There is still time to book your place, and join MHA Larking Gowen and Howes Percival, as they collaborate to launch Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s brand-new recovery programme of virtual events which support businesses to restart, rebuild and renew.
What options are available for businesses when the furlough scheme comes to an end? – Seminar – Recovery Programme
Thursday, 15 October, 2020 – 14:30 to 15:45
Matthew Potter, partner at Howes Percival and employment law expert, will discuss the end of furlough and taking employers through the options available, including the Job Support Scheme; agreeing on changes to terms and conditions of employment and redundancy.
Andrew Kelsall, partner at MHA Larking Gowen and an Insolvency Practitioner, will discuss the options available when facing financial difficulties and the implications of redundancies. Acting sooner rather than later can make the difference between recover and insolvency.
Following the presentation, there will be a 20-minute live Q&A where Matthew and Andrew will answer your questions. Feel free to pre-submit any when registering.
Content / Takeaway
A first aid kit and guide for employers and businesses, looking at what their next steps should be on the road to recovery.
Judges praise “well deserved” win in competitive category.
TaxAssist Accountants has won ‘Best Franchisee Marketing Support’ at the Franchise Marketing Awards 2020, beating 11 other well-known, leading brands to the top spot.
The winning award entry emphasised the substantial financial investment the franchisor made to the brand awareness budget and the increased marketing support measures which have been put in place during the pandemic. These enhanced support features included a COVID-19 Business Support Hub on the website to share news, articles, Q&As, videos and webinars. It also included timely and increased social media posts and client guidance covering key Government announcements, with over a million emails in total sent to clients on behalf of the franchise network.
The entry also highlighted how it sets its network up for success by providing a suite of marketing initiatives including a national lead generation service, a centralised email service, national and local social media activity, local marketing advice and planning, TV and digital advertising and guides for pricing and profitability among many other initiatives.
The judging panel were very impressed with the levels of support, with Pip Wilkins, Chief Executive of the British Franchise Association, and one of the judges, describing the win as “well deserved”.
James Mattam, Group Business Development Director, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this prestigious award in a highly competitive category against other well-known and successful brands. This is a real reward for all of the fantastic teams at the Support Centre who have pulled out all the stops to maintain truly outstanding levels of marketing support through these unprecedented times.
“Our franchisees and their clients always come first in all that we do. We wanted to ensure our clients could access grants, funding and furloughing support quickly and have one less thing to worry about. Our franchisees were in huge demand by their clients and we stepped in to help with some of the support, with responsive and regular communications. Being part of a franchise network really offered a layer of protection during these times and now we’ve enhanced our brand and reputation on the back of this hard work. The award win is the icing on the cake.
“A key decision we made, as franchisor, was to reduce our franchisees’ marketing costs, but replace this with our own investment of over £100,000 from management service fees back into the brand awareness budgets. This is likely to increase between now and the end of the year to continue driving new business to the network”.
The high level of marketing support was also reflected in TaxAssist Accountants’ recent National Client Satisfaction Survey, in which clients praised still being able to easily contact their accountants for help and guidance about how to access Government support and funding during the lockdown, whether it was using video meetings or calls.
If you are interested in finding out more about joining the TaxAssist Accountants network, we are holding regular Virtual Discovery Days were you can learn more about the business development and technical support on offer to help you build a substantial practice. Call 0800 018829 to find out more.
Uptech Ltd are dedicated to providing their clients with business solutions that meet their clients needs. They are also dedicated to providing their clients with the very best Cyber protection available.
To book your self in for a FREE Cyber Security Risk Assessment, normally valued at £149, Please contact james@uptech.co.uk, or call 01553 612212 and ask for James.
There is no obligation to purchase anything, however will provide advice on what, if anything needs to be changed.
Adnan Tahir has recently opened a new walk-in tax and accountancy shop servicing the small business community in the Tradeston area of Glasgow.
Adnan had only just commenced trading when lockdown began, but is now looking forward to reaching out to those in his local area who are in need of expert business advice and support.
“The shop looks great, I’m so pleased with the final result which provides a warm, welcoming environment for me to meet with clients” said Adnan. “I’d encourage anyone interested in finding out more about our services to contact us for a free initial consultation – either face-to-face, by telephone or online.
“We provide a comprehensive tax, accountancy and advisory service to small businesses and can talk clients through a range of software solutions, to help them select the right package for their needs.”
A COVID-19 hub has been created on the TaxAssist website with all of the latest news and guidance, and clients are kept up-to-date via text messages, emails and webinars, explaining the latest government announcements and how it affects them.
