Sussex Business Times Issue 379 2014

SBT

ISSUE 379 FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

PLUS

Eco TEchnology Show review Brighton Dome: At the heart of art Q&A with Andrew stenning

Review of Graze Restaurant

Business Growth grants

You could be eligible for a grant of up to ÂŁ250,000

25 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS Specialist Property & Land Auctioneers Clive Emson celebrate its 25th anniversary

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Official Fuel Economy Figures for the BMW range: Urban 13.8-64.4mpg (20.5-4.4l/100km). Extra Urban 26.2-83.1mpg (10.8-3.4l/100km). Combined 20.3-74.3mpg (13.9-3.8l/100km). CO2 emissions 325-99g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

Offers available to business users and expires 30th September 2014, vehicles must be delivered before 31st December. Figures exclude VAT. All model offers are based on 36 month Contract Hire agreements on a 6 + 35 contract, contract mileage of 30,000 miles (non maintained), excess mileage charges may apply. Vehicle condition charges may apply 2 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk at the end of your agreement. Subject to status and in the UK only (excl. the Channel Islands). Individuals must be 18 or over. A guarantee may be required. The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Rentals may change if VAT rate changes during agreement. Hire provided by BMW Group Corporate Finance. BMW Group Corporate Finance is a trading style of Alphabet (GB) Limited, Europa House, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9UF.

SBT Welcome MEET THE TEAM

Lee Mansfield, Managing Director/ Publisher

Zoe Thomas, Editorial

Graham Carn, Financial Editor

Lewis Reed, Commercial Business Manager

Jon Goodwin, Business Development Manager

Samantha Ash, Business Development Consultant

Simon Skinner, Motoring Correspondent

Harriet Weston, Production Manager

Brighton is so often described as ‘London by the sea’ – but I think this diminishes it a little. This sprawling seaside city, with its bustling lanes, splendid Regency seafront and growing community of creative media and arts professionals, is not a mere offshoot of the capital.

Its cool sea breezes and beaches might draw many Londoners here on the weekends, but Brighton still retains a character of its own. In this special edition of SBT, we look at the individuals and businesses that live and work here, making this city what it is.

As the third most sustainable city in the UK, Brighton made the ideal host for this year’s Eco Show, which saw thousands of people descend on the Brighton Centre to see exciting exhibits from some of the most ecologically sustainable companies in the UK and Europe. Don’t miss our review of the show in this issue.

Our cover feature this month focuses on Clive Emson Land and Property Auctions, which is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary. Here you can read a beginner’s guide to buying a property at auction, and experience the thrill of the fast-paced atmosphere yourself.

We also explore the past and present of the beautiful historic buildings owned by The Royal Pavilion Estate, looking at the life and business the vibrant Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival brings to the city each year.

Up-and-coming web companies, property businesses and local organisations all make an appearance in the following pages, keeping you informed about important business issues in Sussex. In addition, if you run your own business and think you could qualify for a Sussex Business Award, don’t miss our top tips for applying inside…

Zoe Thomas Editor

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 3

Contents SBT Issue 379

SBT

ISSUE 379 FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

PLUS

ECo TECHNoLogY SHow REvIEw BUSINESS gRowTH gRANTS

BRIgHToN DomE: AT THE HEART oF ART Q&A wITH ANDREw STENNINg REvIEw oF gRAzE RESTAURANT

25 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS Specialist Property & Land Auctioneers Clive Emson celebrate their 25th anniversary

Clive Emson, Specialist Land and Property Auctions www.cliveemson.co.uk Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Commercial Director: Simon Skinner simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk Operations Director: Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk Business Development Manager: Jon Goodwin jon@sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk Commercial Business Manager: Lewis Reed lewis@lifepromotions.co.uk Editorial: Zoe Thomas laura@lifemediagroup.co.uk Financial Editor: Graham Carn blackstones@btinternet.com Design: Harriet Weston harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk Design Assistant: Amy Watson amy@lifemediagroup.co.uk Subscriptions: Linda Grace linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk Accounts: Amelia Wellings amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk Published by Unit1, Swan Barn Business Centre, Old Swan Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2BY Printed by Gemini Press, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6NZ All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Sussex Business Times Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Sussex Business Times Magazine assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisement contained within Sussex Business Times Magazine. All prices featured in Sussex Business Times Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.

Copyright Life Media Group LTD 2014 ©

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Spending It! We have chosen a selection of all brand new eco technology gadgets

Company Profile Clive Emson: Specialist Land and Property Auctions throughout the South of England celebrate 25 years

Finance We speak to Coast to Captial to find out how you could be eligible for a grant of up to £250,000

Eco Show Follow-Up We review the Eco Technology Show where Nearly 3,500 visitors flocked

Tried and Tested SBT reviews Graze Restaurant and Ashdown Forest Hotel

Sussex Business Awards The Sussex Businesss Awards have officially kicked off for the 26th year running

Digital Marketing A digital marketing expert offers five main ingredients for making your business fly online with easy DIY strategies

Brighton Dome We interview Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival

Motoring Lee Mansfield test drive the new The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Q&As Searches UK and Starfishpeople.com share their expert advice

Made In Susex This issue’s homegrown hero is W. Stirland

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SBTNews Brighton Business has Charity at Heart Brighton-based fire safety specialists Fireco like to keep charity work high up on the agenda.

Most recently the team got gardening at Nyman’s Gardens on June 11, and on July 8 they assisted with rehabilitation at Queen Alexandra Hospital Home.

Neil Purssey, MD of Fireco, said: “Charity is a high priority at Fireco because it provides practical support to those in need and simultaneously promotes team bonding and a sense of well-being among staff members.

“As a key part of the company

ethos, Fireco will continue to provide these important services to the local community.”

Fireco is a market leader in the design and manufacture of fire safety products. The Dorgard and Freedor use patented acoustic technology to close doors in the event of a fire while the Deaf Messaging System and Deafgard alert those hard of hearing to the presence of fire. www.firecoltd.com

‘Best Small Consultancy in South East’ Awarded to...

Hotel Energy has been voted Best Small Consultancy in the South East at The Energy Live Consultancy Awards (TELCA).

More than 40 consultancies were shortlisted for 14 awards at the black tie ceremony at the BFI National Film Theatre last month.

Hospitality, catering and leisure energy brokerage consultancy Hotel Energy received the prestigious award for their ‘high quality services and competitive prices’.

The company offers impartial advice

on energy procurement and utility cost management to help clients get the best energy rates available on the market.

Managing Director Chris Ashleigh was there to accept the award, he said: “We’re thrilled to have been chosen as the Best Small Consultancy for 2014 in London and the South East.

“Our energy brokerage services have gone from strength to strength in recent years, resulting in us expanding into consultancy and delivering consistent quality for all of our clients.” www.hotelenergy.co.uk/home

Baker Tilly in Gatwick Saddle up for Charity Ride A team of cyclists from accountancy firm Baker Tilly’s Gatwick office have played their part in a nationwide bike ride which has so far raised more than £14,000 for charity.

Around 30 staff and guests took part in the second leg of the Tour de Baker Tilly – a 10 day, 660-mile cycle from London to Leeds stopping off at 23 of the firm’s offices on the way.

In total, the Gatwick team clocked up 74 miles between Crawley and Southampton to raise money for Anthony Nolan and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Participating guests from local Sussex businesses included Mark Jamson from Cynergy3 Components, David Pegler from Brewin Dolphin, Philip Stephenson from Barlow Robbins and Ian Taylor from Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance.

The event was supported by Njinga Cycling who were on hand to provide mechanics and on-road support to riders.

Recruitment Confidence on Record High Recruitment confidence, amongst manufacturers in London and the South East, has hit a three-year high, according to the latest survey by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

Over half (55%) of the businesses surveyed across the South East are looking to create new jobs – a 17% increase on the same

period last year making it the highest level of confidence in the 12 year history of the report. These positive recruitment figures are backed up by growth in sales across the region, with 66% of firms reporting an increase in sales on the previous six months. In addition, as many as 79% of those surveyed

expect to gain even more work between now and October 2014. Where sales grow, investment soon follows and as the data shows, 59% will be investing in new machinery while 51% will be developing new technologies.

Chris Needham, Operations Manager for MAS in the South East and London, said: “It’s fantastic to see confidence continuing to build in the region. Across a multitude of sectors, the businesses that MAS helps all recognise the need to build for the future.”

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SBTNews Does your Business Support Healthy Eastbourne?

The Healthy Eastbourne Campaign would like to hear from local businesses who care about health and organise related activities for their staff or get involved in campaigns like the Sustrans Travel Challenge and Movember. We can help you promote what you are doing to make Eastbourne a healthy place.

We are also keen to hear from any local businesses who would be interested in sponsoring the Campaign’s activities. You can email us at healthyeastbourne@ eastbourne.gov.uk or go www.healthyeastbourne.org.uk to ‘Tell us about your events’.

will

“Buy Local and Don’t Choose Price Over Service” A new study has revealed that nearly three quarters (72%) of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South East believe it is important to buy local when it comes to purchasing goods and services. This could be great news for the regional economy, as the UK strives to reach its pre-recession GDP peak.

The study was carried out by Signs Express, the UK’s largest sign company, which has franchise sign production centres across the region. Signs Express commissioned an independent research company to poll more than 1000 small and medium sized businesses in the UK.

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Sussex Bakery Wins Contract to Bake for Virgin Atlantic’s 30th Birthday Family run Worthing based bakery Raise has won a one-off contract to supply cupcakes as part of Virgin Atlantic’s 30th birthday celebrations on 22nd June.

Raise were chosen having had an excellent working relationship with Virgin Atlantic supplying cupcakes onboard more than fifteen daily flights for almost two years. Raise continues to work with Virgin Atlantic to supply cupcakes as part of their ongoing promotional work with staff, customers and suppliers.

Karen Woodley for Virgin Atlantic said: “The Red Velvet cupcakes from Raise are absolutely delicious – the sponge was amazing and light with the perfect amount of cream icing.

It was an obvious choice as not only was the cake from Raise the outright winner but when backed up with exceptional and professional service it was the obvious choice.”

Raise Managing Director Jeremy Jacobs added: “We’re thrilled that Virgin Atlantic has selected us to supply cupcakes as part of their 30th birthday celebrations. We’ve developed a great

working relationship with the brand and it’s testament to our excellent product and service that they have chosen us.”

Product Development Director Lindsay, the mastermind behind Raise, continues to develop the new product lines from her kitchen. The company is dedicated to improving the local and global community through their CSR policy. Each employee has one day a year to dedicate to a charity of their choice, and the company has run numerous fundraising events to support various causes, including support for those suffering with HIV/ AIDS and Parkinsons. www.raisebakery.com

PSG on the South Coast Announces Appointment of Local Office Managing Director PSG’s South Coast office, based in Brighton, today announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, Chris Green.

Chris became a Director of the business in 2008, working closely with franchise owner and MD, Andy Percival, who has now taken up the role of Chairman.

Andy commented: “Chris has been a fundamental part of the business since he joined us and has taken on additional responsibilities as our business has grown. For me, now is

the time to explore different opportunities and leave the day to day running of the PSG franchise in Chris’ capable hands.”

As part of the nationwide PSG Network, the personal approach and dedication to providing market leading searches ensures that PSG is regarded as one of the premier search suppliers operating in England and Wales today. Chris and the team provide local support to conveyancing professionals in the coastal region extending between Brighton and Bournemouth.

in 25 Y Bu ea sin rs es s

Clive Emson are specialist Land and Property Auctions throughout the South of England Open to Estate Agents, Private Clients and Statutory Bodies Clive Emson Auctioneers was founded in 1989 to supply a high profile auctioneering facility to corporate and independent estate agents, private clients and statutory bodies.

Our success is due to, and remains, attributable to a firm commitment to quality and service distinguished by both our Investors in People and ISO accreditations.

COntACt uS nOw: Rostrum Lodge, the Level, Ditchling Road, Brighton, East Sussex, Bn1 4SB (DX 30252 Brighton Preston Road), telephone:www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 01273 571853 9 www.cliveemson.co.uk

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Eco Technology

We pick some of the the latest eco technology that will benefit your business and lifestyle 4 5

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Spending It

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18 1. Mercedes Benz smart for two coupé electric drive, rec. OTR prices start from £15,395.00, http://mercedes-benz.co.uk 2. Bamboo Salad Bowl & Servers Aqua, £25, www.puji.com 3.

Good-To-Go travel cups, £10, www.berryred.co.uk 4. Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid, from £22,005 OTR, www.volvocars.com 5. Irby Floral Shift Dress, was £65 now £55, www.bibico.co.uk 6. Check Recycled Wool Picnic Blanket Rug, £24, www.ellieellie.co.uk 7. Kindle, from £59, www.amazon. co.uk 8. NASSE Recycled paper pendant light, £190, www.darwinshome.com 9. The BMW i3, from £30,680 www.bmw.co.uk 10. Freeloader Pro, £69.99, www.solartechnology.co.uk 11. WeWood Moon Beige Wooden Watch, £89, www.cotswoldtrading.com 12. Traditional Living Floral Rose Recycled Shopper Bag, £6.50, www.ellieellie.co.uk 13. Isabella Blue Organic Apron cut out, £12, www.ochreandocre.com 14.Gita Pendant Lamp, £110, www.in-spaces.com 15.

USBCell, from £7.99 for two, Usbcell.com 16. People Tree, Atelier Skirt, £62.50, www.peopletree. co.uk 17. People Tree, Atelier Cropped Jacket, £97.50, www.peopletree.co.uk 18. HydroDrive washing machine, £97.50, www.argos.co.uk

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Beginner’s Guide to Buying Property at Auction A great way to avoid the long, drawn-out process of buying a house – and that heart-breaking moment when everything falls through at the eleventh hour, is to skip the estate agent altogether and buy at auction

Property auctions can be fast-paced, Company exhilarating and, if you know what you’re Profile doing, profitable in the long run. But as appealing as it sounds, buying a property at auction is not a matter to be taken lightly. As soon as that hammer falls, you are making a legal commitment to buy the lot – so it’s worth doing your research properly beforehand.

