Women in Business Day

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1 Your regional August/September 2015 Lancashire & Cumbria magazine from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Women in Business Day sparks real ambition Delegates to a Listening Out Loud seminar in Preston Women in described it as inspirational Business Day and brilliant and stressed the need for more events of the same kind to be staged. The seminar - hosted by the Business Growth Service in association with the Federation of Small Businesses and Natwest - aimed to give Lancashire female business owners the chance to step out of their daily management role and put their business growth on the agenda. Organisers said it proved a big draw, with well-attended workshops and delegates going back with information on resources as well as skills they could implement straightaway. About 80 business women attended the seminar, which was broken into presentations and workshops, delivered by inspirational and experienced leaders. The event was widely-praised, with one delegate describing it as probably the best women s only networking type day I have been to, while others called it a great event and a useful resource. Delegates gave the clear message that they wanted further similar events to ensure that more help was made available to entrepreneurs. Participants heard a keynote speech from Wendy Bowers of Role. She talked about the milestones for business women over the past century and the need to reduce the gender pay gap. She also said that whilst there was an increase in women in senior management, there was still room for improvement. Paul Foster, FSB Development Manager, said: The event was very well received and we will be looking to work with partners to deliver more of these types of events in future. The sessions on what business support is needed will be fed directly into Boost Business Lancashire, the County s business support hub so that future provision incorporates need. With the economy picking up it is encouraging to see that more business-owners are seeing their growth plans gathering pace. Seaside support Seaside communities are being urged to create dedicated Coastal Community Teams to drive forward economic regeneration and a longterm vision by new Coastal Communities Minister, Mark Francois. The Government is providing over 1m to set up 110 Coastal Community Teams to deal with the specific economic challenges faced by seaside towns and take forward a local strategy for success. In a letter to coastal MPs, the Minister said the creation of these new teams would make sure the economic recovery is felt across the country, helping areas deal with specific coastal challenges and achieve their potential to develop strong and vibrant local economies. University awarded Lancaster University s work to support businesses and the economy has been recognised in the inaugural Educate North Awards. The University picked up the Commercial Engagement Award at a ceremony at The Hilton, Manchester Deansgate, on June 3. Lancaster University employs around 80 staff in dedicated businesssupport roles and their activity leads to more academics and students working with around 600 businesses a year. Helen Fogg, IEED Head of Business Engagement, said: It was an honour to accept this award which recognises commercial engagement across the University. See more at CONTENTS Regional News 2, 11, 14 Transport 3 Environment 3 Employment 4 Farming, Fishing & Food 5 Telecoms 5 Finance Health & Safety VAT Legal Taxation Regional Contacts VOICE EDITORIAL: This publication is produced by and published for the Federation of Small Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE. Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel: james.connor@fsb.org.uk. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses and opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily the policy of the Federation. Lancashire & Cumbria Page 1 CONTACT WELCOME to this latest edition of YOUR Regional bringing you up-to-date news from the FSB. To advertise your business in this magazine call Caroline McLoughlin on For editorial content, contact Paul Foster on or paul.foster@ fsb.org. uk

2 Chairman s welcome One of our key asks for the first Budget under the new Government has been to upscale our broadband provision and ambition. The current aim of all areas having 5MBPS speeds is still going to see us at an international disadvantage when compared with what other countries can expect. Upping this ambition to 10MBPS should therefore be an achievable goal and one that will pay its own way through higher tax receipts from flourishing businesses. We are aware though that 5MBPS is a million miles from where some of our rural areas in Lancashire & Cumbria are at present, we are aware that some of you can t access the internet at all and that mobile phone coverage is also unreliable. As our report on broadband in 2014 pointed out, it is regarded as the fourth utility. Not having access to something which has become such an essential business tool is clearly going to significantly hamper a small business. It makes little sense to allow a two-tier system to develop which pushes more people towards our congested towns and cities, but underinvestment in broadband is doing exactly that. We are pushing hard on this nationally with the Government but also locally with Members of Parliament, authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnerships, because the more noise we can make the better chance we will get what we need in an economic environment which pitches areas against each other in securing investment. Page 2 Gary Lovatt, FSB Regional Chairman December 5 confirmed for SBS Small Business Saturday (SBS) 2015 is on December 5 and we want to hear your plans. Last year we took Members of Parliament to see local small businesses, supported town centre festivals and worked with Virgin Trains to take 40 members on a first class Young Uns are being celebrated Lancashire s young business people celebrated at Lancashire Business View s Young Uns Awards 2015 as the next generation of movers, shakers and decision makers were crowned at the Wild West themed shindig held at Winter Gardens Spanish Ballroom in Blackpool. From legal eagles to digital dynamos, red-hot retailers to globetrotting international traders, those making waves in Lancashire & Cumbria trip to Carlisle s Christmas markets. Small Business Saturday UK is now in its third year and has a growing record of adding value to the bottom lines of small businesses across the country. The day encourages people to use their local small businesses, be they business in the county were recognised across 13 categories including High Flying Young Un and Young Un of the Year. A full list of the winners can be found at www. lbvyoung-uns.co.uk The awards were organised by Lancashire Business View magazine and backed by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Boost Business Lancashire and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Richard Slater, an FSB member and publisher of Lancashire Business View, said: The response we ve City centre regeneration plans An ambitious vision for a cinema development and market is at the heart of the re-generation of Preston City Centre.The Markets Quarter development aims to deliver gamechanging cinemas and improve and enhance Preston Markets with a new, exciting market right in the heart of Preston City Centre. And in another sign of growing confidence in the shops or otherwise and echoes the FSB s own Keep Trade Local campaign. Tell us your plans and let us support you by ing paul.foster@fsb.org.uk. The Small Business Saturday website has resources: www. smallbusinesssaturdayuk. com FSB members at Young Uns Awards had to the Young Uns Awards 2015 has been terrific and it was fantastic to celebrate with the finalists and winners. He added: Young Uns started life as a feature in our magazine, profiling the sharpest business minds aged 36 and under. Eventually, we had so many fantastic stories it became obvious we needed to honour them. Gary Lovatt, a director at the FSB and Regional Chairman, commented: Nurturing tomorrow s business leaders is vital for the future prosperity of the Lancashire economy. City Centre, the former Post Office building on Birley Street, is to be actively marketed for hotel and leisure development.

