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Our July 4th informal networking event was on a beautiful, sunny evening in Norwich’s historic Tombland. Our members gathered for prosecco on arrival and canapés and some informal networking before listening to our first speaker of the evening Russell Evans, Managing Director of Bullards Gin. Russell gave an inspiring talk on the ‘Start Up Journey’ and how he first came across the brand in 1985 during his first job from University.

We then moved on to the cocktail making! We had three different stations, the first for Epringham House signature ‘porn star martini’ made with fresh passion fruit. Our second station was Bullards Gin and Tonic made with edible flowers and strawberries. Lastly, the classic Expresso Martini made with freshly ground coffee! After everyone had the chance to make the cocktails and have some very delicious vegan alternative garlic dough balls and hoisin “duck” pancakes we moved on to the last speech of the evening.

Loui Blake, Managing Director at Erpingham House spoke passionately on his own ‘Start Up Journey’, and the best advice he gave us on starting out – “work for someone you love/admire for free, more than once” in exchange for knowledge and connections.

The audience left the evening feeling very encouraged, inspired and slightly wobbly!

Commenting on the latest UK GDP and trade statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Although there was modest rally in GDP growth between April and May, the continued slowdown on the underlying three-month measure is further evidence that the UK economy is faltering under the weight of relentless Brexit uncertainty and tougher global economic conditions.

“Manufacturing activity picked-up in May as car production reopened, but the longer-term measures point to a sector under pressure from the running down of excess stock, tougher global trading conditions and rising upfront costs.

“There was a welcome narrowing in the UK’s trade deficit in May, largely reflecting both a decline in imports and a rise in export goods. However, Brexit uncertainty, the absence of clarity on fundamentals aspects of trade conditions after October 31st, and a slowing global economy are likely to increasingly weigh on the UK’s net trade position over the medium-term.

“Against this backdrop, it is vital that the next Prime Minister prioritises avoiding a messy and disorderly exit from the EU, as such a departure would likely trigger a marked deterioration in economic conditions. More must also be done to boost the UK’s growth trajectory by delivering the transformative infrastructure projects needed to secure the UK’s economic future.”

The Government could use taxpayer money to guarantee loan insurance for small businesses under a plan being considered by the state back business bank.

The plan aims to remove the block on bank lending to small businesses by using the insurance industry. Small businesses would buy insurance to cover the risk of them defaulting on their own loans with they could then offer to banks as guarantee to borrow money.

As the economy starts to grow it is more important than ever that businesses can access funding to invest in their organisations. In this region New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership have also accessed funds; both grants and loans. So the Chamber would encourage businesses to investigate all options to access funding.

The Norfolk Chamber is proudly sponsoring the Customer Care Award for the Mayor’s Business Awards this year. We are aware that West Norfolk Chamber members are successful, dynamic and hard working and one of the key aspects that we keep hearing, is that customer care is central to their business ethos.

Does your organisation pride itself on its exemplary customer care? Have you incorporated initiatives designed to raise service standards and can show increased customer satisfaction? Then highlight your achievements by entering the Customer Care category of the Mayor’s Business Awards.

These awards are important for West Norfolk, as they show the rest of the county what fantastic companies we have here, but for your business, it will demonstrate to a wider audience what you already know – that you are a great company. It is also a wonderful staff motivator to collate all your good points and even better when you win!

Click here to complete the online nomination forms for the Customer Care category

The full list of categories for the Mayor’s Business Awards are:

• Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
• Community Contribution
• Customer Care
• Independent Retailer
• Leisure & Tourism
• Service with a Smith
• Small Growing Business (up to 5 years)
• Business Person of the Year
• Mayor’s Business of the Year

For full information on the Mayors Awards and details on all categories go to www.lynnnews.co.uk/mayors-awards

The deadline for entries is Friday 29 November 2013.

We look forward to seeing lots of our successful West Norfolk Chamber members entering and winning the Mayor’s Business Awards.

Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet has agreed Option C as the preferred route for the Norwich Western Link.

Norfolk County Council (NCC) previously recommended Option C – a new dual carriageway route and a short section of dual carriageway upgrade of the A1067 – as the best overall solution and preferred route for the new link road between the A47 and Broadland Northway (formerly the NDR).  As it balances all of the issues the project needs to address. It limits environmental impacts, has a high cost-to-benefit ratio, reduces congestion and rat-running on existing roads, minimises the impact on communities and properties, and received considerable support through their recent consultation.

Commenting on the Cabinet’s preferred route option, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:

“The Norwich Western Link will facilitate easier access to both Norwich airport and Great Yarmouth port.  It will further help to improve journeys into and around the west of the city, support potential housing and jobs growth; provide the infrastructure to manage the additional traffic this will create, and improve quality of life for people living in the area. 

“This final piece of the puzzle will ensure that Norfolk has infrastructure that will meet our growth ambitions.  It will create stronger and more effective links to the Midlands and the North and will help Norfolk businesses to thrive and deliver greater economic growth and jobs.”

Confirming the preferred route option is a major milestone for the project and, while there is still much work to be done, having a preferred route brings them a step closer to starting work to construct the Norwich Western Link in late 2022 and opening the road to traffic in early 2025, subject to securing funding and completing necessary statutory processes.

Further surveys and design work will now be carried out to develop the preferred route. This will include the development of complementary measures to mitigate environmental impacts, encourage walking, cycling and public transport use, and limit the amount, speed and type of vehicles using the existing road network in the area where appropriate.

Alongside their work to identify a preferred route, they have also put together a Strategic Outline Business Case for the project which councillors on their Cabinet also approved today. They intend for this to be submitted to the Department for Transport by the end of the month, which will start the process required to secure funding for the Norwich Western Link from the government. NCC have an excellent case for the need for the road and strong support from the public, the business community, emergency services, local councils and MPs, so they’re very hopeful they will be successful.

NCC will continue to advise when there are significant updates about the project, and they will keep the Norwich Western Link pages of the County Council website updated, which you can find at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nwl. There will also be a further public consultation on the preferred route before they submit their planning application.