Here’s our Beginner’s Guide to Buying Property at Auction to ensure you’re fully prepared before you make that bid…

Locate a property auction Now this might seem like an obvious one, but scouting out a good property auction is an important step. You can scour the property papers, conduct an online search, or speak directly to a local estate agents to find out where there is an auction taking place.

Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers run auctions at a number of locations across the country. Local auction locations include: The Clive Emson Conference Centre Kent County Showground Detling Hill Maidstone Kent, ME14 3JF

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The Hilton Brighton Metropole King’s Road Brighton East Sussex BN1 2FU Check out the Properties First Whichever auction you choose, make sure you acquire a catalogue of lots and spend time going through it carefully.

You can subscribe to the Clive Emson catalogue either by visiting this web address: www.cliveemson. co.uk/purchase.asp Or, by calling this number: 01273 571853

It has been known for people to turn up without knowing what’s on the catalogue list, who then bid impulsively.

While this may sound brave and exciting, it can lead to making a quick and ultimately detrimental decision.

Viewing the lot before the auction is a good idea. If you choose a Clive Emson Auction, you will be able to attend block viewings at most properties at specific times.

Clive Emson guide prices have to be a true representation of where they see the minimum sale price to be, but make sure that you research the

property thoroughly so you too have an understanding of the value.

Legal matters When you express an interest in a property, to the auctioneers, they will usually provide a legal pack available for you to read. The seller’s solicitor provides Clive Emson with a legal pack which they then make available to potential purchasers. Available documentation differs with each pack, but can include special conditions of sale, leases, plans, planning permissions, title details and searches.

These will be available for inspection at the Auctioneer’s Office by prior arrangement and in the Auction Room before the sale.

You can also download documentation from the Clive Emson website.

Arranging your finances You will need to make any necessary financial arrangements before the auction. This includes having a ten percent deposit with you on auction day, and being able to pay the remaining ninety percent within 20 business days, unless altered within the special conditions of sale. Any mortgages or financial arrangements

with a bank or building society must also be arranged beforehand.

Attending the Auction You will need to register when you attend an action, so don’t forget to bring ID with you.

Auction houses can get bust very quickly, so get there early if you want to sit down! When the time comes to make your bid, make sure that the auctioneer can see you and that he or she is aware of when you’re bidding – don’t try any of the casual scratching of the head type bidding that you see in the films as it probably won’t work!

“It has been known for people to turn up without knowing what’s on the catalogue list, who then bid impulsively.

While this may sound brave and exciting, it can lead to making a quick and ultimately detrimental decision.”

Good luck!

If you prepare properly, you might be able to bag yourself an excellent bargain and beautiful family home – or a comfortable investment.

If you would like any particular point clarified then call Clive Emson who are at the service of Buyers and Sellers. Tel: 01273 571853

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 13

25 Years In Business!

Clive Emson Auctioneers celebrates a quarter century of success

“Every client can be assured that they will receive the very best advice form a highly professional team”

ABOVE: James Emson, Rostrum OPPOSITE ABOVE: Kent Auction Room OPPOSITE BELOW: Brighton Office

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Clive Emson Auctioneers was Company founded in 1989 to supply a high profile Profile auctioneering facility to private clients, independent estate agents, corporate and statutory bodies.

Here, we talk to Company Director Sam Kinloch to find out more about the business as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

“Throughout the firm’s growth our main ethos has been to conduct regional auctions with local auctioneers and valuers who understand the local market and areas,” Sam explained.

“Initially Kent based, we soon expanded the company into Sussex, opening the doors of our Sussex office in 2002 and employing local auctioneers and valuers. Soon after, in 2005, we decided to expand into Hampshire, again employing local people who understand the regional variations of the property market.”

In 2010, the company ventured into the West Country, covering Cornwall and Devon, giving local representation over the entire South Coast, from Kent to Cornwall making Clive Emson the

number one regional land and property auctioneers in the country by volume and sales.

Sam added: “Our team of local auctioneers and valuers across the region have in excess of 200 years combined experience in the selling of land and property by public auction, and is the main reason why we are the leading regional auctioneers in the country an having won ‘The Negotiator’ publication’s “residential Auctioneer of the year” award in 2011.

“We are currently supported by over 700 local estate agents, in addition to further national coverage (including publication of the full colour catalogue in the Estates Gazette) to ensure that all auction entries, whether commercial, residential, or land, are marketed effectively.

Every client can be assured that they will receive the very best advice form a highly professional team.

“This year being our 25th Anniversary, we are holding a very special luncheon with a celebrity speaker to thank all our clients and associates for all the support they have given us over the last quarter of a decade.”

Property auctions continue to draw

in crowds across the country due to the many benefits they offer both house hunters and property developers.

We asked Sam to compile a list of the top benefits of buying and selling at auction: Speed - The process can take as little as four weeks from instruction to an exchange of contracts, ad completion 8-10 weeks from going on the market.

Chance of success - Great likelihood of selling. We consistently achieve success rates in excess of 80% High Profile Marketing - Each lot upon which we are instructed is included within our catalogue, website, well known property portals and inclusion within the Estates Gazette which has a readership of 100-120,000 in the South.

Competitive Bidding - our aim is to create a level playing field for everyone.

Bidding in an auction room gives everyone an equal opportunity to bid.

If it’s sold in the room the seller has the knowledge the sale has been made openly and publicly. There’s no future accusations of underselling - hence why auction are used by Local Authorities, charities, for probate, receivers, mortgagees, etc.

Selling by auction is no longer considered to be the method of last resort and many of the properties are offered for sale by public auction for the first time on the market.

Why invest in property?

We live in a world where we expect everything to be done yesterday. Yet all “good things come to those who wait”, or so the saying goes - and that is exactly what property is all about.

Bricks and mortar have traditionally been a medium to long term investment, not something bought today and sold tomorrow, making thousands of pounds in the process although, of course, in recent years that’s exactly what has happened.

It is generally recognised that if the property or land is sold “under the hammer” on the auction day it has achieved the “best possible price” and is often the reason why lots are offered on behalf of Executors, trustees, power of attorney, beneficiaries, receivers, companies, authorities and such like who need the show an arm’s length and transparent sale. But selling and buying at auction is open to everyone!

Find out more at www.cliveemson.co.uk

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BIG INTERVIEW

Ann Grain reveals the story behind her Horsham-based business jag press & publicity

“I wanted to be able to walk to work! It’s a funny reason to start a Focus business I know, but it was as simple as that.

I used to commute to London from Horsham when I was a journalist. Now I live and work in Horsham.”

While her company wasn’t officially formed until 2008, experienced journalist and PR professional Ann Grain made the decision to start out on her own back in 2004.

“I always wanted to go out on my own. It takes a lot of courage,” she continued.

“I used £2,000 of my own money, I didn’t take out any loans or anything – I never have. There is a lot of support available from organisations around Sussex but I found that once I got started, the business came to me, usually by word of mouth. I went to a few networking events and spoke at various events about PR, and the business just seemed to pick up from there.

“Clients were coming to me to tell me how pleased they were with my work. You don’t get that when you’re a journalist.”

Ann, former Editor of various trade magazines, has 17 years experience

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in communications, press relations and publications. During that time she has worked for many major brands including the Department of Health, NHS Direct, Sussex Partnership Mental Health Trust, Emergence and the National Association of Care Catering.

Her company, jag press & publicity, specialises in providing PR for healthbased businesses and organisations.

So far, the feedback has been phenomenal, with one client exclaiming: “How often do we hear the cry: ‘why can you never get a job done unless you do it yourself?’ With jag press & publicity the exact opposite is the case. Jag picks it up and runs with it and delivers excellent results – I couldn’t recommend this company more highly to anyone seeking efficient PR.” Last year, jag press won five Best for PR awards, including a bronze for best national agency, two silvers in the charity and consumer categories and two further bronze awards in health and beauty and regional (South East) categories.

And the secret to the business’ success? Aside from the obvious asset of Ann’s own remarkable skill and experience, it’s the company’s flexible approach to working with clients. Most of the five or six employees who work for jag are freelancers who come from

“The company is a collaboration of minds. That’s the beauty of the business: we can be very flexible” varied professional backgrounds in both private and public sectors.

“The company is a collaboration of minds,” Ann explained. “That’s the beauty of the business: we can be very flexible.”

Today Ann and her talented team of freelancers work with around 10 clients at any one time, limiting the numbers so they can provide a dedicated and tailored service to each one.

“Our clients tell us we provide a PR service that suits their needs. Those we work with tend to stay with us – and they tell us it’s because we’re friendly, honest, intelligent and supportive… and full of ideas.”

Ann can be contacted at 07861 376 844. Find out more about jag press & publicity at www.jagpresspublicity.co.uk

Tudor House, Glynde Avenue, Eastbourne: Guide Price £499,950 - £550,000.

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“HISTORICAL & UNIQUE, GRAND & OPULENT”.

This awe-inspiring detached house sits proudly at the centre of Glynde Avenue, where it was purposely built to form the master-piece of this treelined and coveted street. A substantial plot with gardens in excess of 130ft, driveway providing off-road parking to the front, side access to the rear garden and garage.

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NO SALE, NO FEE FOR ALL SBT READERS!

Covers Congratulates Successful Apprentice

Covers Timber & Builders Merchants is delighted to announce that it has retained three young people who successfully completed a special one year apprenticeship scheme

The three successful apprentices are Success now working at Story the following Covers depots: Harry Crockett – Portsmouth, Max Langridge – Brighton and Lewis Tamblyn – Portsmouth.

During the one year training scheme, apprentices were given the opportunity to learn about all areas of Covers’ business, including the counter, yard and sales office, whilst also undertaking an NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service. With continual assessment throughout, apprentices studied for product knowledge modules and where appropriate given forklift training to

obtain the relevant licenses.

Harry Crockett, who has just graduated and is now working at the Portsmouth Covers depot, said: “I started the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Customer Service in early 2013.

My Smart Training Advisor knew I had expressed an interest in working in the building industry and, once they had read my CV, Covers were very interested in employing me, having employed others at their sites in the past.

“They asked me to come forward for an interview, which was a little daunting, but after performing well I secured a position as a Counter Assistant at the large Portsmouth depot. In April this year, I passed my Customer Service Level 2 Apprenticeship and have been fortunate enough to have been offered another position with Covers. I am now working towards my Timber & Builders Merchants Customer Service Make Covers your Level 3 Apprenticeship to continue my way up first choice for all of your the career ladder. construction & DIY needs Rhea Sampson, HR and Training Manager Covers can offer all the building for Covers Timber & materials and timber products Builders Merchants, needed for any building project. commented: Our knowledgeable staff can “Congratulations OPEN source almost any item for you, and go to Harry and A TRADE OR give advice on the most suitable each of our recent PROJECT CARD products to use. apprenticeship TODAY AND graduates on their • Timber • Heavy Building Materials SAVE £££! hard work and • Panel Products • Mouldings • Eco Range achievements – we’re • Landscaping Materials • Joinery • Flooring • Hardware & Decorating • Ironmongery thrilled to be keeping • Cladding • Power Tools • Plumbing them all on as Covers • Doors & Windows • Kitchens & Bathrooms employees and we’re ... plus much more confident that this will be the beginning of Call: 0844 858 40 40 a fantastic career for

or visit www.covers.biz to find your nearest depot Like us on Facebook

Depots at: Aldershot • Alresford • Bognor Regis

18 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk Brighton • Burgess Hill • Chichester • Gosport Horsham • Lewes • Portsmouth • Rudgwick Southampton • Tunbridge Wells

them with us.

“As a company, we like to invest in training our staff, to ensure that we have the very best and most talented people in our teams. Unfortunately it can be very difficult for young people to get onto the career ladder when they leave education. Our apprenticeship scheme provides a great opportunity for young people to earn while they learn – acquiring new skills and qualifications whilst gaining experience and confidence in the workplace and progressing within our business. We have a number of spaces available for our next intake of apprentices and we urge interested individuals to contact us as soon as they can.”

Covers’ apprenticeship scheme is aimed at individuals under 24 who are looking for a career offering progression – applicants must have good customer service skills and work well as part of a team.

For more information about Covers’ apprenticeship scheme, please contact Rhea Sampson on 01243 791414. For more details about Smart Training and Recruitment, please visit www.smarttar.co.uk

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Money Matters

Business Growth Grants

If you run a small to medium sized business in the Coast to Capital region and you have plans to grow, you could be eligible for a grant of up to £250,000

“The grants are designed to help businesses that have growth plans but need funding to help unlock their projects”

OPPOSITE: Hayley Shepherd

20 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Finance Insight

What’s it all about?

Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and Greater Brighton City Region have together secured the funding for Business Growth Grants of up to £250,000 for Coast to Capital businesses that have plans for growth.

The grants are designed to help businesses that have growth plans but need funding to help unlock their projects.

Businesses will be offered free support to help with their application and applicants have access to a range of subsidised services to assist with their growth ambitions.

Regional Growth Fund Programme Manager for the scheme, Hayley Shepherd, explains: “Eligible businesses will need to demonstrate how the grant will lead to new jobs and growth. It may be spent on a wide range of business activities including research and development, product/ service development, skills development, breaking into new markets, plant and equipment, business premises and other capital items.”

What your business needs to qualify • Must be creating jobs • Must have funding to pay for 75% or 80% of the expansion project • Must be based in the Coast to Capital region – Including West Sussex county, Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Croydon, Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge.

Applications are particularly welcomed from high-growth, high-innovation, and/ or low carbon and environmental technology SMEs wishing to expand and diversify. Businesses in other sectors and those projecting modest growth are also being encouraged to apply. Applicants should also show how the jobs created are new and do not merely displace those in similar businesses.

How it helps Over 20 companies have already been awarded grants, attracting around £3m of private sector investment and generating approximately 200 jobs.

Not only is this helping individual

Money Matters

businesses reach and exceed their potentials, but it also stimulates growth in the local economy, welcoming innovation and creativity in the business community.

