4 minute read
MK is leading the way for economic growth
BUSINESS REPORT
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
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
MK IS LEADING THE WAY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
Milton Keynes is predicted to be 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.
Jacqui Gudgion, corporate and business tax partner at Mercer & Hole and long-term resident of Milton Keynes said: “Milton Keynes is uniquely placed between Oxford and Cambridge and benefits from both. We have seen a lot of investment, and with more in the pipeline.
“Milton Keynes is driving the technology revolution that will be felt across the rest of the UK, with driverless cars, drone delivery and some of the smartest software businesses in the country. There are also rumours of the town bidding for freeport status. “We have also seen significant ongoing investment in infrastructure with more affordable housing and commercial spaces. It will remain a great place to do business and raise a family.”
Yet Milton Keynes faces significant challenges, not least its own ‘brain-drain’ struggling to keep its brightest and best younger
AND RAISE A
FAMILY’ 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 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.
