It is a key mission for Norfolk Chamberto provide a voice for our local business communities.Together with the British Chambers of Commerce we are working to understand business priorities and concerns around digital infrastructure and skills.
We are undertaking a survey which is designed to understand the reliability of your business’s broadband connectivity and how this impacts on your growth and productivity; whether your business has access to the digital skills it requires; and how cyber security impacts on your business and industry.
The results of this survey will be used in Chamber engagement with stakeholders at the highest levels of Government, as well as with parliamentarians and regulators. Your input will help us to ensure that Norfolk business concerns and priorities are reflected in government policy.
The survey closes at midnight on 3 February 2017. It is open to all businesses and should take around 5 minutes to complete. All data collected is anonymised.
(Please note that some of the questions in this survey relate to the set-up of your business’s broadband connection).
Ward Trade Marks, one of the UK’s leading trade mark lawyers or attorneys is proud to announce that it has joined Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
Built on founder Rachael Ward’s quarter century of trade mark expertise, since 2014 Ward Trade Marks has established itself as a market-leading specialist law firm among both major corporates and small and medium sized enterprises, based in both UK and overseas.
The company was jointly founded by Rachael and her husband Bill, who has decades of senior executive experience – including in the highly competitive airline market.
Ward Trade Marks represents dozens of businesses across many sectors, including property, animation, soft drinks and leisure.
Trade marks comprise logos, strap lines, words and other visual ways of representing a brand. They are a key part of a company’s identity, a symbol of their relationship with customers and a key asset on their balance sheets.
Failure to register trade marks correctly in different countries may mean they can be used by competitor companies.
Rachael explained that “Ward Trade Marks is centred both on our expertise – we are one of only a tiny handful of specialist trade mark attorneys – and our values. These values have been shaped by both our beliefs that hardworking company owners deserve a return for their risk-taking and that could be endangered by competitors ‘owning’ your trade marks and picking up business that is rightfully yours.”
To provide this service, Ward Trade Marks has expanded and now employs five staff. We operate across every time zone and will meet all reasonable deadlines to protect your brand and ensure that your trade marks are registered and protected.
In addition to our UK and international trade mark registration service, we also ensure that our clients’ brand is protected by monitoring and reviewing efforts by other companies to acquire this part of your intellectual property portfolio.
Client comment:
TukTuk Creative Marketing brings together some of the best copywriters, photographers, developers and marketing brains to offer clients a full creative service.
Vicky Stanaway for TukTuk Creative Marketing explained why they opted for Ward Trade Marks:
“I love our company name, and it brings to life what I wanted to do when I started the company – taking brands on an inspiring journey, and what better way than on a TukTuk. To lose the name now or in the future would be crushing.
Bill and Rachael have been amazing from the start, and I whole heartily trust them to set up the Trademark and follow up with any issues that occur along the way.”
Bill explained the company’s reasons for joining Norfolk Chamber of Commerce: “as a specialist but growing trade mark practice with a strong presence in East Anglia and with both a local and an international client base and credentials, joining this Chamber was a logical and necessary next step.
“In becoming members of Norfolk Chamber, Ward Trade Marks can access the organisation’s great networking events and be part of its high-profiled lobbying campaigns.”
We are Ward. We are a brand emergency and protection service.
Abellio has sold a 40% share in Greater Anglia to Mitsui. The Japanese company was identified as the best partner to support Abellio in delivering ambitious programme of improvements.
Abellio UK (“Abellio”) has signed an agreement to sell 40% of the Greater Anglia rail franchise to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. pending final regulatory approvals. This fulfils Abellio’s long-standing objective of finding a suitable partner to run Greater Anglia in a 60:40 joint venture.
Abellio and Mitsui have a proven track record of working together, having first entered into a joint venture to bid for the West Midlands rail franchise in 2016. Following this process, Abellio felt that Mitsui would be the best partner to help it deliver its ambitious programme to transform the Greater Anglia franchise.
