Member News

Andy Slade has opened his shop on 137 Buxton Road, Heaviley

Andy Slade FCA joined TaxAssist Accountants in March 2019 and has opened his new shop in time to benefit from self-assessment tax return season.

“I would like to thank the Norwich based Support Team who helped me to source and fit out the shop which looks great – I’m so pleased with it. It’s highly visible, well located and has plenty of parking available nearby,” said Andy. 

Andy worked in industry for eight years, culminating in becoming a group financial controller before moving to Manchester, where he began working as a contractor. Knowing that he wanted to establish his own business, he turned to franchising, discovered TaxAssist Accountants and the rest, as they say is history!

“I wanted to build something more permanent to be proud of,” explained Andy. “I also wanted to get back to having and managing my own team and be more involved in my local community. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting with and helping clients over the last 10 months, and I’ve had a really busy January. I am actively looking to grow the practice, so would encourage anyone interested in finding out more about our services to pop in for a free consultation.”

Andy’s shop joins an established network of 229 shops nationwide.

If you are interested in finding out more about joining TaxAssist Accountants, regular Discovery Days are held, where you meet with the Directors of the franchise and find out more about the technical and business development support on offer. Call 0800 0188297 to find out more.  

The historic Maid’s Head hotel was the ideal venue for our first Norwich Networking breakfast event of 2020, and the Minstrel Suite was the perfect warm welcome to the cold early start. We are all about Collaboration at The Norfolk Chambers and were thrilled to be joined by Mark Thair and members of the Breakaway networking group this morning. We also welcomed new members to the breakfast and they soon got involved in the morning. Our networking breakfasts are a great opportunity to talk about upcoming events to our members – whether it’s our International Women’s Day event with Natwest at The Aviation Academy on March 5th or our Great Yarmouth breakfast on March 19th.  There is a wide choice of events in our calendar and if you prefer a smaller event we have bespoke events happening too. Our guest speaker was Cata Parrish, Owner of Re.Source General Store and café based on Timber Hill in Norwich. Cata talked us through her journey that led her to the decision to start Re.source, how an illness forced her to prioritise her working life. Her challenges were instrumental in formatting change personally and professionally. Her zero-waste company is inspiring, courageous and successful. Not a usual occurrence at one of our breakfasts, but before we brought the event to a close we were invited for a few minutes to enjoy some guided meditation by Cata. Many thanks to Cata for sharing her sustainable life and serenity, to Georgina Postlethwaite and her staff for looking after us, and of course to all our friends that attended!

Eye Film and the 25am Networking Group have a long association and this is the second film we have produced for the group over the last few years. This time we wanted to do something different and harness the considerable talents of our animator, Oliver.  Having got to know the members too, matching their characters to an appropriate animal was great fun. Starting then from scratch by drawing the initial sketches, Oliver constructed the animation and synced the captured voices of the 25am members with their characters, simple if you know how! Recognising that not everyone finds early mornings an easy situation to handle, particularly on dark, cold winter mornings, we wanted to know if the sacrifice was worth it? What was the answer, overwhelmingly yes.

Do visit our website www.eyefilm.co.uk and look out for our forthcoming blog about the making of the animation for insights into how the magic happens.

Pasha Alnadaf, a Norwich Personal Injury specialist at Hatch Brenner Solicitors, has recently helped a 78-year-old retired local woman to recover a significant five figure settlement following a road traffic accident. The Claimant was walking along a footpath in Norwich and was hit by a car which failed to give way to her, and she sustained a fractured kneecap and a minor head injury. In addition to personal injuries, the claim included domestic care and assistance provided by the Claimant’s family and friends together with some incidental expenses. Following submission of a detailed letter of claim, a prompt admission of liability was secured from the Defendant’s insurers allowing us to focus on the Claimant’s rehabilitation needs and the claim itself. Personal Injury expert Pasha Alnadaf commented: “After thorough investigations we were very pleased that a good settlement was achieved for our client. This case demonstrates the importance of seeking independent legal advice as opposed to dealing directly with insurance companies. The Claimant initially dealt directly with the Defendant’s insurers and she then decided to contact a local firm for legal advice who unfortunately did not return her call. The Claimant subsequently contacted us. I went to see her immediately at her home for a free initial personal injury consultation and she was happy to formally instruct us. Specialist personal injury lawyers should take each case seriously and aim to achieve the best possible outcome for their Clients.” If you would like to speak to a specialist Personal Injury Lawyer, please call Hatch Brenner Solicitors on 01603 660 811 or email pashaalnadaf@hatchbrenner.co.uk View our Personal Injury case studies, or visit our Mythbusters guides: Dealing with insurers when you’ve had an accident and Personal injury claims

Hatch Brenner Solicitors on Theatre Street in Norwich is delighted to be included in the Headway Solicitor’s Directory once again for 2020. The Directory is a resource for brain injured individuals and their families to identify the leading Solicitors in the UK who have the required experience in handling brain injury cases. All the Solicitors featured in the Directory have agreed to abide by the Headway Personal Injury Lawyers Code of Conduct providing clients with confidence in the quality and expertise of their work. Colin Cook, experienced brain injury lawyer and Hatch Brenner Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution commented: “We are very pleased to be recognised once again as a leading firm for our brain injury work by Headway, the brain injury association. I sit on the board of trustees for Headway Norfolk & Waveney and am proud that Hatch Brenner is both a long supporter of this important charity, and is recognised by Headway UK as a leading firm in this field. “We take the time – through home visits, and spending the time with clients to understand their symptoms, explore their funding options and access appropriate rehabilitation. We understand the impact on the client’s close family, and provide support and advice.” You can view the full Headway Code of Conduct on the Headway website, or click here to view the full Head Injury Solicitors Directory.

