Sussex Business Times - October 2014

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issue 381 FREE

INTEREST RATE RISES: HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS

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oF the BEST CORPORATE VENUEs IN SUSSEX

EXPERT

ADVICE FROM LOCAL SUSSEX BUSINESSes

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WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL sPEED

Europe: In or Out? we examine the influence the EU has over business in the UK, and how leaving could impact Sussex

It’s Dirty Business – But It Pays

Managing Director of Fresh Cleaning Services LTD explains how a few careful tactics turned his small corporate cleaning business into a growing success - Turn to page 31 to find out more

THE credible voice for the Sussex Business Community

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Carmyke Leasing Ltd

To speak with us please call 01323 834 560 or email sales@carmyke.co.uk Follow Us More great special offers online

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Urban 55.4 (5.1) ExtraUrban 76.3 (3.7) Combined 67.3 (4.2) CO2 Emissions 109 g/km

Citroen Berlingo Diesel

L1 1.6 HDi 75ps 625kg Enterprise Panel Van Inc Ply Lining

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Celebrating 20 Years of Trading in the South East

Figures correct at time of going to press & exclude VAT. Excess mileage, Termination & Vehicle condition charges may apply at the end of agreement. Consumption and emissions figures as published by UK VCA. Subject to status and in the UK only.

2 your www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Finance available from selected leading UK Financial Insitutions from which Carmyke Leasing may recieve commission. Carmyke Leasing is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. ‘Term’ based on initial monthly multiple payment followed by remainder of monthly payments.

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SBT Welcome MEET THE TEAM

Lee Mansfield, Managing Director/ Publisher

Zoe Thomas, Editor

Simon Skinner, Group Director

Clare Fermor, Operation Director

Jon Goodwin, Business Development Manager

Samantha Ash, Events Development Manager

Harriet Weston, Production Manager

Amy Watson, Design Assistant

Amelia Wellings, Accounts

Contributors

Graham Carn, Financial Editor

Rob Clare, Director Christina Ewbank of Innovation Chief Executive of Capital Limited ACES

Serena May, Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer at Director of The HR Dept British Hospitality Association

Malcolm Fleming, MJ Fire Protection

As summer teases us with the last dregs of sunshine, it’s time to start using that dreaded C-word again. Yes, Christmas is approaching and for many businesses – especially those in retail, hospitality and tourism, the time is ripe for making initial preparations. In between decorating shop fronts, devising menus, ordering Christmas stock and making sure enough hands are on deck to cover the busy festive period, it’s important to take a breather and reward your team for all their hard work over the year. In this issue we preview some of the best Christmas party venues in Sussex, from snug pubs and country hotels to big parties with extravagant themes. However you choose to celebrate this year, a festive party is a great way to boost employee morale over this particularly stressful period.

Our special report in this issue focuses on the all-important EU debate, with commentary from Director of Innovation Capital Rob Clare and Director of HR Department Serena May, who speculate on how leaving the EU could affect business in Sussex.

Elsewhere in this issue we have the usual reviews, events, expert Q&As and interviews. If you happen to be in search of a great curry in Brighton, check out Simon Skinner’s Working Lunch review on page 42, and catch up on all the important financial news from the month in Graham Carn’s roundup on page 21.

As you may have noticed, the gloss is back on our newlook cover design, created by our in-house production team.

We are always looking for ways to improve the magazine and continue our 40 year heritage as the best independent business title in Sussex, so please submit any feedback or ideas to zoe@sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Enjoy your read!

e Simon Hoadley, Director Hoadley Wealth Management

Paul Maynard, Stewart Pierce, Partner of Gaby Financial and Hardwick Solicitors Commercial Director at Parker Building Supplies

Zoe Thomas Editor

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Contents SBT Issue 381

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SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

issue 381 FRee

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INTErEST raTE

rISES: HoW To PrEPArE your buSinESS

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of THE bEST corPorATE vEnuES in SuSSEx

ExPErT

AdvicE from locAl SuSSEx buSinESSES

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WE TAKE A cloSEr looK AT THE BENTlEY coNTINENTal SpEEd

EUropE: IN or oUT? wE EXaMINE ThE INflUENcE ThE EU haS ovEr BUSINESS IN ThE UK, aNd how lEavINg coUld IMpacT SUSSEX

It’s DIrty BusIness – But It Pays

Managing Director of Fresh Cleaning Services LTD explains how a few careful tactics turned his small corporate cleaning business into a growing success - Turn to page 31 to find out more

THE crEdiblE voicE for THE SuSSEx buSinESS communiTy

David Cameron, Prime Minister © Stavros Damos | Dreamstime.com

Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Group Director: Simon Skinner simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk Operations Director: Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk Business Development Manager: Jon Goodwin jon@sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk Events Development Manager Samantha Ash samanthaah@outlook.com Editorial: Zoe Thomas zoe@lifemediagroup.co.uk Production Manager: 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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News

View the latest local and national business headlines

Spending it In business, image matters. Boost yours with these sophisticated gadgets and acessories

Events in Sussex We take a look at the latest business events in and around Sussex

Money Matters Interest rates rise: How to prepare your business, Graham Carn explains...

Scottish Referendum The government’s promised settlement could have a long-term effect on share prices and the value of the pound

It’s Dirty Business - But it Pays Lee Mansfield explains how a few careful tactics turned his small corporate cleaning business into a growing success

Europe: In or Out? SBT examines the influence the EU has over business in the UK, and how leaving could impact Sussex

Hotel Review We review the charming Spread Eagle Hotel in Midhurst

Restaurant Review SBT’s Simon Skinner heads to Brighton for a business lunch at the Indian Summer curry restaurant

Chamber of Commerce News All the latest news and events from ACES

Motoring SBT previews three new cars: the Bentley Continental Speed, the BMW 2 Series Convertible and the Porsche Mecan S Diesel

Ask the Experts Seven local business experts advise on relevant issues

Made in Sussex This month’s home grown hero is Simply Sussex Produce

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SBTLocal News East Sussex Students Win Top Engineering Scholarship

Two students from East Sussex have been named among the UK’s brightest young engineers after winning prestigious scholarships from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Charlotte Gilmore, 18, from Burgess Hill School for Girls, has won the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Undergraduate Scholarship which will contribute £2,000 per year towards her Engineering degree at the University of Bath.

Jennifer Shepherd, 18, from Heathfield, received the Land Rover Spen King Sustainability Award, which will subsidise £2,000 per year towards her Engineering degree at the University of Cambridge www.imeche.org

New Appointment at Moore Stephens On 1st October Louise Hastings was appointed an Associate Partner of Moore Stephens South at their Chichester office. Louise started as a trainee at the office in 2003 and has worked her way through the firms career development programme to reach her current position. She specialises in dealing with the affairs of family owned businesses and has recently joined the firms specialist Acadamies team. Louise said: “I am delighted with my promotion and looking forward to working with our clients across our 5 offices in the South.” Managing Partner Andrew Henshaw said: “It’s very satisfying that our career development programme is working so well and has the flexibility to cope with maternity absences as Louise has just returned after the birth of her second child”.

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Angmering Pub Wins South and South East in Bloom Award A Punch Taverns pub located in Angmering, Littlehampton, has been named as the 2014 South and South East in Bloom Pub of the Year.

The Spotted Cow, situated on High Street, received the award after being voted as the best pub in the entire region. The judging was based on the pub garden and all other aspects of the pub including entertainment, food and drink.

The awards presentation took place on 17th September at Brighton’s Amex Stadium and it was announced there that the Spotted Cow had beaten off over 200 pubs to win the award. Pubs

from Dorset to Kent and up into Surrey took part in the event that was running for the second year in a row.

Michael Collis, Landlord at the Spotted Cow, was delighted with the achievement: “We are thrilled to have won this award. We have put so much effort in across the last 12 months to try and improve on our last year’s runners-up position, so we are all really pleased,” he said. “We kept our standards very high with the addition of new plants to the garden, and now we are already preparing for next year’s competition! www.spottedcowangmering.co.uk

From Brighton City College to Microsoft A former Games Design student at City College Brighton and Hove has won a place on Microsoft’s exclusive accelerator programme, Microsoft Ventures. Isaac Howie-Brewerton, 22, is now Creative Director of games company Pixel Blimp, one of only 12 companies to be selected to take part in the 14-week workshop in London - which could result in an opportunity to pitch to top venture capitalists and investors.

To win its place, Pixel Blimp had to compete in a three-minute pitch competition, and answer questions from an industry panel of judges and entrepreneurs. Isaac says: “This opportunity means an exciting new chapter for our company, because it’s given us the resources to upscale our development and deliver larger, better

products. The access to established industry veterans as mentors is allowing us to gain insight into the industry that we wouldn’t otherwise get.”

Supportive and encouraging mentors Pixel Blimp specialises in innovative games for children. The team has already scooped multiple awards including a prize in the Microsoft Beautiful Games competition and the UK Microsoft Imagine Cup for Best Game.

SBTLocal News Positivity and Confidence amongst Gatwick Diamond Companies Summer may have passed but the economic forecast for the Gatwick Diamond is bright and getting better, according to a Business Barometer survey by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative.

“This survey shows Gatwick Diamond businesses feel that, in every sense of the phrase, they’re in a good place at the moment and one that’s going to get even better,” said Rosemary French, Gatwick Diamond Initiative Executive Director. “It also shows our work is helping to address the needs of the area and ensuring it is a world-class place to live, work and do business.”

When asked about their economic outlook, nearly 80 per cent of respondents said they expected their

company’s turnover to expand in the next six months. More than 50 per cent also reported that they expected their staffing levels to rise over a similar period, and just under half said they did not expect to need to consolidate and reduce business costs in the coming half year.

It would also seem that businesses in the Gatwick Diamond are increasingly self-sufficient, with fewer than 17 per cent saying they had sought external finance to support or expand their business in the previous three months. www.gatwickdiamond.co.uk

Golfers Help Local Youngsters The Starr Trust is delighted with the success of its third annual Golf Day, which was held on September 10th at the East Brighton Golf Course, where an incredible £5,606 was raised to help young people aged 10-18 in the BN postcode area.

More than 50 golfers signed up to play this 18-hole course, specially designed for the event where each hole was sponsored by a local business. www.starrtrust.com

Midnight Shortlisted for Fresh PR Award Brighton-based Midnight Communications has been shortlisted for a national PR award for its work with Arundel Castle in West Sussex. The winner of the ‘Freshest Media Relations Campaign’ will be announced in Manchester on 30th October.

Midnight was appointed in February 2013 to conduct the PR campaign for Arundel Castle. The campaign has been linked to an 8.5% increase in visitor numbers through driving awareness of the castle on a regional, national and international level.

Castle Manager, Bryan McDonald,

commented: “Midnight has secured exceptional coverage for us across a broad range of media, in the national newspapers, regional publications, and women’s magazines as well as with the travel trade and coach & group operators in particular. I am certain that the tireless efforts of the team at Midnight contributed significantly to our visitor numbers increasing by 25% over the 2014 Easter weekend.”

Decision Makers Meet to Discuss Regional Growth More than 125 regional business leaders and policy makers met to focus on strategies for growth at the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Forum held on 25 September at Worthing College. The Forum meets every six months and brings together policy-makers, business leaders and educationalists from West Sussex, Brighton and Lewes, Croydon, East Surrey and the Gatwick Diamond.

With innovation being the key theme, the speaker line-up included: renowned architect David Marks, joint founder of the London Eye company and i360 tower

in Brighton and Trevor Beattie, Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park Authority. Both initiatives are strongly supported by Coast to Capital.

Tim Wates, Coast to Capital Chairman, said at the Forum: “I am delighted to see there are so many innovative businesses in this room, whose achievements demonstrate our modern, expanding economy.” He also emphasised the importance of collaboration between

the private, public and voluntary sectors which he added “will become increasingly important in the future as we implement progressive, socially inclusive and environment-friendly economic activities.”

Ron Crank, Chief Executive, spoke about Coast to Capital’s progress: “Since we embarked on our journey in 2011, Coast to Capital has come a long way.

This is highlighted by the Government’s decision to invest £202 million across our region for housing, flood defences, transport infrastructure and business support. Here we are today with a clear vision, road-map and funding.”

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Celebrate Christmas Christmas Party Nights

Private Christmas Parties

Enjoy the party atmosphere at our fun and vibrant Christmas Party Nights.

Why not meet for drinks in our dedicated Bar, and then take your seats for a delicious three course choice dinner accompanied by 1/2 a bottle of wine per person and a disco. £39.95 per person

Enjoy the quintessentially British office party this festive season and benefit from exclusive hire of one of our flexible function rooms accommodating 40 to 800 guests.

From £28.00+vat per person

Christmas Day Lunch in the Waterhouse Restaurant

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner

Dine in the grandeur of the Waterhouse Restaurant with its large picture windows providing stunning sea views and live entertainment.

A glass of sparkling wine will be waiting for you on arrival.

Lunch is a carvery and served from 12:45pm.

Children £45.00 per child aged 5-12, £30.00 per child aged 4 and under, Adults £89.95

E hilton.com/brightonmet H Hilton Brighton Metropole, Kings Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 2FU

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Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with an evening to remember.

Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine at our festive reception then relax and enjoy a four-course gourmet menu before dancing the night away to our handpicked live entertainment. £85.00 per person

F facebook.com/hilton.b.metropole T twitter.com/brightonmet

For more information or to book, please call the Christmas Coordinator on 01273 720710 or email enquiries.brightonmet@hilton.com

SBTNational News The Prime Minister has pledged to cut taxes for 30 million people if his party wins next year’s general election.

In an impassioned speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham earlier this month, Cameron said he would raise the tax-free allowance from £10,500 to £12,500 by 2020 to back people who ‘do the right thing’.

Cameron also said he would raise the threshold for the 40p income tax rate from £41,900 to £50,000 by the end of a five year Conservative government.

If the tax reform proposals came into fruition, one million of the lowest-paid individuals would pay no income tax ‘Nothing, zero, zilch,’ he said.

While this is a way of addressing the problem many low-earners face of prices rising more quickly than wages, it has attracted criticism for putting more people in the 40% tax bracket, even though they would not consider themselves well off.

Cameron also promised a ‘crackdown on zero hours contracts’ where the employer is not obliged to provide the worker with any minimum working hours, and the worker is not obliged to accept any of the hours offered.

“If our economic plan for the past four

World Economic Forum/Moritz Hager ©

David Cameron Promises Tax Cuts for ‘30 Million People’

years has been about our country, and saving it from economic ruin, our plan for the next five years will be about you and your family and helping you get on,” he said.

Cameron’s colleagues were quick to give praise, with Chancellor George

UK Farmers Encouraged to Spread Overseas Farmers are being offered incentives to explore new overseas markets for their products.

According to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), increasing numbers of food and drink businesses are realising the benefits of export.

Despite high competition in the international marketplace, demand for British-made products remains high.

The FDF is running a Food and Drink Export Month with a series of events to help UK farmers identify new opportunities, overcome red tape and find practical advice.