Mitsui is a global conglomerate with business interests in numerous different sectors, including infrastructure, integrated transportation systems, energy, and IT and communications. The deal is also notable for marking the first time a Japanese company has become a shareholder of a British train operating company.
Abellio re-won the Greater Anglia franchise in August 2016, having first operated it from February 2012. It will continue to have a majority stake in the business and be in overall control. The franchise agreement will see £1.4bn in investment over the next nine years, with the introduction of a completely new fleet and a commitment to cut average journey times by 10%.
Dominic Booth, Managing Director of Abellio said:
“We are delighted to have reached agreement with Mitsui, fulfilling our long standing objective of running the franchise as a 60:40 joint venture. With the introduction of Mitsui’s knowledge and experience, we look forward to delivering significant improvements for Greater Anglia’s customers, including through the introduction of a brand new fleet.”
Commenting on the share sale, Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“Greater Anglia have committed to a hugely transformational programme of upgrades to our region’s rail service. They have outlined major investment and improvements, which will see the total replacement of all rolling stock, increased seating and a faster, more efficient services. Mitsui will bring complimentary skills and expertise to help support the delivery of greater customer service for businesses across our region.”
Norfolk County Council and Balfour Beatty today (Mon) confirmed that the closure of Plumstead Road for the bridge beam lift will now begin on Wednesday 18 January.
The lift and 2-3 day road closure was originally scheduled to begin tomorrow (Tues 17th), but was postponed on Friday after heavy snow, sleet and wind prevented essential preparations, including scaffolding work which is now underway.
Plumstead Road will therefore remain open tomorrow (Tues 17th) and willclose in the early hours (between 4am and 5am) of Wednesday 18 January,staying closed on Thursday 19th and the following night.Plumstead Road will reopen when work is complete onFriday 20 January. The exact timing of reopening will depend upon progress, but will be as soon as it is safe to do so.
During the closure of Plumstead Road, at peak hours a shuttle bus will operate from the Green, Thorpe End, to the temporary stop near the junction with Green Lane North.
Please note that asa further contingency, the on-site signage will also include Saturday 21st as a potential closure date for Plumstead Road. This is so that if for any reason the works over-run , they can continue on Saturday morning. Without this notification, work would have to stop and be completed under a fresh closure, causing further disruption.
Norfolk County Council and Balfour Beatty apologise for the inconvenience caused by this closure of Plumstead Road.
A revised version of the Harmonized System (HS) Nomenclature entered into force on 1 January 2017.
This introduces 233 sets of amendments compared to the previous version with most of the changes concerning the agricultural sector (85) and with the chemical (45) and machinery (25) sectors also heavily revised.
The transport, textiles and wood sectors are others highlighted by the World Customs Organization (WCO) as being particularly affected by the changes.
Developed by the WCO, the HS Nomenclature was first adopted in 1983 and is now used by over 200 countries and economic or customs unions for classifying goods in international trade.
It is also used by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and individual countries as a common language of trade for the purposes of trade negotiations, and as a basis for determination of the origin of goods.
The 2017 edition includes more than 5300 six-digit subheadings compared to just over 5200 in the previous version released in 2012. Most of the changes were, according to the WCO, prompted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), including amendments for fish and fishery products.
There is also a focus on forestry products, intended to enhance the coverage of wood species in order to obtain a better picture of trade patterns, including trade in endangered species.
HS 2017 includes provisions to help monitor trade in products, such as substances controlled under the Chemical Weapons Convention, hazardouschemicals controlled under the Rotterdam Convention and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) controlled under the Stockholm Convention.
WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya has called on authorities to implement the new version of the Nomenclature as soon as possible.
Further information about the HS is available atwww.wcoomd.org. You can also find more information on the Gov.UK website, or by contacting us at the Chamber.
The current lack of connectivity severely inhibits movement in Great Yarmouth resulting in congestion and ultimately limiting the economic potential of the town. Particular areas that could be affected include: the Great Yarmouth Enterprise Zone, the Energy Park, the South Denes Business Park and the deep water outer harbour.
