Your Development Manager: or call

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1 East Sussex Your Development Manager: or call January/February 2016 INDIE SHOPPING DELIGHTS ARE HIGHLIGHTED ON CAMPAIGN DAY The Federation of Small Businesses was out in force around East Sussex in support of Small Business Saturday (SBS) on 5th December. SBS UK is a grassroots campaign highlighting small business success. It encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses in their community. In Brighton, FSB member Mojo Coffee House held a networking business session at their Queens Road site, supported by FSB s team. Meanwhile in Hastings, local FSB Chairman Brett McLean took Hastings Borough Council Leader, Peter Chowney on a shop local trip calling in on FSB members in the retail sector. Nicolae Trofin met with local MP Huw Merriman at member firm Di Paolos cafe in Bexhill to talk small business over coffee. The Eastbourne FSB team took Caroline Ansell MP shopping meeting local members in Eastbourne. The visit took in the Little Chelsea area and Enterprise centre. Finally, Development Manager, Martin Searle, set off for Forest Row CLLR ROY GALLEY AND CHAIRMAN OF WEALDEN COUNCIL, BARBY DASHWOOD-MORRIS WITH ELI FROM BRAMBLETYE FRUIT FARM village in the afternoon to enjoy The Feast of St Nicholas. Meeting Wealden MP, Nus Ghani and lead Councillor for business and the economy on Wealden District Council, Roy Galley, Martin tasted the delights of the region s biggest village WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS FSB SPONSORED BEST NEW BUSINESS IN SUSSEX WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS: MORE INSIDE. REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 (pictured). Colin Slaughter, new Chairman of the Eastbourne, Wealden and Lewes Branch, said It is great to see Eastbourne supporting Christmas shopping with small independent firms. TAKING A BREAK AT KOUZINA S CAFE - JOHN ALLAN, FSB NATIONAL CHAIRMAN (LEFT) PAID A VISIT TO BRIGHTON RECENTLY, TO MEET MEMBER RETAILERS AND SHOP OWNERS IN OPEN MARKET AND LONDON ROAD. REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL

2 East Sussex PAGE 2 CHAIRMAN S Dear Member, I write to you with our AGM season just completed and new FSB activist teams in place, ready to take us forward into In 1066 Country, Brett McLean will be leading the Branch forward. In Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden, the Branch Chairman is Colin Slaughter, whilst I am delighted to inform you that in Brighton and Hove we now have an enthusiastic committee team up and running, led by Malcolm Harvey. They each come to the table with extensive business experience and knowledge especially in relation to what we can do for the business community and local economies. They will continue to be supported by our experienced Development Manager, Martin Searle, and I hope they can count on your support too in their campaigning, events and initiatives represents quite a change for FSB as we go forward with our first comprehensive rebranding. The new logo is modern and distinctive and is designed to ensure we stand out in the traditional media and online. Our new website represents a quantum leap forward containing all the latest features required for the modern entrepreneur. We will be updating our social media to ensure we use every communications channel at our disposal. The modernisation positions us as the experts in business, uniting our strengths in the regions, in policy and membership benefits. It supports our mission to offer the best service. Darran Hathaway, Regional Chairman, East Sussex 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. MAKING FSB CONNECTIONS STRONGER The FSB Connect initiative, which aims to connect younger business owners and students with FSB, is progressing in East Sussex. Alan Richardson, Membership Adviser for Brighton and Hove, and Martin Searle, Development Manager, presented to entrepreneurs at the e-spark hatchery in Preston Road, Brighton, recently (pictured). The e-spark venture is a nationwide business accelerator programme, powered by Natwest, offering entrepreneurs free workspace, mentoring and training FSB WEALDEN ACCORD PRODUCES BIG RESULTS As our members know, FSB campaigns for small business interest at every level of Government. In the East Sussex Region our Branch committee teams meet regularly with Local Government Council leaders to inform and influence their thinking on this score. These relationships are called FSB Accords and the one with Wealden District Council has