Lewis Wardale, an undergraduate in Natural Sciences at the UEA, has run 125 miles and a virtual marathon to raise over £2,700 by way of gratitude to a local cancer charity and fundraising group which awarded him a student bursary placement this summer.
Lewis was the recipient of the Lilac Ladies bursary via local cancer charity, Big C, which enabled him to spend eight weeks working with the cancer genetics team at Norwich Medical School under Daniel Brewer and with Sergio Llaneza-Lago, a Big C funded PhD student.
A passionate advocate of fitness, Lewis enjoys exercising at the gym, playing football and Parkrun. At the end of summer, Lewis decided to challenge himself and ran 125 miles, or an estimated 190 miles including the distance covered at football games, to raise vital funds for Big C as a thank for funding his summer placement. Last week, Lewis also ran the virtual London Marathon. Through these activities, he has raised an amazing £2743.00
Lewis said, “My experience with the cancer genetics team was so good, that I wanted to somehow repay the cost of my bursary as I wanted someone else to experience what I have. I am very grateful to those who have donated and helped me raise this and more. I would like to express a massive thank you to the LILAC Ladies and to Big C for the support they have given me. This experience has opened my eyes to what a career in cancer bioinformatics would look like. I absolutely loved it. I was really intrigued by the research that not only I was doing, but also the rest of the team. It has cemented by decision to do this for a career.”
Lewis was inspired into a career in cancer research after his grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 Lymphoma in 2017. Lewis said, “At first, I was devastated by this diagnosis, but we were soon reassured by the medical professionals that this type of cancer was one that stood the greatest probability of being cured. I was perplexed because by previous preconceptions told me there was no coming back from a stage 4 cancer. Sure enough, modern medicine helped my Grandma into remission. I couldn’t believe this miraculous recovery that she made from such an aggressive type of cancer. With a basic understanding of cancer biology at the time from Biology A-Level, I was eager to learn more about the specific mechanisms and mutations that constitute these stages and subtypes of cancer. I then knew that cancer research was a career pathway I wanted to pursue.”
Gaye Youngman from LILAC said “LILAC were delighted that through our fundraising we were able to give Lewis the opportunity to further his experience via this student bursary. As well as assisting with the work of the cancer genetics team it helped pave the way for his future career choices.”
A man who adapted his Norwich-based family signage business to adapt to conditions under Covid-19 lockdown, has donated protective materials and directional signage for the retail shops of the local charity which supported his father before his death five years ago. Justin Watts, managing director of Signforce, which has its premises in Burton Close, Norwich, was forced to furlough all his staff and rapidly adapt the production of his signage company due to the coronavirus outbreak. Justin said, “We manufacture wholesale branded sign and display products for the sign, display and exhibition industry and experiential agencies, but when lockdown was announced, the events industry ground to a halt and this business disappeared overnight. To ensure continuity of the company, we needed to pivot our usual output and turn to producing PPE and protective equipment, graphics and Covid related signage for retail premises. Thankfully I have managed to now bring all my staff back into the business following furlough. “When my father was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and undergoing treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, he received fantastic support from the team at the Big C centre. It was a very difficult time, we ran the business together for 20 years before my father became ill and we were very close. The support and help Big C gave to us as a family before he sadly died, really made a difference and so when I heard that the charity was starting to reopen some of its shops, I wanted to take the opportunity to give-back and help by donating some of the protective equipment they required to make the stores Covid-safe.” Signforce has donated till screens and floor stickers worth £1,500 which will be used in Big C’s Fakenham, Beccles, Norwich Timberhill and Swaffham stores. Retail Team Manager, Danielle Day, said, “We are very grateful to Justin and Signforce for this very kind donation. Conditions are tough for charities currently and to receive this help towards opening our shops and generating income for the charity is welcomed and appreciated.” To learn more about the work Big C does to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney, please visit www.big-c.co.uk
Do you actively bid or tender for public contracts? Could you improve your chances of success? Are you confident across the various complex procurement procedures? Would you like someone to ask? Do you wish you knew how your Tender would be scored? How valuable to you would this insight be before you submitted your Tender?
Specialist procurement support is available
Chris Cliffe, of CJC Procurement Ltd in Norwich, has 18 years’ experience of public sector procurement. He has written and signed-off hundreds of procurement procedures and ITTs and has scored and evaluated thousands of Tenders. Chris applies this experience in helping businesses beat their competition and to ensure their Tenders get a fair assessment. Chris can help you improve your Tenders and improve your chances of winning public sector contracts!
How it Works
Whilst Chris can support you throughout the end to end bidding process, there are three specific points where external bid review services add most value.