Neil Orford, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said:
“The new crossing would provide much needed connections between the strategic road network and the fat growing energy related Enterprise Zone. It provides linkages across the River Yare to the economic growth hub on the South Denes peninsula. The additional crossing would also support tourism, which is worth £577m per annum to Great Yarmouth and create jobs for 30% of the local workforce.”
Norfolk County Council is holding public consultations to find out about transport issues in Great Yarmouth and how its proposal for a third river crossing might affect people living, working and visiting the area.
They will be presenting the details of the Third River Crossing proposal at the Chamber’s Great Yarmouth Breakfast on Thursday 19 January.
You can have your say on the Third River Crossing online or Norfolk County Council have more consultation events throughout January in the town, where people can drop in to talk to representatives from the County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council about its proposal to build a third bridge across the River Yare, as well as the town’s wider transport needs.
Thursday 26 January, 10am – 4pm, Great Yarmouth Town Hall
Saturday 28 January, 10am – 3pm, Great Yarmouth Library
Norfolk County Council previously carried out a public consultation on a third river crossing in 2009, in which 92% of people supported a new crossing. The government have now given them the opportunity to bid for funding to move the bridge into the planning and detailed design phase.
If successful they could be looking at construction in 2021. As part of this they want to give you another opportunity to give your views on the Third River Crossing and transport in Great Yarmouth. Your views will form part of an outline business case to government in March 2017.
Commenting on the trade statistics for November 2016, published by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The widening of the UK’s trade deficit in November is disappointing, and signifies a considerably weaker trading position than the average for the year. While exports increased slightly in the month, this was more than offset by a record rise in imports, confirming that there is little evidence that the fall in the value of the pound is boosting the UK’s overall trade balance.
“Trade is likely to make a greater contribution to UK GDP in the next few years, as the persistent currency weakness feeds through into improved price competitiveness for some exporters, and diminishes demand for imports. However, the extent of any improvement is likely to be curbed by subdued global trade growth, and the higher cost of imported raw materials.
“In order to achieve a meaningful improvement in our export performance, the government must do more to provide businesses with direct support to access new markets.”
Construction of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR) is on course to pass another significant milestone next week when the bridge that will carry the dual carriageway over Plumstead Road becomes the first to have its main beams lifted into place.
There are eight bridges on the 20km route of the NDR, six going over the dual carriageway, and two carrying the NDR where it goes over Plumstead Road and the Norwich to Sheringham railway.
Plumstead Road closure Plumstead Road will be closed for up to three days from early (between 4 and 5am) on Tuesday 17 January, reopening as soon as possible on Thursday 19 January. The duration of the closure will depend upon progress – the crane cannot lift if the wind is much stronger than a moderate breeze.
Altogether 26 concrete beams will be lifted into place after being brought by road from Ireland. The lifts will mainly be carried out during daylight hours, but work will continue overnight to fit GRP* deck panels ready for the bridge deck concrete to be poured.
Chris Sedman, Project Director for main contractor Balfour Beatty, said: “Getting the first bridge beams in place is another important milestone – especially since it is at Plumstead Road. Along with the adjoining railway bridge, it’s one of the key structures on the route. We aim to have the steel beams over the railway in place in April, and once we are able to bring bulk material across the railway we will be able to focus on the Middle Road bridge.”
Ian Taylor, Project Manager for Norfolk County Council, said the support of the local community was greatly appreciated. “We know that sometimes we cannot avoid making life difficult for people, but we have been heartened that so many share our view that completing construction as soon as possible is best for us all.
“Sharp frosts early in December stopped us getting these beams on before Christmas and unfortunately the road closure now coincides with the longer-term Anglian Water closure on Plumstead Road East close to Aerodrome Road. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. For anyone affected by both closures, using Salhouse Road and Norwich Ring Road will be worth considering.”
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:“We welcome every milestone which gets us closer to the completion of the NDR. We do not want to see any further delays which could cause the motorist aggravation and hold up the benefits of this new road.”
