Chamber News

Commenting on the Conservative Party manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Companies across the UK will welcome Conservative policy proposals on fiscal discipline, low taxation, infrastructure projects, and support for enterprise and regional growth.

“A majority of the businesses we survey continue to support the Prime Minister’s ambition to re-cast Britain’s relationship with the EU, and to hold a referendum on the result.

“Raiding pensions savings, even to pay for a business priority like expanded access to childcare, will dismay entrepreneurs, for whom long-term rewards are often more important than short-term pay. Political intervention in regulated markets, such as rail fares, could have negative impacts on investment, as could proposals for new employment regulations around corporate volunteering.

“The housing crunch is a brake on business growth and employment in many parts of the UK. Yet the problem isn’t whether we’re selling enough houses, but whether we are building enough of them.”

• Annual CPI inflation in March 2015 was 0.0%, unchanged from February
• Goods price inflation in March 2015 was -2.1%, while services inflation was 2.4%

Commenting on the CPI inflation figures for March 2015 published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Continued low inflation is good news for the economy, particularly at a time when wage increases are modest and businesses are facing challenges. Contrary to expectations inflation has remained unchanged, however there is still is distinct possibility of deflation in coming months.

“If deflation is to emerge it should be short-term because of the strength of the UK’s largest sector, the service sector, where inflation remains above 2%.

“The main cause of low inflation in the economy is the fall in energy and food prices, which will help to ease cost pressures for consumers and businesses, and will support economic growth.

“To sustain business confidence we need a firm commitment from the MPC to keep interest rates on hold until at least early 2016.”

Abellio Greater Anglia is advising rail passengers that there will now be far fewer alterations to weekend train travel over the coming weeks and months, now that Network Rail has completed essential track and overhead line upgrades on the Great Eastern Main Line (between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London) which took place over eight weekends between 31 January / 1 February and 21 / 22 March.

Saturday services

There are now no further significant engineering works affecting Saturday services on the Norwich / Ipswich / Colchester to London Liverpool Street route this Spring or Summer, including the three upcoming Bank Holiday weekends of May Day Holiday Saturday (2 May ) and Spring Bank Holiday Saturday (23 May).

The exception being a small number of early morning and late evening services on 25 April which will involve a bus replacement service for part of the journey.

Sunday services

On Sundays over the coming weeks, other than Bank Holiday weekends, most services are also operating free of engineering works, although rail passengers are advised to check before they travel as some early morning and late evening services will include a bus replacement for part of the journey.

Looking ahead

Looking further ahead, the good news for passengers on the Great Eastern Main Line is that with the exception of the works on 3/4 May and 24/25 May, weekend/bank holiday travel is now largely free of significant disruptive engineering work for the rest of the year, other than some late night Saturday and early morning Sunday services.

Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Director, Abellio Greater Anglia said: “There are now many more opportunities for rail passengers to travel without any planned service alterations at weekends this Spring, including on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Customers can obtain full details of train times and great ideas for a day-out in London from our website or by enquiring at our stations.”

Full information on train times and service alterations is available at: www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk .

Customers planning to travel at weekends or Bank Holidays are advised to check before they travel.

Commenting on Labour’s manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Businesses will be encouraged by a number of the policy propositions in the Labour Party manifesto, notably around investment, access to finance, and training. Firms will welcome the clearer commitment to fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction that features prominently in Labour’s manifesto.

“However, future business success also relies on a supportive tax and regulatory regime. Some of the Labour Party’s tax and regulatory proposals would dissuade enterprise, aspiration, and business growth – and need to be re-thought.

“Above all, businesses tell us they want all political parties to put the long-term national interest above short-term electoral interest. Sound and deliverable policies will be our litmus test for any incoming government, whatever its political colour.”

The A47 will be closed at Postwick, at the eastern end of Norwich Southern Bypass, on at least three weekends to allow eight 114-metre bridge beams to be lifted into place. The provisional dates have now been confirmed, but it is hoped thatthe final (fourth) weekend closure will not be necessary. Warning signs about the closures are in the process of being placed as far away as Newmarket bypass and King’s Lynn to give motorists a chance to plan ahead and change their route.

Traffic will be diverted around the slip roads and new business park access roads, so motorists are warned to use another route if possible, or to be prepared for significant delays.

Eastbound (towards Great Yarmouth) A47 traffic will be diverted on to the new access roads that will serve the expanded Broadland Business Park and new Broadland Gate business areas. This route will include five roundabouts before traffic rejoins the A47. Temporary traffic lights may be used to assist traffic flow.