OpenContact have launched a campaign to support a Norwich-based charity as part of their 20th Anniversary Celebrations.

The “20 for 20 in 2020” campaign was officially launched by CEO Fiona Brown in the EDP paper last week, with the aim of raising £5000 for Priscilla Bacon Hospice.

Fiona’s father Ron Pollin, founder of OpenContact, was admitted to the Priscilla Bacon Lodge in 2018 shortly before he lost his battle with cancer.  During his time there it became clear to Fiona that the current hospice is no longer fit for purpose, “It’s clear that the current Lodge is not enough for the whole county, and I absolutely see the need for a new hospice,” says Fiona. 

An expanding and ageing Norfolk population is now outgrowing the 16-bed Lodge and a £12.5 million appeal was launched last spring to build a new and bigger Priscilla Bacon Hospice on a site near the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at Colney.

Ever-increasing demand, for inpatient beds as well as day and respite care means that greater capacity is desperately needed. The new hospice will offer the most modern facilities, plus a wider range of community day care and out-patient services, providing those who need care a greater breadth of choice.

Already more than £5 million has been raised, but there is still a long way to go before work can start on the 24-bed unit which will serve all of Norfolk.

Fiona and the OpenContact team are now formulating plans for 20 events, which will raise much-needed funds for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice appeal, while honouring the man who founded OpenContact 20 years ago.

Already in the mix are the possibility of an assault on the Three Peaks Challenge to climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours; one of the team will be seeking sponsorship for running in the Norwich Half-Marathon; bucket collectors will be out in the city; and a planned big birthday bash for clients and staff later in the year could feature a secret auction and a raffle.

To back ’20 for 20 in 2020′ please visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/OC20

Following extensive refurbishments, Caistor Hall Hotel, in Caistor St. Edmund, Norfolk, is hosting an exclusive event for local businesses to come and experience the new offering on Thursday 5th March from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Nestled within 32 acres of historic grounds and woodlands in the roman town of Caistor St Edmund, Caistor Hall is a boutique hotel offering luxury accommodation and breathtaking rooms ideal for corporate events but also for weddings, business and leisure breaks. 

Following a brief name change in 2019 to The Boudicca, the hotel is proudly returning to its roots and reverting back to its original name of Caistor Hall; a decision influenced by the strength of the brand within the local community over the years. 

Caistor Hall is inviting local businesses to join the new management for an intimate evening of wine and canapes on March 5th between 6:30 to 8:30pm; providing the perfect chance to take a look at the newly refurbished facilities Caistor Hall has to offer. 

Caistor Hall is an ideal venue for hosting meetings, training courses and awards celebrations for all size businesses, with a variety of room sizes, a capacity of up to 300 people and the option to hire the venue exclusively. Located south of Norwich City Centre with ample free parking on site, just 2 miles from the A47 and a short taxi ride from Norwich Airport and Norwich Train station, the venue also provides an ideal accommodation for those attending an event in Norwich or the surrounding area. 

Having remained a firm favourite with both local residents and the wider community for decades, Caistor Hall perfectly captures the beauty and heritage unique to Norfolk and is committed to providing guests with a stylish, unique experience that is second to none.

Caistor Hall is also home to Palm Court Bar & Restaurant, attracting both local clientele and those visiting the area for business. A new chef has been hired to oversee the menu, which is set to be a modern-european bistro with fresh produce that is locally sourced wherever possible. The restaurant will be ‘floating’, as there is the capacity to move the restaurant to several other beautiful rooms within the main body of the house depending on requirements. The bar will be stocked with wines, champagnes, brand and local spirits, and local ales. 

Advance reservations for the local business event on the 5th March 6:30pm-8:30pm can be made by calling 01508 494998.

We are delighted to be working with the leading LGBT+ wedding guide: G Wedding Directory

The G Wedding Directory website, which provides the ultimate wedding guide information for same sex couples planning their big day, includes real life wedding features, wedding tips and trends, and a directory of gay friendly wedding suppliers.

The Norfolk Mead is listed under gay friendly wedding venues in East Anglia.

James Holliday, owner of the Norfolk Mead commented: “We are proud to welcome all couples to get married in our stunning Norfolk wedding venue. We can host your civil ceremony or civil partnership in our beautiful venue spaces The Georgian Room and The Garden Room. We are specialists in diversity and an inclusive approach and welcome guests from the LGBT+ community.”