Q3 UK GDP growth revised up and latest QES points to solid growth in Q4.
Higher inflation and uncertainty over Brexit likely to weigh on UK’s growth prospects.
US Federal Reserve raises interest rates and further rises are likely in the coming months.
UK growth was revised upwards with a recorded growth of 0.6% against an estimate of 0.5%. The upwards revision was driven by stronger business and financial services output. The latest Quarterly Economic Survey showed that both the manufacturing sector and the service sector increased. There results suggest that the UK economy grew in line with historic trends.
UK inflation continues to rise, with prices of clothing and motor fuels being the main contributors to this rise. The outlook for UK growth remains weak, with continued uncertainty over Brexit weighing down future growth prospects.
The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to a target range of 0.5% and 0.75%. This is the first increase since December 2015. Further rises in US interest rates are expected in the coming months which will place further downward pressure on the value of Sterling.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has awarded Harwich International Port Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.
The authorisation recognises, HMRC explained, the high standards achieved and maintained in relation to the movement of goods and the application of customs procedures.
AEO status is an internationally recognised quality mark indicating that an operator’s role in the international supply chain is secure, and that its customs controls and procedures are efficient and compliant.
The AEO regime operates under the EU’s Union Customs Code and is administered in the UK by HMRC. AEO status gives quicker access to certain simplified customs procedures and in some cases the right to fast-track shipments through some customs procedures.
General Manager of Harwich International Port, Daren Taylor, said: “The AEO application procedure is extremely thorough and this certification provides an assurance to shippers that procedures at Harwich are of the highest standard. AEO accreditation can help simplify administrative procedures for goods being moved internationally and helps remove risk from supply chains.”
Felixstowe was the first UK port to receive full AEO status in September 2014.
Similar to last year, Lulu Hypermarkets, a large UAE based supermarket,are looking for new British products for showcasing at their Best of British Festival in April this year.
Lulu puts on a Best of British Festival every year, which runs for 10 days usually in April or May. During the festival they showcase and highlight all the British brands they already stock, along with new products which they procure just for this festival. Depending on sales/demand, those new products then get an opportunity to continue supplying to Lulu even after the festival.
Last year, 100+ UK companies were introduced to them, out of which they selected products of 18 companies which were showcased at their festival. They are now placing regular orders with a handful of those 18 companies.
The plan is similar for this year’s festival. They want us to source out new UK companies, which they haven’t dealt with before, to get their products stocked at Lulu Hypermarkets in time for the festival.
Below is the criteria you would need to meet:
Categories interested: free from products, organic, healthy foods Type of companies: manufacturers only – no consolidators, distributors or any other intermediaries Note: Companies shouldn’t be already supplying to Lulu Hypermarkets in Dubai (either via Y International, other consolidators or UAE distributors).
If you wish to put your name forward forthis great opportunity, please send us an email. Deadline for all applications is 31 January 2017.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today (Thursday) publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. Based on 7,250 responses from companies in Q4 2016, the results show the uptick in Q3 in the manufacturing sector has been sustained in the final quarter, and more service sector firms were expecting growth than they were just after the EU referendum.
Overall, the findings suggest growth in Norfolk will continue in 2017, albeit at a more modest pace.
The survey results show that having slowed in Q3 2016, growth in Norfolk’s domestic sales and orders rose considerably in the service sector for Q4, although they have not bounced back to the levels last seen in 2013. The fall in Sterling looks like it is benefitting some manufacturers, with export sales and orders continuing the rise started in the last quarter. Manufacturing exporters started 2016 in negative territory, with export order balances at -8% but they finish 2016 in a very positive position, with an export order balance at +22%.
The survey also indicates that manufacturer’s confidence in future turnover and profitability has continued to increase throughout the year. Balances for hiring expectations and investment in plant and machinery also rose this quarter, again highlighting growing confidence for Norfolk’s manufacturing firms.