Where to apply Interested businesses are invited to complete the short expression of interest form, which can be downloaded from rgf@ coast2capital.org.uk as the first step of the application process. rgf@coast2capital.org.uk

Case Study: A Business that Benefited Insulated Tools was awarded a substantial Business Growth Grant to purchase new machinery to increase production capability and to create six new jobs.

The company manufactures tools for live line working and all electrical workers. The tools are insulated to the highest standards with Nylon 11 the preferred method of insulation as defined by ISO 60900, the international standard.

The company is the only firm in the world to use this type of insulation and the only company to injection mould the insulation over the tool.

Because Insulated Tools uses Nylon 11 it is more robust and safer than PVC and therefore can carry the highest certification of the ISO 60900 which means the tool can operate at minus 40 degrees C to plus 40 degrees C. Allan Challinor, Director of Insulated Tools said “The overseas sales

and marketing campaign which has been undertaken over the last three years has now started to bear fruit with orders from some large Power Utility companies, blue chip global industrial distributors, like Grainger and Fastenal in the USA and Toolbank Cromwell Tools and Buck and Hickman, in Europe.

“In addition, our aggressive sales and marketing campaign has stimulated demand from a much wider audience.

All electrical workers, all over the world, want our marvelous tough, longer lasting, safer tools. This, on top of the company’s existing business from its

traditional UK power companies has produced phenomenal growth.

‘The Business Growth Grant from Coast to Capital will allow us to purchase three new BOY 35h machines which are easier to operate as set up is only once and then replicated by the computer to other machines so eliminating set up times giving greater machine flexibility. This will ultimately lead to the creation of new jobs”. rgf@coast2capital.org.uk

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 21

Profile

Fresh Cleaning Services are a Sussex based family owned commercial and domestic cleaning company. Fresh Cleaning has been established for 10 years. We pride ourselves on the personal touch to each individual client. Our staff are fully trained, achieve high standards which we except and maintain for our clients.

F d o

h

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Office Cleaning • Stripping and resealing floors • Carpet Cleaning • Consumables provided • Free estimates and advice • Drive ways, patios and flag stone jet washed • Washroom services • Fully insured • Competitive rates • Testimonies available • Initial ‘spring clean’ to all new contracts • Visits from management to client sites • Monthly audits/reports

Fresh Cleaning Services are a Sussex based family owned commercial and For more information contact us: domestic cleaning company. Fresh Cleaning has been established for 10 years. We pride ourselves on the personal Fresh Cleaning Services LTD touch to each individual client. Our staff are fully trained, achieve Parkstandards View House which we except and maintain for our clients. high

19 The Avenue Eastbourne East Sussex Office cleaning BN21 4YD

Stripping and resealing

01323 411601

floors

Carpet cleaning d.stephens@fresh-clean.co.uk Consumables or 07976 568241 provided d.sinden@fresh-clean.co.uk Free estimates and advice or 07964338026 Drive ways, patios and

flag stone jet washed www.fresh-clean.co.uk Washroom services Fully Insured

22 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Hydro Hote Eastbourne

The Hydro is the perfect ch www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 55

Competitive rates

Testimonies available from long established

P 54-57 BDM SBT JAN 2013.indd 55

The Crystal 13/02/2014 12:29

£

Money Matters

Fresh Cleaning Services are a Sussex based family owned commercial and domestic cleaning company. Fresh Cleaning has been established for 10 years. We pride ourselves on the personal touch to each individual client. Our staff are fully trained, achieve

high standards which we except and maintain for our clients.

Office cleaning

Is Your Social Life ‘Too’ Active?

Stripping and resealing

floors

Carpet cleaning

Consumables provided

Free estimates and advice Drive ways, patios and

flag stone jet washed

Results of aservices recent Money Advice Service survey suggest that fear of appearing Washroom ‘tight’ in front of friends can lead to over-spending Fully Insured

Competitive rates

While most of us

empathise Testimonies can available Finance with the feeling of from long established overspending on a night out or social

Initial ‘springoccasion, clean’ new to all

research among new contracts 3,000 UK adults from the Money Advice Service shown that 48% of Visits fromhas management the nation admit to falling into debt as a to client result of their sites social lives.

The average ‘social Monthly audits/reports debt’ among this group is £1,260, with 56% of all UK adults saying they usually spend more than they plan to on social occasions.

Fear of appearing less-than-generous in front of friends is fuelling much of this debt with 58% worrying about appearing ‘tight’ or ‘stingy’ in front of others, and a third of all adults (32%) admitting that this contributes to their overspending when out.

A lack of self-control is a key reason for ‘social debt’, with 36%

simply ‘getting carried away’ and overspending. Social pressures add to this with £341 spent on average a year solely to avoid looking ‘tight’ or ‘stingy’. Consequently, one in five Fresh Cleaning Services people (20%) have cut back on food due to their social spending, one Park View and House in ten (9%) have not been able to pay utility bills.

19 The Avenue

Eastbourne

social stigma could be well-founded – 35% think people who don’t buy rounds at the pub are ‘stingy’, while over a third (34%) feel they are simply being ‘rude’.

Call us now: When out for a meal, a third (32%) Tel. 01323 411601 of adults feel they lose out by paying for more than they have eaten - just a quarter (26%) say they split the bill Mob. 07976 568241

Ltd Not wanting to make a meal out of it

based on what each person has had when out with friends, with six in ten (59%) saying they’d feel ‘uncomfortable’ suggesting this.

“A quarter (25%)East saySussex they go on d.stephens@fresh-clean.co. meals out that they can’t BN21 4YD afford, and 17% have been on a holiday or break in the last year which No money...no problem?

Not being able to say ‘no’ to they didn’t have the money for” a night out or social occasion

Hotel

ne

Pub pressure Many adults say they get a raw deal when it comes to spending on social occasions, but a fear of looking tight stops them from saying anything. Twothirds of all people (67%) buy rounds of drinks expecting to spend more than they receive back. It seems the fear of

is also fuelling ‘social debt’; a quarter (25%) say they go on meals out that they can’t afford, and 17% have been on a holiday or break in the last year which they didn’t have the money for.

However, when people do try and control their spending, over a third (35%) feel positive about being sensible,

Mount Road Eastbourne BN20 7HZ Telephone 01323 720643 Email: sales.office@hydrohotel.com Web: www.hydrohotel.com

rfect choice for all occasions and has a number of venues to suit all parties www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 23

rystal Restaurant 12:29

Money Matters

“The more confident you are, the more in control you will feel, and the less likely you are to fall into the trap of spending money you don’t have to impress others”

33% feel great about not wasting money, and one in five (20%) feel proud of themselves.

Responding to the findings, Jane Symonds, a Money Expert at the Money Advice Service, says:“Most of us spend a little more than planned every now and again, whether it is buying a few more drinks than we expected to on a night out, or getting a taxi home at the end of the evening.

“I’d urge anyone in debt, due to their social spending, to take action now to avoid getting any further into the red and instead work at clearing it. You’d be surprised at how empowering saying ‘no’ can feel when you see how healthy your bank balance looks, and you can spend the money on things you really value or need.

“The Money Advice Service has some really useful tools on its website which can help plan your social spending, including a Budget Planner, and a Cutback Calculator, that shows how much money you can save by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle.

“And don’t forget – having fun doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money. A great tip is to do a search online for free things to do in your area – you might be pleasantly surprised by what’s on and the range of activities you can do without spending a single penny.”

Jenni Trent Hughes, Social Psychology Expert adds: “These days we often find ourselves pressured into spending money we don’t really have and buying things we can’t really afford.

The more confident you are, the more in control you will feel, and the less likely you are to fall into the trap of spending money you don’t have to impress others.

“It’s really easy to be swayed by peer pressure, become carried away in the moment and spend money that the next day you wish you still had in your bank account. If you’re honest and clear with a friend about why you can’t afford to spend money on something and you still find yourself being put under pressure, it’s perhaps time to have a quiet word with them or even rethink the friendship - real friends wouldn’t pressure you to do something you really can’t afford.”

Tips from Jenni Trent Hughes, on avoiding spending more than planned without looking ‘tight’:

24 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

1

Be up front, honest and confident

If you can’t afford a trip or holiday your friends want you to go on, you really need to be upfront and honest – both with yourself and your friends. Make a firm decision to give it a miss and be confident you have made the right call for the right reasons. If you are open and honest with your friends about your decision, then no one will think any less of you.

2

Take Cash

3

Don’t get carried away

Help avoid a free-spending attitude when out or attending an event by setting a budget for yourself when you’re at home and sober.

Whatever the amount is then take it in cash and leave your card at home.

It will make you keep track of your spending, and most people are likely to find they spend less when they are using ‘real money’ instead of paying on card.

On a physical level, alcohol impairs your judgement, meaning you are likely to make less sensible decisions.

Much of the time, overspending occurs from simply getting carried away as your decisions are fuelled by alcohol and it ‘seemed a good idea at the time’. On a night out, intersperse alcoholic drinks with water to help you keep your judgement and avoid spending money which you’ll likely regret the following morning.

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 25

What Makes You Different?

Steve Cropper, MD, Gemini Print Group, considers what it is that makes a business different to its competitors.

“print absolutely everything, finish it to any specification, store it, direct mail it or deliver it to your door as you need it”

26 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

There is always a struggle in business Tips for to differentiate Business yourself from competitors, to stand out, to be considered exceptional. This is never truer than in our world of business. People think all printers are the same, they put ink on paper and that’s that. But in truth that’s not really the case.

What is it that makes Virgin Airways different to BA? What makes our perception of Waitrose different to Tesco? They both sell groceries in supermarkets and online. Ok, so we know price can be one differentiator but other than that most of us have

a perception of what each brand or service stands for. This is often called a USP. We think of our USP as our secret sauce. It’s the special ingredient your business uses to prevent it becoming a ‘me too’ company. It’s something unique. It grabs people’s attention. It can’t be easily copied. And it offers a clear-cut, marketable benefit to your customer.

For Gemini Print it’s the unmatched investment in the latest technology so that we can print absolutely everything, finish it to any specification, store it, direct mail it or deliver it to your door as you need it. We are not reliant on any other subcontractor to complete a job.

This puts us in control of the project and therefore circumvents errors or delays.

?

“We think of our USP as our secret sauce” It also reduces costs for customers.

On top of this, a personalised customer service is always a winner.

It’s not just customer service, or even exceptional customer service - it’s service that is personalised to each individual customer. I hear you, what if you’ve asked thousands or even millions of customers, how can we possibly personalise our service in a genuine manner for each customer?

Easier done of course when you actually know your customer by name, as we do. But even so, putting in the extra effort to remember their birthday, or asking how the launch of their new product went, as we have just printed the brochures for it, shows genuine interest in the success of your customers. And obviously, our customers’ success is also our success.

At other times, it can be a personal touch for just one customer that can really create a positive buzz around your business.

I particularly love the story that was all over the place after the launch of the iPad 2 a few years ago. Apparently

from Apple? I’d bet my life on it. And as we’re still talking about it today, Apple is really the big winner here.

It’s all about treating customers as people (with concerns and emotions) and recognising that while you may be a business, people do business with people. At Gemini we have an allocated account manager to each customer.

This manager is the customers’ sole and dedicated contact point throughout their printing project. It just makes it

“It’s not just customer service, or even exceptional customer service it’s service that is personalised to each individual customer” a man bought an iPad online, then returned it to the company almost immediately, affixing a Post-It to the front of the device that simply read, “Wife said no.” Returns processors must have gotten a kick out of it, because the story eventually made its way to a couple of Apple VPs, who refunded the customer and returned the iPad with an attached Post-It that said, “Apple said yes.”

Do you think that man will buy more

easier for customers and also allows us to get to know more about each customer, what they like, how they like to be contacted and so on.

Finally, a great way to differentiate your businesses from others is knowing how to deal with issues when they crop up. No business in the world runs without making some error at some stage, but it’s how you deal with it that can make a positive impact. The days when people would call up a company

and complain directly to the business are becoming fewer and fewer. Now, people are very likely to head to their smartphones or computers to tell the world how terrible a product or service is.

Therefore it is important to consider how you deal with a public complaint, that not only resolves the issue to the satisfaction of the client but also demonstrates to the world that you are a business that cares.

GEMINI PRINT Gemini Print currently consists of five printing companies employing circa 150 staff. Each print business has a key specialist focus, yet all have access to the entire portfolio of the latest and most complex printing technology within the Group.

Gemini Digital provides that very latest digital print services, while Gemini Brighton, and Gemini West (Bristol) are key providers of quality print to their local market. Gemini London is a dedicated print operation for the capital and Gemini Print is a national player, servicing large and complex jobs of any nature.

For more information visit: www.gemini-brighton.co.uk, www.gemini-print.co.uk www.gemini-west.co.uk and www.gemini-digitalprint.co.uk

For more information visit: www.gemini-print.co.uk www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 27

Review

Eco Technology Show 2014

Nearly 3,500 visitors flocked to the third annual Eco Technology Show last month, which showcased some of the most sustainable, environmentally friendly businesses from around the UK Nearly 3,500 visitors flocked to the third annual Eco Review Technology Show last month, which showcased some of the most sustainable, environmentally friendly businesses from around the UK. Over 26-27 June the visitors, 85% of whom were trade, meandered around the Brighton Centre exhibition hall

28 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

visiting stalls, learning about new eco technologies and making all-important connections.

The hall was split into zones for easy navigating, including Renewable Energy, Building and Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Transport, Future Cities, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Water Use and Business Innovation. Alongside these, three more themes were added to the 2014 show: Future Cities, Business Innovation and the DECC RHI

Roadshow, which was organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change to show homeowners and landlords how they can reap financial rewards from installing renewable heating systems in their properties.

The respected clean technology market analysts Navigant Research has predicted that global sales of plugin electric vehicles will grow by 86% in 2014, bringing the total of plug-in electric vehicle stock on the world’s

roads to more than 700,000 by the end of 2014.

Although Britain lags behind the leaders, Japan and the USA, our EU market is growing. During 2013, a total of 3,584 plug-in electric cars were registered in the UK and research conducted by the retailer IKEA revealed that one in six of us would be encouraged to switch to an electric car if more charging points were available across the UK. The market is poised for takeoff and, as the network of charging points and options grows, the electric vehicles are becoming part of any business’ green agenda.

