Welcome to this week's newsletter. Watch our weekly update from Stuart Elford, CEO at Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce by clicking above. |
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๐ข IT'S COMPETITION TIME ๐ข
The Devon & Plymouth Chamber, in partnership with Bigwave Marketing, is offering one lucky person the chance to win a free 30-minute โDiscovery Callโ with an experienced โBigwave Growth Business Mentor and Coachโ.
The prize also includes a copy of โAnnihilate your Competitionโ - the 12-step guide to achieving explosive business growth - written and signed by author Benn Davis.
During the 30-minute 'Discovery Call', the coach will:
1๏ธโฃ Identify the current challenges that restrict your business's growth and discuss how you can tackle them.
2๏ธโฃ Share real examples of where Bigwave has worked with clients on similar challenges.
3๏ธโฃ Provide an opportunity to reflect on your thoughts and ideas.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ โ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งโ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ก?
Good luck ๐ค
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Updates & Guidance from British Chambers of Commerce and Government |
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Recovery Loan Scheme
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) launched earlier this week will provide financial support to businesses across the UK as they recover and grow following the Coronavirus pandemic. BCC's Suren Thiru was included on the press release welcoming the new scheme which "can play a potentially pivotal role in supporting the recovery by getting credit flowing to the firms who most need it".
Loans will include 80% government guarantee and interest rate cap. Businesses โ ranging from coffee shops and restaurants, to hairdressers and gyms โ can access loans varying in size from ยฃ25,000, up to a maximum of ยฃ10 million. Invoice and asset finance is available from ยฃ1,000.
The scheme will run until 31 December 2021, subject to review and be administered by the British Business Bank, with loans available through a diverse network of accredited commercial lenders. See further information here.
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BCC Monthly Economic Review โ April 2021
Take a look at the BCC's Monthly Economic Review for April. This briefing is our analysis of the key domestic and international economic indicators for business. This month's headlines:
- UK GDP falls in January amid the squeeze on economic activity from the third lockdown.
- Latest QES points to a โdifficultโ Q1, but also sees a sharp uptick in business confidence.
- First official post-Brexit trade data showed a record fall in UK exports to the EU in January.
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Advocacy Update - 8th April
๏ปฟ
Take a look at the latest weekly roundup from the BCC advocacy team, including a summary of BCC engagements, upcoming activities and key dates.
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Updates from Local Authorities |
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New Trading Standards Joint Service
The current joint Devon, Somerset & Torbay Trading Standards Service will now include Plymouth.
This merger of the two services has now been completed and as of 01 April 2021 we are now operating as a joint service across the four local authority areas of Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
We believe that incorporating Plymouth Trading Standards Service into the previous Devon, Somerset & Torbay arrangement, will create one efficient and effective joint service across the whole of the Heart of the South West, Local Enterprise Partnership area. One that we believe will increase resilience, improve service delivery, allow greater specialisation of staff and help deliver a more consistent offer to business and consumers across the four local authorities
Staff will continue to be based in all four local authority areas and local knowledge and responsiveness will continue to be central to the way we work which will be through an outcome focussed and risk-based approach. However, much of our general communications will now be centralised and we are in the process of updating the details on our various communication channels.
Devon, Plymouth, Somerset & Torbay Trading Standards Service: Main contact details
Businesses and partners calling us from the joint service area can use these numbers:
- 01392 381381 if calling from Devon.
- 01752 304147 if calling from Plymouth.
- 0300 123 2224 if calling from Somerset.
- 01803 208025 if calling from Torbay.
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Re-opening your business safely
As the 12 April approaches, it is important that businesses take the right steps to ensure they re-open safely to ensure the protection of their employees and customers. Specific details about how lockdown restrictions will change on the 12 April are available online.
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Could your business partner up with an IT development business?
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The ELCOM company is a leading Slovak company focusing on development of IT devices. The company portfolio of products and services includes cash registers, signature machines, and industrial computers.
Elcom s.r.o.(Ltd) is looking for a UK partner, not only in distribution, but for importantly for mutual cooperation focused on innovation, digitalisation in industry, healthcare, etc. The desired partners include for example providers of electronic signature solutions providing for client centres, banks or government, companies with experience in selling computer industrial equipment, or IT intergrators to complement their solutions with Elcomโs hardware.
To learn about the full scope of collaboration offer click the button below.
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Chamber Live: Getting Back to Work |
Weโre beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel as the world of business prepares to go back to something like normality. But what do we need to consider to ease our teams back to the workplace? Should we be embracing a hybrid world of work from home and office life? Join us on Thursday 22nd April for a special edition of Chamber Live as we hear from expert panellists who can help you understand the answers to those questions and what steps you need to put in place to ensure a smooth transition. |
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Chamber Live: Local Suppliers and Local Procurement |
The challenges of the past year have spurred a national movement to supporting local. Plymouth City Council has set a target to increase spending with local suppliers by 10 per cent over the next two years. In this Chamber Live on Thursday 29th April, we will explore the ways some of the regionโs leading businesses have adapted their procurement practices and look at how your business can better support local so we can build a more sustainable economy for all. |
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In collaboration with Fresh Air Studios, this year's Access to Finance Live will be hosted and presented live in studio with back-to-back content from exhibitors and sponsors. An exciting finance marathon to provide invaluable financial advice and support for making a success of 2021 and how to fuel your post-COVID recovery. The 2021 virtual Finance event is aimed at aspirational businesses seeking investment and support as they look to grow as well as students and entrepreneurs alike.