particularly paid dividends. Recently, the Council hosted a Careers Fair at the East Sussex National Hotel near Uckfield, to support young people s work readiness and widen their awareness of apprenticeship options as well as enterprise which could one day see to get their product or service either off the ground or growing into its next phase. FSB has supported it since its launch and, in the presentation, Alan addressed the many benefits of FSB membership to reduce costs and grow your business. Martin spoke of FSB s campaigning work and FSB joined the busy business fair at the Sussex Coast College on Hastings station plaza. New and existing members visited the stand to learn about how to get the best from the many membership benefits on offer. Emma Wooltorton (pictured), FSB South and South London Sales Manager, joined the team which included Brett McLean (left) and Nicolae Trofin (right). E-SPARK ENTREPRENEURS TAKE IN FSB PRESENTATION EMILY ASSINDER OF YOUNG ENTERPRISE IN ACTION AT WEAL- DEN CAREERS FAIR Government lobbying for small business interests. He informed of a forthcoming FSB Connect event (more in the next issue). Tom Druitt from the Big Lemon, (front right), a bus company fuelled by turning waste cooking oil into biodiesel, presented the FSB member perspective. them running their own business. FSB also held a joint business breakfast with the Council at the same venue where the hot topic was grants and funding for business. Attended by over 40 businesses, Don Cranfield of Plumpton College spoke of the Wealden and Rother Rural Leader fund and Chris Thomas of Locate East Sussex addressed support for start-ups and growing small and medium enterprises. Colin Slaughter, Branch Chairman, said, We look forward to two more joint breakfasts in 2016 and developing the Careers Fair concept further perhaps into a conference. LET S DO BUSINESS IN HASTINGS EMMA WOOLTORTON MAKES PRIZE DRAW ON FSB STAND

3 East Sussex IAN NOBLE: SIMPLY BEST OF HASTINGS FSB is delighted to welcome Ian Noble of thebestofhastings as a new member. Thebestof is an award-winning national marketing franchise and Ian brought the concept to Hastings in Ian s relationship with the town took off during his Business in the Community secondment in 2013 where he led the 1066 Own Grown initiative which hit its target of 1066 apprenticeships and work opportunities: a big achievement that FSB supported. He also volunteers with Young Enterprise, FSB s Charity partner, and is a School Business Adviser. My background isn t in marketing at all, said Ian. I ve been what could be described as a career banker, and having thoroughly enjoyed my secondment with Business in the Community whilst with Lloyds Bank during 2013, I decided to quit banking after 37 years. Ian s next move was into thebestof franchise and he explained: I came across it via one of my banking clients who owned thebestofmerton. I liked the way it gave structure and support in my transition to selfemployment. I had some excellent training preparing for my own independence day, 4 July Ian is now enjoying his new business and said: The range of marketing solutions that Stephanie Ann Woolven of StephieAnnDesigns won Best New Business sponsored by FSB in the Sussex Women in Business Awards. This event was held at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne hosted by Johnston Press with over 250 inspirational women present. Six women business members represented FSB for the evening highlighting the influential women FSB has amongst its membership. Stephanie Ann (pictured) creates luxury lingerie and nightwear for women and was both shocked and delighted to receive the award. She said: Winning this award has given me even more confidence that I m on the right track in my business. NOBLE ART OF MARKETING. IAN AT BESTOFHASTINGS STAND can add value to our clients brand is quite extensive and it is as much about what I can pro-actively bring to them. I m their marketing conscience, if you like. A well-known networker with his own programme of events Ian added: I enjoy the monthly FSB 1066 networking breakfasts and although I am not yet taking full advantage of the membership benefits, it is good to know that you re there for me when I need specific business support. Year one has been an excellent start. I am using some testimonials to attract further clients. Look out for our branding including my wrapped Mini. FSB MAKES STEPHANIE ANN SMILE STEPHANIE ANN WOOLVEN (LEFT) RECEIVES HER AWARD FROM FSB S ALISON THOMPSON. MARTIN SEARLE DELIVERS FSB S MAIN SPONSOR