It was no surprise to find that The Transport Zone was a big draw this year, with the launch of the brand new BMWi8 proving popular. Visitors were also impressed with the new Mitsubishi Outlander, the world’s first plug-in SUV, as well as the Tesla Model S, a range of electric bikes from E-Bikes Direct and the new electric motorbikes from Going Green. Pod Point Ltd proved to visitors that the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in the UK is in place, having just completed a 2,000 mile journey in an electric car from Scotland to Lands End. This year 130 exhibitors set up stalls

around the hall, and key speakers gave over 70 free talks and workshops, including a talk by Greg Barker, Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The Minister sang the show’s praises, saying: “Events like the Eco Technology Show are vital to help spur-on changes in the way we build businesses and run our cities to ensure we reap all the benefits that a move to a low carbon economy has to offer.”

Other speakers included Stephen Goulding from UKTI who explained the export opportunities and support available, Mark Bornhoft from Carbon Limiting Technologies, and Mark Pitts from the Technology Strategy Board who showcased UK and European funding schemes. In addition, Jane Ollis from Business Support Kent discussed opportunities for raising funding and developing routes to market for high growth innovative companies.

Visitors, local government, facilities managers and installers as well as the general public all turned up to discover the latest ideas and innovations from across Europe to help slash costs and make money at home and for their businesses.

Founder and Commercial Director

Green Growth The University of Brighton has secured £3 million over five years to help deliver a thriving, innovative and expansive green sector in Sussex. The Green Growth Platform provides businesses with the opportunity to unlock their growth potential through an exciting new network of businesses who all share an environmental focus.

We’re free to join and offer our members a unique package of business support, events, innovation and training delivered by a team of industry experts, business advisors and leading academics.

Businesses can join the Green Growth Platform if they are: • an environmental sector company / social enterprise operating in Sussex • a company / social enterprise operating in Sussex, from any sector, wishing to reduce your environmental impact www.greengrowthplatform.co.uk

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 29

Frant Primary School

South Downs Centre - Midhurst

Stockbridge Road - Chichester

Established in 1928 W Stirland is a privately owned construction company operating primarily in East and West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. The company is based eight miles south of Chichester.

The company is now managed by the third generation of the Stirland family, Managing Director Shaun Stirland. Our core values, established all those years ago still remain the same today, to provide honesty, integrity, trust, a non-confrontational approach and a passion for delivering the very best quality workmanship at a reasonable price.

We undertake the following types of projects in the form of design and build, traditional or as a complete concept to completion service: • Residential • Educational • Health • Commercial • Industrial • Retail

Contact us by emailing ian.pinington@wstirland.co.uk or call 01243 512381

30 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk West Crescent - Windsor

West Lavant Barns

Wiley Head Office - Chichester

High efficiency eco heating and hot water systems Sussex Eco Heating provides a wide range of low carbon and renewable energy heating products and services to suit a variety of customers and properties. We take great pride in the quality of our installations and aftercare service. We are always willing to give friendly and free advice about your heating requirements, please contact us for a chat.

Call us: 01273 382174 Email us: sales@sussexecoheating.co.uk

t

of the Eco Technology Show, Nicola Gunstone, was delighted by the turnout.

She said: “We have grown the Show for three years running and this year surpassed all our expectations with a record number of trade visitors.

Whilst total visitor numbers remained roughly the same as 2013, we changed direction this year and I’m really pleased to announce that 85% of visitors were trade, compared to just 30% last year.

“The range of new product launches and innovations showcased this year were truly impressive. We designed our seminars to give visitors the most relevant, high-quality information possible to enable them to make positive changes throughout their own organisation.”

“Visiting the Eco Technology Show can, for many business people, start the eco ball rolling – opening their eyes to the possibilities and enabling them to weigh up the different options available” When we interviewed Nicola for a feature in our last issues, her passion and belief in the benefits of ecological innovations in technology was clear.

She told us: “It’s not just cleaner but it is also the cheaper option in the long term. Spiraling fuel costs are pushing the prices up so it makes sense to choose something that will push them back down with the added bonus of less pollution all at the same time once you have the knowledge it becomes common sense.”

Visiting the Eco Technology Show

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 31

“We’re thrilled to see such a demand amongst environmental SMEs operating in Sussex”

- Zoe Osmond, Director, Green Growth Platform

can, for many business people, start the eco ball rolling – opening their eyes to the possibilities and enabling them to weigh up the different options available.

We caught up with some of the exhibitors to find out how the show went for them, and whether it has helped their businesses in the long run.

The Green Growth Platform team hosted a stand at the Eco Technology show in Brighton on June 26th and 27th and told us that during the two days at the event they met a plethora of exciting environmental businesses that they’re looking forward to collaborating with in the future. They informed us that following the show, demand for Green Growth Platform services has been significant and over 200 businesses have now taken advantage of free membership.

Director Zoe Osmond said: “We’re

thrilled to see such a demand amongst environmental SMEs operating in Sussex and we’re looking forward to working with an exciting and diverse range of members”.

Another exhibitor, Chris Boland of Sussex Eco Heating, said: “Our experience of the Eco Technology show was very positive. It lead to us gaining several installation jobs and also meeting with some businesses that we could work with on future projects. The whole process was very easy for us and we would definitely be attending again.

Mitsubishi sponsored our stand and it was very good value for money.”

Sussex Eco Heating offer full service for renewable heating systems – designing, installing and maintaining systems including: • Air source heat pumps • Ground source heat pumps • Solar thermal hot water • Wood burning stoves

• High efficiency gas heating and hot water • Under floor heating systems.

Sussex Eco Heating will even design a bespoke heating system that match the client’s unique needs and requirements.

To find out more, visit their site at www.sussexecoheating.co.uk.

Aaron McIvor from Reaqua Systems was there to showcase the company’s products and services. Reaqua was started to address two environmental problems: why we use high-quality drinking water to flush toilets and why we waste energy by allowing the hot water from baths and showers to go straight down the drain. Reaqua’s solution was to capture energy from hot water and use the cooled waste-water to replace the drinking water for toilet flushing. The result: a 30% reduction in water usage and water bills, and up to 50% reduction in energy consumption for water heating.

Aaron thinks the company, which is based all the way up in West Lothian, Scotland, benefited from coming down to visit the show. He told us: “It was good to have access to people who were interested in our products. It was also great to get a good feel for the market in the South East region. We gained a number of leads from the show that we are currently following up – some really quality leads.”

The Eco Technology Show will return to the Brighton Centre in mid-June 2015. For more information please visit www.ecotechnologyshow.co.uk

32 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Water Coolers, Boilers & Zip Taps for your office

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 33

Simply Stunning Ashdown Park is pure Sussex at its picturesque best.

Ashdown Park Hotel East Grinstead Address: Wych Cross, East Grinstead RH18 5JR Tel: 01342 824988 www.ashdownpark.com

34 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Seaside stays have their traditional charms and it’s true Review that Sussex is home to a number of trendy, up-and-coming hotspots... but for a true taste of what the county does best, most people will agree you need to venture off the beaten path.

Ashdown Park is not five minutes’ walking distance from anywhere, but then it’s not the sort of place you’d book into for somewhere to lay your head whilst rushing around the county.

It’s a place to luxuriate; to listen to birdsong and admire the views; to linger over multiple courses and delicacies alongside your coffee that you’d usually skip in favour of getting just a little more work done. Not today. Not here.

Dining at Ashdown Park is an experience to be savoured. Whether you fancy bistro-style bites in the Fairway Lounge or, like my guest and I, you opt for the fine dining experience of the Anderida Restaurant, you’re assured a smart but relaxed atmosphere, fine ingredients presented in classically refined dishes and exquisite service.

The rooms and suites, of which there are several tiers of size to suit your needs and budget, offer the perfect

blend of spacious opulence and modern comforts to retire to after dinner.

That’s not to say that Ashdown Park is all pleasure and no business: the meeting and events facilities are attractive and comprehensive, well appointed with a combination of period architectural features and modern necessities, with ranges of rooms to suit a good spread of events in terms of both size and specification. Most impressive is the converted chapel, which features breathtaking stained glass windows, designed by famous 19th century Irish stained glass artist Harry Clarke and making shimmering use of up to 30 shades of blue in some of the panes. Complete with the original organ, wedding bells and a vaulted timber ceiling, it’s a truly magnificent setting for lavish wedding banquets or any event that needs to wow up to 150 guests. With a private terrace and the option of using the summer house overlooking the lake, the suite provides parties with an exclusive self-contained venue, the likes of which would be hard to match anywhere else. Combined with county-club style gym, golf and spa facilities, this might just be the venue with it all. Why not book a retreat and sample Ashdown Park’s delights for yourself?

Tried & Tested in Sussex

WorkingLunch

Editor Zoe Thomas enjoys a lunchtime banquet at Brighton & Hove’s Graze Restaurant

Graze Restaurant Hove

Address: 42 Western Rd, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1JD Tel: 01273 823707 Web: www.graze-restaurant.co.uk

Squeezed unassumingly between a grocery Review store and a phone shop on Western Road, is Graze – a tiny but immaculately presented restaurant that, thanks to its quaint awning and outdoor seating, has the elegant appearance of an upmarket Parisian café.

Once inside, we discover proprietor Kate Alleston and her staff are in the middle of a wine pairing class with Suzie from BBC’s Saturday Kitchen – already a good indication that we’re about to experience something extraordinary. The décor itself is rich and quirkily opulent, with purple suede chairs, chandeliers and a gilt ‘mirror’ at the far end of the room, which is actually a porthole through to the kitchen where head chef Adrian Hawkins works his magic.

After an extremely friendly welcome, we’re shown to our seats by the open window at the front of the restaurant, which offers a warm breeze and pleasant views of the hustle and bustle of the street outside.

We’re here to try the new Short Menu, which offers three courses for £20 designed for lunchtime and midweek evenings, perfect for entertaining clients, taking business meetings, or breaking up the working day with a spot of people watching and a cheeky glass of wine.

We decide to compare the Short Menu with the three-course Set Price

Menu (£37) to see where the differences lie.

My companion opts for the home smoked chicken and ham hock terrine, chicken skin and rye bread crumble from the Short Menu, while I choose carrot panna cotta, walnut and fennel granola, heritage carrots and star anise yoghurt from the Set Menu.

Before our starters arrive, we’re treated to thick cut bread with a choice of garlic mushroom and salted butter, as well as a delicious smoked chicken amuse bouche, which certainly whets our appetites.

My carrot panna cotta is a work of art.

Bright, light and beautiful, it ticks all the boxes for a luxurious summer starter and sends me into a blissful trance usually reserved for dessert.

As for my guest’s terrine – the presentation is impeccable and he assures me that the onion chutney doesn’t overpower the dish, instead adding a touch of sweetness to the full, meaty flavours.

Soon our dishes – scraped clean of every morsel, are replaced by our main courses. The smoked yolk is a first for me, but it’s exquisite – rich and salty with a creamy texture that goes perfectly with the garlic roast potatoes and crispy artichoke leaves. My guest opts for suckling pig with jersey royals, peas and mushrooms. The piglet is incredibly tender, having been marinated for 12 hours and then slowcooked for a further two, and the portion size is generous.

Feeling satisfied but not full, we’re pleasantly surprised to be presented with a ‘pre-dessert’ of lemon and thyme panna cotta topped with soft, flambéd meringue. For my main dessert I’m wooed by a great big wodge of mouth watering crispy-on-the-top-gooey-inthe-middle chocolate brownie.

All in all, we were mightily impressed with both menus – but you can’t beat £20 for three courses, can you?

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 35

Searches UK: The Rundown

We take a look a rapidly expanding conveyancing search business based in Hove

In an office in sunny Hove, a growing Insight team of people work tirelessly to keep their company running as smoothly as it has done for the past six years. The team, led by managing director and self-professed F-1 enthusiast Andrew Stenning, provides a full range of searches including local authority searches, environmental searches, commercial searches and company searches – alongside a full portfolio of other useful property-related services.

Why Choose Searches UK? Searches UK was founded on a simple premise: to provide a professional, hassle free service that not only helps businesses grow, but also provides ongoing support.

Here are some of the reasons to choose Searches UK: • Access to professional, Full Data searches covered by a comprehensive £2m Indemnity Insurance • Competitively priced searches that can be tailored to your requirements (discounts are available for high volume orders) • First Class service – a dedicated team of Conveyancing Specialists will assist you • Direct dial – no confusing call centres • Money Back Guarantee – if you feel customer service is unsatisfactory your money will be refunded and you will be supplied with a free search • Receive your search in the format that best suits you – choose from postal hard copies, email versions,

36 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

• •

•

• •

fax and online case management and tracking system Gain access to Conveyancing leads to grow your business Receive a free, no-obligation Legal Compliance Review for your firm which covers your Terms of Business, Client Care Letters and website/ email footers Free discounted Legal Compliance Services including Lexcel, AntiMoney Laundering; and Equality and Diversity Training Packages to improve your best practice Access legal marketing advice and free website/SEO reviews to improve your online presence Free conveyancing lead generation services - please ask for further details

What’s New at Searches UK? As well as our Buyer Protect and Search Protect products, which are exclusive to Searches UK, we are also delighted to be working with a number of companies to provide solutions to Solicitors and Conveyancers. A number of these systems are FREE when Solicitors or Conveyancers use Searches UK as their Search supplier. * We are delighted to be working with a range of companies and can offer our clients a choice of products, systems and services which include:Conveyancing Case Management System The system frees up time and creates a more fluid and accessible hub for Solicitors/Conveyancers and their clients to view data.

Online Lead Generation Website A comparison website for property buyers and sellers alike. The site enables them

to get a range of conveyancing quotes online.

Risk and Compliance System This intelligent and interactive online pre and post completion checklist is designed to help Solicitors and Conveyancers monitor keys stages within property transactions as well as getting the latest mortgage lender updates.

Conveyancing Quote Management System This platform is designed to help Solicitors and Conveyancers grow their conveyancing volumes, improve customer delivery and save time and money when producing conveyancing quotes.