One farm owner, Charles Baughan of Westaway’s in Newton Abbot, Devon, sends pallets of sausages all the way to the Mediterranean, Far East and Falkland Islands.

He said: “For a brand such as

Westaway Sausages, exports mean a great deal more than just increased sales. Exporting our products around the world exposes us to new markets and new consumers with different tastes and requirements. This helps us to constantly innovate and improve our products in a way which benefits both markets at home and abroad.”

As much as 7% of his annual turnover comes from exports, he added.

Osbourne describing it on Twitter as the best speech the Prime Minister had ever given, and Chief Whip Michael Gove calling it an ‘absolutely fantastic’ address. Ed Miliband however said Cameron was offering ‘vague, pie-in-the sky commitments.’

Virgin Money Prepares for £2bn Float The long-awaited flotation of Virgin Money business is expected to return as much as £50 million to the tax payer, helping to pay back money agreed in its purchase of Northern Rock three years ago.

The company, which provides saving, mortgages and credit cards to 2.8 million customers, will begin trading its shares this month.

The business has been valued at £2bn and the floatation is expected to raise as much as £150 million.

In addition, employees will each be awarded £1,000 worth of shares. www.uk.virginmoney.com

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SBTNational News UK Service Sector Slowing

Britain’s hairdressers, hotels and restaurants saw less activity in September, according to the latest survey undertaken by Markit and CIPS PMI. This is the latest sign that economic recovery is slowing across the country. The headline index measuring activity in service businesses such as hotels and hairdressers fell to 58.7 in September rom 60.5 the previous month.

Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit, said: “September’s PMI surveys suggest that the UK most likely enjoyed another spell of above-trend economic growth in the third quarter, but the recovery appears to be losing its legs.”

Williamson said that with all sectors looked at together, overall UK growth in the third quarter slowed to 0.8% from 0.9% from Q2.

“Although still strong, the expansion of services activity in September was in fact the weakest since June, and the worry is that slower growth in the manufacturing sector, will feed through to a further slowdown in service sector growth,” he said.

New Programme Launched to Raise Call Centre Standards Customer service satisfaction across the UK’s call centres has fallen over the last 18 months from 62% to 50% according to research from two million consumers.

To improve standards and help safeguard the industry, a new customer service standard – called the Gold Standard – was launched in London.

Supported by the industry’s leading association, the Call Centre Management Association (CCMA), the standard will help companies improve customer service, operational performance and staff engagement by benchmarking their service levels against best practice.

The study found that the proportion of customers saying they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their experience had declined from 62% to 50% over 18 months.

The call centre customers surveyed were within every sector of the economy – including banking and insurance, telecoms, retail, energy and travel and leisure.

Research has shown that there is a strong link between good customer service and profits, with knowledgeable

and effective call centre advisors helping companies increase sales by 10%.

Simon Thorpe, Programme Director for the Gold Standard, said: “Frustrations within the call centre industry run deep – from consumers being unhappy, to employees feeling aggravated and the executive seeing the call centre as a cost centre.

Technology and training are available to help improve performance, but is not necessarily applied where it is needed most.”

GoPro Shares Plummet After Charity Donation Shares in wearable action camera manufacturer GoPro dropped after Chief Executive and his wife Jill made the shock announcement that they had given $500 million worth of shares to a charity.

After the announcement was made, investors dumped their stock and shares dropped as much as 14% in New York trading.

The company went public in June and

has since seen its share price quadruple said 5.8 million Class A shares has been exempted from its lock-up period, which ended in December.

JPMorgan Chase & Co., the lead banker for the company’s initial public offering in June, gave GoPro early authorisation to donate their shares to charity - this made the transaction more tax-efficient.

Bigger iPhones…Bigger Pockets Fashion retailers are adapting to new technologies by making pockets bigger to fit devices such as the recently launched iPhone 6.

Retailer Uniqlo said: “We are having conversation currently with the

product development team regarding technology overall, and how our clothes can provide compatibility from a user perspective. Jean pockets is one of those conversations.”

Levi is another designer evolving

Putting you in the driving seat

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All shares went to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

GoPro is introducing new camera models in the coming months, including higherend models which are expected to drive further sales and cause shares to rise. with the times. A spokesperson for the company said: “Without being iPhone 6-specific, our mantra, like [Steve Jobs’], will always be to design products that make people’s lives a little better.”

A new term ‘phablet’ has been coined to name this new generation of smartphone-tablet hybrids.

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COMING SOON 12 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Spending It

First Impressions Count In business, image matters. Boost yours with these sophisticated gadgets and acessories

iPhone 6 Plus Discover the new iPhone 6 Plus with iOS 8. Experience the biggest advancements in iPhone history with it largest and thinest design yet, 5.5 inch from £619. http://store.apple.com/uk

CREDIT CARD HOLDER Expertly hand-stitched by our master craftsmen, featuring a slot on the front, three on the reverse, and a main central pocket, this is an extremely efficient piece perfect for everyday use – saving you the bulk of a full wallet. GTO London. £100 www.gtolondon.com

Michael Kors Watch CUFF LINKS Sterling-silver cuff links are inspired by the Borrani ‘Triple Ear’ wheel spinner, a component of many iconic sports cars, including Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romero and Aston Marti. GTO London. £65. www.gtolondon.com

This Michael Kors Lexington ladies watch is crafted from gold plated stainless steel and is powered by a quartz chronograph movement.

Brufords. £229. www.inspiredbybrufords.com

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Spending It

Rachel Galley Molto Necklace This centre piece necklace is very weighty and tactile, with individually moving strands of sterling silver it is a very feminine stunning piece of timeless and wearable jewellery. Brufords. £365, www.inspiredbybrufords.com

Hugo Boss Chronograph Watch Jasper Conran Purse

This Hugo Boss Gents Watch comes complete with a luxurious stainless steel bracelet and case.

An understated time piece. Brufords. £350. www.inspiredbybrufords.com

This designer purse is made from luxurious leather with gold metal details. It has a square twist lock fastening to the front and popper flip out compartment with 11 card slots.

Debenhams, £35. www.debenhams.com

Luxury Pure Wool 2 Button Dinner Suit When the dress code is set to ‘impress’, nothing but a sharp tailored suit will do.

Perfect for stylish black tie and formal events. Marks & Spencer. £199.

www.marksandspencer.com

Monster Mobile PowerCard

Digital radio

Perfectly sized for carrying in your wallet or purse, the Monster PowerCard is perfect for emergency charging on the go. This convenient portable battery charger connects to your smartphone via USB to provide a quick and easy recharge. £34.95, www.johnlewis.com

With an in-vogue vintage look, the Emma Bridgewater Black Toast Retro radio features all the latest technology and functionality for unbeaten audio quality. £129. Exclusively from Apple and Emma Bridgewater. www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

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Spending It

GRID IT! Designed to provide endless configurations of objects, digital devices and personal effects, GRID-IT!® is as versatile as life itself! £15.95. www.cocooninnovations.com

Nespresso CitiZ A union of high technology and retro-modern design, the compact dimension of CitiZ fits perfectly into all environments. Nespresso. £149. www.nespresso.com

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Introducing the best of Sony’s TV and sound technologies, in the world’s slimmest and lightest waterproof tablet.

Sony. £399.

White Sheer Panel Shirt

www.sony.co.uk

When the heat is on this season stay cool and casual with a floaty blouse and accessorize with some statement jewellery for a refined chic look. £20. www.simplybe.co.uk

Dune Braker mens shoes Build a country-style outfit with the Braker brogues by teaming them with a pair of cord trousers and tweed jacket. Dune. £95. www.dune.co.uk

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October

Business Events In Sussex About:

Best4Biz

Date & Time: Wednesday 8th October 2014, 12:30 onwards Location: Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield Price: Free Contact: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ best4biz-business-east-sussex-takeaway-tickets-12508319721

16 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Best4Biz was a free day-long business conference run jointly by ACES and East Sussex County Council, sponsored by The Sussex Business Times and SME Commission.

A networking lunch in Buxted Park Hotel’s Orangery was followed by talks from keynote speakers, thought-provoking break-out sessions and a ‘question time’ panel event. All attendees left with a Chandlers BMW goody bag filled with ideas to benefit businesses.

• Networking lunch from 12.30pm • Exhibitors from 12.30pm throughout the day • Keynote Speakers from 2pm - First breakout sessions from 3pm • Second breakout sessions from 4pm • Wrap-up and Expert Panel from 5pm • Drinks and canapés from 6.30pm A full review of the event will feature in our next issue.

Sussex Events & Networking

About:

Billibiz-The Show Date & Time: Thursday 16th October 2014, 10:30 - 13:30 Location: Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield Price: Free Contact: www.billibiztheshow.co.uk

BilliBiz – The Show is a free-toattend Business to Business event showcasing the diverse range of businesses, products and services in and around Billingshurst. BilliBiz – The Show offers a wealth of opportunity, advice and information crucial for ongoing business growth within a challenging economy.

The aim of BilliBiz – The Show is to shine the spotlight on local businesses, to encourage small business networks, enhance business co-operation and maximise local trade.

The event welcomes businesses from a cross-section of industries, and remains more committed than ever in providing you with everything needed to improve, evolve and expand your business.

This year, 2014, BilliBiz – The Show is celebrating its 4th year.

Over the past three editions, the event has demonstrated its relevance and importance for Billingshurst local businesses and economy.

BilliBiz – The Show is the flagship Business Event organised by the very active Billingshurst Chamber of Commerce which represents the interests of over 80 members and welcomes new members to join so that we can speak with greater authority, and represent an even larger proportion of the business community in the Billingshurst area.

About: Event: Platinum Club Meeting Date & Time: Thursday 23rd October 2014, 6:30pm Location: Grand Hotel, Brighton Price: Membership Contact: www.theplatinumclubbrighton.co.uk

The Platinum Club is a networking club inviting businesses to network at various relaxed events around Sussex.

Only four people per industry are accepted to ensure as many sectors as possible are represented at each event.

17 Putting you www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk in the driving seat

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Sussex Events & Networking

Date & Time: Thursday 30th October 2014, 10am - 4pm Location: Sussex Coast College, Hastings Price: Free Contact: www.letsdobusiness.org/hastings

Let’s Do Business

The Athena Network Launch Date & Time: Thursday 23rd October 2014, 12:00 - 14:30 Location: Haywards Heath Golf Club Price: £24 Contact: www.theathenanetwork.co.uk

About: The Athena Network is a national networking group for female entrepreneurs and business women.

They help to raise the profile of our members while providing training and support so they can be the very best they can in and out of their professional lives.

They are looking for ladies in the West Sussex area to join them for a very special launch event, and discover what makes

18 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Athena so special. Their events not only provide you with networking opportunities but a fabulous lunch and the opportunity to become part of their supportive community.

They also include networking and business training as part of its meetings with additional optional social and business events.

If you would like to help sculpt this new group and become one of their founding members then please do get in touch.

About: Launched in 2003, the Hastings show is organised by the Let’s Do Business Group.

The 2013 exhibition - attracting over 1000 visitors - united all sectors of business, providing a unique platform to communicate with motivated owners, directors and entrepreneurs under one roof.

Let’s Do Business provides a cost-effective platform to: • Network with key business people under one roof • Receive specialist business advice • Meet prospective suppliers

A visit to Let’s Do Business will help you build your networks, raise your profile and help you to return to your office refreshed and inspired.

Businesses can hire exhibition space starting at £205+VAT to benefit from: • Promoting brand to a targeted audience • Generating quality sales leads • Identifying and understanding the needs of customers • Networking with like-minded businesses • Gaining valuable competitor intelligence • Launching new products or services.

Sussex Events & Networking

About:

Vacuum & Photonics Technology Conference & Exhibition

Tec 66 is a conference and exhibition covering: High Vacuum/ Ultra High Vacuum Technology and Photonics which attracts delegates from all over the world to see the latest innovations and applications within the high technology sector. Hastings and East Sussex based businesses have been at the forefront of these sectors for decades.

Tec 66 will have a number of workshops featuring key speeches from industry experts across the sciences. Industry experts have suggested the speakers for the day which will make for really interesting workshops.

Date & Time: Monday 27th October 2014, 8:30 - 16:30 Location: Sussex Coast College, Hastings Price: Free Contact: www.tec66.co.uk

Wealden Expo 2014 About:

Date & Time: Wednesday 15th October 2014, 9am Location: State Hall, Heathfield Price: Free Contact: www.wealdenbusinessexpo.co.uk

The Wealden Expo 2014 has been organised by the Heathfield Chamber of Commerce to promote businesses in the area.

Due to the large number of thriving businesses in and around the town, the event is being held to showcase products and services, while encouraging local businesses to network. Last year the event was branded ‘a huge

success’ and it is hoped this year’s will be even better.

If you are a local business, you are invited to take a stand at the show to showcase your products and services. You may also get to make new business contacts and find new suppliers from sectors such as accounting and IT. There will also be a number of seminars run to help businesses look at ways of cost-saving.

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Money Matters

n.

Interest Rate Rises: How to Prepare Your Business - Graham Carn, Finance Editor It is clear that the time where the long Financial predicted interest Advice rate increases is growing shorter, and whether it is this year or early into 2015, the inevitability is almost upon us. Despite most SMEs knowing higher interest rates are coming – just how prepared are they? Do you know how the rise could affect your business, and are you ready for it when it comes?

Although most commentators are now factoring in a rise early in 2015, it’s possible we might see increases earlier. A Scottish ‘Yes’ vote may well have precipitated an earlier upward movement but irrespective of when, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), many businesses are illprepared for a future interest rate rise, with their research highlighting that nearly two thirds (65%) of businesses had not put any measures in place to deal with rising interest rates. The Bank

of England is suggesting that a base rate of 2.5% was likely to be the ‘new normal’. It is never too late to make sure you’re ready, so here are some key areas to consider as ways to prepare your business: Examine your cash flow Paying higher rates on any borrowing or debt has the potential to have a knock-on effect on your cash flow, so have a close look at that. Conversely, if you have a lot of cash accumulated, higher rates might mean savings start

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to work harder for you. Either way, cash flow is something you will need to be focusing on. “The risk of imminent and future rates rises is something that businesses should not ignore and should look to plan for accordingly,” explains Phil Orford, Chief Executive of the Forum of Private Business. “This will include assessing how this may affect their future cash flow projections, fees on existing debt repayments, business development plans and even their customer’s ability to pay on time”. If a supplier is feeling the interest rate pinch it could, in turn, become your problem: they might become unable to meet their commitments, or feel the only way to respond is to pass on the rise in their costs. To that end, it makes sense to be renegotiating any supplier deals or contracts sooner rather than later. Denis Baker, Chief Executive of Company Watch, points out: “Our research also shows that one in five companies in the UK has interest rate commitments that absorb more than 90% of their operating profits. It is therefore critical to model the impact of interest rate rises on key suppliers and customers, especially those that are financed by high levels of debt.”

Consider making refinancing a priority As far back as last summer, the Ernst & Young ITEM Club was warning businesses that they need to be factoring a future rise in interest rates into their projections. “Those that are carrying debt will see their repayments rise, while those who offer credit may see late payment increase as their clients struggle with their own repayments,” it warned.

