Chamber News

Transport for Norwich is looking for feedback on plans to improve the area and the consultation for the All Saints Green and Brazengate proposals for are now open.   Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council are looking to provide better infrastructure for cyclists along the yellow pedalway, and to make it easier for pedestrians to move freely, thereby enhancing this part of the city centre for everyone.   It builds on the recently completed changes around Westlegate, which have significantly reduced traffic levels in All Saints Green and now mean the next proposed design changes can be put forward. Features of the scheme include a continuous footway on Surrey Street across its junction with All Saints Green; removal of traffic signals on all arms of the same junction and conversion of existing advisory cycle lanes on Brazengate to wider, mandatory lanes.   Councillor Mike Stonard, Norwich City Council’s cabinet member for transport and vice-chair of Norwich Highways Agency Committee, says: “Changes around Westlegate have already transformed the way people are using this part of the city so we’re looking to extend these benefits further. We’d like to hear from anyone who uses the area regularly to help shape the final details of the project.”   Funding for the project is from the Department for Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Grant.   For more information on the details of the scheme, along with plans and how to respond to the consultation, please visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/brazengate.

There are a number of ways to submit your feedback:

Email:         norwich.transport@norfolk.gov.uk

Tel:             0344 800 8020

In writing:

Brazengate/Grove Road and All Saints Green Area Consultation Transport for Norwich – Floor 2 Norfolk County Council County Hall Martineau Lane Norwich, NR1 2DH

The deadline for comment is Friday 7 July 2017. 

Feedback on the project is due to be reported to the Norwich Highways Agency Committee in September. If approved for construction, work is expected to start early next year.

Across all districts of Norfolk levels of unemployment fell.  Overall, the claimant count for Norfolk stood at 8,475, which was a drop of 195 claimants from the previous month. 

Broadland recorded the largest fall in claimant numbers with a drop of 5.9%.  However King’s Lynn and West Norfolk only saw a small decrease of 0.6%.  From a Great Yarmouth perspective, it continued a worrying trend from the previous month with a lack of a strong downward trend in claimant numbers.  Their claimant count stands at 3,000.

Ordinarily it is expected that the Great Yarmouth claimant count falls drastically in the summer months, given the local job market’s seasonal pattern.  Some on this anomaly can probably be assigned to the shift to full implementation of the Universal Credit, however a continuing trend would be a greater concern.

Commenting on the UK labour market statistics for June, released this week by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“With employment continuing to rise and unemployment falling, the UK jobs market remains on a firm footing.

“However, the strong headline figures mask some significant concerns. The gap between pay and price growth is now significant, and if inflation continues to rise as we expect, this could push UK growth materially lower by slowing household spending – a driver of UK economic growth. Employment levels may also moderate over the near term as the escalating burden of upfront business taxes and costs, and political uncertainty, dampen firms’ hiring intentions.

“The high number of vacancies is further evidence of the growing skills shortage. While employment levels are high by historic standards, businesses report that they are increasingly struggling to find staff with the right skills, which is constraining investment and productivity.

“The new government must make it a priority to tackle the UK’s chronic skills shortage, including easing the burden of upfront business costs to help firms recruit and train staff, and deliver a future immigration regime based on the needs of the UK economy.”

Virgin Media are expanding their Ultrafast digital network in Great Yarmouth. They are aiming to connect approximately 5,400 properties both residential and business from Fullers Hill, down to the sea front and South Denes.  This will bring broadband speeds of up to 350Mbps for small/medium businesses and up to 300Mbps for residential customers along with their digital TV service.

Attending a recent meeting with Virgin Media, Neil Orford, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said:

“The Great Yarmouth Chamber business community will welcome the opportunity to access superfast broadband, as this will help local businesses compete morecompetitvely at a global level.”

Virgin Media plan to start the works early July 2017 and complete in April 2018. Careful planning has been discussed with Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council to ensure they do not disrupt the busy summer season and the majority of the work will be completed during the quieter Autumn and Winter months.

The Board of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is seeking to recruit new Directors.

Norfolk Chamber, in addition to providing services for its membership, also has a key influencing role for the wider business community.  To ensure our Board of Directors remains representative of the Norfolk business community as a whole, we need to recruit at least 3 new Board Directors

Commenting on the type of candidates being sought, Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“We have a diverse and innovative business community in Norfolk and it is imperative that the make-up of our Board reflects the huge amount of talent that can be found within the Chamber membership.  We are particularly interested in recruiting from the following sectors: Tourism, Logistics, Construction, Manufacturing and Health & Social Care. Although we would not exclude other sectors from being considered.”

The deadline for applications to be received is Friday 18 August 2017 and interviews will be held on Wednesday 14 September 2017.  Successful candidates will be notified of interview by the end of August.  For more information on the role and to apply please click here.

The closing date for the British Chamber of Commerce Chamber Awards is Friday 30 June. 

From local standout to national champion: BCC Chamber Awards will put best of British business on the map.