Searches UK were also one of the founders of the Property Professionals Lunch which takes place once a quarter in Brighton. In less than six months, and with help from generous property professionals, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity has been able to buy two incubators for premature and ill babies at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the Trevor Mann Baby Unit. These incubators are invaluable for premature new born babies who require short term high dependency care or special care.

For more information about Searches UK please email lisa@searchesuk. co.uk or call 0845 241 1815 *Subject to Terms and Conditions

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 37

VI

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22/07/2014 12:34

Flexible Working

OR

4

14 12:34

Don’t be Overwhelmed by Flexible Working Rights,

The HR Dept tells Local Employers From today (30 June 2014) every employee has the right to request flexible working hours from employers. The change in the law affects everyone with more than six month’s service and results from the Government extending a right which has previously been reserved for carers and those looking after children The Department for Business, Innovation Insight and Skills says 20 million people now have the right to ask to work flexibly. As part of that right, employees can expect their request to be considered ‘in a reasonable manner’ by employers.

Local employment specialists The HR Dept, which works with small businesses all across Sussex but which is also part of a national network of 54 offices throughout the UK, advises that while this may sound a little overwhelming to employers, flexible working isn’t something to be afraid of.

A recent national HR Dept client survey of 1523 small businesses showed that a quarter of the 694 who responded to a question on flexible working, 694 had no staff currently on flexible working arrangements and were concerned about changes to the law, whilst 22 per cent were not concerned. 22 per cent felt that it was fairer to open up flexible working to more staff, whilst 31 per cent, who have some staff on flexible working, were concerned about opening the option up to more employees.

The HR Dept is advising small businesses not to panic, but to take

sensible steps to ensure that it knows its responsibilities and is prepared for dealing with requests.

“The new law means that many more people have a right to request flexible working and that all requests must be properly considered,” according to The HR Dept. “The employer must have a genuine business reason for rejecting any received written applications. Each case should be reviewed on its own merits. So essentially a request can still be approved or denied, however, there needs to be a rational reason for the decision.

“Of course, businesses need to

adhere to the law and there is a process for dealing with flexible working requests that legally must be followed.

And of course there is a risk that upon the employer refusing a flexible working request unjustly, the employee may appeal the decision. So businesses should seek advice to ensure they comply with requirements.

“However, it is worth bearing in mind that a flexible workforce can positively impact on your business - in fact some businesses quote flexible working contracts as part of their success.

“In addition, the new rules are less time restrictive - at present, if flexible leave is requested there has to be a meeting within 28 days. From today however, the whole process should happen within three months.

“Our advice to clients is to consider every flexible working request on its own merit to avoid discrimination claims. It is also time to update handbooks, contracts and policies, to ensure that latest laws are taken into account.”

The HR Dept, which is headquartered in Bristol with 54 offices around the UK, helps thousands of business owners and managers with their employment issues and people problems. www.hrdept.co.uk

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 39

What Could a Sussex Business Award do for Your Business?

The Sussex Businesss Awards have officially kicked off for the 26th year running, celebrating the best of business across the county with fifteen glittering trophies up for grabs At the recent launch at Hilton Gatwick, Business one of three launches across the county, Awards last year’s winners revealed how the accolade of winning a Sussex Business award has helped their businesses gain traction over the past year.

Mike Punter, Managing Director of adhesive product distributor Parafix, came away with a double victory last year – claiming both Manufacturer of the Year and Learning Pays. Addressing the audience, made up of various business owners and entrepreneurs, he said: “Winning the award was a great motivation for our staff. We started getting texts and tweets from people we work with in the industry saying well done, which was really uplifting for the staff.

“We even put the awards on our reception desk to show them off. We were so proud of them. We found that customers really respond to that when they come in.”

The Grand Hotel Brighton also came away with two awards last year, claiming Best Customer Service and Most Sustainable Business. Sales and Marketing Manager Rachel Hutchinson, representing the Grand on the panel, said: “Being recognised in Sussex was amazing. Customer service is what we do, so it was fantastic to win an award for it.

‘We really made sure we capitalised on our win. We have definitely earned more business off the back of it. We

40 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Q&A panel Mike Punter (Parafix), Rachel Hutchinson (The Grand Hotel), Alan Margetts (The Kitchen Store), Chris Robinson (Boost Marketing)

believe the award really is a trigger for people to come in and visit the Grand.”

Alan Margetts, founder of Hovebased company The Kitchen Store was the final past winner on the panel. He also said his business gained publicity after being awarded Entrepreneur of the Year, widening his clientele and helping boost The Kitchen Store’s credibility.

While winning a Sussex Business Award is a fantastic way to gain recognition for your business, simply entering a category can open up a host of opportunities – even if the judges don’t choose you. Some of the benefits of entering include: • Entering offers a great networking opportunity with the county’s elite business community.

• It’s a chance to put your business in the media spotlight with valuable publicity in print, online and on radio.

• You can add value to your marketing by including the winner/finalist logo

across your literature and website to promote your campain.

• Gain free, independent assessment from expert judges with feedback available to unsuccessful, as well as successful, candidates.

• Be part of a three thousand strong (and growing!) Twitter community to share news about your business activities.

The awards kicked off with events across Brighton, Uckfield and Crawley, attracting a huge amount of interest from hopeful entrants – one of whom was My 35 Health and Wellness Club – an innovative new gym in Horsham offering ‘intelligent’ equipment that self-adjusts to prevent injury and provide bespoke workouts. The gym will enter two categories – ‘Innovation in Business’ and ‘Most Promising New Business’. Operations Manager Karen Davis said they hope the award will give

them: “Recognition that what we’re doing is good. As a relatively new company we feel we have a key point of difference in the market and to win either of these awards is a signal to potential members that there’s more to our business than they might initially think.

“The benefits of also saying that we are an “award-winning” business are very significant and we feel it’s an important part of our marketing mix. We’re not necessarily expecting to win, although it would be wonderful, but the process of entering also helps the whole team identify our core brand characteristics and continue internal discussions about our vision and values, which can only benefit our clients.”

Alongside sponsors including Domestic & General, Sussex Innovation Centre, HSBC, Checkaprofessional.com, Sussex Enterprise, Heart FM, and of course Sussex Business Times, is Sussex Downs College – which will be sponsoring a new award category: ‘Young Sussex Businessperson of the Year’.

A spokesperson from the college said: “We’re excited about working with the Sussex Business Awards and the team at Midnight Communications to celebrate the best of Sussex in 2014.”

Deadline for entries is 29 August and winners will be announced at The Grand Brighton on 10 December.

Want to win a Sussex Business Award 2014?

Caraline Brown, Founder of Midnight Communication (the award’s organisers) has 10 top tips for hopefuls – so if you’re hoping to win something, read carefully: 1. Think carefully about the categories you wish to enter. You may enter up to THREE categories PLUS the ‘Healthiest workplace’, Best Boss and

My35 gym

Caraline Brown (Midnight Communications) and Chris Robinson (Boost Marketing)

“We even put the awards on our reception desk to show them off. We were so proud of them. We found that customers really respond to that when they come in.”

Award for Social Enterprise (which are free to enter). Choose the categories based on your strengths as a company or individual. Be honest about what you are good at and how you can demonstrate this to the judges.

2. Don’t leave writing your entries until the last minute and make sure you submit on time.

3. To impress the judges your entry must stand out from the crowd. Use plenty of bullet points and bolding to make your point and ensure your entry easy to read. State clearly at the beginning precisely why you deserve to win a particular category.

4. The judges will want to see proof of claims you make about being “the best”, offering “great service”, “value for money”, “being innovative” etc. Avoid vague statements such as “raise awareness” and avoid cliches.

5. The judges will have lots of entries to read so keep your entry succinct. Write in plain English and keep it simple. The judges are unlikely to be experts in your particular field so avoid jargon.

6. Make sure it doesn’t contain typos.

Many entries do and they can be very irritating.

7. Demonstrate that your product / service has a market, that there is a demand from that market and that the business is sustainable. Provide robust evaluation of your business. Competitor analysis and sales, turnover and profit figures speak for themselves and are not subjective.

8. Don’t hide good arguments in supporting material. Such material often isn’t read.

9. Be sure to answer all the questions the judges ask too, rather than just the ones that suit you to answer.

10. Avoid letting techies, lawyers or accountants write your entry. They are often not the best at communicating in words but think they can. CEOs/MDs often lack the time or patience to do the job well. Award entries are usually best written by the PR / Marketing Department or by external experts. www.sbawards.org.uk

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 41

SBT Advert_Layout 1 07/08/2014 11:32 Page 1

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42 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk Moore Stephens (South) LLP and Moore Stephens (Guildford) LLP are registered to carry out audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

s

Technology

How to Harness the Power of Online – DIY Style A digital marketing expert offers five main ingredients for making your business fly online with easy DIY strategies Dan Purchase is Managing Director Top Tips of BritWeb Ltd, a Digital Agency based in Horsham, Sussex.

Here he offers five tips for boosting your business’ online presence, building a good brand reputation and growing your online following.

1. Have a Plan to Succeed

Too many times have I seen business owners taking a haphazard, scatter gun approach to digital marketing. Before you even start, create a plan. Use Google Docs to build a spreadsheet calendar for the next six months, plot out your major company, industry and national events and plan your blogging, social media and email marketing strategies around this.

Share this editable document with your team members so they can see what content is being published and who’s responsible for creating it. Map out tweets, Facebook posts or LinkedIn posts well in advance and then schedule them using tools such as HootSuite or TweetDeck. Know when you are going to send those emails and publish those blog posts well in advance.

2. Know Who Your Customers Are

Know your ideal customer and create content for them (and only them) Do some research and ask yourself “Who is my perfect client?” Scale it down to an individual – picture a real person and you will find it easier to tailor your information to attract and engage

“Do some research and ask yourself “Who is my perfect client?” Scale it down to an individual – picture a real person and you will find it easier to tailor your information to attract and engage them”

h

s

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 43

Technology

them. So, you know your clients are aged 18-35, 80% male and 20% female and like football? Well, have you ever met any one who is 80% male and 20% female? (Well, I did meet this one guy once...) NO – don’t generalise. Imagine a 22-year-old male, mad Everton fan called George. Picture him and what he would be interested to hear and you’re off to a good start.

3. Don’t Talk About Yourself Too Much

age range, within a particular distance from the town centre you operate from and with specific interests. Being able to select from these demographics means that you can really reach out to the people that matter. You can choose from a variety of paid advertising types to

boost page likes, target a click through to a relevant page of your website and let people claim an offer that can be redeemed in store or online. In a very recent development, you’ll soon be able to remarket to users that have previously visited your website via Facebook by showing your ad to remind them to come back!

“Remember the 80/20 rule of 20% promotional content, 80% non-promotional content. People get turned off if you only talk about yourself, your products or services”

Whilst you should have a plan and schedule standard information to share with the world, make sure you have time to be reactionary and reply to any comments or questions on social media as quickly as possible. Remember the 80/20 rule of 20% promotional content, 80% non-promotional content. People get turned off if you only talk about yourself, your products or services.

Social media users don’t want to be sold to, so create interesting content. Keep it relevant but find angles and share other information 80% of the time. Sparingly introduce them to your brand and offers once you’ve built up their trust.

4. Use Paid Advertising on Social Media

Focusing on Facebook for this one, the social network recently made changes to business pages to reduce the amount of organic reach. What this means is all those well thought out, targeted and scheduled posts you are putting out could only be reaching 2% of your page’s fans! It’s true that Facebook is more likely to show your content if it includes images and video, and it also gets to know who comments and likes the information.

However, you need to use their paid options to get the best from your efforts.

This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. For as little as £1, you can boost a post to reach thousands of people.

What’s more, you can choose who they appear to. Select people in a certain

44 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

5. Be Natural with Your SEO

SEO or Search Engine Optimisation is the process of making your site as visible as possible to Google for selected search terms.

Since I could fill this whole magazine with advice on SEO, I’m going to pick out the very best tip I can offer – be natural and don’t try to trick Google!

Updates to Google’s search algorithm over the past few years means that the world’s number one search engine is more sophisticated than ever. What is wants to see is a well constructed website that loads quickly and has lots of well written, relevant and unique content. Once it’s seen that, it wants to see relevant websites linking to you in the most natural way possible. Make sure you pick a good web designer, host your site in the UK and consider your user at every turn. Try to develop good relationships with relevant third parties that will link to your website for a good reason that will benefit users and you won’t go far wrong.

So there we have it, five tips to consider when putting your digital marketing plans together. Remember that what may work for someone else might not be right for you though, so there is always an element of trial and error. Test and measure and find what’s right for your business – and your audience! www.britweb.co.uk www.facebook.com/ britwebwebdesign www.linkedin.com/in/danpurchase

“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on” Messages not getting through to your target audiences?

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We evaluate and adapt the strategy as it’s implemented to ensure maximum success in: · strengthening your reputation · building brand/issue awareness · creating/nurturing relationships Clients say we are “professional”, “supportive”, “knowledgeable” and “committed to excellence”.

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“Stand out from the crowd”

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 45

call now on 01403 793 836 or visit www.jagpresspublicity.co.uk

Brighton Dome: At the Heart of Art The Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival Success is the largest annual multi-arts festival in England, second only to Edinburgh in the UK. The wide-ranging programme of performance, visual arts, literature and debate from international, national and home-grown companies and artists brings a global audience to the city, with numbers averaging 150,000 each year.

“Year on year we’ve seen an increase in both national and local press coverage for the Festival, website traffic and social media interaction,” Mr Comben revealed. “The programme of events has also grown – Brighton Festival this year featured 448 performances across 147 events in 34 venues throughout the city and beyond – an increase from Brighton Festival 2013.”

One performance making its UK premier at this year’s Brighton Festival was Opus No.7 by acclaimed Russian theatre director Dmitry Krymov, which received 4 stars across the board from all the major broadsheet critics.

“We were also delighted to receive 9 Argus Angel awards for Artistic Excellence,” Mr. Comben added.