G Wedding Directory also commented: “We are extremely happy to welcome; The Norfolk Mead as a diverse and inclusive venue onto our directory, and are excited to be working alongside them in order to provide a wonderful and beautiful venue for our LGBTQ+ audience in East Anglia!”

View our listing on G Wedding Directory or find out more about our wedding venue The Garden Room on our dedicated Weddings page. Call Francesca and Victoria on 01603 737 531 to book a tour or request our Wedding brochure. 

Now the 31st January deadline for 2018-19 self-assessment tax return submissions has passed, TaxAssist Accountants can confirm it has filed more than 100,000 personal tax returns on behalf of its nationwide client base.

The network’s clients are a broad spectrum of businesses, as well as self-employed professionals, contractors and property landlords. All of whom lean on their accountants’ knowledge and expertise to organise their financial affairs, file their returns accurately and on time, and minimise the amount of tax owed.

As the UK has one of the most complex tax systems in the world, hard-working business owners often struggle for time to prepare even the most straightforward self-assessment tax return.

Furthermore, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is not obliged to advise the self-employed community on how to organise their financial affairs and minimise the tax they pay.

Samantha Skyring FCCA, Senior Training and Communications Manager at TaxAssist Accountants said: “Almost a million UK taxpayers missed the 2018-19 self-assessment tax return deadline, incurring immediate £100 late filing penalties.

“Our nationwide network of 375 offices helps businesses, self-employed individuals and those with second incomes to accurately calculate and pay their tax liabilities on time.

“There are many benefits to being organised and arranging your self-assessment tax return well in advance of HMRC’s deadlines.

“First and foremost, you can start budgeting for your tax bill and manage your cashflow accordingly. However, for those who are due a tax refund, it can allow you to receive the money you are owed sooner rather than it sitting in HMRC’s bank account. “Our accountants encourage the UK’s business community to not delay the inevitable and avoid late filing penalties that become an unnecessary drain on business finances.”

What are the penalties for missing a self-assessment tax return deadline?

Those who miss the 31st January deadline for the online submission of self-assessment tax returns are hit with an automatic £100 late filing penalty, regardless of how much tax you have outstanding.

Taxpayers with tax returns overdue by more than three months will be hit with £10 daily penalties, which continue until they hit a £900 peak.

Should the tax return become more than six months late, a penalty of the higher of £300 or 5% of your tax due will be charged.

The same level of penalty is applied again if the return becomes more than 12 months late. All these penalties are in addition to one another and, as a result of this, the penalties for a late tax return could reach more than £1,600.

If you have missed the deadline to submit a 2018-19 self-assessment tax return and need help, it’s important to call us on 0800 787 0628 as soon as possible to minimise any penalties you may face.

Norwich and London based architectural practice LSI Architects has been named in the 2020 Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work for, the fifth successive year that the practice has made the prestigious list. LSI Architects placed 60th in the list and once again received Best Companies 3 star accreditation, awarded to companies that show ‘extraordinary’ levels of workplace engagement.

Director David Andrews commented: “We want to be the best employer in the construction industry, believing this is how we’ll become a better architectural practice. We’re very proud to be named in the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies To Work For, especially so for the fifth time in a row, because the results are based on what our team says about LSI as an employer, so it provides an excellent indicator that we are on the right path to achieving our ambition. Regardless of external conditions, we will continue to do things in a way designed to enable our people to become happier, healthier, more highly skilled and motivated.”

The Practice is also gold accredited by Investors In People and MIND’s Workplace Wellbeing Index, and has been a finalist for the AJ100 Employer of the Year Award in 3 of the last 4 years.

In order to select their chosen charity of the year, several charities are presented to the Swans (employees) who are then asked to anonymously vote for the one they would like to support for that year. The charities presented are those that have shown an interest in working together or have approached them for our support.

For the past 5 years Indigo Swan have supported Norfolk and Waveney Mind. It’s a charity they hold close to their hearts, which is why they are excited to reveal that tjhey will be supporting them for another year. It was a very close vote (the closest yet), so they have decided to support the runner up next year.

James commented: “We all have mental health, but poor mental health is something that all of us will come in contact with at some stage during our lives – whether that’s someone you know, a friend, a family member or even yourself. At Indigo Swan we’re passionate about being upfront, honest and open about challenges facing people with poor mental health. We want to continue to help with raising awareness and support all of the Swans within every aspect of their wellbeing.”

Find out more on their blog.

At Todd Hayes Search & Selection “The Recruitment Specialists”, bringing over 50 years of combined recruitment experience, we would like to present a special offer to all Chambers members a one off fee of 10%, which includes the following services:

• A client Visit – to ensure best possible match to the role
• All vacancy advertising included in the fee!!
• All candidate’s compliance checked and registered
• Full telephone screening of all candidates
• Face to Face interview of all candidates by Todd Hayes Consultants, prior to being presented to clients
• Full candidate interview Preparation
• Full After Sales Service Available

​No up front costs!! – Strictly no placement!! – No fee!!

If you would like to hear more, please take advantage of our no obligation consultation!!

Please call today on 01603 251787 and ask for Kristina Baldwin.