The expectation is that rates could rise to 2.5% over the medium term (3 years) and 5% over the longer term (10 years). Therefore, to use a very simplistic example, if you’ve borrowed £100,000, then a 2% rise on the 0.5% base rate (and assuming the full increase is passed on) could result in accruing additional interest of up to £2,100 while a hike to 5% could be as much as £4,600. As Company Watch’s Baker has argued, revisiting and, if possible, renegotiating any debt or finance needs to be a priority.

“Companies are strongly advised to model the impact of interest rate

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increases of 0.25% and higher on projected profits and cash flow.

Clearly, where there is the opportunity to strike a deal ahead of an interest rate rise with lenders, this should be top priority. Other lenders might be prepared to provide a better deal to win business, so these alternatives should be explored,” he says. Lastly, if you’re planning to replace or purchase new vehicles or equipment it is also worth examining if you are maximising all allowances and incentives, including the Annual Investment Allowance capital tax allowance.

Look at your mortgage If you’ve fixed your commercial mortgage already, you may be able to sit back, but if you’re on a standard or variable deal (and assuming you’re no longer at the mercy of an expensive tie-in period), now may be the moment to approach your lender. The same is also true for your personal mortgage arrangements.

“The risk of imminent and future rates rises is something that businesses should not ignore and should look to plan for accordingly”

£ Money Matters

foreign capital and, in turn, cause the exchange rate to rise. Even small interest rate rises could have a significant knock-on effect on importers and exporters and is something they need to plan for. It is not an area that might immediately spring to mind, but the link between interest rates and exchange rates – and the value of the pound – is important.

“If you are borrowing money, it makes sense to review your finances and see how they will be impacted by a rate rise.

If you are, for example, on a variable deal would you be better off switching to one that is fixed?” advises the ICAEW’s Lewis.

Don’t assume it’s just about you It’s not just your business that will be affected by higher interest rates, it will be your suppliers and, potentially, your customers too. Higher interest rates, as we have seen, increase the cost of debt while also making saving more attractive. Both could have a knockon effect on consumer spending.

Similarly, if your suppliers have built their business models on the cheap money seen since 2009, then rising rates could be a potential problem for them. Small companies with little or no access to market funding could be at the biggest risk of an interest rate shock, the ICAEW’s April research warned, especially if rates rise faster than expected.

Rethink your savings strategy Low interest rates have been the bane of savers ever since rates crashed to 0.5%. If they are set to creep back up, things may finally be on the turn. If you’re a business sitting on cash, it’s going to be important to review your savings as well as any debt or financing, argues the ICAEW’s Lewis. “If you are saving money for the long term, a rise in interest rates could be important. You will need to be thinking carefully about where is the best place to be leaving your money, where are you going to get the best return?”.

Exchange rates could be affected For businesses that trade internationally (and even if you don’t your suppliers or customers may do) interest rates, inflation and exchange rates are all inter-linked. Higher interest rates in certain countries could offer lenders a higher return than in other countries. Therefore, higher interest rates could attract

On the acquisition trail? Go for it According to the Office for National Statistics, merger and acquisition activity is still some way off returning to what it was pre-downturn but, as the economic outlook improves, so too should the appetite for deals and acquisitions. Finance and therefore interest rates will be an important part of this. Clive Lewis, Head of Enterprise at ICAEW, argues that if you do have an acquisition target in mind, it makes sense to get on and conclude the transaction before any change in interest rates add uncertainty, or extra cost, to the mix. “If you are not borrowing right now, do you anticipate needing to do so in the future, perhaps to fund an acquisition? If so, then maybe you should be thinking about doing it sooner rather than later so that you get the funding in place before rates go up,” he explains.

Finally - don’t panic It should also be borne in mind that interest rates can be something of a blunt instrument in economic terms: their effect tends to take a while to filter through into the wider economy, often as long as 18 months. The Bank has also made it clear that, while rises are on the way, they will be “limited and gradual”. Not all industries will be affected in the same way and, in the current competitive economic climate, it’s not even a given that banks will automatically want to pass on interest rate rises immediately. Moreover, there are important factors beyond interest rates that can affect consumer confidence, such as inflation, wages, job security or simply a general feeling of returning economic wellbeing.

Therefore, while it makes sense to do all of the above and prepare for the end of the era of ultra-low interest rates, the prospect of higher rates should not be a cause for panic.

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Graham Carn, SBT Financial Editor

Money Matters

Financial Round-Up

A brief look at some of the current news and issues affecting SMEs in Sussex SMEs Paying their Staff Enough?

11,000 UK Companies, Currently Classified as ‘MediumSized’, are to be Reclassified as Small for Accounting Purposes

A recent survey from YouGov has found that half of all employees felt their bosses could afford to pay them more. Most say their pay has failed to keep up with inflation.

Of those whose employer does not pay them the “living wage” rate of £7.65 per hour (as opposed the national minimum wage of £6.50) 79% think their employer can afford to pay it. Almost three fifths of employees said that the pay gap between top and bottom was too big.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The clear message from this poll is not just that Britain needs a pay rise, but that it can afford it too.”

The EU has issued a directive, the full implementation details of which will be discussed in full later this year, that businesses whose balance sheets total no more than €4m (£3.17m), with net turnover no more than €8m (£6.35m), for the current and preceding year will now be defined as “small”.

Danielle Stewart, Head of Financial reporting at Baker Tilly, said: “The proposals in the consultation document are in line with the Government’s promise, made in the Red Tape Challenge, to reduce the overall burden of regulation.” The estimate of time gained, which would be otherwise lost to paper work, is

Lack of Knowledge of Exporting Processes, Difficulty and Costs, are Preventing SMEs from Accessing Important Markets UPS, the global shipping and logistics business, has released a report which has found that SMEs in the UK and Europe as a whole do not tend to export abroad because of perceived risk and admin burden. Concerns felt by SMEs surveyed were mostly fear of lost or damaged goods and lack of knowledge of export processes.

Lack of knowledge about the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) – a trade agreement in negotiation between the EU and US, which could reduce custom and tax barriers to EU SMEs - was a big

part of the problem. The UK and Germany were the most optimistic about exporting. Germany SMEs were most aware of TTIP, at 47 per cent; meanwhile, UK awareness was only 11 per cent. Of those surveyed up to 81% of SMEs thought their exporting activity would not change within the next year. However, Cindy Miller, President of UPS Europe, said European SMEs need to take advantage of opportunities abroad.

The vast majority of shipments sent by surveyed SMEs are for domestic and EU markets.

expected to be worth as much as £8m for affected businesses. The measures announced at the beginning of September will make it into UK law no later than July 20th, 2015.

Currently, businesses must submit a profit and loss account, and notes from their financial statements.

The detail depends on the size of the business. Business Minister Jo Swinson said: “Any measures that cut red tape and allow more flexibility for financial reporting are a step in the right direction. All our companies should be concentrating on growing their business, not spending their time filling out paperwork.”

Two Thirds of Mid-Sized Businesses are Planning to Take on more Staff in the Next Twelve Months Figures from Vistage suggest that 67% of MDs and owners of midsized firms plan to take on more employees.

The survey paints a very positive picture in general of business sentiment, with 80% anticipating increasing revenues and 62% improving profitability.

Three quarters said that economic conditions are an improvement on a year ago.

UK E-Tailers - New EU VAT Rule Changes will Impact on how SMEs do Business are Less than Four Months Away The 2015 changes will require merchants to identify where their end customer is located by collecting two pieces of non-conflicting evidence and applying the correct VAT rate for that customer’s Member State regime.

There are also additional compliance obligations around reporting VAT receipts, storing information on VAT transactions for 10 years and ensuring compliance with VAT regimes across the EU. E-service merchants

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who do not comply with the new rules, are liable for potential heavy non-compliance penalties in the jurisdiction of the Member State in which they have infringed the VAT laws.

5

Corporate Venues

Top Christmas Party Venues in Sussex

It may still be T-shirt, flipflops and al fresco dining Venues weather, but October is here and soon enough the Indian summer will be replaced by crisp frosty mornings and dark chilly nights. For many businesses the approach of winter means only one thing: the festive season is nearly here and preparations need to begin. For retailers it’s nearly time to prepare Christmasthemed displays and order stock in time

for the deluge of shoppers (at least the organised ones), while restaurateurs and publicans will be introducing festive foods and mulled drinks to their menus.

As we all head full-throttle into the festive season, it’s time to start putting the feelers out for good venues and great deals on Christmas parties. Employee morale is important, and Christmas is an ideal excuse to give it a boost with a few glasses of bubbly and a jaunty Christmas hat. Forget sausage rolls, weak punch and ancient ‘Now That’s What I Call’ CDs

Corporate

Parties

The Brighton Hilton Metropole is built for business, with smart, modern interiors and 10,000 square metres of flexible corporate meeting, exhibition and event space. Situated on Brighton seafront, many of the rooms, suites and public areas have clear views of the famous promenade and English Channel. The location is also ideal for those travelling from London, Gatwick, or the rest of Sussex. This year, the Hilton is hosting two shared Christmas party nights with a maximum capacity for 500 people perfect for larger companies. The Hilton is among the smartest venues in Brighton, offering the perfect compromise between formality and fun so guests can let their hair down - without messing it up.

Guests can meet before the party for drinks at the relaxed Waterhouse Bar, which overlooks the promenade and serves a range of drinks, from sparkling wine to sophisticated cocktails. Once

-­ now is the time to pull out all the stops and put on a show-stopping event that will keep staff reminiscing until spring.

To help you along, we’ve done some research and whittled down the huge list of venues across Sussex to shortlist five of the best. There are some beautiful venues in Sussex, from grand country houses to cosy village pubs, so whether you run a small family business or an international corporation, we’re sure you’ll find a Sussex venue that’s perfect for you.

Brighton Hilton Metropole

Location: Brighton Dates: 12th & 13th December 2014 Capacity: 500 Price: £39.99 pp

everybody has mingled and networked with colleagues and other companies, a delicious three course dinner will be served at 7:30pm with half a bottle of wine per person as a precursor to a long night of disco dancing until 1am.

The hotel has 340 guest rooms so booking is advisable if some members of your party wish to stay over. What better way to deal with that inevitable post office party hangover, than in the comfort of a supremely comfortable king-sized bed, with room service on call to deliver breakfast right to your door and a relaxation spa waiting for you downstairs? For those who were wise enough to stick to the soft drinks, there is a fitness room with gym equipment and a swimming pool for a spot of early morning exercise.

Find out more by calling 01273 720710 or emailing enquiries. brightonmet@hilton.com

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Corporate Venues

Grand Horsted Place

Location: Uckfield Dates: Seven days a week from 1-23 December Capacity: 10-60 guests. Exclusive use max 150 Price: £40 per person. Exclusive use from £2,500

Enjoy a country house Christmas party at Horsted House. This grand Victorian venue is perfect for smaller companies hoping for a subdued evening. Enjoy a festive dinner party menu with dishes including Roast Norfolk Turkey, Grilled Cod Fillet and Shitake Mushroom Risotto, and choose from the extensive wine list. If you have a bigger bash in mind, you can always organise exclusive

use of the house which can cater for a maximum of 100 guests for a seated dinner, or 150 for an informal finger buffet. Organise fireworks, themes, entertainment and music and you’ll have your very own tailor-made Christmas festival – perfect for big companies who like to make a bold statement.

To book a Christmas party at Horsted Place, call 01825 750581

Unusual The beautiful Winter Gardens Theatre in Eastbourne is hosting a Christmas party extravaganza throughout December, with themed nights for offices, groups and families. Try your hand at black jack at the themed Casino night for the chance to win prizes, or let Shane Hampsheir (the UK’s ‘no 1’ Michael Buble singer) melt your heart with his six piece swing band.

Both evenings include mulled wine on arrival, a three course feast and a disco and DJ until 2am.

To book a Christmas party at the Winter Gardens, call 01323 415779

26 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Winter Gardens Eastbourne

Location: Eastbourne Dates: Christmas Casino Night 5, 12 December Michael Buble Christmas - 6 December Price: £31 per person

Corporate Venues

Lively

The Tremendous Tipi

Location: Brighton Dates: The Royal Yuletide Masquerade Banquet and Ball - December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 The Pop-up Pavilion Christmas Festival - every Saturday and Sunday from 23rd November to 22nd December Price: The Royal Yuletide Masquerade Banquet and Ball - £49.50 (minimum spend applies for exclusive hire). The Pop-up Pavilion Christmas Festival - £2.50 (kids free) This year the Brighton Music Hall is hosting two festive events: the daytime Christmas Festival and the evening Christmas Banquet and Ball. Both events are ideal for companies looking for a little extra sparkle at their office Christmas party. At the ball, enter the ‘Tremendous Tipi’ flanked with open fires and draped in glittering fairy lights; meet the Snow Queen and her fire-breathing trolls and

Cosy The Bell Inn, Ticehurst is your classic low-beam, log-fire, real ale country pub – with a bit of quirkiness thrown in.

The ‘Big Room’ is perfect for an office knees up, with a relaxed informal feel and cosy, festive surroundings. The evening includes a three course meal and a DJ

disco so guests can dance the night away to cheesy Christmas classics. There are seven guest rooms at The Bell, each one including Apple TVs, WiFi, handmade beds and, rather bizarrely, a silver birch tree. This unusual but stylish addition has something to do with their once being

begin a fabulous evening of dancing and decadence surrounded by cosy fur-lined seats, roaring fires and elegant candelabras.

Dress code is smart with your choice of mask.

The Tremendous Tipi Christmas Festival offers a fun, wholesome option for families, couples and of course companies who want to treat their employees to a day out. The Music Hall’s terrace and giant Norwegian tipi offers the perfect backdrop for an informal, relaxed office outing. With Christmas trees draped in lights, live music playing festive hits and a Winter Warmer log cabin serving spiced Winter Pimms, rum hot chocolate and mulled cider – the Christmas Festival offers a lively alternative to the usual corporate day out.

For all reservations and enquiries please contact: Tel: 01273 590 918 Email: info@brightonmusichall.co.uk Website: www.brightonmusichall.co.uk

a wood on the site of the pub, and it certainly adds to the old-world charm of the place. After a cosy night at The Bell, hungover employees can cure their hangovers with a signature breakfast of kippers, eggs benedict or a classic full English.

The Bell Inn Ticehurst

Location: Ticehurst Capacity: 80 Dates: 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 December (other dates available on request) Price: £27.50 per person

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What Scotland No Vote Means For Your Money The government’s promised settlement could have a long-term effect on share prices and the value of the pound

28 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Scottish Referendum

The No outcome on the Scottish Essential referendum last month bought a sigh Advice of relief from across the nation, but the feeling could be temporary. A programme of enhanced devolution promised by Westminster in light of the No vote could still have a significant impact on the nation’s finances over the next couple of years.

This programme of devolution has been nicknamed ‘devo max’ and it could dramatically change the economic landscape of many towns and cities across the UK, affecting tax, pensions, property and savings and investments.