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What other types of documents do we process?
- Commercial invoices and packing lists
- Any commercial or legal documents required for international trade such as: Power of Attorney, Distributor Agreement, Health Certificate, Certificate of Free Sale, Trademark Certificate, Commercial Contract, Article of Association and Certificate of Incorporation
Any such documents will only be processed if they bear an original signature and that signature is on the company Formal Undertaking.
Any documents issued by UK Government, that do not bear a physical signature, will need to be countersigned by an Authorized Signatory of the company (whose signature features on the Formal Undertaking).
๏ปฟPlease note that we can only certify or legalize original documents. Copies can also be processed, provided that they have been certified as โtrue copy of the original documentโ by a Notary Public, Solicitor or an Authorized Signatory of the company (whose signature is on the Formal Undertaking).
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Disability Confident โ we are 20,000 strong! |
There are now 20,000 Disability Confident employers. You are part of network of inclusive organisations employing more than 11 million workers. Thank you for making the commitment to your current and future disabled colleagues. You can find out more about reaching this landmark and new support for disabled jobseekers on gov.uk. It would be great to have your support in marking this record.
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Marketing agency Astley Media eyes growth in 2021 |
Marketing and PR agency Astley Media has sailed into 2021 with a fresh rebrand, exciting portfolio of new clients and a call for more talent to join the team. The full service agency, which won the CIPR South of England Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy Gold Award just six years after launching in 2011, has secured three significant new clients in recent weeks, East Devon Council, the Heart of the South West Digital Skills Partnership and the international data insight and business intelligence company Ikano Insight.
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South West Vehicle Rentals are here to help |
South West Vehicle Rentals is a trading style of long established vehicle and finance broker Solv Finance Ltd who are based in the South Hams. The new entity provides daily rental vehicles for hire and short term lease vehicles for periods of five months through to two years. This complements the existing longer term Contract Hire that Solv Finance Ltd already offer. Please visit them at : https://www.swvehiclerentals.co.uk/. On the website you can review vehicles available, made daily rental bookings and request further information on short term lease options.
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Wear, share and show you care |
Childrenโs Hospice South West are celebrating their 30th Anniversary year and during April they have launched a new campaign โShirty Thirtyโ to show their support to the care teams who have been getting creative with their scrubs to bring smiles to childrenโs faces and help them feel less daunted by the appearance of extra PPE. Itโs really easy to take part, all you have to do is simply wear a fun, colourful shirt or T shirt, take a photo and share it on social media with the hashtag #shirtythirty and text SHIRTY to 70085 to donate ยฃ5. Or encourage colleagues to wear fun shirts, tops or jackets to raise smiles on your next Zoom call and raise vital funds for the children and families that use Little Harbour your local childrenโs hospice. |
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FREE Courses for Devon Businesses and Residents |
Devon businesses and residents are urged to take advantage of European Social Funding worth ยฃ3.5million. SMART SKILLS funding will help Devon based small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) businesses and other organisations to identify skills gaps in their existing workforce and provide the skills training they need to become more resilient during this economic crisis and beyond. The bid aims to support business now for the future. |
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Work-Related Stress: Developing Manager Capability
5th May 2021
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HSE's one day online course is designed to increase delegates' confidence and competence in managing individual stress-related cases and provide advice on fostering a supportive working environment.
To find out more and/or book your place(s) click the button on the right.
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Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Course in Plymouth
Monday 26th April 2021
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If you are running a business, you need to ensure you are protecting your employees & customers. One of the best ways to do that is by taking one of Certifi Training's HSE Compliant & Ofqual Regulated First Aid Courses. Their 1 Day Course designed for low-risk workplaces. All learners will have the skills and knowledge to provide the organization with Emergency First Aiderโs that can provide treatment to their casualties in a prompt, safe and effective manner. |
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What are the most important things to consider as a business owner? ๐ง
In the fourth episode of our 'In Conversation With...' podcast, Vince Brooks, Director at Engage Workplace, talks to CEO Stuart Elford about his passion for creating a better workplace environment ๐
We're also joined by Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, who discusses his Welsh roots, his rebel university days, why he got into local politics and the day he became an OBE ๐ฌ
Subscribe now via Apple iTunes, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts:
Huge thanks to Fresh Air Studios for helping produce this series and we hope you enjoy! ๐
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We are offering 1-2-1 support calls
Chamber members can now book a 121 support call with the team to give the best guidance possible during the pandemic. If you need business help, advice and support then please book a call. They Chamber can help you find the right solutions, particularly the support available to you during the pandemic and how to access it. Book a call here.
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