Member News

Attleborough-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm has reached the milestone of ensuring £20 million in Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments will be shared among the hundreds of domestic, and commercial, customers for which it has designed and installed ground and air source heat pump systems.

The RHI is a government initiative designed to reward people for choosing to switch to a more environmentally friendly form of heating. Administered by the official regulator Ofgem, the scheme is available for domestic customers under the Domestic RHI, and for commercial customers under the Non-domestic (Commercial) RHI. Based on the amount of clean, green heat produced, both schemes provide tax-free quarterly payments for seven years under the Domestic scheme or 20 years for Commercial.

As one of the UK’s longest established renewable heating companies, Finn Geotherm has been helping its heat pump customers apply for this tax-free incentive since it was first introduced in April 2014. The company has kept a log of all the payments it has secured for its domestic and commercial customers and this has now reached a total of £20 million pounds.

However, the current RHI scheme will end for all new applications on 31st March 2021 so Finn Geotherm is encouraging anyone considering a heat pump to act now. Ground and air source heat pump projects have to be installed by a qualified installer and registered for the RHI before this date in order to be included.

Guy Ransom, Commercial Director at Finn Geotherm, said: “At a time when we all need to be doing our bit to tackle the climate emergency, the RHI scheme provides a great added incentive for customers to benefit from upgrading their heating and hot water systems to low carbon technology such as heat pumps.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that as many of our customers as possible receive this generous incentive, enabling them to significantly cut their heating costs and energy use, while enjoying warmer and more environmentally friendly homes and workplaces. With the RHI scheme ending in March 2021, we’re keen to help as many more customers as possible to lock into the scheme and benefit from the RHI payments when they switch to a better form of heating. We’re encouraging people to get it while it’s hot!”

For more information on ground and air source heat pumps and details on Finn Geotherm, visit www.finn-geotherm.co.uk.

Bring along your lovely mum for an extra special Mother’s Day Lunch at The Norfolk Mead on Sunday 22 March. All mums will receive a box of chocolate brownies to enjoy.

  Curried Parsnip & Apple Soup, Crispy Shallots, Red Lentils, Yoghurt. Smoked Salmon, Wild Garlic Pesto, Potato Salad, Crispy Capers, Caviar, Fennel, Dill Oil. Prawn & Crayfish Stack, Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Yoghurt, Baby Gem, Marie Rose. Pork Belly, Mustard Spätzle, Roasted Onion Puree, Apple, Kale, Cider Jus, Pork Puff. Wild Mushroom Risotto, Smoked Cheddar, Crispy Quails Egg, Balsamic Onions, Rocket. Confit Duck & Prune Pressing, Bacon Mayonnaise, Pickled Vegetables, Dukkha Crumb, Gherkins. **** Roast Rump of Beef, Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy. Roast quarter Norfolk Chicken, Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Apricot & Pine Nut Stuffing, Gravy. Roast Leg of Lamb, Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Rosemary & Onion Stuffing, Gravy. Sea bass Fillet, Hasselback New Potatoes, Braised Baby Gem, Pea Puree, Jerusalem Artichoke, Cockle Beurre Blanc. Cod Loin, Crushed new Potato Cake, Cauliflower Puree, Samphire, Mange tout, King Prawns, Fennel Velouté. Mixed Nut & Fruit Wellington, Roast Potatoes, Parsnip Puree, Savoy Cabbage, Carrots, Wild Mushroom Gravy. **** Granny Smith Parfait, Blackberry Gel, Granola, Cinnamon Doughnuts, Sorrel. Vanilla Panna Cotta, Lemon Curd, Raspberry Sorbet, Meringue, Poppy Seed Macaron. Glazed Chocolate Mousse, Caramel, Banana Ice Cream, Chocolate Soil, Peanut Butter Fudge. Egg Custard Tart, Brown Bread Ice Cream, Brandy Snap, Poached Raspberries, Candied Nuts. Selection of Homemade Ice Creams & Sorbets. Norfolk & English Cheeses, Binham Blue, Baron Bigod, Black Bomber, Cornish Yarg, Celery, Mixed Crackers, Grapes & Chutney (£3.00 Supplement) **** Tea or Coffee served with Petit Fours   £40 per person. Treat your mum to a spectacular Sunday lunch in Norfolk. Relax and enjoy our luxury Hotel surroundings and make some extra special memories. Call one of our friendly team on 01603 737 531 to book a table.