3 E3 high achievers are honoured The finals of the 2015 E3 Business Awards took place recently at the Macron Stadium in Bolton. Around 500 representatives of North-West businesses, universities and support organisations attended to celebrate the achievements of the finalists and the award winners. The awards celebrate achievement in areas of enterprise, education and employment. This year s nominations were judged by an independent panel of entrepreneurs, academics and business experts including the FSB s local Development Manager, Paul Foster. The shortlist was selected on the basis of written submissions and the finalists were subsequently interviewed by the judging panel. Speaking on behalf of 1 Events Media, Managing Director and FSB member Mubarak Chati said: The E3 Awards are now in their third year and they ve grown steadily. This year, the number of entrants has risen sharply. Even more striking has been the high standard of the entries. Our 15-strong judging panel interviewed businesses that have not only been achieving exceptional growth, they ve also been displaying innovation, shrewd management and commendable social responsibility. The judges have gained a clearer understanding of how local charities and social enterprises are making a real difference to communities. We ve seen organisations achieving exceptional things. The E3 Awards website - co.uk - has the winners, photographs and video of the event. FSB welcomes China visit to Blackpool FSB members with Mr Wu Yanjun FSB Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Branch have been pressing the flesh as interest in the area from foreign businesspeople progresses. Susanne Johnson, FSB Branch Chair, said: It was a pleasure to welcome a delegation of politicians from China who are keen to establish closer trading ties with Blackpool. The Chinese are thrilled with Blackpool; they adore ballroom dancing and, as you know, Blackpool is the world capital of ballroom dancing. They come here to visit our beautiful Tower Ballroom, but then see all the other fabulous things we have that other places don t have, and so they love E3 Awards winners Blackpool. The delegation, headed up by Mr Wu Yanjun, Mayor of Sanya People s Municipal Government of China, spent their visit meeting Council officials and local dignitaries. Apprentices are given reputation protection The term apprenticeship will be protected in law, the Government has announced. This will strengthen their reputation, help working people and ensure apprenticeships are recognised as a career path equal to higher education. With over 2.2 million apprenticeships created since 2010 to help establish the UK as the fastest growing economy in the G7, the Government will also enshrine in law its commitment to create 3 million apprenticeships by With apprenticeships giving hope and opportunity to more young people, and helping all types and sizes of businesses grow in communities across the UK, the Skills Minister will legally protect the term apprenticeship through the Enterprise Bill. This will give Government the power to take action when the term is misused to promote low quality courses. To ensure that more young people can benefit the Minister has also announced that public bodies will now be set targets to take on more apprentices. Schools, hospitals, prisons and police forces will all be creating opportunities for young people to get on. Skills Minister, Nick Boles, said: If university graduates have their moment in the sun so should people who undertake apprenticeships. Businesses know their value so it is high time they were recognised both by the public and in law as being equal to degrees. We want far more employers to get involved in apprenticeships. This means making sure that we practice what we preach in Government, so we re going to require all public sector bodies schools, hospitals, prisons and police forces to employ apprentices. Lancashire & Cumbria Page 11

