our young writers express and develop their ability.’

For the first time, the 2020 Young Norfolk Laureateship will be awarded to three young people: Mathilda Armiger, Kasey Challenger and Ryan Taffee-Fowle. Over the next 12 months they will work as a collective, receiving creative and professional development opportunities from NCW and working towards an original collaboration to be performed next year.

Ryan Taffee-Fowle said: ‘I am very grateful for this opportunity. Growing up I always struggled with English but still enjoyed it, so finding poetry gave me an effective outlet that wasn’t constrained by any set rules.

This laureateship will give me many opportunities but perhaps the most exciting is the platform to show other young people how powerful their words can be.’

Last year’s Laureate Colette Maxwell-Preston, 13, showed great commitment to the programme and dedicated much of her writing to raising awareness of climate change.

Watch the Young Norfolk Writing Competition Showcase In celebration of the 2020 Young Norfolk Writing Competition and the breadth of young creative talent developing across the county, a special showcase event will be hosted by Young Norfolk Arts Festival this evening, 6pm GMT, over on YouTube Live.

The event has been organised by NCW’s Lit From the Inside team of aspiring young arts professionals and will feature readings from winning and highly commended writers and a performance from local musician Jess Morgan. Everyone is invited to tune in – no booking required. Visit the YNAF YouTube channel from 6pm: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKclyoImEJwNGoNFB3YNELQ/live

For further information on the Young Norfolk Writing Competition, visit nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ynwc/

As part of our mission to care for people and the planet, we are committed to delivering every product with net zero emissions. This is done in one of two ways:

Using 100% clean energy and electric vehicles (or bicycles)

Using fossil fuels and offsetting the emissions by planting trees and investing in clean energy

As we haven’t yet acquired our electric fleet (but are working on it), we’re reaching net zero by calculating emissions of each delivery and offsetting them.

We have partnered with Carbon Footprint, the leading organisation in carbon calculation and offsetting. Every week, after our deliveries, we use a carbon calculator to work out the amount of carbon produced. The calculator produces our footprint for that week in tons CO2e. This is a measure of green house gas equivalents in carbon dioxide.

Carbon Footprint then advises how much it costs to offset that carbon, and offers a number of environmental projects we can direct that cost towards.

We have chosen to offset our carbon footprint by planting trees, close to home in the East of England. Our chosen project also operates in a “buddy” system: partnering up with a scheme abroad, specifically a Reduced Degradation and Deforestation project (REDD+), which protects the Amazon Rainforest. Each contribution therefore matches planting a native tree on home soil AND offsetting 1 tonnes of CO2 through the REDD+ scheme.

Investing into the future at home, and protecting the future of the planet’s largest ecosystem. A win-win, in our eyes!

The trees we fund will be planted in the coming tree planting season (after summer). As native species trees, they will not only offset carbon emissions, but also support biodiversity in the UK.

Carbon Footprint often work to plant trees directly with schools which will also reap invaluable educational benefits on the environment.

The project runs hand-on days experience days which teach the children to plant the trees and learn about how they support wildlife and improve the air quality.

Once schools reopen again we hope our trees will help inform the next generation on why native species trees are essential to the health and happiness of our environment.

We can keep track of trees planted by Carbon Footprint via their Tree Planting Map which showcases all locations where they have planted trees since 2017.

As we plant more trees in our journey, we look forward to seeing the map grow.

Every time you receive a product from Goodery, you’re helping plant trees in your community and taking carbon out of the air. Good for you, good for others, good for the planet.

By subscribing to our weekly fruit and vegetable boxes, you’ll not only be supporting the environment, but also your local growers.

Try getting your next weekly shop from Goodery: Shop Norfolk Organic Fruit & Veg Boxes, & More

Surely, there can be no worse a time to launch your first television campaign than during a pandemic. Conventional wisdom would conclude such a plan to be a futile waste of time and money. We believe otherwise.