S SPEECH. FSB HEADLINE SPONSOR AT EASTBOURNE BUSINESS AWARDS FSB took pride of place alongside the cream of Eastbourne business at the 2015 Eastbourne Business Awards, which this year was held at the Grand Hotel on the seafront. Danny Pike of Radio Sussex and Surrey compared the business luncheon event hosted by media group, Johnston Press. FSB member firms were amongst the winners which included Watson s News (Independent Retailer of the Year), Laptop Station (Service Support Company of the Year) and BN Hepburn Limited (Manufacturing and Construction Company of the Year). Colin Slaughter, the new Chairman of the Eastbourne Lewes and Wealden Branch, presented the award to the overall Business of the Year, Brewers, an independent supplier of painting and decorating products. Colin said: It was great to see so many of Eastbourne and district businesses receive such worthy awards for their hard work over the past 12 months. The food was excellent, well done to the team at the Grand Hotel. Martin Searle, FSB s Development Manager, told how FSB championed real-life entrepreneurs in Eastbourne. Event video: eastbournebusinessawards.com PAGE 11

4 y of the Federation. TH E Surrey & West Sussex West Surrey & Sussex Your Development Manager: ray.abrahams@fsb.org.uk or call January/February 2016 OUR CHAIRMAN S ANNUAL REPORT COMBINED WITH QUESTION TIME 140 regional members caused security congestion at Portcullis House, Westminster and delayed Jamie Oliver giving evidence to a select committee on health in their attempts to reach the Attlee Suite for the Regional Chairman s annual report. The start was delayed, but everyone settled and Antonio Falco reported that more than 50 business events were conducted throughout the region with five very high profile events attracting more than 100 delegates at each. During the year we had meetings with all but six of our Regional MP s and Antonio showed a photographic show to remind us of a very successful member year. The report was immediately followed by Question Time with the panel made up from the business world. Banking, Gatwick Airport, insurance and Tim Loughton MP for East Worthing and Shoreham as well as a continuous stream of visiting MP s to the Attlee Suite to greet their constituents. It all made for a small business packed afternoon. Leader of Surrey County Council, David Hodge had plenty to say from his seat in the audience when discussing the Governments minimum living wage proposal although not one person in the Rt Hon Anna Soubry Minister of State (Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise) for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was introduced to Ann Swain, Regional Treasurer and West Sussex Policy Chairman was introduced to the Minister at the opening of the Sussex Innovation Centre in Croydon. A small VIP list of attendees were invited which also included Bryan Treherne newly elected ANTONIO FALCO WITH ROSEMARY FRENCH OBE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GATWICK DIAMOND room would deny employees a fair wage it does impose a huge burden on small business owners still recovering from a poor economy. The Royal Bank of Scotland came under attack from fellow panellist Mark Williams, insurance underwriter when trying to convince the audience that they want to lend money for business growth as Mark pointed out it was only on their guarantee terms which included using houses as MINISTER MEETS OUR TREASURER Croydon branch chairman as a guest of local MP Gavin Barwell. Following the official opening the Minister chaired a roundtable discussion on business matters attended by both Ann and Bryan. Permitted development rights came up as issue in Crawley and Croydon. Anna Soubry said she was hearing this a lot from businesses in London and would take it up with other government ministers. Echoed by Gavin Barwell MP. FSB MEMBERS BEFORE DINNER AT ARUNDEL CASTLE WALKABOUT FOR POLITICIANS ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY collateral! And finally, a show of hands favoured a second runway at Gatwick almost unanimously but everyone at this event including panellists were undecided on the EU in or out question. Antonio Falco, FSB Regional Chairman concluded we will continue to remind the Government of our asks in our small business manifesto written and published prior to the General Election ANNA SOUBRY MP (LEFT) WITH ANN SWAIN REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL PAGE 2 As in previous years branches took MP s walkabout on 5th December but earlier er in 2015 the Region