We’re looking for local businesses who would be happy to come in to College to provide talks and/or workshops to our students on the following topics: CV & cover letter writing tips – what makes a CV & cover letter stand-out, things to avoid, common mistakes. Being work ready – advice on how to prepare for the word of work and general tips for work experience/first jobs. For example, how to dress, how to behave and general ‘insider knowledge’ that many students just don’t have yet due to their age. Mock interviews and interview tips.

We have the following session times: Session 1 from 09:30 – 11:00 Session 2 from 11:15 – 12:45 Session 3 from 13:30 – 15:00

Businesses are welcome to come in for one session or stay for all 3 if you are able. Ideally talks/workshops to last 45 mins to 1 hour, but whatever you are able to offer, we can formulate a plan to suit you. If you’d like to get involved in shaping the workforce of the future, please contact Michelle Atkins matkins@eastnorfolk.ac.uk or Sean Baney sbaney@eastnorfolk.ac.uk

or call to chat for more info on 01493 662234

We are thrilled that Norwich Puppet Theatre has been recommended for half-term activities by The Guardian! https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/feb/02/family-holiday-uk-planner-daytrips-minibreaks-holidays?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other The article says: “Budding animators will be in their element at Norwich Puppet Theatre, which has excellent children’s workshops this half-term, along with performances of Goldilocks and Puss in Boots. Youngsters (five and over) can make their ultimate side-kick in puppet form, while older children can try using wire armature to make movable characters with plasticine.” Bring the family, and come along and try our programme from 15th to 24th February!

It’s a proper festival of the best visiting Puppet companies for these shows

Wednesday 19th February A Bird in the Hand Theatre presents Midnight at 11am and 2:30pm

Thursday 20th February Hand to Mouth present Goldilocks at 11am and 2:30pm

Saturday 22nd February Lyngo Theatre present Puss in Boots at 2:30pm

And lots of children’s workshops too! Saturday 15th February 1030-1200 Perfect Partners https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/perfect-partners

Saturday 15th February 1-2:30pm Family Workshop Shadow Theatres https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/family-workshop-shadow-theatres

Tuesday 18th February 1030-1200 Armatures Skills Workshops https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/skills-armature

Wednesday 19th February 1030-1200 Cats and Dogs https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/big-cats

Thursday 20th February Story Land special family event with Goldilocks show: https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/story-land

Saturday 22nd February Story Land special family event with Puss in Boots show: https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/story-land

Monday 24th February 1000-1130 Little Tots Creative Play: Lines and Squiggles for ages 18 months to 5 years: https://puppettheatre.co.uk/whats-on/workshops/little-tots-lines-and-squiggles

Book on line or phone us today at 01603 629921

KLM UK Engineering’s new facility is off to a flying start with the steel structure starting to take shape for this two bay aircraft hangar. The hangar is due to officially open in November 2020 a long with its new Workshop facility. 

With National Apprenticeship Week 2020 now well underway, quite naturally the spotlight is on the Apprentice.  However, here at Swarm Apprenticeships I thought I would let you in on how a great apprentice is discovered? Point in question. Take a look at the blog authored by Dale Graver, regarding the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2020 on the Norfolk Chambers website. What a great start to his journey. I think you will agree, he has every chance of making a successful member of a great team and apprentice. He is just one of our great discoveries, and it just didn’t happen by chance! We are absolutely delighted that the Chamber loves him, and of course (I would hope) our processes in discovering him! Discovering apprentices is a three-way process and my job is about really listening to our applicants and our employers and matching experience, work culture and ethics, to create enterprising, compassionate and purposeful apprentices who will give positive impact in the businesses they work for and in return demonstrate a good double/triple bottom line return on investment. It’s not rocket science, just good genuine interest and desire to create great relationships. Every candidate that applies for a position with us, will receive a personal response, usually within a couple of days.  Assistance is always on hand if anyone needs a bit of help or advice.  When an apprentice is appointed, they immediately become part of our family, as does the employer, and the journey begins to greater things. Going that extra mile is standard practice. Our amazing apprentices are then made even more amazing with our phenomenal tutors.  Over to you Phil!