On receipt of the opportunity, Chris can support you by reviewing the procurement documentation and helping you interpret the questions and response requirements. Chris can help you with clarification questions or even suggest response structures for questions.
Prior to the deadline for submission of your Tender, Chris can evaluate your draft Tender and indicatively score it and provide you with feedback, comments and suggestions on how to improve your Tender in the final days before submission. This is the most popular service.
In the event of an unsuccessful bid, Chris can support you in assessing the feedback from the customer to determine whether your Tender has been fairly and objectively assessed, suggesting where improvements are required in future, or whether you have grounds for complaint or challenge.
Flexible Approach
As an independent procurement consultant, these services can be delivered flexibly to work with you and your bid writing processes and/or team.
Reviews can often be scheduled overnight, or over weekends to add maximum value whilst dovetailing with your business hours.
The services are charged at a fixed hourly rate, which can either be on a pay-as-you-use basis or on a retainer basis as appropriate, particularly where clients are keen to ensure their competitive edge over their competition and the service is exclusive for a single client on any given tender opportunity.
A Satisfied Customer
“I engaged Chris with some support as a “Critical Friend” on a large tender. Chris reviewed each stage of our tender submission and provided excellent feedback. His review included ensuring requirements were met, suggestions on how the customer could read or interpret answers and because of his experience & real understanding of public sector procurement he was able to provide exceptional direction for improvements. Chris always delivered on time and his report/feedback was presented to a high standard. Chris takes pride in his work and I found he went over and above what was asked of him on many occasions, he becomes part of your team and acts as one team with you. I would be happy to recommend Chris to any organisation.” Ciara McMillan, Account Director.
Norfolk Chambers of Commerce Member Offer
CJC Procurement Ltd is happy to offer a 25% discount for all new customers who are members of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce!
Chris is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply and is a Chartered Procurement Professional. Chris is a Highly Commended Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors (IoD), East of England region and is the Procurement Ambassador for the IoD Norfolk branch. CJC Procurement Ltd is a member of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and has been appointed three years in succession to the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud framework agreement.
Boutique Hotel and Restaurant The Norfolk Mead, based in a Georgian Mansion in the Norfolk Broads National Park in Coltishall, has put together a delicious new lunch menu.
The ‘Light Bites’ menu is being served Monday – Saturday, between 12-2pm. – The ‘Something Light’ options include freshly made sandwiches, soup of the day, warm cured trout, chicken and chorizo pressing and Char Sui beef spring rolls. – The menu from the 2 Star AA Rosette Awarded-team also includes ‘Something More Substantial’ featuring a cured meat selection, local cheese board, chicken Caesar salad, mushroom, smoked cheddar & spinach tagliatelle, our Norfolk Mead beef burger, cod, caper, lemon & parsley fishcakes, butternut squash, goats cheese & sage arancini and our ever-popular fillet steak ciabatta sandwich. – To finish, the Norfolk lunch menu includes ‘Something Sweet’ featuring creme brulee, chocolate brownie, passionfruit parfait and local ice cream from Lakenham Creamery. Prices range from £6.00 to £15.50 per dish. Executive Chef Damien Woollard commented: “We are really excited to launch our new Light Bites lunch menu. We have taken our most popular dishes, and will also look to change the selection regularly to keep it fresh. We look forward to welcoming our regular customers as well as new diners to the restaurant.” View the menu: Light Bites Lunch at The Norfolk Mead The atmospheric dining room at The Norfolk Mead offers beautiful views down to the water meadow and all the way to the River Bure. Weather permitting, we can also serve the Light Bites lunch in our gorgeous Walled Garden. We have been certified as Covid-secure by both VisitEngland and the AA. Find out more: The Norfolk Mead is Covid Secure: double accreditation for luxury hotel, restaurant and spa treatment room Book a table for Lunch via info@norfolkmead.co.uk or call 01603 737 531
Watch an outdoor showing of much-loved movie ‘The Greatest Showman’ in Norwich on 10 October and raise money to tackle homelessness;
The film will be shown at the Drive in for Hope event at Heartsease Lane with all proceeds from ticket sales going to support the good cause;
The event marks the launch of new charity Hopestead which has the aim of ending homelessness in the East of England.
A drive in cinema event taking place this Saturday (10 October) at Heartsease Lane will not only offer film fans a great night out but will also raise funds to tackle homelessness.
Organisers of the ‘Drive in For Hope’ have said tickets are selling fast for the event which will see much-loved movie ‘The Greatest Showman’ shown.
Tickets for the event are just £30 per car (plus a small booking fee) and can be bought here: www.hopestead.org Proceeds from all tickets will go towards the good cause.