The Royal Pavilion Estate, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival have been working together with the Royal Pavilion & Museums in a powerful, cross-cultural partnership to place the unique heritage of the Royal Pavilion Estate centre stage for the city, its economy, its residents and diverse communities. The city’s

46 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Photograph by Victor Frankowski ©

We interview Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival about the organisation’s impact on the local economy and Brighton’s thriving arts community

Brighton Festival

listed venues are unique, attracting over 1.2 million people a year, with hundreds of thousands more visiting the garden and making a significant economic contribution to Brighton & Hove.

Mr Comben said: “While the buildings are magnificent, they are also facing unique challenges and are in need of restoration and upgrade in some areas.

Our ambition is to undertake conservation and transform and revitalise this world heritage site at the heart of Brighton & Hove.”

An application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was submitted in November 2013, on behalf of the two custodians of the Royal Pavilion Estate (Brighton & Hove City Council’s Royal Pavilion

& Museums and Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival) initially for development funds to to work up designs to address a series of challenges across the Royal Pavilion Estate. Unfortunately the HLF were unable to fund all the projects for which it received applications and the bid was not successful this time. However the feedback was very encouraging with their Trustees specifically noting the high heritage importance of the Estate and a clear need for the project.

“We believe that this project is vital to the heart of the city and we are continuing to work with all our partners and key stakeholders to develop our approach not only for future funding applications to HLF but also to a wide

Andrew Comben Brighton Dome

Photograph by Maurray Scott ©

Photograph by Victor Frankowski ©

range of Trusts & Foundations and from individual donations in order to progress the plan to connect, preserve and celebrate the Royal Pavilion Estate.

“We have already secured a Stage One pass from Arts Council England for £5.8m and with their support developed plans to RIBA Stage D for the first phase of the project and we are on course to submit a Stage Two application to ACE in the coming weeks.”

The Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival continues to be an important driver in terms of attracting tourism and money to the area. In fact, a recent study showed that the Royal Pavilion Estate contributes some £60m to the local economy every year Mr Comben continued: “Regular audience surveys show that Brighton Festival not only directly encourages visitors to the city but also engenders a sense of pride in the city that increases visiting leisure visits. For example overall 36% of Festival bookers are from outside the city and a third of local resident bookers also buy tickets for visiting friends and family. We are also a major employer locally, with around 270 full, part-time and casual staff year round.

“We continually explore creative ways to get people involved in the arts, including many who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Each year, the work of our Creative Learning team reaches over 15,000 people in Brighton & Hove and beyond through innovative projects such as Miss Represented – an arts collective of vulnerable young women who have been involved with the criminal justice system and isolated young women in the community.”

Mr Comben believes the people of Brighton are more engaged with tharts than anywhere else in the country. He said: “There is a spirit of openness and experimentation in Brighton & Hove, the natural beauty of the place attracts people and then they discover clusters of like-minded entrepreneurial people. It’s a terrifically exciting environment for an arts organisation to work within.

“Brighton has always been a place where people can dare to be different and with investment in the art and culture at its heart we can be a world-class destination for people everywhere. I believe Brighton Festival has become part of the city’s DNA – one of the things everyone thinks about when they think of Brighton and part of the reason

“Brighton has always been a place where people can dare to be different and with investment in the art and culture at its heart we can be a worldclass destination for people everywhere.” businesses and visitors want to come here. With the culture-led development plan we have for the Royal Pavilion Estate and its surrounding areas, the next five to ten years promise to be very exciting indeed.”

If you are a Sussex based business

and would like to find out more about supporting Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, please contact Kata on kata.gyongyosi@ brightondome.org or 01273 260810 or visit the Brighton Dome website www.brightondome.org

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 47

From Nursery to Boardroom in One Leap One young entrepreneur’s path to success

When he was six years old Emmanuel Success Merody tried renting Story out his Teddy bears to classmates.

He didn’t make any money.

At the age of nine, he fared a little better when he started his first e-business, buying and selling cards online. He made £150 in three weeks.

At 13, he set up a business selling virtual goods, including information guides, and earned £2,000 in a few months.

He was always going to be a businessman.

Emmanuel, 21, graduates from the University of Portsmouth with a BA in business enterprise development. There won’t be much time for throwing his mortar board in the air, though, because he’ll be back at work as managing director of his wholesale distribution company, EarthCroc, a furniture trading company with an annual turnover of £600,000, and managing Exustar, which buys and sells specialised bicycle accessories.

He set up both, his first registered companies in his own name, in the past 18 months while studying for his degree and is now looking for investors to help him expand further.

He said: “By the time I was in my teens I had a lot of experience setting up and running small-scale e-commerce businesses, but I wanted to study entrepreneurship, so I searched the internet for courses.

“The one at Portsmouth Business School was teaching what I needed. I learned about supply chain management, operations management, you name it. I also had a year’s placement in industry, which was very useful.”

48 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

He gained a first for his unit on supply chain efficiencies for small business, something which came in handy for his business life outside of the lecture theatre, and came second out of 90 students from five universities in an enterprise competition.

During his holidays, Emmanuel also worked as an intern and a management trainee in various companies, including at one owned by his father. Among other things he learned how to design websites and, the cornerstone of any business, how to sell.

He said: “Placements and real-world business experience are what give you the edge. E-commerce is a very simple business model and a very profitable one, but I think you also need hand-on business experience to make it work.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.

Exustar will one day be one of the leading cycling brands and it has already sold over 100,000 bicycle pedals and shoes. I believe that with hard work

and determination anyone can achieve success.”

The BA in Business Enterprise Development at Portsmouth teaches subjects including financial accounting, business law and ethics, strategic management and building new product ranges. Emmanuel said he was able to put everything he learned into practice, building his two companies from scratch.

His tutor, Dr Zoe Dann, said “Emmanuel is extremely modest. What he has achieved is exceptional and demonstrates how persistence and focus are the key to achievement. He is superb role model to inspire other students to take up enterprise.”

Emmanuel is open to new ideas and investors and working with other companies.

He can be contacted via email onemcards@hotmail.com or on 0208-9652510.

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Talk to our professional and highly experienced team now at 01323 411 601 or email Lewis Reed on lewis@lifepromotions.co.uk

Contact us now on

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 49

01323 411 601

Test Drive

The perfect interplay between form and space in the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo creates a unique look and feel, defined by an elegant coupe-style aesthetic

Review

THE BMW 3 SERIES GRAN TURISMO

Impressive spaciousness is one of the outstanding features of this car and, together with the heightened seating position, makes it perfect for long trips with the family.

No long journey is a chore in this vehicle: you won’t only love the driving experience – you’ll love arriving at your destination as quickly and easily as possible. With BMW ConnectedDrive, you’ll benefit from a range of innovative functions that transform every drive into a relaxing journey. Take for example the latest generation optional BMW Professional Navigation system with a highresolution 3D map display.

Together with optional Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), you’ll always reach your destination via the best possible route.

There is even sufficient space for everybody plus luggage. Everything in the interior is generously proportioned – even the surprisingly large luggage compartment, while still ensuring firstclass comfort. Every practical detail blends seamlessly into the exquisite overall design. This impressive fusion of aesthetics and functionality stylishly accommodates the driver and front passenger, making them an integral part of the design.

In the driver-oriented cockpit everything is positioned where you expect without having to search, so you immediately feel at home in this BMW. The controls for all relevant

functions are positioned intuitively and arranged ergonomically. Everything is geared towards one overriding goal: maximising driving pleasure and minimising distractions.

And you might find that long journeys are suddenly cheaper: The multiaward-winning BMW EfficientDynamics technology demonstrates just how efficient driving dynamics can be.

It increases fuel efficiency while simultaneously making the BMW more dynamic. One example of this is ECO PRO mode, which is activated via the Drive Performance Control button. It modifies various vehicle settings to maximise efficiency and reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. But from the driver’s seat, it’s still all about sheer driving pleasure.

The new 3 Series is not just about good looks.

It also hides a wealth of intelligent technologies within its sleek exterior.

The comprehensive range of advanced driver assistance systems from BMW ConnectedDrive seamlessly integrate the driver into their immediate environment. Headlights, sensors, cameras and radars can combine to ensure the driver is fully informed about what is happening around them, delivering superior comfort and convenience as well as enhanced safety for both passengers and other road users.

The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo does not fulfill expectations. It exceeds them. With countless innovations and thoughtful details both inside and out, it never fails to amaze. The art of uniting seemingly contradictory worlds is the hallmark of this vehicle.

“Everything is geared towards one overriding goal: maximising driving pleasure and minimising distractions.”

50 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 320iSE5D CO@ emissions – 153 g/km VED band – G 0 – 62mph – 7.6 secs Top speed – 143 mph Total price £29,205

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 51

“Britain is Still a Strong Manufacturing Economy…. and East Sussex is Leading the Way” Last month we covered the success of hi-tech manufacturing in East Sussex and how Locate East Sussex is helping businesses to relocate and expand in East Sussex. This month we find out how local authorities are playing their part too

Local Authorities Promote Positive Enterprise Culture East Sussex County Council, along with the local Borough and District Councils, are all working closely with the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex and with Locate East Sussex to promote the County as an excellent business location with an active and positive enterprise culture.

“We are really excited about the positive local enterprise culture in East Sussex,” said Christina Ewbank of ACES. “It’s great for Chamber Members to be able to pick up the phone to the senior team in all the local authorities and discuss a project idea or a barrier to business. It’s clear from the positive reaction you get that there really is a strong enterprise culture in the county.”

She added: “The good news is that

Britain is still a strong manufacturing economy and East Sussex business people and local authorities are leading the way.”

ACES Chambers meet with local authorities several times a year to discuss barriers to business and how to remove them. As a result we are well on the way to achieving high-speed broadband across 96% of the county by March 2016 and there is work towards improving mobile phone reception in rural areas as well.

Wealden District Council is actively engaged with businesses in the north of the county to find ways to help them expand, even near protected areas such as the Ashdown Forest. In addition, East Sussex County Council is working

closely with ACES and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership to improve the A21, A27 and rail links so business can grow in East Sussex and benefit from international links via Gatwick Airport, Ashford International Rail Station and ports like Newhaven and Folkestone.

Wealden Supports Start-Ups and Local Business “At Wealden District Council (WDC) we recognise the importance of independent business advice whenever you have important business decisions to make.

Of course you should consult your accountant, bank and solicitor but there is nothing like talking to other business people who have been there and got the T-shirt!”

This enlightened approach to local enterprise has led WDC to provide funded, independent support and advice from experienced business people to mentor you whether you are planning to start a new business or you are an existing business with a difficult decision to make.

When you own and run your own SME

52 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

it can be lonely at the top so whether you want to expand or downsize, sell your business or merge with a competitor, taking independent advice is vital.

Business advice can come with a hefty price tag (check the cost of your monthly accountants or solicitors fee) but the WDC funded advice is free of charge and completely unbiased.

Taking advice also gives you a huge advantage when you start a new business venture. That’s when you don’t know what you don’t know! So much so you are 25% more likely to succeed if you work with a business mentor from the beginning.

WDC recognises the value of independent, expert business advice so

Roy Galley Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development Wealden District Council

Chamber News

A27 – local passion revealed

Start-Up Workshops they are providing one-to-one mentoring support, start-up workshops and business clinics to help you start and to

keep you on the right track. Choose one of the following locations and dates:

Date

Location

Date

Time of day

July

Hailsham

Wed 30th July

10 am to 4pm

September

Crowborough

Tues 2nd Sept

10 am to 4pm

November

Heathfield

Thurs 6th Nov

10 am to 4pm

January

Uckfield

Tues 13th Jan 15

10 am to 4pm

March

Hailsham

Mon 16th Mar 15

10 am to 4pm

To access this free Start-Up support in Wealden, call Edeal on 01323 641144 or email info@edeal.org.uk

One to One Business Clinics Date

Location

Date

Time of day

August

Hailsham

Wed 13th Aug

1pm to 5.15pm

September

Crowborough

Tues 16th Sept

10.30am to 14.45pm

October

Uckfield

TBC

1pm to 5.15pm

November

Heathfield

Thurs 20th Nov

10.30am to 14.45pm

December

Hailsham

TBC

10.30am to 14.45pm

January

Uckfield

Tues 27th Jan 15

10.30am to 14.45pm

February

Crowborough

TBC

1pm to 5.15pm

March

Hailsham

Mon 30th Mar 15

1pm to 5.15pm

To access this business support in Wealden, call Edeal on 01323 641144 or email info@edeal.org.uk

“Riders and horses cross at least twice a day, every day; is this an accident waiting to happen?”

Over 1,000 business people and residents have responded to recent ACES surveys about the improvements needed to the A27 where it meanders like a B road between Polegate traffic lights and the Beddingham flyover. This section of road has 47 junctions despite carrying around 30,000 vehicles per weekday.

Normally traffic flows like this would warrant a dual carriageway but a common sight at Wilmington crossroads is to see horses bringing the busy A27 to a standstill as they cross it to exercise on the South Downs. Riders and horses cross at least twice a day, every day; is this an accident waiting to happen?

Continued on next page

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 53

in in East East Sussex Sussex in East Sussex in East Sussex inin Reducing Unemployment Reducing Unemployment in East Sussex in East SussexUnemployment Reducing East Sussex in East Sussex in Reducing Unemployment East Sussex “It’s an old cart track.

Not East in Sussex Reducing in East SussexUnemployment T East Sussex fit for purpose in thein 21st T EastEast SussexUnemployment Reducing in Sussex in T Century.”