Looking for quality, made to measure domestic blinds, that will look great for years to come?

Now is the time to talk to us at Norwich Sunblinds!

Have a look around our webite for ideas for Roller Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Pleated Blinds, or Venetian Blinds, and when you’re ready to make an appointment, give the office a call on 01603 334 085, quote “web342” or book online here.

Raza Syed has opened a new walk-in tax and accountancy practice at 239 The Broadway, Southall.

Raza Syed joined the TaxAssist Accountants network in October 2019 and hit the ground running by opening his shop in time to benefit from the January tax return season.

“It’s a fantastic looking shop, in a great location,” said Raza. “We’ve been really busy so far and it’s been great to meet with so many small businesses in my local area, explain what services we offer and how we can help. I would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to pop in for a free consultation.”

Working for himself has been a long-held dream for FCCA-qualified Raza, who is relishing his new self-employed status.

“In my previous employed life, I always enjoyed working with different people and taking pride in building and sustaining relationships,” explained Raza.  “That I am able to now do this for myself, creating my own relationships, is incredibly satisfying. I have never been afraid of hard work, and I am looking forward to working alongside my wife to build a business and asset for my family’s future.

“I was familiar with the benefits of franchising having worked in the sector before, and TaxAssist ticked all the boxes, offering the nurturing environment that is needed to create a business.  The support from the TaxAssist Support Centre has been first class and will be invaluable as the business grows.”

Raza’s shop joins an established network of 228 TaxAssist Accountants shops around the UK.

If you are interested in finding out more about joining TaxAssist Accountants, regular Discovery Days are held at the Support Centre in Norwich, where you meet with the Directors of the franchise and find out more about the technical and business development support on offer.

Call 0800 0188297 to find out more  

Now in its fourteenth year, the annual Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business Survey asks all East Anglian based businesses from across the sector to join forces and take part. The survey was launched today by MHA Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure, Norfolk. 

All businesses in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sector including restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions as well as retailers in the tourism hotspots are being encouraged to participate in the independent survey.

Speaking at the launch, Chris Scargill, Tourism Partner at MHA Larking Gowen, said, “Interesting times lie ahead; the collapse of Thomas Cook and financial uncertainty in other carriers, combined with a greater call to go green, make a UK stay even more appealing. I’m confident that by working together, businesses in the region can make the most of this and ensure our region develops further into the holiday destination of choice in the UK.

“Understanding how we are doing and sharing views will help business. Once again, we’re undertaking the largest independent survey of its kind for your region and we need the help of the sector to do this. The information we gather helps to provide representative and accurate data about the sector. The survey covers many key aspects, creating a useful benchmark. Feedback indicates how welcome this data is. We are grateful to those who participate and also to others in the sector who encourage people to take part”

You can take part in the 2020 Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality Business Survey online at

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/TBS2020/

Many of the businesses that provide services to this sector fully support the annual survey and this year the survey is sponsored by Adnams, Camplings, Howes Percival, Lloyds and Purcell.

Joanna Nicholls, Partner at Howes Percival LLP, said, “We are delighted to be involved in MHA Larking Gowen’s Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business Survey once again. All businesses across the sector based in East Anglia are strongly encouraged to participate in the Survey to make their views count. It provides a great insight into what is happening within the sector and helps to support the growth of the vibrant and diverse businesses across the region.”

Those who fill in the survey remain anonymous in the published report, which provides an annual snapshot of the sector across East Anglia. The survey includes questions about the short and long-term impact of issues like Brexit, the National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW), and delves into questions around the use of plastics, profit margins and, more generally, how businesses have performed in the last year. The results are published as an annual brochure which will be launched on 28 April.