Westbound (towards Dereham and King’s Lynn) A47 traffic will have a shorter diversion, but this will pass through works on the new Oaks Lane roundabout and the major junction at the southern end of the existing and new (under construction) bridges over the A47.

Westbound traffic will be particularly disrupted on the second weekend. On this weekend thebridgebeams cannot be lifted by crane from the compound and will have to be transported on to the A47 itself. Each movement will cause delays of up to 20 minutes on the westbound diversion route.

Weekend One – 17 to 20 April Westbound carriageway to close at 8pm on Friday 17 April. Eastbound carriageway to close after football traffic has cleared (about 11pm). Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 20 April.

Weekend Two – 24 to 27 April Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 24 April. There will be off-peak delays on the westbound diversion route while beams are moved from the site compound on to the A47 itself. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 27 April.

Early May Bank Holiday weekend No closure on the Bank Holiday weekend, which includes the Norwich City home match against Fulham on 2 May.

Weekend Three – 8 to 11 May Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 8 May. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 11 May.

Weekend Four – 15 to 18 May This weekend closure may be necessary depending upon progress. The decision on whether or not this closure will be used will be publicised as soon as possible.

On all weekends, the A47 will be reopened earlier whenever possible. In addition to the weekend closures, a number of overnight A47 closures will be required over the summer.

Local Diversions As well as the main A47 diversions, there will be a number of local diversions because of restrictions imposed to ease the flow of divertedA47 traffic.

The existing bridge carrying the A1042over the A47 will be closed southbound. Tocross the A47, traffic to Postwick villagewill be diverted along the A47 to the Cucumber Lane roundabout.

This bridge may also be closed northbound, if this is necessary to ease congestion on the main diversion route. If this happens, to cross the A47 local traffic will be diverted along the A47 to the Trowse junction. Local buses, cyclists and pedestrians will be escorted through theA1042 bridge closure.

On Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way will be closed at the roundabout with Broadland Way. Business park traffic will have to use Cranley Road and Broadland Way instead.

Postwick Park & Ride Postwick Park & Ride site will remain closed on A47 closure weekends to reduce pressure on the diversion routes, and because reliable running of the buses will sometimes be impossible to achieve. The nearest alternative site is Harford at the A47/A140 junction.

A larger map is attached and further updates will be posted onNorfolk County Council’s website atwww.norfolk.gov.uk/postwickand willbe publicised on social media and throughfurther public information notices.

Following a number of campaign announcements on skills and careers advice, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The career prospects of Britain’s young people depend on bridging the gap between the world of education and the world of work. Universal careers advice would help, but only as part of a much wider engagement between local schools, colleges and businesses that helps young people see the possibilities for dynamic and rewarding careers.

“Historically, careers advice has been stale and formulaic. We need to fix that broken model – with constant engagement between local business and schools, a business governor in every school across the UK, and universal experience of the working world too. The current model of a couple of weeks – out of someone’s whole time in school – simply doesn’t cut it. Young people need meaningful exposure to the world of work. Only then will we have young people leaving school ready for work, and businesses getting access to people with the skills they need to grow.

“Chambers of Commerce are already bridging the gap between schools and businesses. We want the next government to work with us to step-change the role that local firms play in schools and colleges, so that the decades-long stand-off between the education sector and employers turns into a mutual commitment to success.”

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey is the first major economic indicator of the year, and is closely watched by the Bank of England and the Treasury.
• Norfolk’s manufacturing and services firms reported somewhat weaker Q1 results in most areas (including exports, domestic markets and investment), but this follows strong findings in Q4 2014.
• John Longworth says that “while it is a fact that growth in the economy continues these figures are a reminder that the path to great, sustainable, long-term growth is bumpy and challenging. As the general election approaches support for growth must be at the heart of the debate, with a much needed focus on boosting exports and business investment”.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – one of Britain’s largest and most authoritative private business surveys based on more than 7,500 responses from firms, employing around 850,000 people – shows that manufacturing and services firms reported slightly weaker growth for the start of 2015.

While the Q1 2015 results show weaker balances in most areas compared with Q4 2014, quarter-on-quarter trends support our view that the economy is growing at a steady rate. However, balances are lower in the key areas of export sales and investment, which are crucial to the rebalancing of our economy.