JMS Group has long been an advocate for the power of television advertising, having witnessed the transformative results created for so many of our clients during more than three decades of production. Television has proven itself to be a reliable advertising channel no matter the state of the economy. So-regardless of the current situation-JMS Group has produced its first addressable TV campaign to promote both itself and Sky’s AdSmart platform.  And we’re proud to be the first production company to run a TV advertising campaign in our region.

AdSmart from Sky allows commercials to be displayed only in households that meet a bespoke advertiser-specified profile. The profile is assembled from tens of thousands of consumer data points linked to Sky’s subscribers. JMS Group’s commercial will be displayed in households containing marketing professionals and the owners of SMEs. But why is now still a good time to be advertising? Businesses are fervently reinventing their services. They are shifting to video sales consultations, creating new direct-to-consumer subscription models, or making a wholesale move to online-only trading. If ever there was a time for a business to be communicating with its consumers it is now, not least because-even with restrictions easing-television viewing has skyrocketed, and is likely to remain at elevated levels for some time to come. 

JMS Group produced its campaign while the production team worked remotely out of its Hethersett headquarters. A cloud-based production workflow had already been in daily operation for several years allowing both client projects and production of the campaign to continue uninterrupted offsite during lockdown. The dispatch of completed commercials to broadcasters is also via a file-based cloud delivery system. JMS Group’s addressable campaign went live in Sky households on 1st July.

Use Sky to reach your customers, right now. Discuss television advertising with JMS Group on 01603 811855.

Tom Vaughan-Mountford, JMS Group

MHA Larking Gowen’s Corporate Finance Experts James Lay and Jack Minns are launching a new webinar series which will help those who are getting ready to sell their business. 

 – Tuesday 28 July, 12pm – 1pm

We are pleased to say that further to our last update in April 2020, we have adapted some of our core processes and our team have adapted to working in the ‘new normal’, to continue to provide all of our regular services during the usual working hours. Our previous investments in recruiting and training the right people, combined with developing robust IT systems, have enabled ASAMS to demonstrate a good level of resilience during the pandemic.

“All of our staff have worked hard to adapt to the changes to ensure that our company can continue to give great service to our customers” said Thomas Whiskin, Director, ASAMS.

In addition to completing a full risk assessment, maintaining social distancing and providing our staff with additional PPE, we have made four main changes:

1. We have modified our workflow processes including reducing paper use, using screens to create areas allowing isolation of technicians during testing and increasing cleaning. Reducing paper use has enabled us to produce high quality, secure digital reports and therefore provide an even better service to our customers.

2. Minimising visits to site while allowing the calibration of equipment has been maintained by reorganising the workspace and enabling any visitors on site to work in a Covid-secure environment.

3. As part of minimising visits to the laboratory, we are now facilitating remote witnessing using streaming from webcams within the test lab rather than have people visit ASAMS premises. With witnesses currently working remotely from home this has enabled them to complete the process easily, accurately, efficiently and safely.

4. Drop off points for test samples arriving at the laboratory have been established outside so that contactless deliveries can be made with clear signage (above).

“The adaptations have been fast and effective, showing the company cares about its personnel and puts their safety first.” said Ziggy, ASAMS team member.

Customer feedback from the last few weeks has been positive too. “I have been using ASAMS mechanical and metallurgical testing services for some years now and would thoroughly recommend this company. Our industry is the oil & gas sector which requires quality work to be carried out with quick turnover which ASAMS fully support with a “can do” attitude. The company has fantastic customer support and in-house expertise, and are always readily available to discuss and advise on technical matters. Customer relationships are paramount at ASAMS and I genuinely feel like a valued customer to them.” said a welding engineer at a large Aberdeenshire based fabricator.

Looking to the Future Planning ahead, we intend to maintain our streamlined workflow processes and digital reports as we continue to provide the full range of metal testing services for the oil, gas and renewables sectors.

Recognising that we all need to learn from each other to help us get through this difficult situation, please get in touch if there is anything that we can do to help you create your Covid-secure environment.