Changes to tax

Scotland has been promised greater powers to set its own tax rates - which raises potential problems for those who work across the border. It has been said that no major tax changes are expected to be made in the next two years; however, having different tax regimes on either side of the border could encourage people on the south side to move their savings away from Scottish firms. This could leave room for controversial taxes such as inheritance tax to be reviewed or overhauled.

Implications for pensions

If tax rates differ on either side of the border, there could be additional complexities for pension providers and savers affecting factors such as tax relief paid on personal contributions, as well as the time pensions can be taken out. It is thought these changes could have an impact on state pension too, with some experts already talking about a ‘pension nightmare’ on the horizon.

Mike Kennedy of actuary Barnett Waddingham recently told the BBC: “If differences arise in legislation and taxation between Scotland and the rest of the UK, this will lead to complications for schemes with savers in both regions, and increased costs.”

Impact on stock market investments

They might not have full independence, but granting Scotland more autonomy

Jim Murphy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. Standing on his Irn Bru crate amongst a largely supportive audience of shoppers on Argyle Street. One of the 100 stops being undertaken by Mr Murphy in the days leading up to the referendum.

“We expect the Bank of England to be the first major central bank to raise interest rates in the coming months” could result in a dampening effect on business investment and consumer confidence. Analysts claim this could result in a fall in the value of the pound, despite the fact that it strengthened straight after the No vote. This could affect small companies listed in the FTSE 250, exposing them to a slowdown. However, this is good news for exporters, who will see their earnings increase in value in sterling terms.

Changes to savings and mortgage rates

A Yes vote could have slowed down the country’s economic growth prospects but fortunately the No

outcome means recovery should continue without interruption.

According to market experts, this could lead to the first increase in the Bank Rate next spring. The wealth management division of Swiss Bank UBS told the BBC: “As the UK remains one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, we expect the Bank of England to be the first major central bank to raise interest rates in the coming months.”

Mortgage rates are starting to come down now as banks compete for loan businesses. However, savings rates are not so positive as banks and building societies stop demanding deposits.

Effect on property and lettings

Tax changes could widen the gap between property in the north and property in the south, having a domino effect on house prices, property investments and even where people choose to live.

Some experts predict that Scotland will introduce a mansion tax while securing more direct powers over properties.

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THE ROYAL YULETIDE

MASQUERADE

You are invited to join the Snow Queen and her fire breathing trolls as they welcome you for an evening of dancing, decadence and desire! Set in our magnificent Norweigian tipis, decorated with twinkling fairy lights, candelabras and cozy fur lined seats; pass the roaring fires and enter into the Ice Queen’s Palace. This is the venue to impress the most discerning of guests and promises to be a truly magical setting for your Christmas party with the unique backdrop of Brigton beach.

BANQUET AND BALL

SNOW KISs cocktail | table magician | Banquet menu | live band | DJ

ADVANce bookings only Christmas parties & private hire

BOOKINGS: 01273 590 918

www.brightonmusichall.co.uk

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BEYOND ‘KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON’ Cover Story: PAV IT are here to help Sussex Businesses ready to step from recovery into growth

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BREakIng oUt oF thE oFFIcE We speak with Jason Fry, MD of PaV It about why agile working is the future of business

cover Story: Sussex community Foundation: showing local businesses how charity can begin at home

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It’s Dirty Business – But It Pays

Taking a small business to the next level takes courage, understanding and above all – patience. Here, Managing Director of Fresh Cleaning Services LTD, Lee Mansfield explains how a few careful tactics turned his small corporate cleaning business into a growing success Fresh Cleaning Services has been Company keeping corporate Profile clients happy for 10 years – but in the last few months the business has snowballed to new levels of success.

For most small businesses, this is the critical make-or-break point. How do you successfully take on more contracts without exhausting your resources?

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ABOVE: Dale Stephens, Operations Director and Lee Mansfield, Managing Director of Fresh Cleaning Services

Be organised - make sure you work towards achieving accreditation in your industry

“For us, the turning point was gaining our SMAS Health and Safety Accreditation. We were advised to do so by a particular client and by taking this step, we opened up the door to a much bigger world of cleaning,” says Lee. “The accreditation shows clients that we have been checked in line with certain laws and regulations, and it gives us the ability to grow the business and invest in management, systems and better quality control. I know that cleaning doesn’t sound exciting, but in a business sense it really is.”

Accreditation is important in all sectors - not just cleaning. Not only

does it demonstrate competence and compliance within the law, but it also helps to drive up standards in the industry and - vitally - enables small businesses to attract a new calibre of clients and ultimately grow their business model. It is, in a sense, the ‘leg-up’ many entrepreneurs aim for.

“It seems to have been a snowball effect for our business,” Lee continues.

“It’s an uphill battle when you’re small but investing in business worked out for us - it means we were able to pitch for better work. It was a considered risk that paid off.

“Now we have expanded all over the South East, with clients ranging from the London-Kent border, all the way to Hampshire. We are now prepared to move further afield too. As a result of getting bigger, we have more resources to grow to new areas.”

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Don’t get too excited

“Grow in a sensible way. You don’t need to be investing in anything you can’t afford,” Lee says.

Getting too excited is one of the most common reasons small businesses fail. It’s easy to believe you need the best equipment, or the best software to rise above the competition. Of course,

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Sponsored Feature

failing to upgrade vital technology could cause detriment to some businesses but it’s important to know where to limit yourself. There are often equally viable but less costly alternatives if you put the time and effort into researching.

Lee accepts that holding back in the past has allowed him to invest in new cleaning equipment and transport now, while his business is ripe and growing.

3

Train staff

Lee says: “Develop a company policy so staff have a clear idea of the standards clients expect.”

For many types of business, the staff are the key. Providing sufficient training not only expands their skill and knowledge base, helping them develop their expertise, but it also ensures the standard of service continues to rise.

While staff training can be costly, if carried out effectively it should be a worthwhile investment.

“Dale Stephens is our Operations Director and he really is the key to the business. He lives and breathes the industry and stays on call 24 hours a day to keep clients happy.

“Now we’re getting bigger, he’s got to train other people to be like him,” Lee explains. By prioritising training, Fresh Cleaning Services differentiates itself from its competitors.

“It is a very competitive industry, other companies will always come along with something bigger and better - but competition is what keeps us striving for higher standards.”

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Focus on your company image

In all businesses, maintaining a good company image is paramount. Staff at Fresh Cleaning Services work in a range of professional environments, including office headquarters, corporate venues and even stadiums and tennis courts. For Lee and Operations Director Dale, how their employees look, act and communicate is just as important as how well they execute their job.

“At Fresh, all our staff wear uniforms and they are all trained in speaking to the clients in a certain way,” says Lee. Some businesses rely on their

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“Competition is what keeps us striving for higher standards” website to convey a good company image; others rely on their signage, shop-fronts, displays and interiors. For Fresh, it is the cleaners who matter.

They are, essentially, the face of Fresh.

Image is what stands out to potential clients. It may seem superficial, but logos, colour schemes and of course cleanliness all help people form opinions about different companies. In a highly competitive industry, image is what helps you stand out from the crowd. Something as simple as asking your employees to wear a clean, ironed, professional-looking uniform can reassure potential clients that your company has got it together. Dazzling clients with a thorough, professional company image gives your business instant credibility – and that’s all before you’ve even completed a job.

First impressions may not always be accurate or reflective of your company’s ability, but they matter – and a good first impression can very quickly lead to a new contract or client.

5

Create a marketing campaign

Lee believes the key to growing business is clever marketing.

“Pick your channels carefully and avoid one-off advertising,” he advises.

By putting time aside to devise and implement a clear marketing strategy, you can ensure people keep hearing about your products or services. Some low cost marketing methods include social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as company websites and strategic print advertising campaigns launched over a period of a few months.

The first thing you need to do is understand who your potential clients are. This can be time consuming and costly for small businesses, but on-going market research can help

strengthen both new and existing businesses by identifying customer demand, sourcing the competition and ultimately finding, retaining and satisfying clients. Investing a sensible amount of time into talking with clients and scouting out local papers, magazines and online business directories should pay off in the end.

Often, as Lee has found, it takes just one big client to get the ball rolling. All you have to do is think about where that big client is, and then devise the best method for getting your message across to them.

An effective way of doing this is to collaborate with a magazine to create a tailor-made campaign with printed display ads joined with a combination of website, email and social media marketing.

Lee is certain his careful methods will pay off in the end. “With careful planning and patience, I have no doubt Fresh Cleaning Services will continue to grow rapidly over the next five years”

Sponsored Feature

Fresh Cleaning Services recently worked for the Aegon International Tennis in Eastbourne

What Clients Are Saying About Fresh Cleaning Services‌ The English Wine Centre We have used Fresh Cleaning and Dale Stephens in particular for the last six years. We have found them to be consistently prompt and reliable in their attendance here, constructive and helpful especially when we have needed their specialist cleaning skills.

Dale has a cheerful disposition which makes the Fresh team a pleasure to work with.

Identity Signage and Printing Fresh Cleaning have worked for us now for 5 Years. We have found their service to be excellent and the standard of work is of the highest level. The team is extremely responsive and there is no request too large or too small. It is nice to work with a company of this level of knowledge and professionalism. I recommend Fresh Cleaning Services Ltd to any other company/organisation.

Westgate Chambers On behalf of Westgate Chambers I would like to compliment Fresh Cleaning for its professionalism and outstanding service. We have contracted Fresh for six years now. Dale Stephens has been truly wonderful. His commitment and management of staff have been second to none. We frequently receive calls from competitors, but never once have we considered entertaining a conversation. I would have no hesitation in recommending this outfit to other organisations.

SM Group Building and Property Maintenance Fresh Cleaning Services have recently started working with Persimmon Homes

We have used Fresh Cleaning Services LTD on many of our building cleans in the last 2 years, we have found them to be reliable and consistent, their standards have always been to the highest level. We have no hesitation in recommending them to other organisations To find more about what Fresh Cleaning Services can do for you, contact them at: 01323 819007 or visit: www.fresh-clean.co.uk

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A Different Letting Opportunity

Andrew Gardner of Amberley House Cottage Holidays looks at Furnished Holiday Lets – a different letting opportunity building tourism across Sussex and the South Downs National Park

Furnished Holiday Lettings, or should we say owning Insight ‘that glorious Sussex holiday cottage’ is an area of entrepreneurial potential and should be of interest to many.

There are advantageous tax rules for holiday property owners who let their properties that encourage tourism and therefore help with prosperity and employment in the county.

Investors are aware of the income and potential for capital growth opportunities behind buy to let property arrangements, however, less is generally understood about furnished holiday lets and the return that can be generated to owners who rent their property through tourism.

It is estimated that 65,000* individuals nationally own second homes that they run as furnished holiday let businesses. Don’t think that self catering accommodation has to be beside the sea in order to attract visitors. Many of the tourist hotspots are often busy

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towns, cities or quaint villages. An apartment or cottage in Chichester or Rye can often command rental income throughout the year due to the popularity of the area, while our more temperate climate across the south east makes Sussex also popular outside the main summer season.

Holiday letting qualifies for certain tax treatments available to businesses. It is still essentially regarded as income from property by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) but unlike other forms of property letting, which HMRC class as investment income, it benefits from more favourable tax relief. There are some valuable tax incentives for letting your property as a holiday home, but there are some exacting HMRC rules which you must follow: • Your accommodation must be available for letting to the public for at least 210 days of the year and actual letting must be at least 105 days.

• The holiday property must not be let to the same person for more than 31 days in the year during the holiday letting period.

Outside the holiday letting period longer

term occupation must not exceed 155 days in a tax year.

•The business must be carried on commercially, and with a view to making a profit •You cannot claim the tax incentives when you use the accommodation yourself, or when the property is not available for letting.

•The property must be fully furnished.

•The lettings must be at full market rent, not a peppercorn rent for friends and relatives.

•Your rental income is subject to income tax, but ALL expenses are allowable.

Many people have been keen to ensure that their rental property came within the furnished holiday lettings (FHL) regime in order to secure the advantageous tax breaks. So what are they?

1. Any capital gains made on FHL qualifying properties will qualify for the entrepreneurs’ relief provided certain conditions are met. This means the gain will be liable to capital gains tax at the rate of 10%, rather than normal

capital gains tax rates of 18% or 28%.

Entrepreneurs’ relief is available on gains up to a lifetime limit which is £10 million.

2. Capital gains tax can be deferred where the proceeds of the sale are invested in another holiday letting property within three years. This is known as roll-over relief. Roll-over relief can also be used to defer paying capital gains tax on sales of other types of businesses, where the proceeds are invested into a qualifying holiday lettings business.

3. Capital allowances can be claimed in respect of expenditure incurred on furniture and equipment such as white goods used in a furnished holiday let, unlike non FHL furnished rental accommodation where only a 10% deduction for wear and tear is available.

4. Allowable expenses that can be claimed against FHL business income include the following: legal and letting agent fees, accountancy fees, cleaning costs, decorating and maintenance costs, heating and lighting costs, insurance costs, mortgage interest payments and travelling expenses to visit the property.

5. Pension contributions can be made against the profit generated from a FHL business. It is treated as relevant UK earnings by HMRC and so is pensionable.

It is important that individuals always take professional financial advice before considering whether to operate under the furnished holiday let rules. It will not suit everyone since there are owners of

second homes who purchased them for their own enjoyment during the year. The requirement to make it available for letting for 210 days in the year may simply not fit with their requirements for the property.

However, many of these owners are increasingly looking to accept holiday lets around the periods when they are not there themselves. We work with a number of owners where this is the case and it generates them valuable additional income even though they are not operating within the furnished holiday letting rules.

Anyone who is considering purchasing a second property as an investment opportunity should always give furnished holiday lets serious consideration. A cottage or country farmhouse for four in the heart of the Sussex countryside for example could command upwards of ÂŁ700 per week in the high season.

The workload of course is greater when compared to conventional buy to let arrangements, and there is no guarantee to the number of bookings that will occur each year. However the financial rewards

from operating within the FHL rules can be excellent.

We act for many owners across Kent, East Hampshire and Sussex in helping them to market their holiday properties.

If you have a property or are considering purchasing a property that fits the holiday home mould and would welcome an informal chat about your options, then please do ring me on 01798 8773336, or you can reach me by email at andrewgardner@ amberleyhousecottages.co.uk. www.amberleyhousecottages.co.uk

Andrew Gardner Director * The number of individuals who recorded furnished holiday let income within their self assessments in the year 2008/9.

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Politics

Europe In or Out?

As the In/Out debate reaches a critical point, we examine the influence the EU has over business in the UK, and how leaving could impact Sussex It’s been the hot potato in UK politics Insight for more than 30 years now, but with the general election looming next May, the in/out EU debate is finally approaching boiling point.

David Cameron has pledged to hold a referendum by the end of 2017 if the Conservatives win an outright majority at the next general election. He claims he is the only prime ministerial candidate who can guarantee an EU referendum. However, he also said he is confident that he will succeed in negotiating major reforms to Britain’s EU membership before the election.

These reforms will focus on the last of the four original freedom of movement goals: capital, goods, services and labour. These would be refocused to enable people to continue working all over the EU, but not to claim benefits.

