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BUSINESS REPORT
BUSINESS REPORT SWOOP FUNDING IN PARTNERSHIP Swoop Funding has partnered with a national bank to launch a new grant finder service, which will allow UK businesses to access support to help their business deal with the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fast-growing business finance platform is powering the new service - in conjunction with NatWest which will allow businesses to quickly and efficiently access tailored grant options. Following completion of a simple questionnaire, applicants can review grants matched specifically to their business, and can choose to apply directly or request assistance from Swoop. Applicants do not need to be existing NatWest customers to use the new service, which can be accessed through the bank’s website. Andrea Reynolds, CEO of Swoop said: “By combining the reach of Natwest with the power of Swoop’s advanced technology together we’re ensuring SME access to grants can support recovery.” Visit: www.business.natwest.com
MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER keeps its members up to date with all the latest business news. Whether it’s through the pages of this magazine, our website or regular email updates, we will always endeavour to keep you in the picture and informed
MK IS LEADING THE WAY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH Milton Keynes is predicted to be Jacqui Gudgion one of the fastest UK cities for economic growth in 2021 and for good reason, says accountants Mercer & Hole. The city will, according to the Centre of Economic and Business Research, bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic at a rate faster than the rest of the UK, growing by almost 10% by the close of 2021. There is good reason for the Milton Keynes bounce that is likely to be sustained well into the decade, says local accountants Mercer & Hole. ‘IT WILL REMAIN Jacqui Gudgion, A GREAT PLACE corporate and TO DO BUSINESS business tax partner at Mercer & Hole and AND RAISE A long-term resident of FAMILY’ Milton Keynes said: also rumours of “Milton Keynes is the town bidding uniquely placed between for freeport status. Oxford and Cambridge and “We have also seen benefits from both. We have seen a significant ongoing investment lot of investment, and with more in in infrastructure with more the pipeline. affordable housing and commercial “Milton Keynes is driving the spaces. It will remain a great place technology revolution that will be to do business and raise a family.” felt across the rest of the UK, with Yet Milton Keynes faces driverless cars, drone delivery and significant challenges, not least its some of the smartest software own ‘brain-drain’ struggling to keep businesses in the country. There are its brightest and best younger
residents, making 2021 a challenging year for recruitment, adds Mercer & Hole partner Phillip Fenn. “Like many mid-sized towns, young people leave to go to university and work, and may not return to what is a growing and vibrant place to be, full of great opportunities for the future. This is likely to make recruitment a challenge for businesses in 2021. We need to do more to keep the best here in Milton Keynes,” said Jacqui.
CRIMEWAVE IS KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE Motion detection camera footage
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The role of Chamber members Crimewave, who work with town and parish councils, is more important than ever as citizens spend more time in their local community. Crimewave works in partnership with Parish Councils, to help them address the issues that are some of the most pressing and most important to local people. Managing Director Justin Hammond said: “All organisations need to achieve value for money and take reasonable and proportionate steps needed on the important issue of security. We have helped them save millions of
pounds by recommending the right and proportionate countermeasures and we wanted to partner with an expert and resultsbased marketing agency to show how we make that difference.” Justin added: “We make it clear we are not a CCTV company. Our work addresses anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, burglary or fly tipping amongst other issues and we are proud that Crimewave delivers great results.” The results of that work include the fining of a Milton Keynes man for consistent dropping of litter in a car park.
Crimewave installed a motion detecting camera to deal with littering and waste dumping with 15 incidents being recorded and 14 Fixed Penalty Notices issued. The camera was triggered by a car entering the car park and the images were handed over to Milton Keynes Council. The owner of the vehicle was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering, but upon failure to pay Magistrates fined him £220 and ordered him to pay the Council’s investigation and legal costs of £494.97. Visit: www.crimewaveltd.co.uk