And, a special ‘hopeful’ bag containing £15 worth of goodies will also be allocated for each person attending the event.
The event is being held to mark the launch of Hopestead, the new charity from Flagship Group with the aim of ending homelessness in the East of England.
Marie-Claire Delbrouque, Managing Director of Hopestead said:
“The Drive in for Hope cinema event offers people the opportunity to enjoy a great evening out – safely – and it will also allow us to raise vital funds that we can use to support those in need.
“To mark our launch, we wanted to connect people – safely – and what better way than through a film which is universal and unifying. Please do join us.”
The event will be Covid secure meaning everyone can enjoy a safe and fun night out.
The Norwich event, which will take place from 6.30pm – 10pm, will be mirrored by a similar Drive in for Hope event taking place on 9 October in Ipswich, with The Greatest Showman also being shown.
The film showing will be preceded by short videos from people who Hopestead has been supporting during Covid-19.
Grant funding available to support small hospitality and tourism businesses to trade during winter months
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is inviting small, local businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector to apply for grants to help them make alterations to their business in order to allow them to trade safely in the upcoming winter months.
This grant could be used to cover the cost of sustainable outdoor heating, additional outdoor tables and seating, or the costs associated with reconfiguring outdoor dining areas, and lighting. It cannot be claimed to cover the costs of things such as hire, staff or marketing costs.
Applications to the £100,000 winter adaptation grants programme are invited from hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, cafés, restaurants, pubs, and takeaway food outlets within the borough. Successful applications will receive 50% of the agreed costs up to a maximum of £5,000.
Applications close at midnight on Friday 16th October. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. All applications will be assessed by a panel after the closing date and by 22nd October 2020. Each application will be reviewed on its individual merits and not on a first come, first served basis. Applications can only be made online by completing the form
Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, leaders of the council’s main political groups, said: “The winterisation grant is a great opportunity for local tourism and hospitality businesses to create additional trade during the winter months, in line with Government advice and Covid 19 restrictions.
“We know this additional targeted support will be welcomed by those small businesses, who haven’t had the usual busy summer season they depend on, and help them to adapt their businesses to meet the national regulations and ensure the safety of both their customers and staff.”
Hatch Benner Solicitors on Theatre Street has announced that they will be working with independent local charity, Age UK Norwich, for the next three years in a new long-term community investment agreement.
Age UK Norwich, who have been working in the local community to help older people for more than 70 years, are dedicated to making Norwich a great place for later life. Their support for over 55s includes offering free, independent information and advice, arranging activities and events to combat loneliness, and running the Marion Day Care Centre helping more older people get the care they need whilst continuing to live in their own home.
As a result of the restrictions of the coronavirus outbreak, Age UK Norwich have seen a huge increase in demand for their services as many over-70s are at high risk from COVID-19 and are still self-isolating. The charity is working hard to actively respond to the challenges the older people of Norwich are facing, and ensure the vital services they provide, such as befriending, information and advice, and physical and mental wellbeing, can continue. All in an online world which not everyone has the ability to access.
Hatch Brenner Solicitors is pleased to support Age UK Norwich in the provision of their telephone befriending service. The trained telephone befriending volunteers offer a friendly voice to an older person who is isolated at the moment, to help support them through this difficult time. Via regular weekly, pre-agreed phone calls, the volunteers can ensure the older person is coping well and has everything they need.
They are also supporting the charity to distribute over 1,000 DVD’s containing videos of gentle exercise, balance, relaxation and information about services. This is vital for those who are unable to access the internet and participate in virtual sessions currently offered by Age UK Norwich.
Jeremy Goss, Age UK Norwich Marketing and Communications Manager commented: “Following the huge impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we are now looking at how we offer many of our usual services in a different way. Our befriending telephone service sees the older person gain a supportive relationship with the Age UK Norwich volunteer, which can act as a real lifeline in terms of practical but also emotional support. We are in need of more befriending volunteers. If you feel you can spare the time, please do get in touch.”
Mr Goss continued, “It is such a support to us that Hatch Brenner has chosen to work in partnership with Age UK Norwich. The backing of local businesses is a huge boost allowing us to continue our work and build the charity’s profile so we can offer help to those who may not have heard about our services.”
Dawn Parkes, Hatch Brenner Managing Partner commented: We are pleased to be supporting such an important charity with this new partnership. Through our legal work with Private Clients including arranging Lasting Power of Attorney, Wills and Probate, we see first hand the challenges many of the older community face. In addition to the time and energy of our Norwich workforce, we are happy to offer our legal expertise via training sessions with the Age UK Advisors regarding private client, property, employment law and mediation.”