Reducing in in Sussex EastEast SussexUnemployment T in East Sussex Reducing Unemployment in East SussexUnemployment T in East Sussex Reducing “I have had the opportunity EastEast Sussex Sussex in in in TTReducing to re-locate a manufacturEast SussexUnemployment Reducing Unemployment in in East Sussex ing business to Eastbourne East SussexUnemployment Reducing in in East Sussex Sussex TEast that exports to more than Reducing East SussexUnemployment in The surveys have revea ed a eve o pass on about the A27 nc ud ng comments ke

prosperity of Eastbourne And 91% said The A27 is an unsafe road

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www.acesalliance.org www.acesalliance.org www.acesalliance.org www.acesalliance.org www.acesalliance.org Analysis has shown that if the www.acesalliance.org companies who said they had considered relocation actually moved www.acesalliance.org away we would lose over 1500 jobs www.acesalliance.org from the area. www.acesalliance.org On the other hand, if the A27 were www.acesalliance.org you wou d ke o speak o ACES improved and 50% of businesses in www.acesalliance.org abou bus ness n your area o East Sussex employed one more person www.acesalliance.org Eas Sussex ca 01323 641144 or each, as indicated in the survey, that www.acesalliance.org v s www acesa ance org would create jobs for over 9,000 people. www.acesalliance.org you wou d ke o become a www.acesa ance.org 83% of residents said The A27 Member o ACES s mp y o n one has a negative impact on the

54 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

o he Chambers s ed here

ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES ACES

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce 01424 842892 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce

01424 Bexhill842892 Chamber of Commerce www.bexhillchamber.co.uk 01424 842892 Bexhill Chamber of Commerce www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of 01424 842892 Bexhill Chamber of Commerce Commerce www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Crowborough 01424 842892 Chamber of www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Commerce www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Bexhill Chamber of Commerce Crowborough Chamber of www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of 01424 842892 Commerce Commerce Crowborough Chamber of www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Bexhill Chamber of Commerce Commerce 01323 641144 Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk 01424 842892 www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of of Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber 01323 641144 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Bexhill Chamber of Commerce Commerce Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of East Sussex County Council 01424 842892 www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk 01323 641144 Bexhill Chamber of Commerce Commerce Crowborough Chamber of www.bexhillchamber.co.uk 01273 481570County www.eastbournechamber.co.uk East Sussex Council 01424 842892 Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Eastbourne UnLtd of Chamber of Bexhill Chamber Commerce www.bexhillchamber.co.uk 01273 481570 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Commerce Crowborough Chamber of 01424 842892 East Sussex County Council www.eastsussex.gov.uk Commerce Federation of SmallofBusinesses 01323 641144 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Bexhill Chamber Commerce 01273 481570 Crowborough Chamber of of East Sussex County Council Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber www.eastbournechamber.co.uk www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk 01424 754686 01424 842892 Bexhill Chamber Commerce www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of and SmallofBusinesses Commerce Commerce 01273 481570 Regional Office 01323 482018 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of 01424 842892 01424 754686 and www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk www.eastsussex.gov.uk 01323 641144 Bexhill Chamber Commerce www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Eastbourne UnLtd of Chamber of East Sussex County Council Commerce www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Federation of Small Businesses Regional Office 01323 482018 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk Commerce 01424481570 842892 01273 www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of of www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber 01424 754686 and of Federation of Small Businesses www.bexhillchamber.co.uk Bexhill Chamber Commerce Hailsham Chamber of 01323 641144 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Commerce Commerce Regional Office 01323 482018 Crowborough Chamber of East Sussex County Council Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk 01424 754686 and Chamber 01424 842892 Eastbourne UnLtd of www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Hailsham Chamber Commerce 01323 641144 Bexhill Chamber ofofCommerce Regional Office 01323 482018 01273 481570 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk 01323 310531 Crowborough Chamber of Commerce Federation of Small Businesses Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex www.eastsussex.gov.uk 01424 842892 www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Commerce East Sussex County Council 01323 641144 Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of 01424 754686 andof Hailsham Chamber ofCommerce 01323 310531 Bexhill Chamber www.bexhillchamber.co.uk www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk www.eastbournechamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of Commerce 01273 481570 Regional Office 01323 482018 Commerce www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of East Sussex Council 01424 842892 Federation ofCounty Small Businesses Hailsham Chamber Commerce Hastings Chamber ofof www.eastsussex.gov.uk www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex 01323 641144 Commerce 01323 310531 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk 01273 481570 Commerce Commerce Crowborough Chamber of of Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber 01424 754686 and www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk www.eastbournechamber.co.uk East Sussex County Council www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Hastings Chamber of 01323 641144 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Commerce Regional Office 01323 01323 310531 01424 205500 Federation of Small Businesses Hailsham Chamber of 482018 01273 481570 Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk Crowborough Chamber of www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk 01323 641144 Commerce Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber www.eastsussex.gov.uk East Sussex County Council of 01424 754686 and of Hastings Chamber 01424 205500 Federation of Small Businesses Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk Commerce Regional Office 01323 482018 01323 310531 Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk 01273 481570 East Sussex County Council of 01424 754686 andof www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber Hailsham Chamber of Hastings Chamber www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Heathfield Chamber of www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk 01323 641144 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of Small Businesses 01424 205500 01273 481570 Regional Office 01323 482018 Commerce Commerce Commerce Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk East Sussex County Council www.hastingschamber.co.uk 01424 754686 and Chamber Heathfield Chamber of www.eastsussex.gov.uk www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Eastbourne UnLtd of 01323 641144 01323 310531 01424 205500 01435 865858 Hailsham Chamber 01273 481570 Hastings Chamber ofof Regional Office 01323 482018 Federation of Small Businesses Commerce Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce www.eastsussex.gov.uk East Sussex County Council www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Heathfield Chamber of 01424 754686 and 01435 865858 Federation of Small Businesses Hailsham Chamber of 01323 641144 01323 01424 205500 01273310531 481570 Commerce Regional Office 01323 482018 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce www.eastbournechamber.co.uk 01424 754686 and East Sussex County Council Hastings Chamber ofof Heathfield Chamber www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of Small Businesses www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Hailsham Chamber of 482018 865858 01435 Regional Office 01323 01323 310531 Commerce Commerce 01273 481570 Commerce 07917 382316 01424 754686 and www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk East Sussex County Council www.eastsussex.gov.uk 01424 205500 01435 865858 Hastings Chamber of www.leweschamber.org.uk Regional Office 01323 Heathfield Chamber of 482018 Federation of Small Businesses 01323 310531 Hailsham Chamber of 07917 382316 www.hastingschamber.co.uk 01273 481570 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Commerce 01424 754686 and Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.leweschamber.org.uk Hailsham Chamber of Hastings Chamber of www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of Small Businesses Newhaven Chamber of 482018 01424 205500 01435 865858 Regional Office 01323 01323 310531 Commerce 07917 382316 Heathfield Chamber of Lewes Chamber of Commerce Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Hailsham Chamber 01424 754686 and www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Hastings Chamber ofof Newhaven Chamber of www.leweschamber.org.uk 01323 310531 01424 205500 Commerce Federation of Small Businesses Commerce Regional Office 01323 482018 07917 382316 0800 107 0709 Commerce Commerce www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex 01435 865858 01424 754686 and www.leweschamber.org.uk www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Heathfield 01323 Chamber 310531 Lewes of Commerce Hailsham Chamber 01424 Hastings Chamber ofof Newhaven Chamber of 482018 0800 107205500 0709 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Regional Office 01323 Commerce www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk Commerce 07917 382316 Commerce www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Hastings Chamber ofof Heathfield Chamber www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Hailsham Chamber Newhaven Peacehaven Chamberofof 01435 865858 www.leweschamber.org.uk 01323 310531 01424 205500 Commerce 0800 107 0709 Commerce Lewes Chamber of Commerce Commerce Commerce www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Hastings Chamber ofof www.hastingschamber.co.uk Heathfield Chamber www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Peacehaven Chamber 01424 205500 01435 865858 Hailsham Chamber of of Commerce 01323 310531 07917 382316 0800 107 0709 Newhaven Chamber of 01273 586222 Commerce Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk www.leweschamber.org.uk www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Commerce www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 Hastings Chamber of 01435586222 865858 Heathfield Chamber Peacehaven Chamberofof 01273 01323 310531 www.hastingschamber.co.uk Commerce 0709 0800 107 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 07917 382316 Commerce www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Heathfield Chamber of Lewes Chamber of of Commerce www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk Newhaven Chamber of Hastings Chamber Peacehaven Chamber of www.newhavenchamber.co.uk www.leweschamber.org.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce 01424 865858 205500 01435 Commerce 01273 586222 Commerce 07917 382316 Commerce Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk Heathfield of www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce 0800 881865858 5331Chamber www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce 01435 www.leweschamber.org.uk Hastings Chamber of 0800 107 0709 Commerce 01424 205500 01273 586222 Newhaven Chamber of of Peacehaven Chamber www.seafordchamber.co.uk 07917 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 0800 881382316 5331 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk www.hastingschamber.co.uk www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Commerce 01435 865858 Heathfield Chamber of www.leweschamber.org.uk Lewes Chamber of Newhaven Chamber of Seaford Chamber of Commerce Commerce www.seafordchamber.co.uk 01424 205500 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 0800 107 0709 01273 586222 South East Local Enterprise Commerce 07917 Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk 0800 881382316 5331 Peacehaven Chamber Heathfield Chamber ofof Seaford Chamber of Commerce www.newhavenchamber.co.uk www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Partnership 01435 865858 Newhaven Chamber of www.leweschamber.org.uk 0800 107 0709 www.seafordchamber.co.uk Commerce 07917 382316 South East Local Enterprise Commerce www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 Commerce 01245 431469 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk www.leweschamber.org.uk Partnership Heathfield Chamber ofof 01273 01435586222 865858 www.seafordchamber.co.uk Peacehaven Chamber Seaford Chamber of Commerce 07917 382316 www.southeastlep.com 0800 107 0709 Newhaven Chamber of Commerce www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk South East Local Enterprise 01245 431469 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce www.leweschamber.org.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Commerce 0800 881 5331 Newhaven Chamber of of Peacehaven Chamber Partnership www.southeastlep.com 01435 865858 01273 586222 South East Local Enterprise www.seafordchamber.co.uk 07917 382316 Uckfield Chamber of 0800 107 0709 Commerce www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk 01245 431469 Seaford Chamber ofCommerce Commerce Lewes Chamber of www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Partnership Newhaven Chamber ofof www.leweschamber.org.uk Commerce www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Peacehaven Chamber 0800 107 0709 01273 586222 www.southeastlep.com Uckfield Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 07917 382316 Commerce 01245 431469 South East Local Enterprise 01825 722607 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Commerce Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.seafordchamber.co.uk www.leweschamber.org.uk www.southeastlep.com Seaford Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 Partnership Newhaven Chamber ofof www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk 01273 586222 Peacehaven Chamber Uckfield Chamber of 01825 722607 07917 382316 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Commerce www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Commerce 0800 881 5331 01245 431469 Peacehaven Chamber Seaford Chamber of Commerce Commerce www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk www.leweschamber.org.uk Newhaven Chamber ofof South East Local Enterprise www.seafordchamber.co.uk Uckfield Chamber of www.southeastlep.com 0800 107 0709 Wealden District Council 01273 586222 Commerce 0800 881 5331Chamber of Commerce Partnership 01825 722607 Commerce www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Peacehaven www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce 01323 443322 01273 586222 www.seafordchamber.co.uk www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Wealden District Council Newhaven Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 01245 431469 South East Local Enterprise 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of www.wealden.gov.uk 0800 881 5331 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Commerce www.newhavenchamber.co.uk www.southeastlep.com 01323 443322 Partnership 01273 586222 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce Peacehaven Chamber of www.seafordchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce South East Local Enterprise Wealden District Council 0800 107 0709 www.wealden.gov.uk www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Commerce 01245 431469 01825 722607 0800 881 5331 Seaford Chamber of Commerce Partnership www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Peacehaven Chamber of Uckfield Chamber of 01323 443322 www.southeastlep.com www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk 01273 East 586222 Wealden District www.seafordchamber.co.uk South LocalCouncil Enterprise 0800 881 5331 01245 431469 Commerce Commerce www.wealden.gov.uk www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce Partnership 01323 443322 www.seafordchamber.co.uk www.southeastlep.com Peacehaven Chamber of 01273881 586222 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of 0800 5331 Wealden District www.wealden.gov.uk 01245 431469 South East LocalCouncil Enterprise Commerce www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce www.seafordchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce www.southeastlep.com Partnership 01323 443322 South Local Enterprise Uckfield Chamber of 01273 East 586222 01825 722607 www.wealden.gov.uk 0800 881 5331 01245 431469 Partnership Commerce www.peaceha m Seaford Chamber of Commerce Wealden District www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk www.seafordchamber.co.uk South East LocalCouncil Enterprise www.southeastlep.com Uckfield Chamber of 01245 431469 01825 722607 Partnership 0800 881 5331 01323 443322 Commerce www.southeastlep.com www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk a d C amb C mm www.seafordchamber.co.uk www.wealden.gov.uk Wealden District 01245 431469 South East LocalCouncil Enterprise 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of www.southeastlep.com Partnership www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 01323 443322 Uckfield Chamber of Wealden District Council www d m South Local Enterprise www.wealden.gov.uk 01245 East 431469 01825 722607 Commerce 01323 443322 Partnership www.southeastlep.com Uckfield Chamber of www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Wealden District Council 01825 722607 www.wealden.gov.uk a a p Commerce 01245 431469 01323 443322 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk a p www.southeastlep.com 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of www.wealden.gov.uk Wealden District Council www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 01323 Wealden District Council www 443322 Uckfield Chamber ofm 01825 722607 www.wealden.gov.uk 01323 443322 Commerce www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Wealden District Council www.wealden.gov.uk d C amb 01825 722607 01323 443322 C mm www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk www.wealden.gov.uk Wealden District Council

Crowborough Chamber of Commerce www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk East Sussex County Council 01273 481570 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of Small Businesses 01424 754686 and Regional Office 01323 482018 www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Hailsham Chamber of Commerce 01323 310531 www.hailshamchamberof commerce.co.uk Hastings Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 www.hastingschamber.co.uk Heathfield Chamber of Commerce 01435 865858 www.heathfieldchamber.co.u Lewes Chamber of Commerce 07917 382316 www.leweschamber.org.uk Newhaven Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk Peacehaven Chamber of Commerce 01273 586222 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 www.seafordchamber.co.uk South East Local Enterprise Partnership 01245 431469 www.southeastlep.com Uckfield Chamber of Commerce 01825 722607 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk

01323 443322 www d m Wealden District Council www.wealden.gov.uk 01323 443322 W ad D C www.wealden.gov.uk

Wealden District Council 01323 443322 www w d www.wealden.gov.uk

BilliBiz -The Show

New Sponsorship Opportunities “Billibiz - The Show is tailor made for local and regional businesses to present themselves to other businesses”

October may seem a whole summer away, but the fourth Preview Billibiz-The Show business exposition is already taking shape and there are new B2B promotional opportunities to be seized as a sponsor and as an exhibitor. The Principal Sponsor slot has become available for first time since Billibiz-The Show started.