He said: “The right to go and work in France or Spain, or Spanish people to come and do a job that has been advertised here – that is one thing. But it is a completely different thing to be able to go to claim benefits, actually even to work in Britain but to send your benefits home to your families that stay in your home country.”

The Prime Minister insisted that he

would be successful in his negotiations.

“I want the 27 other countries in Europe to see that there is a plan here – that reform can end with a reformed EU and a reformed relationship with Britain and Britain staying in,” he said. “I want them to see that that is the goal. If I don’t achieve that it will be for the British public to decide whether to stay in or get out.”

On BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, Cameron said: “I have said this all my political life – I’ve said if I thought that it wasn’t in Britain’s interests to be in the EU I wouldn’t argue for us to be in it. I am just a deeply patriotic politician and person. I do this job because I love my country, I care passionately about its future and I want it to be a strong, proud, self-governing independent nation.”

Ed Miliband has said an EU referendum would be ‘unlikely’ under Labour, but that he would guarantee one if the UK was asked to transfer more powers to Brussels. He claimed the UK was “being dragged to the exit door” under the Conservatives and in contrast he would set out a ‘clear lead’ on when a referendum would be appropriate.

Miliband claims the following reforms should be made to the EU: • Completing the single market in

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Politics

How EU referendum policies compare between parties: UKIP: Hold an instant referendum on whether the UK should be in or out of the EU. Conservatives: Renegotiate terms of UK membership by the end of 2017.

Labour: Hold a referendum on whether the UK should be in or out of the EU only if there is a proposed transfer of more powers from London to Brussels.

Liberal Democrats: Hold a referendum to approve any further ‘significant’ transfer of powers from London to Brussels.

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energy, services and the digital economy • Lengthening the transitional period during which restrictions can be curbed on immigration from new member states • Making it easier to deport recent immigrants who have broken the law Effect of EU referendum on UK business In light of Cameron’s speech, a group of senior politicians and business people, including Ken Clarke, Lord Mandelson and Sir Martin Sorrell (WWP), have written a letter arguing that a referendum on Europe could cause ‘considerable uncertainty’ and ‘great political risk for the UK in coming years’.

They wrote that Britain should instead unite ‘in its aims to bring change and reform to the EU’ and not to ‘abandon it’.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, WWP Chief Executive Sir Martin Sorrell claimed an EU referendum would be ‘even more disruptive’ than the Scottish referendum.

He said it would pose a ‘very strong’ threat to recent economic growth enjoyed in Britain.

Growing numbers of financial groups are warning that leaving the EU would damage the economy.

Banking giant Citi is the most recent to have spoken out about the issue, with Chief Executive Officer Jim Cowles

insisting that clients from Europe, the Middle East and Africa are becoming increasingly concerned that the UK will no longer be an attractive or viable location for services.

“It is not that international companies will stop investing in Britain, but their investment just will not be at the scale we have become accustomed to,” said Cowles.

According to the most recent Business EU Barometer conducted on 3,451 businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), most (59%) think withdrawal from the EU would be bad for Britain and impact negatively on their business. However, 60% said they would support reforms that transfer powers back from Brussels to Westminster.

John Longworth, Director General of BCC commented: “These results show that firms believe a renegotiated relationship with the EU, rather than further integration or outright withdrawal, is most likely to deliver economic benefit for the UK. They do not want to get caught up in the whirlpool of further integration – only 20% of those firms we surveyed felt that this would be beneficial. Yet the same companies say they do not want to rush for the exit.

“Unless the European Union is perceived to function in the interests of all of its member states, it will continue to lose legitimacy not just among the voting public but among business people as well,” he continued. “The prospects for UK business and trade would be improved substantially if meaningful EU reform were to take place.

“Too many services companies, which together form the backbone of the UK export base, remain frustrated by the slow progress of the single market in services.Yet the completion of the Single Market, no matter how huge an opportunity, is not the most important element of any negotiations the Prime Minister undertakes with the UK’s European partners.”

Longworth added: “The top priority must be securing safeguards for the UK and other non-eurozone countries in future EU decision-making – so that as eurozone countries look to integrate further, a new architecture is put in place to ensure non-eurozone states are not disadvantaged in the future governance of the Single Market.”

How will Sussex be Affected?

Rob Clare, former RBS banker and present Director of Innovation Capital Limited in Falmer, believes Sussex will weather the ‘in/ out’ storm: “When big choices are presented with clear ‘yes/no’ or ‘in/out’ questions I think human nature dictates that all the data, all the rhetoric and all the ‘expert’ opinion simply washes over most of us.

Most of us end up making a gut based decision, influenced by our personal bias. Most of us have an opinion on further EU integration, renegotiation of the UK’s position, or exiting altogether – but what feeds that opinion is perhaps more fear than fact.

“Fear either of an EU backlash if we leave, with prohibitive trade tariffs, relocation of manufacturing jobs, a shift in world financial centres or of a loss of sovereignty and control of our laws and our borders if we see further integration.

“Many businesses therefore prefer the middle ground – the latest British Chambers of Commerce ‘EU Barometer’ survey suggests that the majority of UK businesses think that a renegotiation is best for their prospects, stay in but transfer powers back.”

He continued: “The prospects for jobs and trade in Sussex, whether we’re in or out, are in my view uncertain. The CEBR suggest 4 million UK jobs depend on trade with the EU but I don’t subscribe to the view that if we’re ‘out’ we will become isolated and suddenly these jobs will disappear.

“At a national level it is a fact that the EU is our main trading partner worth

around £400bn a year and about 50% of total trade in goods and services. On the other hand when you look at the mix of that trade, the structural economic strains across the EU and where future global economic growth will be, it is by no means certain that being ‘out’ will have much lasting impact on the UK and Sussex based businesses.

“History tells us we are a successful trading nation, perhaps the most successful. Our ingenuity and spirit, which abounds in Sussex, will I believe see that success continue whether there is a referendum or not and whatever that referendum concludes. The real question is whether that continued success will in the short term be made all the more difficult by being ‘out’,” he added.

unecessary red tape, quitting the EU might not provide the solution they hope for.

“Should the UK quit the EU it would need to renegotiate its relationship with Europe which may include new agreements on employment law and regulations,” she says. “There are five main areas of employment law that could be affected: Redundancy, Working Time, Human Rights, Discrimination and TUPE. Any changes to these laws would impact both employers and employees.

“Whilst many SMEs feel that EU derived legislation is burdensome, the reality of leaving the EU may not be the panacea they might hope.

Many employees have clauses in their contracts related to protections derived from the EU on matters such as holiday pay or working hours. Employees have come to expect these rights and the consequence of change may necessitate adjustments to employment contracts, with a possibility of termination of employment then re-engagement on revised terms. This will not only be an additional headache for employers but could have serious implications on employee relations.

“It’s worth noting however, that withdrawal from the EU will not automatically revoke UK laws brought in as a result of EU Directives. The effect on UK employment laws would depend largely on the extent to which the Government could convince Parliament and the wider public of the need for change.”

Do you have an opinion on whether or not there should be an In/Out Referendum? Join the conversation @sussexbusiness

“Our ingenuity and spirit, which abounds in Sussex, will I believe see that success continue whether there is a referendum or not and whatever that referendum concludes” “Putting the emotive arguments favoured by some aside, the logic and the data tell me that we are better off in the EU, negotiating our position from the inside. By 2017 the UK expects to have seen 3 years of solid GDP growth around 3-3.5% p.a. and the last thing we need is for that to be derailed.”

As a member state, the EU has a significant influence on business in the UK - through taxation, spending, laws, regulations and directives. According to Serena May, Director of HR Department in Eastbourne, while many small businesses see these regulations as

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Hotel Review:

The Spread Eagle in Midhurst The Spread Eagle Midhurst Address: South St Midhurst West Sussex GU29 9NH Tel: 01730 816911 Web: www.hshotels.co.uk

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As we drove deeper into the West Sussex countryside, with Review the sun setting magnificently ahead and the fields flooded in buttery light all around us, it felt as though we were heading into the past. Thatched cottages and old stone farmhouses flashed by on either side, and if it wasn’t for the yummy mummies flooring their Mercedes 4x4s around tight bends at break-neck speeds, I could well have believed we’d been transported back to Elizabethan England.

The feeling peaked as we reached Midhurst, a medieval market town nestled quaintly into the base of the South Downs National Park. Home to the Tudor Cowdray House and Victorian Cowdray Park, Midhurst certainly isn’t short of historic landmarks, and I was delighted to discover that the Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa – my residence for the evening – was in fact one of them.

Built as early as 1440, The Spread Eagle is today one of the oldest and most pristinely kept coaching inns in the world. In 1533 the building was bought by Sir William Fitzwilliam,

Henry VII’s Lord High Admiral, and it is believed that Queen Elizabeth I stayed in a suite (now the Queen’s Suite) here in passing in 1591. It is also certain that Admiral Lord Nelson visited at some point in the 1790s.

We arrived in the car park at the back, giving us a lovely view of the hotel’s exterior, which over the centuries has become a mishmash of architectural features, with Jacobean timber framing at the front and Victorian brickwork at the back.

Inside, the feeling of stepping into Ye Olde Country Pub was exemplified by the low beams, antique furnishings and warm lighting.

This is the kind of place you want to end up after a long, chilly walk on the Downs. The kind of place where you can warm up by a crackling fire with a large glass of red and a good book. I loved the fact that there were nooks and crannies to escape to, but just as many beautiful open spaces for socialising and celebrating. The Spread Eagle’s beautiful Jacobean Hall has a towering beamed roof, ancient stone walls and tapestries adorning the walls. This is the perfect place to hold a corporate banquet (seating up to 150 delegates) –

Tried & Tested in Midhurst

“This is the kind of place you want to end up after a long, chilly walk on the Downs. The kind of place where you can warm up by a crackling fire with a large glass of red and a good book” and it’s where we were lucky enough to sit down for our evening meal.

Dinner kicked off with a glass of Alia, Upperton Vineyard’s first ever Blanc de Blanc vintage sparkling wine, made just a couple of miles down the road. On par with some of the best French sparkling wines, Alia slipped down beautifully and preceded a delicious first course of smoked salmon, followed by a very generous chicken breast on a bed of potato puree, a dessert of lemon posit and coffee with petit fours.

After dinner we retired to our bedroom in the Jacobean wing. The ceilings were low and sloped in the corridor, proving awkward for us, each being on either side of the 6ft mark. The room itself had a pitched roof at a more acceptable height, giving a cosy but spacious feel.

Duck-egg blue walls and floral bedding gave a pleasant country-cottage vibe, while the dormer windows offered a nice view over the courtyard and village.

My one complaint was that the large bed was in fact two singles pushed together and connected with a kingsized sheet, resulting in me waking up at one point in the night wedged in the gap between the two. But this was a small glitch in an otherwise flawless stay, made all the better for the breakfast that was soon to follow.

I’m a breakfast person. Breakfast gets me out of bed in the morning, and when it’s in buffet form with a menu for cooked options – I’m out like a shot.

Warm croissants, fruit salads, cereals, yoghurts and cold meats greeted us in the dining room, followed by salmon and eggs for me and a full English for him. The service was impeccable – the waiters were so polite and responsive to our every possible need.

The rest of the day was spent floating in the Jacuzzi, bubbles on full pelt feeling the stress of the previous week melt away. A gorgeous dark-blue pool,

sauna and steamroom, and a number of treatments were also available – making this a lovely spa retreat-come-pubcome-restaurant-come-hotel.

Due to its proximity to Gatwick and London, The Spread Eagle is a convenient place to escape the city, for work or for pleasure. You can choose the Jacobean Hall for a product launch or networking event, or one of the smaller meeting rooms for more exclusive occasions.

Mine was a fleeting visit to The Spread Eagle, but one that I’m keen to repeat.

Rates start from £119 for a standard room including breakfast, wi-fi and use of spa and swimming pool. www.hshotels.co.uk Words: Zoe Thomas

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Tried & Tested in Brighton

Working Lunch

Indian Summer in Brighton Indian Summer

Brighton Address: 69 East St Brighton East Sussex BN1 1HQ

Tel: 01273 711001

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For those readers of SBT who haven’t taken a drive into Review Brighton on a Saturday lunchtime of late, please be warned.

Ordinarily, I choose to take the train for lunch appointments. For those of you who know me, I am not adverse to taking wine with my meal and the law frowns upon such things in this day and age, so in the car I jump for a mid morning jaunt along the coast on a beautifully sunny Saturday afternoon to sample the fare at Indian Summer.

I’ve been meaning to get along to Indian Summer for some time now and upon taking the booking, was very pleased to have the date in my diary.

More of this in a moment.

So everything was going just fine, the A27 was clear and all seemed well, right through to the gyratory at the foot of Bear Road.

Having lived in Brighton in the past, I like to think of myself as ‘quite familiar’ with the transport system in the city centre. Untouched and effective for decades, it always seemed to me to run

well and with two lanes running in and out, allowed for plenty of flow either way.

I’ve heard many horror stories about the changes of the road system in Brighton of late (my wife works with Brighton University) but until the day in question, hadn’t had the pleasure of experiencing it first hand. Simply put, it took us over an hour to filter into the city, via the single lane left available by the Green Party, causing us to arrive over half an hour late for our lunch booking.

I’m not sure what the intention has been; I’ve heard that the ‘Greens’ have reduced the lanes in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions from domestic vehicles and to encourage visitors to use public transport. Now I’m not sure what’s worse here [and perhaps an entirely separate feature – Ed] but two lanes of traffic reduced to one, creates more than 50% of a bottleneck. Cars standing still, definitely produce more pollution than the moving variety. My experience has led me to feel ‘forced’ rather than ‘encouraged’ to use public transport and has definitely turned me off rushing back, in the car at least. Perhaps in that sense, they’ve succeeded?

So… eventually, we arrive at Indian Summer and are greeted by David and Egle who aren’t surprised that we’re late, since we were driving. Fortunately, the restaurant stays open all day on a Saturday and they are able to find us a table.

We sit and are immediately presented with a bottle of chilled (and very welcome) table water and taken through the lunch menu by David; a passionate and attentive chap, who is quick to explain that all of the food is prepared fresh on the premises each day and is representative of owner Minesh’s mother’s recipes.

Scanning through the options, I’m pleased to see before me an enticing, interesting and very reasonably priced selection. A two course, set menu comprising of a starter and a main is priced at just £14.95 per head. Starters/

Tried & Tested in Brighton

“To call Indian Summer a regular ‘curry house’ would be nothing less than an insult. Great care is taken to ensure the atmosphere follows suit with the quality of the food” snacks are priced from £2.50 and there’s an excellent lunchtime street food menu with prices starting at just £4.95. At the rear of the menu, there’s a full page of ‘Thalis’, which are an array of dishes, served in a mezze style to give a broad range of tastes and flavours from Gujurat in Western India.

These are priced from just £9.95.

Unfortunately (for me) there’s an impressive wine & spirits menu too; a wealth of sumptuous liquor that I will not be sampling due to the nature of my transport. Another reason to leave the car at home.