Norfolk’s service sector have not been as confident through 2016. They started the year with a negative balance for export sales (-3% in Q1) and the negative balances lingered throughout the year, dropping further to -12% in Q3, but finished stronger in Q4 with a positive balance at +11%. Turnover and profitability for the Norfolk Service sector also finished positively with turnover at +35% and profitability at +20%. Both of these balances are at lower levels that they were in Q1 2016 (+55% and +41% respectively).
However, the survey found that firms in both sectors, particularly in manufacturing, are facing pressure to raise prices, principally as a result of the cost of raw materials and other overheads.
Commenting on the results, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“As we start 2017, Norfolk businesses are continuing to trade through uncertainty, and are looking to seize opportunities as they arise. The QES findings suggest that business communities across Norfolk and the rest of the UK remain resilient, and many firms are expecting continued growth in the months ahead.
“Inflation has emerged in our survey as a rising concern for many businesses. Both manufacturing and services firms say they are under pressure, particularly from the rising costs, which are squeezing margins and may weaken future investment. “It is therefore vitally important that our local Councillors, together with our MPs, work hard on our behalf to bring investment into our County to help improve the business environment in order to encourage business growth.”
Key Norfolk findings in the Q4 2016 survey:
Overall, the figures for both sectors indicate continued expansion, but at a lower level for the services sector than before the EU referendum
There was a considerable rise in the balance of firms in both sectors expecting the prices of their goods and services to increase over the next three months, with the balance for manufacturers rising from +29% to +55%. This is the highest on record in the manufacturing sector, and the highest since Q2 2011 for manufacturing firms. This pressure is predominately as a result of an increase in raw material prices following the post-referendum devaluation of Sterling
In the manufacturing sector, the balance of firms reporting improved export sales remained broadly steady, slightly increasing from +13% in Q3 2016, to +18%. The balance for export orders is +22%, a rise from +13% in the previous quarter. Both balances have shown a marked increase from the same quarter last year, where they both languished in negative territory (orders at -3% and sales at -8%)
Domestically, the balance of manufacturers reporting increased sales rose from +7% to +24%, and those reporting increased advance orders rose by 10 points to +10%. The balance for services firms rebounded slightly, after falling considerably in the last quarter. Domestic sales were up from +10% to +24% and orders rose from +0% to +20%.
The percentage of manufacturing firms reporting recruitment difficulties decreased from +86% to +78%. Whilst the service sector recruitment difficulties increased from +55% to +68%.
In the last three months, the balance of service sector firms hiring more staff rose from +9% to +19%, although manufacturing firms reported only say a slight increased from +32% to +34%.
Having dipped in the last quarter, the manufacturing sector are reporting higher balances of firms investing in plant and machinery, with an increasing balance from +13% in Q3 to +27% this quarter.
More firms in both sectors are reporting confidence that their turnover will increase. The balance of manufacturers rose from +39% to +63%, while services increased from +28% to +35%. While confidence in profitability also rose from +13% to +52%, it rose from +6% to +20% in the services sector.
Commenting on the National results, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the BCC, said:
“Having slowed significantly in the previous quarter, the UK services sector has rebounded, although it’s not yet back to levels seen at the start of the year. Nonetheless, the service sector is likely to have been the key driver of growth in the quarter.
“Manufacturers, particularly those that export, continue to report positive indicators. However, while some firms will be benefitting from the depreciation in the value of the pound, there is currently little evidence that it is providing a material boost to overall export growth. The UK’s manufacturing base continues to struggle with long-term structural issues, with businesses continuing to report considerable recruitment difficulties. The government must work to address the skills gap, while also ensuring that businesses have access to the workers they need from overseas.
“There is further evidence that rising prices will be a key challenge to the outlook for the UK economy over the next year, with the significant rise in the cost of raw materials increasing the pressure on firms to raise prices in the coming months. While growth is likely to have remained on trend in the quarter, the UK’s growth prospects in the near-term are expected to be more subdued, weighed down by rising inflation and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.”