came up with a super small business Saturday idea. Let s encourage local Councils to provide free car parking on the day to encourage shoppers to the local high streets. If approved Small Business Saturday and Keep Trade Local would be working hand in glove. More than half the borough and district councils agreed and we would like to thank Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Tandridge, Reigate e and Banstead, Waverley ey and Elmbridge Councils for generously agreeing not only to small business Saturday free parking but in some cases specific dates in December when footfall is notoriously low. Special thanks as well to the Chief Executives for allowing the erection of FSB Thank You placards in participating ipating car parks. 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. MP: SUPERFAST INTERNET ESSENTIAL FOR BUSINESS Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert has said that superfast broadband is now essential infrastructure for businesss and must be extended to rural areas. Nick was speaking to an audience of 65 of our members at a dinner held at Arundel Castle on Friday 18th September. He warned that a growing digital divide meant that cities, towns and large villages were getting superfast broadband, but rural areas were losing out. Superfast broadband was no longer a luxury but was now an absolute necessity for businesses. Growing demand and new services meant that ever faster speeds were necessary. Already there was talk of extending ultrafast broadband across the country, with speeds of 100Mbps, yet some rural areas in West Sussex could barely get broadband at all. The MP said that small businesses were the engine of economic and employment growth, and there was a widely shared aim to encourage rural enterprises. But BUSINESS RATE REFORM Following careful research of our Region s membership we finally put together interested parties who had to say something about business rate reform and 45 members attended an event chaired by Regional Vice-Chairman, Brian Woods an expert in these matters. You can imagine that many and varied suggestions to reform the current method of calculation were mentioned but calculation without superfast broadband this growth would be severely hampered. Mr Herbert said that his broadband summit in 2011 had led to West Sussex County Council s Better Connected programme which, with local and Government funding, aims to give access to more than 90 per cent of premises in the County by Spring next year. In May the County Council announced that they had passed the halfway point, with more than 36,000 homes and businesses upgraded, equivalent to just over half of all premises. The Government is committed to support the delivery of superfast broadband to 95 per cent of all UK households by the end of Ministers reiterated their commitment in August with the publication of a 10-point plan for boosting productivity in rural areas. But Mr Herbert pointed out that the 5 or 10 per cent of households that would not have access to superfast broadband under these plans would inevitably be in rural areas. The MP said that new Surrey & West Sussex by means of turnover was a definite no no. Findings from this meeting were fed in to our Press and Parliamentary Office but should you wish to find out more please ray.abrahams@fsb.org.uk 80 members met at the WWF Living Planet Centre in Woking for this year s annual policy conference. Stuart Shorttle, Surrey Policy Chair hosted the event and Antonio Falco, FSB Regional Chairman proudly introduced local MP Jonathan Lord to open the 3 hour conference. Jonathan remarked that he couldn t remember a time when small businesses are as highly regarded by the Government DELEGATES AT CONFERENCE SURREY COUNTY POLICY CONFERENCE IS A SUCCESS process making council contracts more easily available to micro businesses. They praised the FSB for the tireless work over the past 2 years in helping by giving member feedback and approving procurement documents. Surrey County and the FSB working in partnership for the benefit of Surrey small and micro businesses. Not such a friendly reception for the next presentation from BT. It would seem that in spite of 90% of the County enjoying superfast broadband with FSB SURREY MEMBER IS APPOINTED TO EU COMMITTEE John Walker, Surrey member and past National Chairman has been appointed to the EU s Economic & Social Committee (EESC) as one of eight employer representatives from UK. The position, which is for five years, was a recommendation by the UK Government to the Council