Businesses from across the country are invited to take part and showcase their talents and achievements through a series of regional heats, culminating in the national final, which takes place in London on 30 November 2017.

Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“Norfolk companies can boast many areas of business excellence.  The Chamber Awards allow us the opportunity to highlight some of our county’s many business achievements and I would encourage any business to showcase their achievements by entering these awards.”

Companies can enter nine categories, covering people development; customer care; business/education; export; health and wellbeing; and technology.

The Awards will be demonstrating the very best of business, highlighting the positive contribution that businesses make to the UK economy and to society as a whole. The categories are:

• Small Business of the Year
• Export Business of the Year
• Best Use of Technology
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Commitment to People Development
• Education and Business Partnership
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Health and Wellbeing
• Best Use of Social media

The deadline for entries is Friday 30 June 2017, the regional winners will be announced on 25 September 2017, with the national winners being announced on 30 November 2017 at a glittering awards ceremony in London.  To enter online click here

Companies trading with Qatar are becoming increasingly concerned about the severing of diplomatic ties with that country on 4 June by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have implemented what is effectively a blockade against Qatar, closing airspace and territorial waters and preventing onward shipment of goods traditionally routed through them. This is of greatest concern to companies which might have goods destined for Qatar now ‘stuck in transit’ in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, particularly those with Letters of Credit stipulating delivery by specific dates to secure payment. UK exporters are being encouraged to discuss with their shipping agents alternative routes into Qatar but a threat of wider action by Yemen, Libya and the Maldives could further complicate arrangements. The British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar has issued a statement which said: “On 4 June 2017, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. This has led to closures affecting road, air and sea routes between these countries and Qatar, as well as travel and residence restrictions affecting Qatari nationals. Restrictions on entry to the UAE have also been placed on certain holders of Qatari Residence Permits. These restrictions don’t apply to British nationals. As of 6 June 2017, the land border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is closed. All flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain are suspended until further notice. These measures are likely to lead to some disruption for travellers in the region. You should check with your airline before you travel. Direct flights to and from the UK aren’t affected. Travellers should also check with the FCO Travel Advice for Qatar which is being updated regularly. Trade with Qatar is similarly affected by the closure of ports and road borders to Qatar bound shipments. Companies with goods in transit to Qatar should check with their shipping and handling agents to determine how best to ensure the shipments can reach Qatar. Local shipping agents in Qatar can advise on what new routes are proving most reliable and effective. For companies that have future business in Qatar, the Qatar government has emphasised that its ports and the airport remain open and they are operating business as usual. The British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar judges the embargo to be only temporary in nature but it is not possible to say how long it will continue. Further information will be posted as and when the situation changes.”

Commenting on the General Election result, Jonathan Cage, President of Norfolk Chamber said:

“After two long years of elections, referenda and wider uncertainty, many Norfolk businesses were doing their best to ignore the noise of politics – up until today. 

“The electorate’s split decision generates further uncertainty for business communities, who are already grappling with currency fluctuations, rising costs, and the potential impacts of Brexit. 

“The formation of a workable administration that can give voters and businesses confidence around economic management must be the immediate priority.

“Whilst Norfolk companies have for many months done their best to screen out political noise in order to focus on their own operations, this result will prove much harder for UK businesses to ignore. The swift formation of a functioning government is essential to business confidence and our wider economic prospects. 

“Businesses are adept at forming alliances and coalitions when important interests are at stake. We should expect the same of our politicians.” 

On the timetable for Brexit negotiations, which are scheduled to begin in less than a fortnight, Mr Cage said:

“No business would walk into a negotiation without clear objectives, an agreed starting position, and a strong negotiating team. It is hard to see how Brexit negotiations could begin without answers on these important questions.”

Successful Norfolk entrepreneur Chris Sargisson commences his new role as Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce today, Monday 12 June.

Chris was educated in Norwich and lives in the city with his wife and two children. He worked in the 1990s shaping Norwich Union Direct before leaving to set up and launch its4me plc, one of the UK’s most successful online car insurance brokers and major Norwich employer. Chris also created House Revolution, one of the UK’s first online estate agencies, alongside running his own business consultancy practice which has helped organisations of all sizes across the UK.

The new Chamber Chief Executive will be attending many of the key Chamber networking events in the coming months, so there will have plenty of opportunities to meet with Chamber members.

Upon starting the role, Chris said:

“To represent the many Norfolk businesses that form the Chamber membership is incredibly exciting. I’m extremely honoured to have been given this opportunity and genuinely looking forward to using my entrepreneurial business experiences to support, develop and build upon the already outstanding hard work and successes of the chamber team.”

(Based on May 2017 data releases)

Monthly headlines:

• UK GDP growth in Q1 revised down as the trade deficit widens
• UK consumer price inflation rises to three-year high as pay growth continues to slow 
• UK pay growth weakens still further
• Indian economic growth slows sharply as Brazil emerges from two-year recession

The second official estimate for Q1 2017 UK economic growth (GDP) stood at 0.2%, down from the previous estimate of 0.3%.