4 Fantastic opportunity to build your own business as a self employed, commission only SALES MEMBERSHIP ADVISOR 35K OTE PER YEAR? PERSUADE 1 BUSINESS PER DAY TO JOIN FSB? PROVEN TRACK RECORD IN SALES? RELISH EXCEEDING SALES TARGETS? TERRITORIES ACROSS UK If the answer is yes then read on! What s on offer? 35,000 on target earnings (uncapped) top earners earn 100k+ Minimum target 1 new member per day Market potential of over 5 million UK businesses Proven sales model 200k current business members Earn more by cross selling products and services Cash incentives for top performers Fully training provided and ongoing sales support Territories available across the UK What about you? Self starter, driven, hungry for success Energised by beating sales targets Expert networker and passionate about business B2B experience desirable Skill and drive to generate your own appointments You ll need a car, a valid driving licence and mobile phone HOW TO APPLY Like what you see then we want to hear from you? Go to the Self Employed Opportunities page or to find out more, call us on The policy of the FSB is that all individuals shall be given equal opportunities in all the areas. This means that individuals should not receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, colour, race, ethnic origin, religious beliefs or disability. Lancashire & Cumbria Page 12

5 Glasgow Glasgow hosts our National Conference in It is Scotland s largest city and one of Europe s most vibrant and dynamic destinations. We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful city of Glasgow next year! Federation of Small Businesses Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Lancashire, FY4 2FE FSB Small Business Expo & National Conference March 2016 SECC Clyde Auditorium Glasgow G3 8YW

6 TPW celebrate FSB member Mark Murray and his agency team, TPW Design Consultants, are celebrating after carrying off the trophy for Best Creative Agency at this year s HIVE Blackburn with Darwen Business Awards. Mark and his colleagues beat off competition from businesses across the borough to take the top slot at the inaugural awards ceremony. To take home a trophy, entrants first had to undergo a rigorous judging process which meant submitting a detailed application followed by an in-depth interview by the judging panel. The best of the borough s businesses were selected and shortlisted to attend the gala presentation evening at Blackburn s iconic Cathedral. Mark said: I think the judges were not only impressed by our creative work but also inspired by our commitment to the training and skillingup of local students and graduates, giving them a head-start with valuable and practical real-world knowledge and experience. The HIVE Awards are supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to showcase the extraordinary business talent and enterprise in the region. We congratulate Mark and the team and wish them every success in the future. John Woodcock MP meets Branch The FSB s Furness Branch held their latest meeting with local MP John Woodcock the guest. Having been re-elected at the General Election, Mr Woodcock has also been promoted to the Labour Party Frontbench as Shadow Education Minister with responsibility for young people. With the FSB a key organisation when it comes to its members employing young people this is likely to be a mutually interesting area of focus. FSB members raised the issue of rollover contracts and energy companies; a need to improve phone and internet connectivity in rural areas, as well as transport infrastructure priorities to ensure that the area can benefit as devolved funding to the Northern Powerhouse begins to gather pace. Phil Collier, Chairman of the Furness Branch of the FSB, said: With the opportunities that are here John Woodcock MP meets FSB members in the area at the moment there is great potential for small businesses but it is important that we engage with as many key people and stakeholders as possible to ensure that small businesses are at the forefront of everyone s minds. Mr Woodcock said: It is great that the local FSB has brought people together because this is such an exciting time for the Furness economy but it is not going to happen Have you got news for us? Has your business been recognised for its excellence? Have you developed a new product or service that has a wow-factor? If so let us know and your news could be shared in a future issue of Regional with over 7000 other FSB members across Lancashire & Cumbria. Keep us informed of what makes your by default. We have to be really active to make sure that firms are benefiting to the full and that s going to be a priority going forward. Paul Foster, the FSB s local Development Manager said: The meeting was very positive. Change will not happen overnight but we need our local MPs to be fully aware of what it is like to run a business locally so they can use their influence in Westminster to develop policies which will create a stronger economy. business really stand out by ing Development Manager Paul Foster at paul.foster@fsb. org.uk REGIONAL OFFICE Paul Foster Development Manager Federation of Small Businesses Tel: Mobile: Just a few of the benefits of membership of the FSB LEGAL HELPLINE You need your membership number when you call. Page 14 Lancashire & Cumbria INLAND REVENUE In-depth Enquiries - Remember to call the help line immediately you have any indication of Inland Revenue enquiry. EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS Remember to call the help line before taking any action regarding staff problems. Follow the advice given and the FSB insurance cover will be valid if a tribunal results. LEGAL TAX CLAIMS To obtain a claim form telephone FREE BUSINESS BANKING Exclusive account with the Cooperative Bank. All standard transactions free, including unlimited cheques in and out, free cash deposits up to agreed limit, free automated payments and more. VISIT FSB WEBSITE for national policy and other information. Click on Regions at the top of the page and then Lancashire & Cumbria for regional and branch information about future meetings. Why not apply to have a free entry in the on-line Directory?