Norfolk key findings in the Q1 2015 Quarterly Economic Survey:

• After strong increases recorded in Q4 2014, almost all the Norfolk balances for both manufacturing and services weakened in Q1.
• In both sectors, a number of key Q1 balances are now lower than their pre-recession levels in 2007.
• In Norfolk’s manufacturing, domestic balances were reduced; domestic sales (+12%, down from +13% in Q4 2014,) and domestic orders (+8%, down from +14% in Q4 2014).
• In services, the domestic balances were mixed; domestic sales (+35%, down from +51% in Q4 2014) but domestic orders increased (+29%, up from +17%).
• Most export balances weakened in Q1 2015; manufacturing export sales fell by 9 points to +21%, while service export sales fell considerably by 44 points to +16%.
• Both manufacturing and services firms have lowered their investment intentions for training, as well as plant and machinery.

The only exceptions to the general pattern of quarterly falls in the Q1 balances are a small rise in Norfolk’s service sector balance for profitability confidence (+59%, up from +31% in Q4 2014) and an increased balance in Norfolk’s manufacturing firms who were operating at full capacity (+38% from +27% in Q4 2014).

Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“As the General Election draws closer, with one of the most difficult results to predict – this uncertainty is reflected in the Norfolk QES results. Whilst the survey results are still positive, there is a large element of caution as the Norfolk business community waits to see what the impact will be of any decisions the future Government makes.

The manufacturing sector is reporting reduced sales and orders both for the UK and overseas markets and has advised of lower rates of recruitment this quarter. Confidence in turnover and profitability are also down and raw material prices are expected to increase prices. On the more positive side, the sector expects to recruit more, cash flow is improving and more companies are operating at full capacity.

The service sector was more confident of its exporting abilities, with sales and orders both increasing, but there were mixed results for home sales and orders, with sales being reduced and orders increasing. The number of companies trying to recruit was down and the service sector also expects to have to raise their prices. Despite this, confidence in turnover and profitability improved.

Despite the pace slacking from the previous quarter, Norfolk’s business community will continue to work hard to succeed; to bring jobs, economic growth and prosperity to our region.”

John Longworth, Director General of the BCC said:

“It is not a huge surprise to see slightly weaker numbers at the start of the year, after a very strong fourth quarter for many firms. Crucially, our survey demonstrates that businesses remain optimistic, though they expect to grow at a slightly slower rate over the coming months.

Our conclusions are by no means a cause for alarm, but they are a salutary reminder that the UK still faces obstacles on the path to sustainable, long-term growth. Unless support for exports and business investment is placed at the heart of any future government, consumption and government spending will continue to drive an economic recovery that is unbalanced and unsustainable.

With these results in hand, our message to the politicians is simple: the national interest must come before short-term political point scoring. Given that all parties agree that the UK needs to strengthen its trade performance, and that we need to encourage our businesses to invest more, these should be issues that unite – rather than divide – the parties over the weeks ahead.”

David Kern, Chief Economist of the BCC said:

“After unusually strong results in Q4 2014, almost all the national balances weakened in Q1 2015, for both manufacturing and services. But taking the QES results for the last two quarters together probably gives a more representative picture of the business outlook.

It is disappointing that most Q1 balances recorded quarterly falls, and some are lower than the 2007 pre-recession levels, however the balances still point to solid economic growth continuing in 2015. While the national balances of our survey reflect accurately the overall momentum in economic activity, they do not necessarily replicate quarterly GDP movements as published by the ONS. It would not be surprising if the ONS reports an upturn in GDP growth, or at least an unchanged position, in Q1 2015.

But the UK recovery remains unbalanced – growth is still too reliant on consumer spending and the current account deficit remains unsustainable. While a healthy consumer sector is vital for the economy’s wellbeing, much greater efforts are needed to increase the contributions of exports and capital investment to Britain’s growth. The Q1 2015 results show falling inflationary pressures, particularly in manufacturing, and easing pressures on capacity; this reinforces our view that the MPC must maintain interest rates at their current low level at least until early in 2016.”

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has recently published their UK Monthly Economic Review for April. (Based on March 2015 data releases)

This briefing provides an easy-to-use commentary on the key economic indicators for UK businesses. The report also provides a comparison between the economic data compiled by external organisations such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the BCC’s own Quarterly Economic Survey and economic forecast.

This month’s headlines:

• UK GDP revised up in Q4 reflecting stronger than expected growth in the services sector.
• BCC and OBR upgrade growth forecasts, aided by falling inflation and unemployment.
• UK economy remains imbalanced with current account deficit at record high.

To read the full report click here.

International trade and investment are vital for this country’s prosperity and is a key generator of local economic growth. Facilitating access to new markets and stimulating overseas trade opportunities for local companies is a top priority for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

This is why the Borough Council has joined forces with UK Trade & Investment and Business HANSE Ltd to organise the Hanse Business Convention 2015, an event designed to promote export opportunities and business support for West Norfolk companies and facilitate business to business cooperation across Hanse Economic Area, which covers a market with a combined population of over 300 million and combined GDP of over $10,000 billion.

