Date: May 21, 2012 Time: 11:29 am
Learn how UKTI can help your businesses develop and expand in to new markets. Attendees will benefit from practical export knowledge and substantial assistance on how to trade overseas.
Guest Speaker, Martin Oxley, Director, UK Trade and Investment, Poland. Originally from the North West of the UK Martin has spent the last 20 years working in Central Europe and now runs the British Embassy Warsaw team as Director. Read More
Date: May 17, 2012 Time: 4:12 pm
Mike Damms, East Lancashire’s CEO, attended the meeting with David Cameron at the Institute of Directors today.
The Prime Minister’s speech has attracted much media attention, especially with the topicality of the perils facing the euro. He made it very clear that the role of his Government was to shelter the UK economy from the prospective storms, and that he would be talking to his European counterparts and financial heads, including the new French premier this very afternoon.
He also made it clear that ‘austerity’ would remain but it was not of itself an alternative to growth. He also defended the Queen’s Speech, and some other Government statements, which has been criticised in some quarters as not being business friendly enough. As he pointed out, you can’t simply legislate for growth to happen.
This leads on to the way that you as individual businesses can help.
The PM went on to robustly defend the Government’s record in responding to positive proposals from business. He cited infrastructure investment, simplification of taxes and reduction of corporation tax, expansion of the number of apprentices, reform of benefits…. but he asked the audience to keep putting forward proposals.
He was also very positive about manufacturing and was, of course, able to refer to the news for GM and the automotive sector.
One detailed example that he expressed great interest in was the idea of child care being tax-allowable for fledgling entrepreneurs, especially women.
So please do let us know at the Chamber if you have ideas, no matter how grand or small, that you believe could help mobilise the economy and increase employment: we will pass them on. Contact l.gaskell@chamberelancs.co.uk
Date: May 17, 2012 Time: 9:45 am
The Queen has successfully been monarch for 60 years and to celebrate we’ll be hearing from two members who’ll share their experiences as successful business women – Sabiha Patel of Simply Chocolicious and Yvonne Williams ofPozStep Consulting.
Sabiha produces an array of hand-made chocolate gifts. Her orders range from one-off bespoke items to bulk orders of 1600 handmade chocolates for corporate clients. She recently provided personalised chocolate lollipops for the goody bags at the launch of Amy Childs’ SS12 Clothing Collection and has just won The Mall Blackburn’s Retail Factor competition. All this is extraordinary considering that only three years ago she went on her first chocolate making training course!
Yvonne is a personal development practitioner and believes we can all learn from those who make the breakthrough. We’re all looking for the lucky break, the latest ‘thing’, the biggest order to date, the loyalist customer and the breakthrough that we know we deserve. If you want to enjoy your breakthrough you need to get alongside and learn from those who’ve achieved it. Yvonne will be sharing the story of Sabiha and allowing you to learn from their exciting yet somewhat scary journey to success.
This popular networking lunch is one not to miss – a superb 2 course lunch, a gift from Simply Chocolicious and the chance to meet fellow businesswomen in a first-class venue!
The Shireburn Arms is a historic 17th century inn of great warmth and character at the heart of the Ribble Valley. Recently refurbished it now looks fabulous!
Book your place here, make your menu choices and look forward to an excellent networking opportunity.
Date: May 14, 2012 Time: 3:49 pm
The Chamber of Commerce East Lancs is flying the flag for Rossendale businesses 
with a business networking event themed around The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Following the success of the inaugural ‘Meet and Eat at the Chambers’, which attracted over 100 delegates in February, the Chamber is pleased to announce the next event will take place on Monday 28th May, as part of the ‘Six in Six Days’ networking sessions taking place in the lead up to the jubilee celebrations.
‘Meet and Eat at the Chambers’ is a business-to-business networking group, based at St Mary’s Chambers in Rawtenstall, where firms can forge contacts, debate hot topics that affect the region, and ultimately do business in a relaxed, informal environment.
In-keeping with the jubilee theme, delegates will gain insight from guest speaker Ron Hutchinson, a former PA to a Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, and Corporate Fundraising Manager at Rossendale Hospice. Ron was also a chauffeur for several members of the Royal family, including Princess Diana.
He will be discussing how businesses can benefit by working with charities and provide insight into his life with the Royals.
Darren Grantham, from Chamber of Commerce East Lancs, said: “We are keen to stimulate growth in Rossendale and developing a vibrant business network group is a key part of our strategy.
“The first ‘Meet and Eat’ was a huge success and our aim going forwards is to shine a light on Rossendale and encourage businesses from across East Lancs to come into the Valley and forge new contacts.
“Rossendale is home to some great businesses and, because of its proximity to the motorway network, we believe it has great potential for future growth.”
The jubilee-inspired ‘Meet and Eat at the Chambers’ will take place on Monday 28th May at St. Mary’s Chambers, between 12pm and 2pm. The cost is £15 plus VAT per person and you can reserve a place by visiting the Chamber of Commerce East Lancs website www.chamberelancs.co.uk/events where you will also found out more about the ‘Six in Six Days’ Jubilee Networking.
A raffle will be held on the day toraise money for Rossendale Hospice and photographer David Severns Jones will be capturing the event.
The Chamber of Commerce East Lancs are delivering ‘Meet and Eat at the Chambers’ in partnership with Cassons Chartered Accountants, Viva PR, and web development company ISSL.
Date: May 10, 2012 Time: 4:30 pm
HMRC have published The Export Best Practice Guide and have a section dedicated to the role of the exporter and freight agent.
This section explains the legal responsibility to ensure that goods are accurately declared when leaving the UK.