So my dining partner and I opt for the lunch menu at £14.95 each and are swift recipients of two tantalising starters, followed by an unexpected and delicious palate cleanser, which took the form of a mango & lime sorbet and then two exceptional main courses.

To call Indian Summer a regular ‘curry house’ would be nothing less than an insult. Great care is taken to ensure the atmosphere follows suit with the quality of the food. Minesh explains: “We’re very careful to limit numbers for group bookings.

We’re keen to maintain a balanced environment for our diners and as such, only accept groups of up to ten at weekends and up to twenty on weekdays and only with pre-booking”.

The restaurant is bustling by the time we take our leave. Full, relaxed and in a much better mood than that in which we arrived. Brighton is blessed with a huge choice of restaurants. Our advice, head to Indian Summer. Just don’t take the car.

Words: Simon Skinner Indian Summer overall rating:

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Chamber News

The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex Developing the East Sussex Economy

The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex (ACES) works closely with the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

This gives Sussex business people access to central government and is very helpful in breaking down barriers to business in East Sussex.

Derek Godfrey is a founder member of ACES, a Director of Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of Ellis Building Contractors. He has also been SELEP

Vice President since its inception in 2012 and has helped push through approval for major projects across the county, like development of the Bexhill Business Mall, the Bexhill / Hastings link road, the Baldslow link road on the A21, Priory Quarter in Hastings, improvements to the A22/A27 junction at Polegate and development of the ÂŁ4.2million Sovereign Harbour Innovation Park in Eastbourne.

All projects which will help boost the local economy in East Sussex.

Derek Godfrey Director of Eastbourne UnLtd and Managing Director of Ellis Building Contractors Limited

Graham Peters Incoming SELEP Vice President The incoming SELEP Vice President is Property Developer, Graham Peters. He has a business background in commercial and residential property development and advice and has been involved in economic regeneration especially of the rural areas of East Sussex for 15 years.

In addition to his role as SELEP Vice President, Graham is the Chairman of the East Sussex Rural Partnership, the East Sussex SME Commission, Vice Chairman of the WARR Partnership (a LEADER Local Action Group (LAG)) and was also the High Sheriff of East Sussex for 2013 – 2014.

Derek is now standing down as SELEP Vice President in order to pass the mantle to someone who can give more time to this increasingly demanding role. LEPs across the country are really making a difference to the management of the local economy and have built bridges between local businesses and local authorities.

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Chamber News

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

James Harris, Assistant Director Economy at East Sussex County Council explained that: “economic growth in East Sussex is strong because of the amount of time we spend daily talking to local business leaders and Chambers of Commerce. We wanted to understand what helps business to grow and so we are delighted to work with the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex, with Locate East Sussex and with other local enterprise agencies.”

When asked about the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) James Harris said: “ACES and SELEP work really well together and allow us to communicate quickly with East Sussex Chamber Members whenever we need feedback about the County. The ACES A27 survey is a good example of this communication in action and has helped

us make the case for improvements with the Highways Agency.” (1047 people have responded to the ACES A27 surveys since March this year.)

“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.”

ACES Chambers meet with local authorities at least once a month to discuss barriers to business and how

to remove them. As a result we are well on the way to achieving high speed broad band across 96% of the county

by March 2016 and we are working on improving mobile phone reception in rural areas as well.

For more information about your local Chamber visit www.acesalliance.org and www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk

ACES Member News The University of Brighton, in partnership with Santander Universities, has announced that it is launching 30 more part-funded internship places for small to medium enterprises. This will enable local smaller businesses to manage the risk of taking on a new graduate, thanks to a grant of £1,500.

The programme is intended to benefit recent graduates from participating universities. Recruitment of a recent University of Brighton student or graduate is a requirement for this funding programme.

The internships should be at least three months full time equivalent, paid at an appropriate level for the role and no less than National Minimum Wage, and ideally lead to permanent roles if all goes well.

Santander allocate a grant of £1,500 per internship, paid in three monthly instalments of £500, to small to medium enterprises with less than 250 employees and a turnover of less than £50m. As part of this they would like to talk with you to introduce their business offer but there are no conditions attached with regard to this.

The University of Brighton supports the process by advertising the role to our students and recent graduates.

The internships should have commenced by June 2015.

The University of Brighton specialises in pharmacy, engineering, sports science and information technology and has

David Goehring/wikimedia ©

Santander Graduate Internships at the University of Brighton

campuses in Brighton, Falmer, Eastbourne and Hastings.

For more information and to apply: http://about.brighton.ac.uk/careers/ employers/recruit-graduates/ santander-universities-graduateinternships/ Contact: Rebecca Duffy, Employer Engagement Officer at the University of Brighton, R.L.Duffy@brighton.ac.uk 01273 642863.

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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 Bexhill842892 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 East Sussex County Council of 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 ofBusinesses Federation of Small 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 01424 754686 andof www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Hailsham Chamber of Hastings Chamber www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex Heathfield Chamber www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk 01323 641144 www.eastsussex.gov.uk Federation of Smallof 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 01424 754686 and of 01435 Federation of Small Businesses Hailsham Chamber of 01323865858 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 01424 205500 01435 865858 Regional Office 01323 482018 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 Chamber of 01323 Chamber 310531 Lewes of Commerce Hailsham 01424 Hastings Chamber ofof Newhaven Chamber 0800 107205500 0709 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Regional Office 01323 482018 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 of www.hastingschamber.co.uk Heathfield Chamber of 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 ofof 01435 865858 Heathfield Chamber Peacehaven Chamber of 01273 586222 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 Chamber of www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk Lewes Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk Seaford Chamber of of Commerce 01435 865858 www.leweschamber.org.uk Hastings Chamber 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 382316 Lewes Chamber of Commerce www.hastingschamber.co.uk 0800 881 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 586222 Wealden District www.seafordchamber.co.uk South East 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 01273 586222 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of 0800 881 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 East Local Enterprise Uckfield Chamber of 01273 586222 01825 722607 www.wealden.gov.uk 0800 881 5331 01245 431469 Partnership Commerce www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk 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 Seaford Chamber of Commerce www.seafordchamber.co.uk www.wealden.gov.uk Wealden District Council 01245 431469 South East Local Enterprise 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of 0800 881 5331 www.southeastlep.com Partnership www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 01323 443322 Uckfield Chamber of Wealden District www.seafordchamber.co.uk South Local Council 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 South East Local Enterprise Commerce 01245 431469 01323 443322 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Partnership www.southeastlep.com 01825 722607 Uckfield Chamber of www.wealden.gov.uk Wealden District Council 01245 431469 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Commerce 01323 443322 Wealden District Council www.southeastlep.com Uckfield Chamber of 01825 722607 www.wealden.gov.uk 01323 443322 Commerce www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Wealden District Council www.wealden.gov.uk Uckfield Chamber of 01825 722607 01323 443322 Commerce www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk www.wealden.gov.uk Wealden District Council 01825 722607 01323 443322 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk Wealden District Council www.wealden.gov.uk 01323 443322 Wealden District Council www.wealden.gov.uk 01323 443322 www.wealden.gov.uk

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

Test Drive

SBT previews three new cars: the Bentley Continental Speed, the BMW 2 Series Convertible and the Porsche Mecan S Diesel

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Motoring

Bentley Continental Speed

Improved agility and body control encompassed in Bentley’s classic streamed design

Sculpted, solid, clever and refined… the new Bentley Luxury Continental Speed represents everything great about British design and engineering. It is the pinnacle of 95 years of automotive evolution, embodying Bentley’s heritage and continuing the DNA that created the famous vintage Bentleys – the 4 1/2 litre, Speed Six, Turbo R and Bentley Arnage.

While iconic features flow through this car’s luxury design – such as the classically streamed front wings, rear haunches and matrix radiator grille – there is still an undeniable air of ‘modern super car’ emanating from this coupe.

Subtle signature design cues distinguish the GT Speed from its stable-mates, including exclusive 21inch, ten-spoke alloy wheels, dark-tint matrix to the radiator shell and lower bumper grilles and ‘rifled’ exhaust tailpipes. Inside the handcrafted

cabin, the Speed models are specified exclusively with the Mulliner Driving Specification, featuring quilted, perforated leather and bright metal detailing plus a broader choice of optional technical finishes. This now includes the exclusive-to-Speed dark tint aluminium as well as carbon fibre. The result is a highly distinctive, contemporary, sporting, luxury coupe.

The instrument panel and dashboard subtly echo the flying wings of the Bentley motif and are fashioned from the highest quality soft-touch leathers.

Touchscreen technology and chromebezelled dials are housed within this dynamic cockpit area, which rises from the centre console in the form of dramatically surfaced ’wing’ buttresses.

Every leather hide is still sewn under the watchful eye of Bentley’s highly skilled craftsmen and women. By incorporating ingenious, angled ‘ramps’ behind the leather, the interior designers have created sharp, well-defined styling lines, while maintaining a soft-touch.

Complementing its contemporary cabin, the new Bentley Speed also

“Every leather hide is still sewn under the watchful eye of Bentley’s highly skilled craftsmen and women”

48 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

features advanced touchscreen technology with rich map imagery and a 30 GB on board hard drive.

The new Continental GT Speed features significant changes to both chassis hardware and software for a sporty, engaging drive that matches the formidable powertrain. Aluminium double wishbone front suspension and a trapezoidal multi-link rear setup are retained, but now featuring revised air suspension springs and dampers for improved agility and body control, with roll, pitch and heave all reduced for a more agile driving experience.

Bentley’s chassis engineers have also fitted stiffer suspension bushes for sharp, communicative handling and uprated anti-roll bars to optimise the handling balance. All in all, a driving experience not to be missed.

BMW 2 Series Convertible More open-top driving pleasure with an added dash of style

If you can see yourself cruising over the South Downs Stylish in a beautiful, fuel efficient open-top car - then you’re in luck.

The new BMW Two Series Convertible comes out next year, offering the next level in fuel efficiency, style and even that all-important bootspace. It might be cute and compact, but this model has a boot capacity of 335 litres, making it the largest boot in its class. Perfect for shopping trips and spontaneous weekend breaks away.

The electrically operated folding soft top lowers or raises in just 20 seconds at the touch of a button, and can be carried out at speeds of just over 30mph. The 2 Series Convertible will be available with a choice of four engines,

including a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance variant, the M235i.

The 2 Series Convertible also brings significant improvements in passenger space and access, acoustic comfort, style, dynamism and equipment, while the ConnectedDrive services for the first time include wireless updating of navigation data.

The interior has been deliberately kept as simple as possible, with layered surfaces, driver-focused controls, clear instruments and a Sport or M Sport leather-covered multi-function steering wheel. Controls for the audio and climate control systems are set against high-gloss black surfaces and the air vents have chrome surrounds.

Switchable ambient lighting is further confirmation of the car’s premium quality. The BMW iDrive controller, linked to a 6.5-inch display screen, gives access to the car’s control systems with minimum distraction.

The stretched silhouette of the BMW 2 Series Convertible emphasises the tell-tale BMW design characteristics of a long bonnet and wheelbase, short overhangs and a rear-biased cabin.

Four BMW TwinPower Turbo engines featuring a suite of EfficientDynamics

technologies endow the BMW 2 Series Convertible with superior performance to its predecessor, with an average 18 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

The BMW 2 Series Convertible can be fully connected with the outside world through a wide range of standard-fit and optional ConnectedDrive features.

The car also features Attention Assistant to keep any drousy drivers alert on long journeys - ideal for commuters.

The BMW 2 Series Convertible is on sale from 28th February, 2015. It will be priced from £29,180 OTR for a 220i Sport Convertible.

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk Treating customers Fairly49

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Motoring

Porsche Macan S Deisel

It has the heart of a super car with the body of an SUV... fun, fast and family-friendly

It’s what all Porsche fans have been waiting for – an SUV Dynamic with the heart of a super car. This is the first time Porsche has expanded into the SUV segment, and it’s made its debut with a bang. The Macan, named after the Indonesian word for a tiger, is poised to set new standards in the field of driving dynamic and enjoyment – both on city streets and off-road terrain. Perfect for gliding around town centres and heading off for weekend adventures in the Sussex wilderness.

The Macan S Diesel is the economical long-distance runner of the three Macan models. Its 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine achieves NEDC fuel consumption figures of between just 6.3 and 6.1 litres/100 km, which corresponds to a CO2 value of between 164 and 159 g/km. Nevertheless, the Macan S Diesel accelerates from 0 to 100 km in just 6.3 seconds (or 6.1 seconds with the Sport Chrono package fitted) thanks to its 258-bhp (190-kW) engine, and achieves a top speed of 230 km/h.

The range of equipment fitted on the Macan as standard is extensive, and includes the all-wheel drive, PDK, multi-function sport steering wheel with shift paddles, large wheels, highperformance audio system and an electrically operated tailgate. The list of optional special equipment offers further highlights, such as the air suspension system, which the Macan features as the only vehicle in its segment. There is also the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system, which has been specially tailored to the Macan. In terms of design, the Macan has Porsche written all over it – with a broad, low

Putting you in the driving seat

50 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

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model and sporty lines, it emanates speed and power. The side view with its sporty sloping roof line creates a sharp profile and emphasises the dynamic nature of the vehicle, while the design lines running to the rear of the vehicle accentuate the broad, sculpted wings.

Just because your lifestyle requires a bigger car, this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on luxury. The Macan is perfect for parents with big families, professionals who commute longdistance, and adventurers who want to explore the world in their own luxurious hub, with tremendous power at their fingertips.

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BMW | MINI Business Partnership YOUR COMPANY BENEFITS.

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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 at the end of your agreement. Subject to status and in the UK only (excl. the Channel Islands). Individuals must be 18 or over. Awww.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk guarantee may be required. The amount of VAT 51 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.

Judging the Book by the Cover – in Retail

With less than 10 weeks to Christmas, Steve Cropper, MD, Gemini Print looks at how retailers and food producers can make sales as easy as pie!

We’re all told not to do this - make a Helpful judgement by the cover, but inevitably Advice this is exactly what we nearly always do.

No doubt it’s a tricky one - sometimes the well-thumbed book looks like an obviously gripping read, but a lot of the time, it’s the beautifully designed and printed cover of a ‘coffeetable’ book that attracts our attention first. We often want to touch it, feel it or if like me, I love to smell it!

It’s much the same in retail – we all know those funny old shops - all up in a heap, where through sheer perseverance we happened to find a real treasure. Well in reality they are few and far between because most of the time if your outlet looks a mess, then the truth is the footfall won’t be falling!

Perhaps it’s time to take a fresh look at what your customers see and make the appropriate updates. For independent shops, artisan food producers, restaurants and the like, the question is how can you get that beautiful ‘coffee table book’ reaction when you’ve little spare cash?

YOUR IMPRESSION IN PRINT It’s all about image. In retail it’s an entire profession these days, window displays, visual merchandising, point of sale material, and so on. That’s because it works. Good POS printed material encourages shoppers in and entices

“Good POS printed material encourages shoppers in and entices them to part with their cash” them to part with their cash. Retailers have studied consumer behaviour for many years. They have experimented with the way stores are laid out and lit. They have tinkered with the size of product “facings” - they have even had trackers follow consumers around to see what they pick up, how long they look at it, whether they put it down and so on.