BilliBiz-The Show is the highly successful business exposition organized by the Billingshurst Chamber of Commerce in Billingshurst Centre.

This year it is slated for Thursday, 16th October 2014 from 10.30am until 3.30pm. The Show attracted over 40 exhibitors and 250 people last year and most exhibitors from last year are asking to come back.

Sussex Business Times has taken

up this year’s Media Sponsor role and, according to the show committee Chairman, Keith Paul, there are a number of other new sponsorship opportunities with valuable promotional benefits.

Keith Paul, said, “Billibiz-The Show is tailor made for local and regional businesses to present themselves to other businesses both as one of the few key sponsors or as an exhibitor.

We have several levels of sponsorship available including, this year, the Principal Sponsor”, Keith Paul said.

Mr. Paul added, “Sponsors should contact us immediately. Full details can be found at www.billibiztheshow. co.uk or via a link on the Billingshurst Chamber of Commerce’s site, www.billingshurstchamber.co.uk.

“Exhibitors should also book now to avoid a last minute scramble. Please get in touch quickly”, he concluded.

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Q&

NLP, or Neuro-linguistic programming, sounds painful!

What exactly is it, and how could this benefit a business?

We spoke with Helen Price-Evans of Starfishpeople.com I have heard about NLP but what is it about?

There are lots of definitions of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and whilst each description may shine a light to a deeper understanding, in turn every reflection brings a new pathway of discovery. I’ve heard it described as an art and a science due to the elements of sensory acuity, language, processing, and programming. Neuro relates to how we process information internally through our senses. Linguistic relates to the language we use to communicate our experiences to the outside world and to ourselves (yes, that’s right it’s self-talk). Programming relates to the internal steps and strategies we use to achieve results.

How can NLP help improve results?

Using your senses within your own map of the world you are able to interpret and attach meaning to everyday events and experiences, this brings about an emotional and physiological response which is demonstrated to others by behaviour and results. However, an event or experience does not actually have meaning; each person attaches

info@checkaprofessional.com

their own meaning through the way in which they internally represent this information.

In addition we will unconsciously filter the information we see, hear, feel, touch, smell and taste and as it is internally represented this may result in successful, happy and productive emotional and physiological responses or unsuccessful, frustrating and unproductive results.

Have you ever heard two people who experience the same event and see, feel and describe it differently?

One person may learn and grow from a perceived ‘mistake’ and another will beat themselves up for days!

Within NLP you will see there are a wide range of effective tools and techniques that will help you to reprogramme your internal representation, this will enhance the options and choices available to you within your map of the world. This will allow you to unlock and free pathways creating powerful, quick, long lasting results and will manifest a more rewarding future for you.

What are the benefits of NLP coaching?

There is no limit to the application of NLP and it is clear to see that there are just too many benefits to write about here, however some considerations are that one of the principles within NLP is that people have all the resources they need to succeed and to achieve their desired outcomes. The role of a coach is to listen and help people connect with these resources finding the answers from within and bringing these answers to the surface where they can be converted into positive results.

I often hear people say “why didn’t I get that promotion, I have the experience and knowledge – I really feel I can do the job” and “I can’t believe I can’t lose weight I have been

really good all week”. If you know what you are aiming to achieve you are more likely to be successful. NLP coaching will help you to clearly, with sensory acuity, identify your outcomes and help get to the bottom of why sometimes we sabotage the achievement of the outcomes we desire.

People will often tell me that they feel more able to experience positive change and growth because one of the main benefits of NLP coaching is that they can achieve outcomes and success easily and quickly without discomfort and without having to relive and analyse painful memories. How nice does that sound?

So where is NLP used?

Because NLP is a catalyst for selfdevelopment and change it is widely used in many fields, in essence you’ll see it used for personal development and the achievement of outcomes in business, sports, health, training and education.

Where can I find out more?

If this has made you think about taking hold of your own development and fulfilling your potential, if you feel like hearing more or if you’d like to talk about how NLP could work but you are not sure who, or where to look, feel free to contact Helen at Starfish People. It is good practice to make sure you seek advice from a qualified NLP practitioner and of course asking for details of their previous client experiences and success stories is advisable. At Starfishpeople.com we are more than happy to help answer any questions you may have and at present we are inviting you to contact us for a free initial consultation.

Visit us at www.starfishpeople.com or call Helen on 07850 741787

0808 901 9042 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 57

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The story behind Searches UK Q&A with Searches UK Founder Andrew Stenning

buyers and sellers who we were all ultimately providing a service to.

Why was Searches UK first set up?

Whilst working as a practice manager at a law firm, I experienced a number of issues with the service we were receiving from our search provider. This was in part due to an upturn in the market, but nevertheless, I still felt that many of the issues we were struggling with would be easy enough to overcome. The more I thought about it, the more I felt that it would be possible to offer an alternative, and even better, search service – and so I looked into setting up Searches UK, left my position as a practice manager and the rest, as they say, is history.

Growth...

How has the business grown over the years?

Having set up Searches UK in 2008, just as the property market crashed and not long before HIPs were scrapped, we entered the property search industry in fairly turbulent waters. Sadly a number of well-respected competitors were unable to continue trading, but whilst others struggled, Searches UK not only survived, but actually grew.

We are now in our third office, having

I firmly believe that our success is directly linked to the quality of the staff we have, who are actively encouraged to progress their careers with us.

We also know that selling searches alone isn’t going to suffice in today’s competitive market. Conveyancers want more from their search provider than just a search report, which is why we have a number of additional benefits that we promote to our clients, such as access to white-labelled quotation, risk management and case management software, free CPD webinars and seminars, our unique reimbursement scheme, providing purchasers with numerous benefits when transactions fail to complete and risk and compliance assistance for COLPs. We work closely with our clients to ensure that they have all they need in terms of training for our online ordering platform, have the best pricing and payment terms, and have the most up to date information about the products, services and promotions that we have available.

What did you do before becoming MD of Searches UK? My career has always been in the Your clients/ property sector, having started my customers... working life as an estate agent and

progressing to running a number of Why do clients need your services? branches. I then moved to the other Conveyancing searches form part of side of the fence and spent many years the conveyancer’s due diligence and working for law firms, managing sales are required in any property purchase and marketing departments transaction. We are able before becoming a practice to offer our clients the “We are very proud of manager. My background option of either personal our profile page on www. gives me a unique advantage (regulated) or official of being able to understand (council) searches as well checkaprofessional.com, which the property process, from as all the other searches that shows us with an impressive both the seller’s and vendor’s may be required, for both overall score of 9.9 out of 10” viewpoint, as well as the agent’s residential and commercial and solicitor’s. This experience premises. We are also able really helped me when I was to offer electronic AML ID running a law firm as I was able to outgrown our previous two, and have checks, which is another part of the due understand many of the frustrations that a very loyal and strong team to help diligence required. the conveyancers felt when dealing support our clients.

with the agents and vice versa, and we

What makes you stand out from the were able to build stronger relationships What do you think are the main competition? with local agents as a result, which reasons behind the company’s We are not unique in this respect, as benefitted everyone, not least the success? our competitors offer some but not all

info@checkaprofessional.com 58 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

0808 901 9042

W re s g

If m in re to e to

T to h n u

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of the above. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and service, as well as the numerous ways we can add benefit to our clients’ own businesses.

We also take our risk and compliance obligations seriously, which we understand is of significant importance to our clients. We were instrumental in helping Legal Eye set up the Legal Eye Quality Standard to allow us to be assessed and recognised for our commitment in this area. We were also the first search company to have achieved the Legal Eye Quality Standard, which we have held for over three years.

We are very proud of our profile page on www.checkaprofessional.com, which shows us with an impressive overall

score of 9.9 out of 10 – all based on unbiased, independent and impartial feedback from our clients.

The future...

doing all we can to generate business, achieve high standards, keep our clients happy with our service and promote the personal search industry.

What’s in store for the company?

There are always conflicting news stories about the stability of the property market, interest rates rising and so on. Without a crystal ball, it’s never safe to assume or to predict. Having said that, I believe the future looks positive and Searches UK looks forward to continuing to grow and expand and help even more clients with their conveyancing searches.

One thing is for sure: we won’t stop

For more information call: 0845 241 1815 or visit: www.searchesuk.co.uk

Business Growth Grants - Coast to Capital & Greater Brighton City Region

Would you like to receive business support or grants to help grow your business?

If you run a small to medium sized business in the Coast to Capital region and you have plans to grow, you could be eligible for a grant of up to £250,000 The grants are designed to help businesses that have growth plans but need funding to help unlock their projects.

To discover more or find out when a

FREE advice

consulation is taking place in your area contact Hayley Shepherd

01403 333 840 or email

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Society

The artist Louise Dear with her work Brighton Belle

Review The Elephant in the Room Exhibition, Brighton Square Brighton painter Louise Dear, whose clients include Sir Elton John and Rick Stein, is putting on the exhibition Louise Dear and the Elephant in the Room at her pop-up gallery in Brighton Square.

Art lovers can peruse her paintings until August 3 as she renovates a life-size sculpture of a baby elephant called Tinkle.

She will let the public see the renovation to raise awareness for charity Elephant Family which works to protect elephants in Asia.

Kelly Mackay browsing the collection

Robin Cousins

Rachel Wilkins and Lama-Sea Dear

Mark Jenkins and Martin Jones

Photography Graham Franks Š

Stef Liberti and Martina Silla

Will and Jo Brooks

60 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Marika Chaplais and Ali Noyce from Elephant Family

Luca with Torben and Stefan

Chestnut Tree House celebrates amazing Pay for a Day campaign Mike Holland, Patron of Chestnut Tree House, announced today that the children’s hospice had raised over £1 million and paid for 150 days of care from the past three years of the charity’s Pay for a Day campaign.

It is almost exactly three years since the Pay for a Day initiative was successfully launched by Mike at the Best of British luncheon in Brighton.

To find out more about the Chestnut Tree House Pay for a Day scheme, please visit www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/ payforaday.

This year’s Snowman Spectacular Ball is already sold out but the Chestnut Tree House Team are looking for exciting and high quality ‘money can’t buy’ auction lots and prizes for their Giving Tree presents. If you can help please call 01903 871821, email snowman@ chestnut-tree-house.org.uk or visit www.thesnowmanspectacular.org.uk.

Melanie Wrightson from Gatwick Airport Ltd with Louise Forder from Thomas Eggar LLP

Members of Chestnut Tree House Events and Fundraising Team

Lisa Muschamp with Laurence Elphick Sue and Matt Berry, Miles Packham with Chestnut Tree House Linda Perry

Donna Goble & Pearl Lovell

Louise Forder from Thomas Eggar LLP

Keeping the fire going! Chestnut Tree House Jayne Todd

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Photography Graham Franks ©

Bob & Carol Warren

Home Grown Hero

Made In Sussex:

W Stirland

W. Stirland is a construction company based in the South East, built on the passion and determination of the coal miner who founded it 85 years ago…

Walter Stirland, born in 1900, started Brand working in the Focus Nottingham coalmines when he was just eight years old. Down in the mines he trained as a bricklayer, and it was this skill that took him on a journey to Southampton in 1923, where he recruited a small team of bricklayers and found success contracting to building companies. Soon, in 1925, he was able to move to Selsey, near Chichester, where he began buying small plots of land to build houses and bungalows before selling them on.

Just one year later he had made enough money to start an office in East Wittering, where he continued to build residential property speculatively. In 1934 he bought land on the Birdham Straight and built a pair of semi detached houses, one of which he used as his office and from here began branching out into building contracting as well as developing and carrying out work in the local area.

Walter’s hard work and graft formed the foundations of what is today, 86 years later, an award-winning company with a solid client base in Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire with a reputation for completing projects on time and to a high standard.

Walter’s son Robin then took the helm and today the company is managed by the third generation of the Stirland family, Robin’s son and Managing Director Shaun Stirland. Its core values, established all those years ago still remain the same today, to provide honesty, integrity, trust, a non-confrontational approach and a passion for delivering the very best quality workmanship at a reasonable price.

W. Stirland works on a wide range of projects, including residential,

62 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Walter Stirland

commercial, educational and health buildings among others. The majority of the company’s turnover is related to affordable housing and education in either the new build or refurbishment sector.

They say a company’s biggest asset is its staff, and in this case it’s true, as W. Stirland has a team of knowledgeable employees who are qualified to provide additional services such as in-house Code for Sustainable Homes Assessments.

Ian Pinington, Marketing Director, said: “Our staff come from all over the South East, enabling us to successfully service projects far and wide. 2014 and into 2015 will see unprecedented growth with turnover fast approaching £40m, the highest it has ever been.

“Despite this growth we are still a business that cares about our staff and clients. We are innovative and we carry out our business dealings in a nonconfrontational and ethical way.

“This growth has seen an expansion of our Birdham base and we are enjoying the benefits of a reinvigorated industry with a exciting range of projects in a variety of sectors being bid. This all bodes

well for the future of the company.”

While W. Stirland may be the best part of a century old, it’s certainly not letting itself fade into the ether as fresh new start-ups come on the scene and pump up the competition. Rebranding started earlier this year with a new logo design launched in May, keeping the heritage with the yellow and green colour scheme, but giving it a modern twist and feel with new graphics.

The company’s ethos too is strikingly modern, with sustainability at its core.

This isn’t just reflected in the company’s general activities but also in the products and materials it uses. Where possible W. Stirland uses local suppliers and subcontractors. The directors firmly believe in promoting local business. Currently 78% of all orders placed by the company go to businesses within a 30-mile radius of the project the order relates to.

If you would like to find out more about W.Stirland and the projects they work on, head to their website at www.wstirland.co.uk

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