Between 10am and 4pm on the lower ground floor by Frasers and HMV, visitors can enjoy appearances, interactions and photos with Darth Vader, Chewbacca and droids. Visitors will also be able to make a voluntary donation to Break, making life better for young people in and around care.
Embracing the iconic tagline, “May the Force be With You”, Star Wars Day has become a tradition for many fans worldwide on 4th May.
Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, comments: “We’re excited to welcome NORCON, Norwich Droids and many iconic characters from Star Wars to Chantry Place to raise funds for Break. Visitors are also welcome to dress up and we know how popular this event will be. Visitors will be able to take their own photos with characters and enjoy watching the droids entertain visitors.”
Ron Auker, a crew supervisor at NORCON, said: “We’re really excited about coming to Chantry Place to help raise money for such a fantastic cause and celebrate Star Wars Day with everyone. May the force be with you.”
NORCON is a Norfolk TV, film and comic convention which will return to the Norfolk Showground Arena on 28th and 29th September 2024. Tickets are on sale now at www.nor-con.co.uk
For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.chantryplace.co.uk or follow chantryplacenorwich on social media.
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.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published a survey of businesses, which shows that just over a third of companies (34%) have had to increase their wage bills since the introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW) in April 2016.
The survey of more than 1,600 business leaders across the UK, undertaken in August 2016 and supported by Middlesex University, revealed that many companies affected by the introduction of the NLW have already changed their recruitment plans or planned to do so in the future. A quarter of affected firms (25%) have reduced recruitment in response, and 34% plan to do so if the NLW rises to £9 per hour by 2020. Others are looking at changes to staff hours, benefits or pay growth.
These changes reflect the rising cost burden on many companies. Although the majority (65%) of firms pay their staff above the NLW of £7.20 per hour and have not been affected, 25% of those that were affected have increased their wage bill slightly, and 9% have increased their wage bill significantly.
The businesses most exposed to the NLW have largely absorbed the increase in costs for now, but plan to pursue cost reduction measures if the NLW increases to £9 per hour. The BCC urges the government to use caution with future NLW increases.
Key findings in the survey:
Most businesses pay their staff above the NLW, but more than a third have increased their wage bills since it was introduced in April 2016
Of the firms whose wage bill increased because of the NLW, most have not yet made major changes, but more of these firms expect to do so if the NLW rises to £9 by 2020
Only 34% of businesses affected by the NLW raised prices to offset the cost, but 63% would do so if it rose to £9 by 2020
Of the businesses affected by the introduction of the NLW, 25% reduced recruitment in response, 18% reduced staff hours, 18% reduced pay growth, 24% reduced staff benefits, 25% reduced recruitment, and 37% made no changes
If the NLW increases to £9 per hour by 2020, 25% would reduce staff hours, 29% would reduce pay growth, 33% would reduce staff benefits, 34% would reduce recruitment, and 13% would make no changes
Commenting, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber, said:
“A decent wage can make a huge impact on employees’ lives and their performance at work, and many Norfolk businesses are able to pay above the NLW.
“However, a significant number of Norfolk firms have already had to re-balance their books to meet the cost of the NLW, which can have a knock-on effect on recruitment or growth plans. Many firms would have to change their business models, by increasing prices and reducing staff, if the NLW increases to £9 per hour by 2020.
“Norfolk Chamber believes that the government needs to take an evidence-based approach to setting the NLW. The rate should be set by the Low Pay Commission and be determined by the state of the economy, weighing up the various pressures businesses face. Further NLW increases need to be proportionate, reflecting business uncertainty, slowing growth and high input costs, to avoid having a negative effect on employment.”
David Williams, Director Corporate Engagement at Middlesex University, added:
“While our research has captured the current sentiments of business around the NLW, the potential rise to £9 per hour is still three years away. This means that businesses have an opportunity to adjust their strategies, as they are having to do with other initiatives such as the apprenticeships programme.
“It is important that Government supports business through these transitions so that employees in the UK can earn a fair wage for their work and businesses benefit from a satisfied and motivated workforce.”
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.”
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.
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.”
Ensors Chartered Accountants are pleased to announce that their new Norwich office is now open and fully operational with their team of experts on hand to deliver comprehensive advice and support to you from their new home at 3 St James Place, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1RJ.
As accountancy specialists for over 130 years, Ensors possess a deep understanding of the issues, opportunities, and regulations relevant to local businesses and individuals across East Anglia. The new office location allows members of their Corporate Finance, Corporate Services, Business Recovery, and Corporate Tax team to support a diverse portfolio of clients across a number of sectors in the area. Experts from the Private Client team are also available to deliver their professional yet personalised approach to individuals in Norfolk and the surrounding area.
In the development of the new regional office, the firm have established an experienced senior team to lead the office offering and provides a number of opportunities to students and qualified accountants.
As the latest premise to open in support of the firm’s expansion into northern East Anglia, Ensors’ office in the heart of Norwich City Centre will boast modern facilities and an open plan working environment to encourage collaboration and growth.
Ensors are looking forward to the exciting opportunities that the new Norwich branch will bring, alongside building on their growing networks in the Norwich area.
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.
First Intuition is the first accountancy training provider to become a signatory of Access Accountancy. Access Accountancy is a charity that collaborates with accountancy firms, professional bodies and organisations dedicated to improving access to, and progression within, the accountancy profession for applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds in the UK.
Established in 2014, Access Accountancy works towards everyone having an equal chance of accessing and progressing within the accountancy profession based on merit, not background. The vision of Access Accountancy is to ensure that the accountancy profession is representative, at all levels, of the socio-economic demographic of wider society.
First Intuition Cambridge Limited will be working with Access Accountancy towards three milestones: Adopting, Contributing, and Influencing to increase the volume, scope and quality of activity to improve access to, and progression within, the accountancy profession for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
One of the ways First Intuition will achieve this is through its Accountancy Academy programme, a free virtual event created to invite students from across the country to find out more about the accountancy and finance industry and the careers available within it. Including sessions on routes into the industry, how to find roles, and tips on making a good impression with CV’s and at interviews.
Amy Forrest, Managing Director of First Intuition Cambridge Limited comments:
“I am really pleased that we have become a signatory for Access Accountancy!
“Our mission is to train accountants, and that’s all accountants. We want to make the accounting career more accessible to all, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Working with Access Accountancy and contributing to their important work is a big step towards this.
“We have a fantastic network of employers, students and alumni, and fantastic relationships with professional bodies, local groups, recruitment agents, think tanks, and many more. We will be looking at how we can do our part in this community to further promote accounting as a career to a more diverse group of people.”