Retail sales rose by 2.3% in April, the strongest rate of growth since January 2016.  The improvement was largely due to a 5.1% rise in the sales of clothing, footwear and textiles in April. However, with wage growth expected to continue falling in real terms, the downward pressure on retail sales is likely to increase in the coming months.

The latest UK labour market figures revealed that in the three months to January 2017, the number of people in employment rose by 122,000.  However, with regular earnings growth slowing from 2.2% to 2.1% and inflation rising to 2.7% in April, earnings growth is now trailing behind price growth.

India’s economy, the world’s seventh-largest, grew by 6.1% in annual terms in Q1 2017, down sharply from the growth of 7.0% recorded in the previous quarter.  The slowdown means that India has lost its place as the fastest growing economy to China.  Meanwhile, Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, grew by 1.0% in Q1 2017.  This is the first time that Brazil’s economy had grown since Q4 2014 and means that it has now emerged from the country’s longest recession in history.

For full details of this month’s economic review click here.

On Wednesday 7th June Norfolk Chamber held its first South Norfolk Business Breakfast, at Applewood Hall Banham.  Over 60 Chamber members attended the popular networking morning, hosted by Events Manager, Philippa Bindley. The morning got underway with a popular networking icebreaker that that asked delegates to reveal their first or worst jobs, leading to interesting discussions about their career paths and working lives. After tucking into to a full English breakfast and getting to know other members in the room through a safari networking move, Matt Sykes, a Trainer at Mindspan delivered an insightful presentation about the challenges that sales professionals are experiencing in today’s marketplace. Matt warned delegates of common mistakes they may be making when trying to promote their businesses at networking events, such as talking excessively about their business selling points. He stated that: ‘People aren’t interested in what you do…they want the result and the benefit that comes with the service you provide.’ You can watch the video of Matt’s presentation online here or access the presentation slides by clicking here. The morning ended with a final round of free networking and a last chance to exchange of business cards. The next South Norfolk Business Breakfast will take place on Thursday 26th October 2017

In an effort to avoid post-Brexit tariffs, a third of British businesses are looking for UK firms to replace EU suppliers. Meanwhile, nearly half of EU businesses working with UK suppliers are in the process of finding local replacements.

The figures are revealed in a new survey by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), which found that 32% of UK businesses who work with suppliers on the continent are actively looking for alternative suppliers based in the UK.

For those trading with other Member States, UK-based suppliers are set to lose out as 45% of businesses currently using them seek non-UK replacements.

The survey of more than 2100 supply chain managers also found that 36% of UK businesses are intending to respond to Brexit by beating down supplier prices and that 11% of firms think that part of their operations may no longer be viable.

Although both UK and European supply chain managers agree that the main priority for the Brexit negotiations should be to keep tariffs and quotas to a minimum, those in the UK with responsibilities for brokering international deals believe there are serious obstacles to achieving that objective.

More than a third (39%) said they thought that the UK is in a weak position to negotiate and 36% cited lack of time as a major factor in achieving a good deal.

Even more worryingly, 33% of respondents believe that the UK has a dearth of supply chain expertise and knowledge to draw on.

Commenting for the CIPS, Gerry Walsh noted that both European and British businesses will be ready to reroute their supply chains in 2019 if trade negotiations fail – they are not wasting time to see what happens.

“The separation of the UK from Europe is already well underway even before formal negotiations have begun,” he added.

Whitehall is not set up to do trade well, a new report insists. Not only does it lack the necessary expertise, but its standard ways of working will make it more difficult to establish an effective trade policy.

By nature generalist, secretive and unwilling to make difficult trade-offs, Whitehall will, the report argues, present Government Ministers with some very difficult political choices.

Published by the Institute for Government (IfG), Taking Back Control of Trade Policy says that, despite the creation of the Department for International Trade (DIT), the UK’s Ministers and civil service are not even close to being ready to negotiate – let alone implement – new global trading relationships.

The UK will only reap the benefits of taking back control of trade policy if the Government radically changes the way it operates, the IfG states.

The report’s authors argue that good trade policy requires civil servants to work across departments, collaborate with business, be open with consumers and the public, and spend their careers developing deep knowledge and expertise.

However, it points out, that is not Whitehall’s normal way of doing business.

Ministers will have to make difficult choices about the UK’s priorities – and must recognise there is much more to trade policy than making deals.

Rather than prioritising negotiations with Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC countries) or the USA, the focus should be on replicating existing EU deals with Canada, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and Singapore, the report recommends.

Commenting for the IfG, Oliver Ilott warned against the UK launching trade negotiations with large numbers of countries, and either doing bad deals quickly or getting bogged down in protracted talks going nowhere.

“The Government needs a strategy that targets a few priority countries and explores options that may be better than free trade agreements,” he said.