of Ministers and was formally approved in September. The EESC is a statutory consultee in Brussels and provides opinions on legislative proposals from the European Parliament in such areas as the Single Market, Transport and the Environment. The UK has 24 representatives on the EESC, from employers, employees and civil society with Mr Walker joining representatives from the other 27 EU Member States. John said Although this is a personal appointment, without my FSB service as National Chairman and Policy Chairman, I doubt I would have been considered. I am very much looking forward to this new role Regional Voice offers you the opportunity to advertise your products and services geographically to the FSB membership FSB members receive 25% off all rate card prices To advertise call Lee McLoughlin on or lee.mcloughlin@redactive.co.uk

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6 East Sussex EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY FSB will be organising a range of events to suit all tastes for A focus is on providing relevant events to grow your business, for instance, through our Share the Knowledge programme. This will include social media skills and introduce new topics such as writing business content and video production. We aim to enable you to build your contacts and brand awareness through, for example, our FSB Connect series. And we will continue to provide WOMEN S BUSINESS LUNCH AT BLACK HORSE, HALLAND favourites in the calendar for relaxed socialising and networking, such as our business breakfasts. Women business members have their own forum in two popular formats: the Brighton women s supper club and East Sussex Ladies lunches at various venues around the Region. More details: eastsussexevents DOUG S IRISH JOURNEY UNITES FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES Doug Thorogood, FSB s outgoing 1066 Country Branch Chairman, made an emotional return to Northern Ireland to relive his days as founder of FSB s Northern Ireland Region. Doug, (pictured right) took with him a framed original tie and photograph, set by Peter Armstrong of FSB member firm, Imagen (above). The tie harks back to the 1974 origins of tfsb when it was known as the National Federation FSB continues its popular share the knowledge events where FSB members share their expertise with fellow members to grow their businesses. Mina O Brien of Ditzy Media (pictured) ran a programme on Twitter for Business which the East Sussex FSB also filmed for its You Tube Channel (search: FSB East Sussex You Tube). Follow for latest news and events. DOUG THOROGOOD (RIGHT) WITH HIS GIFT TO NORRN IRELAND REGION of Self-Employed and Small Businesses and the treasured photograph pictures Doug signing TWITTER FOR BUSINESS MINA O BRIEN HELPS BUSINESS GET TO GRIPS WITH TWITTER Dana the 1970 Irish Eurovision Song Contest Winner - as a member of FSB. As part of the Northern Ireland Region s 30th anniversary celebrations he presented the gift to Regional Chairman, John Friel, and Policy Chairman, Wilfred Mitchell. Doug joined FSB Hastings and Bexhill Branch in Doug built the membership to 750 businesses. He went on to be the Northern Ireland Region s first Chairman. REGIONAL OFFICERS POLEGATE 3 High Street, Polegate. BN26 5HA Tel: eastsussex@fsb.org.uk DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Martin Searle Tel: martin.searle@fsb.org.uk REGIONAL CHAIRMAN Darran Hathaway, Debt Rescue, Units 1&2, Mays Farm, Lower Wick Street, Selmeston, BN26 6TS Mob: Tel: Fax: darran@rescuemefromdebt.co.uk REGIONAL SECRETARY Violet O Brien, 14 Eridge Road, Eastbourne, BN21 2TG Tel: or Regional Office: Chatbridge712@gmail.com REGIONAL TREASURER Patrick Trowell Tel: patrick.trowell@gmail.com NATIONAL COUNCILLOR Patrick Trowell (As above) 1066 COUNTRY BRANCH CHAIRMAN Doug Thorogood GPS Taxi, Tel: dthorogood@ thorogoodenterprises.co.uk c/o Regional Office: See address at top 1066 COUNTRY BRANCH SECRETARY Peter R J Archer Tel: peter.archer@fsb.org.uk TEMPORARY BRIGHTON & HOVE CHAIRMEN Colin Slaughter, CS Bailiffs info@csbailiffs.co.uk Tel: c/o Regional Office: See address at top. Arthur Mapletoft Marsh View Residential Care Home arthur@mapletoft6730.fsnet.co.uk Tel: c/o Regional Office: See address at top. TEMPORARY BRIGHTON & HOVE SECRETARY Yvonne Newton-Turner Tel: thetrekclub@btinternet.com c/o Regional Office: See address at top EASTBOURNE, LEWES & WEALDEN CHAIRMAN Arlene Leake, AML Payroll & Bookkeeping Services Tel: amlpayroll@aol.com EASTBOURNE, LEWES & WEALDEN SECRETARY Violet O Brien (As above) PAGE 14