Are you selling a quality, organic, lovingly prepared pie? Then make it look

like that with beautiful packaging and appropriate font and colour choice. Are you selling some locally crafted gifts?

Then have the display designed and printed to reflect this. Nobody wants to see a handwritten scrawl on something special because that only communicates the exact opposite. If a customer encounters a bedraggled display area it just looks like you couldn’t give two hoots whether the customer stays or goes, and

Call Gemini on: 01273 464884

52 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Advertorial

in all likelihood they will leave without a purchase, with a bad impression or worse; both. Ultimately, if your product packaging and print looks poor quality then that’s what your business will be considered too.

Investing in quality, clever print is really important. I’m not just saying that because print is my business, I say it because it can help make your sales job a piece of cake. What information do you have near your till? Is it a ‘sign up to’ postcard, does it look inviting, or is it just a scrap of paper quickly laser printed out? How do you wrap the purchases?

Throw them into a bag? Or is it worth investing in some lovely bags, the ones customers will want to keep and some little stickers to seal the purchase? It makes a big difference - particularly at Christmas.

If a mailing or a door drop leaflet is what prospective customers see first, consider whether that mailer really represents your business. Does it look professional? Is it well written and well designed? This often-neglected area abounds with opportunities to make lasting positive impression. It is low

cost, but the value is priceless. To my mind, there is limited value in asking your close friends or family for their opinion on your product packing and promotional literature - they will most likely say it looks great - they don’t want to hurt your feelings. Instead ask someone objective, ask a regular shopper, ask a design studio, ask the folks at Gemini, who print and deliver millions of items a year.

These image led printed materials immediately tell the customer, whether conscious or subconsciously, about your business, your product and your approach to business.

It doesn’t take much time or many resources to make a good first impression. If your family has ever been relaxing on a Sunday morning, only to get a call that someone is unexpectantly stopping by, then you already know how fast you can move to make a good impression.

What impression is your business giving? We’re happy to help - by getting our design studio to mock up some ideas for you. Just ask! We are always keen to impress!

“If your family has ever been relaxing on a Sunday morning, only to get a call that someone is unexpectantly stopping by, then you already know how fast you can move to make a good impression.”

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

or visit: www.gemini-print.co.uk

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 53

SBT Ad

Advertorial

What Have Businesses Learned from the Recession?

Recession drives a lack of confidence and as a result there is a natural move towards short term decision making rather than long term strategic planning

With the South East now showing real Essential evidence of emerging from recession, there Advice are opportunities for those who can change their approach quicker than their competitors and plan for the next 5 years to become leaders in their field and to harvest good profits. But you do need the right approach and tools in place to act as a foundation for growth When incomes and contract prices are falling, the survival instinct dominates but when things start to improve this attitude can stifle the potential growth. Therefore it is important to remember the following seven ‘Golden Rules’ for running an efficient and effective business. As always the key to success is in the planning.

Cash is King The recent lack of profitability has left many with depleted cash reserves, which result in overtrading when growth arrives.

A review of funding and banking facilities goes with good cash flow forecasting and as improved profitability is reflected in your accounts you should be able to negotiate better terms with your bank for the future, a process your accountant should be able to assist with. This also applies where you are factoring.

Niche and Specialism Effective businesses will have a strong niche or unique selling point, comprising specialist knowledge and proven expertise in which they continue to excel. It is important to know how to capitalise on these and it may be that as confidence returns you will wish to concentrate development on your higher margin niche sectors and wean off your more general lower profit lines.

Strategy and Planning Is there an up-to-date business plan with measurable aims for the next five years?

“Effective businesses Formulating a plan ensures the business will have a strong niche and personal goals or unique selling point, are aligned.

‘If you don’t know comprising specialist the vision for your business, how do knowledge and proven you know in which expertise in which they direction to head and what success looks continue to excel” like when you get there?’

Timely management information It is essential to maintain and produce up-to-date management information to allow informed decisions on aspects such as expansion, purchasing, pricing and margins. This includes variances from financial targets and key performance indicators. Benchmarking can be a useful tool to ensure you are on track. We use ‘Profit Cents’ which gives us access to hundreds of similar trades to check results to.

54 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Structure Make sure the structure remains right for the business, remembering not to let the tax tail wag the commercial dog! The business structure needs to match the size and complexity of your business.

We often review the structure so that it remains right for both the business, objectives and also personal goals. In most cases the limited company will be the right choice because of the protection it gives in a low tax regime but partnerships and LLPs have their place.

Build a Strong Team Establish a culture of excellence in your team and investigate grants available to

Louise Hastings

mentor your key employees. Many of our clients find it highly rewarding to stand back from the day-to-day management and reflect on performance as the more independent the team is of your input, the more valuable you are to an Investor.

Efficient systems improve profitability A systemised business will often be more profitable. This approach needs to run across the whole business, not simply how a product is manufactured or how its services are delivered, but also how well the business communicates – particularly with customers. The establishment of robust customer complaints procedures will also help to retain business and maintain profitability. Where these systems are more integrated, the value of the business is much greater and your team will be much happier.

Louise Hastings is an Associate Partner at the Chichester office of Moore Stephens South, which has five offices across the central southern area.

Address: City Gates, 2-4 Southgate, Chichester, W.Sx PO19 8DJ Tel: 01243 531600 E-Mail: louise.hastings@ moorestephens.com Web: moorestephens.co.uk/south

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

Small enough to care, yet large enough to cope

Moore Stephens Chartered Accountants CHICHESTER City Gates, 2-4 Southgate, Chichester PO19 8DJ

We understand how lonely it can be to run a business.

So we’re here to support you and make your life easier by taking care of your financial matters, leaving you to do what you do best.

T 01243 531 600

For a friendly, no obligation meeting, call us today.

T 01483 538 881

Working with you, not just your business

www.moorestephens.co.uk/south

GUILDFORD Priory House, Pilgrims Court, Sydenham Road, Guildford GU1 3RX

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 55 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.

Advertorial

New Lease of Life For Llama Park New owners’ plans to give The Llama Park a new lease of life seem to be paying dividends

Ashdown Forest Llama Park - now simply Success called The Llama Park Story changed hands in May 2013 when the new owners, Bobby Schuck and his wife Susan Barrow, took over. The previous owners ran the property for almost 16 years, starting with a collection of old buildings and growing The Llama Park to house llamas, alpacas, a team of reindeer, a knitwear and gift shop and coffee shop.

Bobby Schuck says: “My wife and I knew when we first saw The Park that, whilst it was in a good location with 33 acres of beautiful land, the real appeal was that it offered solid business growth.

At the same time we wanted to ensure that it would never be developed in a way which would undermine the integrity of its wonderful surroundings.

“So we bought the place in May 2013 and started the ball rolling with the introduction of new animals. Of course many people love llamas and alpacas, as do we, but to make it more ‘childrenfriendly’ we introduced a more appealing variety and now have 13 different types of animals and birds, including: pigs, sheep, donkeys, Spanish horses, ducks, guinea fowl, peacocks and chickens. We also hope to introduce ponies and goats next spring.

“The coffee shop and restaurant was the next area of the business to develop, so we improved the menu by serving Sunday roasts, more options for children and, of course, chips.

“We want the restaurant to become a venue where people will come to eat, during the day and, eventually, in the evenings regardless of whether or not they are interested in llamas. In other words, a great place to wine and dine in its own right. Next year we will extend the opening hours of the coffee shop and restaurant so customers can enjoy the longer summer evenings with a good meal and a glass of wine as we have a full alcohol licence which has been under-played in the past,” he says.

Whilst Bobby has run restaurants

Bobby Schuck and his wife, Susan Barrow

and managed retail outlets in the past, Susan is an all-round animal lover - with Spanish horses being a particular passion. She has also worked as a journalist on Fleet Street, having held roles in editorial and marketing management on The Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Express, and many leading fashion magazines. So she is able to cut costs with The Park’s advertising expenditure by designing and writing the ads and marketing material herself.

She says: “I am also very interested in the fashion and gift shop here at The Park and I do most of the buying whilst

Entertainment Barn, giving a whole new dimension to The Llama Park.

Says Bobby: “Having applied for a Marriage Licence, so that couples can be married on site, and having completed our Marriage Barn we have had two very successful weddings here with a promise of more to come in the spring. We are also planning to attract other private events throughout the year, including family and office parties and business meetings and conferences.”

So there has been a lot to do in the last eighteen months, Bobby and Susan - and their daughter Lily - have been at The Llama Park, and it certainly hasn’t been all wine and roses. In fact, after 15 years in Dubai, Bobby described last winter at The Park as “a bit like living in a disaster movie’’ when it rained torrentially and The Park suffered both power and water cuts.

“Bobby hates the cold whilst I rather like it, after the heat of Dubai,” says Susan, “And it certainly has not been an easy ride. Neither of us has had a day off since we started. However, we both consider ourselves to be very lucky to be able to live in such a stunning place with views of all our animals and across Ashdown Forest.”

And hard work does pay dividends. “Santa will continue to be a Christmas attraction this year when he comes to visit his reindeer here in December and we open Santa’s Grotto to the public once again,” concludes Bobby. “Business has been tough but at least this year I am not faced with the dilemma of whether or not I will have to dress up as Santa - because this year we can, once again, afford the real thing.

“I tell my daughter that ‘fun’ is the most important word in the dictionary and that if it is not fun then don’t do it.

Running The Llama Park has been great fun. We have met wonderful people who come to us as customers, children, young and old in all shapes and sizes and 99 per cent of them are very nice people and we consider ourselves honoured,” he concludes.

“The real appeal was that The Park offered solid business growth potential”

56 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

my Manager is fantastic at knowing what people will and will not buy. So, to widen our appeal, alongside our existing customer base for alpaca knitwear and furs, we have extended our offerings to include pure wool knitwear, more accessibly priced accessories, such as slippers and boots, hand-made jewellery, more toys for the kids as well as more bespoke gifts, such as cards, mugs and home accessories, sporting our own animals in their design.

“As with our food operation, our aim is to make the Shop worth a visit in its own right to buy fabulous clothes and gifts even if customers don’t want to go into The Park to see the animals.”

Bobby has headed up a redevelopment and renovation programme to create a Marriage and

www.llamapark.co.uk

The

Llama Park... ...growing its appeal

...to turn the business around For opening hours, entry fees, details of seasonal attractions, art exhibitions, shop and food enquiries, table reservations and for special occasion bookings, including marriages and wedding receptions, business meetings and parties visit: www.llamapark.co.uk Tel: 01825 712 040 Wynch Cross, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JN www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

57

Whether you need an automated entrance or opening for convenience or security, JLC Automation Services has the expertise and experience to provide a quality installation at competitive prices. We can also offer high-tech solutions including remote and app enabled control or your business or home Please contact us to discuss your requirements and book a free site survey.

Automatic Doors Gates Windows Barriers Shutters Disabled Adaptations

The Advantages of Automation Tel: 01293 567929

www.jlcautomationservices.co.uk

By Tony Hayes – JLC Automation Services

the access to your grounds or property. being far more reliable. Entrances that in There are many There is no need to stop to open gates as the past were awkward to access can now advantages to these can be automated and controlled be automated, thanks to miniaturisation automating the Advertorial from your vehicle or inside your premises. of the systems. In addition, the remote opening and closing Automation is particularly useful as we control facilities previously mentioned can of your doors, get older and become frail or disabled. bring an added level of versatility to most gates, windows, Indeed, automated doors, windows, applications. curtains, blinds and blinds, curtains etc. often form part of JLC Automation Services are based in much more, not a disabled adaptation that allows you Gatwick and Hailsham and have extensive least for convenience, safety, security to stay in your own home environment experience and expertise in automating and, in some cases, to meet regulations where you are much more comfortable all forms of entrances and openings. and legislation. In addition, recent and provides the convenience you Undertaking a wide range of both developments such as remote control require. commercial and domestic installations, allow you to have total control of your the company also premises, even when “Thanks to the latest technological advances, provides service you are physically away maintenance from your home or automation is now much more cost effective and for existing systems. business.

To complement than before, as well as being far more reliable” An example of the company’s prowess the advantages Examples of automation appropriate in this area is that they are the preferred of automation in your environment, to the domestic environment includes: automation provider for London Gatwick additional features can now be added, driveway gates, automated windows for Airport and have recently been awarded for example timers to open curtains and ventilation, curtains and blinds for privacy, Gatwick Airport’s Supplier of the Year blinds, remote control from a handheld shutters for security, entrance doors 2014. switch, integration with home automation and much more! Gates and doors can JLC offer a free telephone advice and systems and even control from a mobile be installed at the same time as remote site survey service and are happy to phone, tablet or other portable device. answering systems, to allow you to check discuss your application with you.

The more traditional advantages of on the visitor before allowing access. automating entrances and openings Thanks to the latest technological For further details, please visit for both domestic and commercial advances, automation is now much more www.jlcautomationservices.co.uk or applications are the enhanced security cost effective than before, as well as call them on 01293 567929. provided, allowing you to remotely control

www.jlcautomationservices.co.uk

58 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

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Ask the

Experts

SBT Ask the Experts is Sponsored by

We ask the experts to give you the answers you need

A

Q&

Chief Executive Ufi Ibrahim from the British Hospitality Associations answers our questions about the new EU Allergen Regulations

Q. What are the new Allergen Regulations?

The introduction of new Allergen Regulations on December 13th 2014 is mandatory for all EU member states. Just in time for the 2014 Christmas party season, every UK food vendor will be obliged to accurately track, record and communicate to the public 14 of the most common foods to cause allergic reactions. This applies to cafes, canteens, restaurants, hotels, pubs, take-aways, motorway service stations, festival caterers, schools, hospitals and prisons.

In fact, anywhere that food is eaten out of home.

For customers, the benefits of the new Regulations are clear. It will be much easier for the public to understand what allergens are present in the food they are eating out of home.

The regulations do, however, keep the onus on members of the public to inform staff about their food allergies before ordering. And with experts predicting that the number of people in industrialised countries suffering food allergies is on the increase through a combination of environmental and dietrelated factors, the significance of this legislation is only set to increase.

Q. What does this mean for food service providers?

The challenge will be greatest for food service providers who frequently change recipe or menu items; pop-up or event caterers; establishments with high staff turnover and smaller establishments who struggle without the resources to track, identify and record all allergens used from main dishes through to garnishes and drinks.

While supermarkets have had to tighten up their food sourcing and labelling in the wake of issues like the horsemeat scandal, these

new regulations are about improving information for people eating food out of home. It will require establishments to track and record 14 of the most common allergenic foods including nuts, shellfish and eggs.

While some food providers may view the new Regulations as excessive, this EU legislation is binding for all member states. It is designed to ensure that food businesses can confidently inform their customers about food allergens so that customers are able to make informed choices about what to eat.

The hospitality industry is forever striving to attract bright new talent to achieve its vision of shaping the future of hospitality and tourism as a driver for international competitiveness and economic growth. It must therefore devote time and energy into training its staff, continually evolving and raising its standards. Only by investing and training our workforce will we become a world class industry.