This is your opportunity to join other local businesses at the Hanse Business Convention for free. It will take place on 15th May 2015 at the Hanse House, South Quay in King’s Lynn PE30 5GN.

Two internationally renowned speakers will address the convention in May 2015: Dr Herman Hauser CBE, science-based innovator and serial entrepreneur and UK Business Ambassador and Simon Anholt, an independent policy advisor who helps national, regional and city governments worldwide to develop and implement strategies for enhanced economic, political and cultural engagement with other countries.

Also, Dr Andreas Prothmann, Minister and Head of Economic Affairs at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London will speak about business opportunities in Germany for UK exporters.

As well as these keynote speakers there will be interactive workshop sessions and the opportunity to arrange one-to-one sessions with UKTI representatives.

Places for this free not-to-be-missed event can be booked by going to www.eventbrite.co.uk and searching for Hanse Business Convention.

The convention will be followed by the Hanse Festival Weekend on 16th and 17th May. More details can be foundwww.kingslynnhansefestival.co.uk.

Essential overnight resurfacing work on Railway Road in King’s Lynn, from Blackfriars Street to Wellesley Street, will start at 8pm on Friday 10 April.

The work is part of Norfolk County Council’s surfacing programme but to reduce overall disruption it is being tied in with current works in and around the bus station as part of the King’s Lynn Transport Interchange project. The resurfacing will include a section originally planned for next year so that we do not need to return to site and disrupt traffic again. To finish the work as quickly as possible and with the least amount of disruption, road closures will be used on five nights at the following times:

Friday 10 April and Saturday 11 April, 8pm to around 2.30am.

Monday 13 April, Tuesday 14 April and Wednesday 15 April, 8pm to around midnight.

No works are planned on the evening of Sunday 12 April.

Norfolk County Council have advised that although closing the road will mean major overnight diversions for drivers, it will reduce the time on site and avoid impact on daytime traffic. Signs will direct drivers around the closure and to reach side roads affected, including Waterloo Street, Portland Street, Wellesley Road, Norfolk Street, Old Sunway, Albion Street and Old Market Street.

Buses On the evenings Railway Road is closed no buses will use the bus station or Portland Street after 8pm. Instead, all buses will drop off and pick up at the layby outside the railway station on Blackfriars Road. Arrival and departure times are likely to be a few minutes later than normal.

The dates for the planned weekend closures of the A47 at Postwick have been set after confirmation of beam delivery by the manufacturers.

The A47 will be closed at Postwick, at the eastern end of Norwich Southern Bypass, on at least three weekends to allow eight 114-metre bridge beams to be lifted into place. The provisional dates have now been confirmed, but it is hoped thatthe final (fourth) weekend closure will not be necessary. Warning signs about the closures are in the process of being placed as far away as Newmarket bypass and King’s Lynn to give motorists a chance to plan ahead and change their route.

Traffic will be diverted around the slip roads and new business park access roads, so motorists are warned to use another route if possible, or to be prepared for significant delays.

Eastbound (towards Great Yarmouth) A47 traffic will be diverted on to the new access roads that will serve the expanded Broadland Business Park and new Broadland Gate business areas. This route will include five roundabouts before traffic rejoins the A47. Temporary traffic lights may be used to assist traffic flow.

Westbound (towards Dereham and King’s Lynn) A47 traffic will have a shorter diversion, but this will pass through works on the new Oaks Lane roundabout and the major junction at the southern end of the existing and new (under construction) bridges over the A47.

Westbound traffic will be particularly disrupted on the second weekend. On this weekend thebridgebeams cannot be lifted by crane from the compound and will have to be transported on to the A47 itself. Each movement will cause delays of up to 20 minutes on the westbound diversion route.

Weekend One – 17 to 20 April Westbound carriageway to close at 8pm on Friday 17 April. Eastbound carriageway to close after football traffic has cleared (about 11pm). Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 20 April.

Weekend Two – 24 to 27 April Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 24 April. There will be off-peak delays on the westbound diversion route while beams are moved from the site compound on to the A47 itself. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 27 April.

Early May Bank Holiday weekend No closure on the Bank Holiday weekend, which includes the Norwich City home match against Fulham on 2 May.

Weekend Three – 8 to 11 May Closure of both carriageways at 8pm Friday 8 May. Road to reopen no later than 6am Monday 11 May.