The MHA Manufacturing & Engineering Report, now in its seventh year, is a go-to report when it comes to understanding the sector, its opportunities and challenges.

MHA benchmarks SMEs across the UK to paint a national picture of the Manufacturing and Engineering sector. To broaden the content of this report and make it more useful as a benchmarking exercise, MHA has changed it’s methodology this year. In addition to collecting responses to a client survey, they’ve compared them to in-depth quantitative analysis which has been done in conjunction with its data insights team. 

A copy of the report can be downloaded here. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in the report in more detail, please email John Atkins, Manufacturing lead, MHA Larking Gowen.

With the tax year-end drawing closer, accountants at Mapus-Smith & Lemmon recommend now is the time to plan financial strategies for optimum tax efficiencies.

Samantha Melton, chartered certified accountant at the Downham Market office, says: “Across the board, both on a business and personal level, we are encouraging tax payers to make financial planning a New Year priority for the 2019/20 year end on 5 April 2020 and beyond.  We can devise strategies for minimising tax liabilities, increasing business profitability and maximising personal wealth.”

The firm’s checklist includes making the most of personal tax allowances, enhancing capital allowances, holding on to more profit, planning ahead for retirement, utilising ISA allowances and minimising inheritance tax.

In the current tax year, each individual is entitled to a personal allowance of £12,500 tax-free income.  Within a family, it might be appropriate to make the most of this by transferring income to a spouse, partner or child as a gift. Also worthy of consideration are the Marriage Allowance, pension scheme contributions and Gift Aid donations.

For business owners, the Annual Investment Allowance has increased from £200,000 to £1 million for plant and machinery expenditure (except cars) incurred from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 and there is the Enhanced Capital Allowance for energy-saving equipment and low carbon emission cars as well as Writing Down Allowances and the Structures and Building Allowance.

Beyond managing corporation tax to best advantage, it is beneficial to look at ways of holding on to more business profit whether it be through dividends or taking a salary; pension contributions, incorporation of a partner, personal tax allowances and personal income from property rental used for business purposes.

For tax-efficient savings there is now a range of ISAs including the Lifetime Isa, Help to Buy Isa and Junior Isa and then there are benefits of putting savings into pension schemes.  Each saving option has its own characteristics.

Finally, inheritance tax (IHT) receipts have reached a record high and for those whose estates will exceed the existing nil-rate band, forward planning can help to minimise the impact of IHT.

For help regarding these complexities and any other accounting queries, please contact Samantha Melton on 01366 383300.   

Norwich hearing and vision centre wins National Award Coleman Optician Hearing and Vision Centre have won a prestigious national award. The independent practice, which is based in Norwich, have been announced as winners in the category of Health & Wellbeing Initiative of the Year in the AOP Awards 2020, which is organised by the Association of Optometrists (AOP). Helen Hillis, Director at Coleman Optician Hearing and Vision Centre, said: “Health and wellbeing has always been high on our agenda, but we kick started 2019 with a much more focussed approach for our staff, our practice ethos and our outreach activities in the community. “We have seen a happy and healthy return on staff fitness, attitude and teamwork, and we have also made a really positive change by raising money through fundraising, as well as offering volunteers to a range of local charities, increased awareness on sustainability and the environment. Being recognised for these achievements by the AOP is an incredible accolade for us within the industry.” The Awards, now in its ninth year, recognises the highest levels of achievement in UK optics. The Health & Wellbeing Initiative of the Year accolade celebrates those who understand the important role that health and wellbeing can play in job satisfaction. AOP Chief Executive, Henrietta Alderman commented: “The AOP Awards shines a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals and teams who are propelling the profession forward with their knowledge, expertise, dedication and passion. This year is no different – with all the winners, and indeed finalists, giving an impressive account for optometry, I wish them every success in the future.” The winners of the AOP Awards 2020 were announced on 26 January at a national awards ceremony in London. View the full list of winners on the AOP’s Awards pages: www.aop.org.uk/awards.