Understanding and implementing the new Allergen Regulations is a good start.

Q. Which allergenic ingredients do the new Regulations cover?

The 14 allergens that must be labelled or indicated as being present in foods are: • Cereals containing gluten such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt or khorasan • Crustaceans, for example prawns, crabs, lobster, crayfish

info@checkaprofessional.com

• Eggs • Fish • Peanuts • Soybeans • Milk (including lactose) • Nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecan nuts, Brazil nuts, pistachio nuts, macadamia (or Queensland) nuts

• Celery (including celeriac) • Mustard • Sesame seeds • Sulphur dioxide (more than 10mg/ kg or 10mg/L) • Lupin • Molluscs for example clams, mussels, whelks, oysters, snails and squid

0808 901 9042 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 59

SBT

Ask the

Experts

We ask the experts to give you the answers you need

Q

How can employers fulfil their duty of care to ensure staff get to and from work safely during winter?

A

As the evenings draw in The HR Dept is advising businesses to prepare early for the harsh winter elements out on the road.

It is an employer’s duty of care to ensure as far as is reasonably practical that employees travelling on company business are safe.

Q

Serena May, Director of The HR Dept Eastbourne, is concerned that many businesses fail to prepare their staff for the changing road conditions from the wet, icy or snowy weather and fall short of protecting their staff as far as is reasonably practicable.

Serena said: “Whether it’s dark grizzly evenings, wet or icy road conditions or snow, many staff are just not equipped with the driving skills to deal with the potential hazards they face. Businesses should consider sending staff that drive as part of their duties, on defensive driving training.

As with any other piece of dangerous work-equipment staff should always be trained. Training or refresher training would reduce the risk levels and also reduce insurance premiums and fuel costs. What other piece of work equipment would you

get away with not refreshing over a long period of time?”

The HR Dept can advise businesses of the various considerations for training for employees. For example, how long ago drivers took their test or when drivers were last trained on how to drive correctly or how to react to hazards on the roads. Serena added: “Over time we pick up bad habits.

It’s surprising how quickly we forget the Highway Code we learnt when taking both the theory and practical tests.

Consideration should always be given on making sure workers’ health is not affected through their work if you don’t want long periods of absence with bad backs. Drivers should be sat correctly behind the wheel, particularly if driving for long periods of time – ergonomic assessments are a must.”

We ask Malcolm Flemming of MJ Fire Protection: what do employers need to know about risk assessment in the workplace?

A

There are two types of risk assessment: Fire Risk Assessment for less than five employees, and Health and Safety Risk Assessment for more than five.

Both must be completed by the business owner, as heavy fines can be imposed – either a fine of up to £25,000.00, or closure of business. All businesses in rented accommodation

info@checkaprofessional.com 60 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

are responsible for covering the area they rent AND NOT THE LANDLORD!!

You must make your own arrangement with the extinguishers and risk assessment. Remember, you the owner of the business are responsible to ensure all extinguishers are serviced annually with the exception of nursing homes and residential homes, which must do so two times a year. In addition, CO2 extinguishers must be stretched, tested and refilled

every 10 years. All other types of extinguishers must be refilled every five years and all extinguishers must be of CE standard [KITE MARKED] and comply to BSEN3. All old extinguishers must be disposed of correctly by a licensed waste disposal company and provide a transfer note. All landlords are required to provide there tenants with adequate fire protection.

www.ukfire extinguishers online.co.uk

0808 901 9042

SBT Ask the Experts is Sponsored by

Q

We ask Simon Hoadley, owner of a wealth management company: how can wealth management benefit clients?

A

Wealth management is a relatively new profession so most people are vague about what wealth managers actually do.

Wealth management addresses a wide range of issues such issues as:

Q

investing a lump sum, deciding how much you need to save in order to retire comfortably, estate planning and saving inheritance tax, getting the right types and amounts of life and health insurance, planning to pay school or university fees, deciding how much to borrow and providing a general financial health check.

These are crucial issues for most people and their families. Initially the wealth manager and client must get to know each other well enough to decide whether to take the relationship further.

The chemistry will need to be right - as a potential client, you should be asking yourself: do I trust this person and can I work with them?

The planner’s job is to find out what the client wants to achieve with their

money, both now and in the future.

It is possible to carry out your own wealth management if you have the knowledge, time, patience and selfdiscipline. But there are good reasons why you probably won’t want to – even if you have all these characteristics. You may also find it hard to make these big decisions alone.

To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, contact Simon Hoadley Wealth Management on 01323 431938.

We ask Paul Maynard of solicitors firm Gaby Hardwicke: I suspect that our Production Director is taking steps to set up a rival business. Can he do this?

A

Directors are not treated like ordinary employees.

They are in a fiduciary position in the same way a trustee is towards a beneficiary or a solicitor is to his client.

A fiduciary must act in the interests of the person to whom he owes a duty and to act selflessly and with undivided

info@checkaprofessional.com

loyalty. In other words, a Director must put the interests of his company above his own interests.

This duty manifests itself in a number of ways. These duties apply to all types of director, executive or non-executive, quasi, i.e. where they are merely held out by their company to be a Director or Shadow Directors where they are not registered with Companies House but control the Board behind the scenes.

Under the common law, a Director must act in good faith in the best interests of the company and avoid any conflicts of interest. This means that he cannot make use for himself of a company’s confidential information or exploit any maturing business opportunities, even if the company would have chosen not to take up those

opportunities, nor can he carry on a competing business with that of the company.

Since the Companies Act 2006, many of those duties have been codified and are now on a statutory footing. These include a duty to promote the success of the company, a duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence and a duty to avoid conflicts of interest.

Whilst it is clear that a Director cannot compete against his company all the time he is in post, there is this grey area about what steps a Director can take to prepare to compete against the company in the future.

www.gabyhardwicke.co.uk

0808 901 9042 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 61

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Ask the

SBT Ask the Experts is Sponsored by

Experts

We ask the experts to give you the answers you need

Q

We ask Lee Tassell, Senior Sales Consultant of Carkmyke: Are delivery timescales different for lease cars?

A

Historically our leasing market has been the sub 50 fleet business sector and this is still the case today; however this model has begun to change in relatively recent times. There are currently around 1.3 million Contract Hire cars on UK roads, with an additional 0.75 million personal contract cars. There has been an upward trend in the numbers of private

Q

individuals looking to take advantage of the benefits of leasing as opposed to buying a vehicle. This increase in the numbers of personal leasing has come at the same time as a change in regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority. This means that those authorised under the FCA have had to demonstrate good governance and robust processes aimed at providing the consumer the best possible options and protection when choosing consumer credit to fund their leasing requirement.

We find that how the vehicle manufacturing industry works today is not generally known by the public at large. The days of ships and rail offloading hundreds of cars from a particular manufacturer onto the dockside where they would be parked up ready to be delivered are well

behind us. Modern manufacturing relies on the ‘just in time’ production methods.

This means that parts arrive direct to the production line exactly when they are needed. No storage costs or massive warehouses full of parts.

The vast majority of cars today are built to order, and we order from dealers as well. In addition, since the credit crunch manufacturers adjust build capacity to take account of any dips and peaks in demand. For the most ‘in demand’ marques such as Germany’s ‘Big Four’ can mean customers will need to be aware of the delivery timescales and manage acquiring their new car accordingly, so think three to four months as an approximate timescale. www.carmyke.co.uk

We ask Stewart Pierce, Financial and Commercial Director at Parker Building Supplies: Is investing in bricks and mortar still a sound approach to investment?

The simple answer is a very firm “yes”. Cash investments over the past six years have given very little return, while property prices have seen some significant increases.

Sussex has always been an affluent area and house prices have remained generally buoyant.

Construction in the South East is strong, as housing developers have been buying land and getting planning permissions for new developments.

London has been particularly buoyant, fuelled by Russian and

A

info@checkaprofessional.com 62 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Chinese investment. This has had the effect of forcing people to find more reasonably priced properties closer to the M25 orbital motorway. So as more home-buyers snap up properties along the M23/A23 corridor down towards Gatwick and Brighton, the whole of Sussex is seeing an uplift.

Over the past 12 months we have seen nothing short of a housing explosion across the South East. Land purchases made before or during the recession have now started to come back to life.

We are now waiting for the brick and block making companies to get back to full production to service this new appetite. Blocks remain on limited supplies, while brick orders can take

between 30-40 weeks for delivery. We expect the demand for bricks to remain high into 2015, with similar lengthy waiting times A number of haulage firms went out of business during the tougher times and now, with a more buoyant market, we are seeing delays on transportation.

Parker Building Supplies went into the recession in a strong position and came out of it at a sprint. We have increased our general builders merchants by 60% through acquisition and organic growth.

We now employ nearly 250 people at 23 locations across the region and our turnover will exceed £50m for the first time. Not bad for a completely independent company, with its head office in Uckfield!

0808 901 9042

SBT

Society Review Tree House Chestnut Business Awards 2015 Launch at Crawley FC

Amy Saunders and Hazel Mc Millan from Avios Group

A cheque for Chestnut Tree House received by Terrina Barnes from Stephanie George of Basepoint

Trevor Harman of HSBC, Leeann Connor from Gatwick Diamond Business Association, Anne Whatley and George Desilvo of Thomas Eggar Ltd

A presentation to guests from Chestnut Tree House Linda Perry

Liz Reschwamm of Mercedes Benz

Annabelle Ball of Technetix Group

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk Treating customers Fairly63

www.carmyke.co.uk

Photography Graham Franks ©

Nominations open for Chestnut Tree House Business Awards Around 80 representatives of Sussex businesses gathered at Crawley Town Football Club on Thursday 18 October for the launch of Chestnut Tree House biennial Business Awards.

The children’s hospice wants to reward and recognise the many Sussex businesses which have supported the charity and the sterling efforts of employees of those companies.

“We are caring for more children than ever before and our care costs are increasing, yet we receive less than 8% of our funding from central government and so are almost entirely dependent on the generosity and support of local businesses and individuals across Sussex.

We would like to say a big thank you to Be Creative, Crawley Town Football Club, Pegasus PR, Hiykon Pro Audio, Creative Pod, Monster Foods, Platinum Business Magazine and South Lodge Hotel for their support for the Business Awards.”

The Business Awards will take place on Thursday 12 March 2015 at South Lodge Hotel and tickets can be purchased for £65 per person or £600 per table of 10.

To book a place, please email corporate@chestnut-treehouse.org.uk or call 01903 871838

SBT

Society

Crimestoppers Birthday at Grand Hotel Brighton

Sussex author and Crimestoppers Patron Peter James with Crimestoppers Chief Executive Mark Hallas and Steve Honeysett

Sussex author Peter James with Lara Loveys

A very enthusiastic cake cutting from crime author and Crimestoppers Patron Peter James and slightly alarmed Artist Julie Anne Gilburt

Frank and Claire Brown

Hilary Patel and Jude Richards

Crimestoppers Steve Honeysett with Artist Julie Anne Gilburt Crimestoppers Carolyn Randall with Derek Powell

A certificate of recognition for Crimestoppers Carolyn Randall for dedication and commitment, presented by Sussex Chief Constable Giles York

Photography Graham Franks Š

Cool sounds from Penny Loosemore

Martin and Elliott Stevens

64 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk

Crimestoppers Al Harvey and John Burke Chairman of Sussex Crimestoppers

Barry and Tahilyn Carden

SBT

Society

Review

Savills Horse Trials, South of England Showground

From Savills Chris Spofforth, Rebecca How, Hannah Riches and Doug Jackson

Course designer Philip Herbert describes the course layout to guests

Chris Spofforth with the CIC* Winner Helen Wilson.

Savills Kaye Baker with scorer Angie Uridge

The Day family, Sarah, Jonathan, Isabel and Ottilie

65 Putting you www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk in the driving seat

www.carmyke.co.uk

Photography Graham Franks ©

Savills Rural and Residential teams from Haywards Heath have sponsored the South of England International Horse Trials for the second year running. The event which is held at the South of England Showground was a huge success and saw over 600 riders from across the globe competing over the two days.

Savills hosted lunch for over 40 clients and also provided an exclusive course walk, in glorious autumn sunshine, with one of Britain’s leading cross-country course-builders Philip Herbert.

Philip is British Eventing’s longest serving Technical Adviser and is Clerk of the Course for Burghley Horse Trials, where he has been responsible for course construction since 1981.

The event once again attracted many of the top riders in the sport, including William Fox-Pitt, Sir Mark Todd and Pippa Funnell. Commenting on the event, Chris Spofforth head of Savills Haywards Heath said, “We were delighted to sponsor this prestigious equestrian event for a second year and to date the feedback from clients, professional contacts and colleagues has been both unanimous and extremely positive. We already have a number who have requested an invitation for next year!”

Home Grown Hero

Made In Sussex: Simply Sussex Produce Kate and Graham Thomas started their business selling hampers and traditional ‘trugs’ after sampling Sussex produce and feeling disappointed at the lack of availability locally What did you both do before setting Brand up Simply Sussex Produce?

Focus Before I took the plunge to leave work I was working in finance and was very unhappy in my role. I didn’t feel very fulfilled generating spreadsheets and sending them off into the ether!

My husband is currently working at our local hospice during the week and helps me out in the evenings and weekends but I hope to get him onboard full time in the near future! He is the gardener behind the business keeping all our produce growing that we make our own range from.

Why did you decide to set up the business?

We always struggled to find a great hamper for our parents at Christmas and birthdays and felt disappointed with the gift hamper range on offer and thought it lacked imagination and used very ordinary products. I started to look around where we lived and was amazed by the variety and great products so spent every evening researching before taking the leap to quit my job and go full time on it. I haven’t looked back since and feel I should have done this years ago.

What were your main challenges starting out?

To start with I felt overwhelmed by the red-tape but after speaking to a local business they guided me through how to go about setting up our own range of jams and chutneys. I spoke to environmental health and they were really helpful in advising me the steps I needed. Getting the money to start

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up, I decided not to borrow and just grow slowly to ensure we didn’t get in to trouble financially. I also felt quite isolated working from home on my own but I have a friend who also left her job to set up her own B&B and that was invaluable having someone to bounce ideas off of and just chat about our concerns and worries.

Why are you so passionate about sourcing locally? Do you think we could all benefit from doing so?

Sussex in particular is awash with fantastic produce and products. Artisan producers make their products in smaller batches so the taste is far better than mass produced products. Our climate and landscape also contributes to great taste and flavours - you certainly taste it in the sparkling wines

and artisan cheeses and preserves. I am passionate about supporting local businesses some of whom who lack a mainstream route to market.

Is there a big market for corporate gifts in Sussex?

Our Corporate Gift hampers started last year by accident - again someone asked if we could provide 20 De-luxe hampers to go to some top FTSE 100 companies in the UK and Europe and we were delighted the brief was to showcase Sussex! So from that order we decided to offer it on our website and it is growing again this year because we can tailor them to meet the companies budget and be flexible. www.simplysussexproduce.co.uk

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