Weekend Four – 15 to 18 May This weekend closure may be necessary depending upon progress. The decision on whether or not this closure will be used will be publicised as soon as possible.

On all weekends, the A47 will be reopened earlier whenever possible. In addition to the weekend closures, a number of overnight A47 closures will be required over the summer.

Local Diversions As well as the main A47 diversions, there will be a number of local diversions because of restrictions imposed to ease the flow of divertedA47 traffic.

The existing bridge carrying the A1042over the A47 will be closed southbound. Tocross the A47, traffic to Postwick villagewill be diverted along the A47 to the Cucumber Lane roundabout.

This bridge may also be closed northbound, if this is necessary to ease congestion on the main diversion route. If this happens, to cross the A47 local traffic will be diverted along the A47 to the Trowse junction. Local buses, cyclists and pedestrians will be escorted through theA1042 bridge closure.

On Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way will be closed at the roundabout with Broadland Way. Business park traffic will have to use Cranley Road and Broadland Way instead.

Postwick Park & Ride Postwick Park & Ride site will remain closed on A47 closure weekends to reduce pressure on the diversion routes, and because reliable running of the buses will sometimes be impossible to achieve. The nearest alternative site is Harford at the A47/A140 junction.

Updates will be posted onNorfolk County Council’s website atwww.norfolk.gov.uk/postwickand willbe publicised on social media and throughfurther public information notices.

A new park and ride contract which will bring brand new buses and better passenger facilities for bus travellers visiting Norwich has been signed by Norfolk County Council and Konectbus.

From September 2015, Norfolk-based Konectbus will run all six Park and Ride bus services on behalf of Norfolk County Council, as well as managing the park and ride sites and Norwich bus station. The contract, worth up to £32m,will last for five years, with an option to extend for a further three.

The change will mean a re-launch of Norwich Park & Ride with a new look and a range of improvements, designed toconfirm its placeas a flagship public transport service that underpins Norwich’s vibrant economy.

The County Council has had a long held ambition to offer a Park and Ride service that pays for itself, securing its future at a time when long-term support from a shrinking public purse cannot be guaranteed. By bundling up the bus service with site management and the management of Norwich bus station, the overall costs of running the services will save the council £0.5m each year of the contract.

The Konectbus contract will operate as part of an innovative package of measures designed by the council to save money without compromising public transport services. Highlights of the new contract are:

• 18 new buses on the City centre services and refurbished vehicles on the remainder
• More comfortable cloth seats with headrests
• Free on board WiFi
• Media screens with next stop announcements, promotional messagesabout the city, and aboutpark and ride
• CCTV systems
• Telematics to improve driving style and so passenger comfort
• New cross city links to open up access to more parts of the city without changing bus. Routes are Thickthorn to Airport, Sprowston to Harford
• An improved 10 minutes frequency for Airport-Thickthorn during peak times. Other routes will have improved frequency during the life of the contract
• New Norwich Railway Stationlink from Postwick, providing alternative parking for railway users and people who work near the station. This route will also serve Broadland Business Park and County Hall and connect to the Bus Station. Plusbus train and bus tickets will be accepted
• A dedicated service to University of East Anglia, Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital and Norwich Research Park. Longer hours of operations during term time
• Smart ticketing on all services with a revised fare structure

Tracy Jessop, Assistant Director Highways and Transport, Norfolk County Council, said the new contract secured the future of Norwich Park and Ride whilebringing real benefits for users.

“I am delighted that we have been able to award to contract to Konectbus.As a locally-based companyalready running the bus services to three of our sites, they understand park and ride very well.”

“This contract takes their involvement to another level because they are taking over the operation of the whole service, including bus services, sites and the management of Norwich Bus Station, where they have run the travel desk since 2013.”

“Competition to win the contract was fierce and we have used that to secure a great deal that benefits Norfolk and Norwich. Park and ride supports the city economy, helps cut congestion and gives people an affordable, reliableand high quality alternative to the car – so it helps commuters and visitors to Norwich.”

Gavin Hunter Managing Director of Konectbus and Anglian Bus, said: “As a locally based company we are very pleased to have been selected to run all of the park and ride services in Norwich. We believe that the improved network with more destinations and the new buses we have invested in will offer an affordable and viable alternative to the car.

“As well as taking the hassle of finding a parking space in the city centre away, our services will offer other benefits such as free to use wifi and comfortable seating. People can then choose to spend their time on-board catching up on e-mails and work or can simply relax and enjoy the journey.

“We already have a strong working partnership with NCC and our aim alongside the council is to ensure Norwich remains a vibrant and accessible city for residents and visitors alike.”