Hounslow Talks Business May 20 Hounslow Chamber of Commerce

talksbusiness hounslow

the official business magazine of hounslow chamber of commerce

ISSUE 2: June 2020

Exporters Can Fuel Economic Growth Patron Focus Metro Bank

Adam Durrant Hammersmith Metro Bank

The Big Interview Magenta Storage

Angela Okwuosa Branch Manager, Acton INSIDE: Regeneration can get economy moving again | The Big Interview with Magenta Storage | Spotlight on Cranford - | Patron Focus Metro Bank - Supporting businesses through challenging times | Building resilience in challenging times | Hounslow investment continues despite coronavirus | International Trade - Exporters can fuel economic growth |Technology -Working from home is a new way of life | 5 Minutes with Debbie Leon

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Contents & welcome

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20 40 Small and large businesses alike are now returning to work or re-opening their shops to an economic outlook not seen since the Spanish Flu in 1919. Don’t bury your head in the sand and hope it will all go away.

Your Chamber has been around for over 110 years helping business across the boroughs, now with FOC professional Task Force advice (see page 22) covering the following: • • • • • •

Legal Financial Accountancy HMRC Business Development HR

Businesses need to focus and see clearly, in this new economic landscape as we go through this Enquiries Hounslow Chamber of Commerce Spring Grove House, West Thames College Campus, London Road, Isleworth TW7 4HS Tel: 020 8326 6416 Email: sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk Web: www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

tsunami, which is Covid-19, and lean on the help that is available.

Your Chamber can help you devise how you can evolve to operate, survive, and then grow in this new pandemic, virtual world, out of which we are slowly emerging.

We now have a road map from HMG that is also evolving. We know that there will be some bumps in the road. It is regulated by a new style of traffic lights as our alert levels change. We will have to deal with possible new waves of the pandemic, but support is also there from HMG in a way we have never seen before. Your Local Authority is also helping via the WorkHounslow scheme that we have helped roll out. We recognise that not all businesses have been covered, but your Chamber is a constant stabilising force to help in the storm and we can assist your business to: Publisher Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Web: www.benhampublishing.com Media No. 1771 Published June 2020

• Grow more online • Meet other new clients, locally • Be introduced to local large companies through personal referrals • Expand your business overseas to new markets • Help finance your growth • Be trained in new business skills through expanding your knowledge Making the most of your awardwinning growing Chamber will help you get the most out of your business.

Sally, Lisa, and I look forward to hearing from you about (and helping you with), your trials and tribulations, plus, we hope that you enjoy reading this, your local Chamber’s magazine.

Kindest Alan Rides MIEx (Grad) Managing Director Hounslow Chamber of Commerce The Voice of Business across the Borough

4-6 Regeneration 8-9 The Big Interview 11 News 12-13 Skills 15 Skills 16-18 Spotlight Area Focus Cranford 20-21 Patron Focus 22 Economy - Business Task Force 24-25 Resilience 26-27 Invest in Hounslow 28 Legal 30 News 33 Technology 34 News 35 Ask the Expert 36-37 Hounslow Chamber Events 38-40 International Trade 41 Environment 43 Health and Wellbeing 44 5 reasons to join the Chamber 45 New Members 46 5 minutes with...

Editor

Advertising Sales

Features

Production

Jez Davison Email: Jez@benhampublishing.com Tel: 0151 236 4141 Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email:karen@benhampublishing.com

Michele Keeler Tel: 07715 641999 Email: michele@benhampublishing.com

Peter Wilkinson Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: peter@benhampublishing.com

Disclaimer: Thinking Business is published for Hounslow Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at Hounslow Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Thinking Business are not necessarily those of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2020. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

Cover Image provided by Heathrow Airport

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regeneration

Regeneration can get economy moving again As the country approaches the end of the first phase of lockdown, thoughts are turning to the measures needed to kick-start an economic recovery.

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High Street Quarter Hounslow

While this journey will inevitably be a slow and arduous one – the EY ITEM Club believes it will take until 2023 to ramp up economic activity to levels seen at the end of last year – it’s clear that the path will be made much easier if regeneration schemes are allowed to forge ahead.

Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is keen to continue flying the flag for local regeneration as it supports businesses through these uncertain times.

The Chamber is due to host its next regeneration conference in partnership with London Borough of Hounslow Council on July 2 at

without sustainable development we cannot achieve long-term growth and stability. Working together, we are transforming Hounslow into a place that our residents wish to live, our businesses thrive, and is a leisure and cultural destination

by a three-course meal with keynote speakers including John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport; Cliff Crown, chairman of Brentford Football Club; Cllr Steve Curran, leader of Hounslow Council; and Niall Bolger, chief executive of London Borough of Hounslow.

Cllr Steve Curran said: “As we know, without sustainable development we cannot achieve long-term growth and stability.

Working together, we are transforming Hounslow into a place that our residents wish to live, our businesses thrive, and is a leisure and cultural destination.”

These words ring as true now as they did back then. Although the economic landscape has shifted in the last few months, the ultimate long-term goal is to bring jobs, wealth and prosperity to the area while improving the quality of people’s lives.

New hotels, housing, leisure and industrial schemes will be a vital driver of economic growth, helping to get the country working again, creating wealth and safeguarding jobs.

the Brentford Project – although whether this goes ahead or not depends on the extent to which coronavirus-related social distancing measures are relaxed.

Hounslow is currently the focus for a £4 billion transformation programme that will revitalise key sites across the borough.

The mixed-use Hounslow High Street Quarter, the development of Brentford Football Club’s new stadium and the creation of a new riverside town centre in the heart of West London are all projects that will have a major positive impact on the local economy when complete – as will several other smaller schemes that are also driving growth and prosperity.

If it does happen, it will build upon the hugely successful regeneration 2.0 conference hosted by the Chamber last year. The event highlighted and celebrated key projects that are reshaping and revitalising the borough’s economic landscape.

Alan Rides, managing director of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, said: “We need the local business community firing on all cylinders if we are to achieve these goals.

The coronavirus will continue to make life difficult for the foreseeable future but, ultimately, we need to get the economy moving again as soon as it is safe to do so.

The conference included presentations from several organisations responsible for making these projects happen, including Ballymore, Barratts West London, Dell/ EMC, EcoWorld, Hounslow Council, L&Q Group, London Irish, Segro, TfL, University of West London and West Thames College. The event was followed

“In our borough we have some fantastic regeneration schemes underway or in the pipeline – and an army of visionary entrepreneurs and companies that can make these projects a success.

Regeneration is vital to the fortunes of our local economy and to the lives of the people who live, visit and work here.”

Although some projects have temporarily been put on hold as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,

CONTINUED hounslow talksbusiness 5

regeneration

The Hounslow regeneration 2.0 conference benefited many organisations across the borough. Here’s the reaction from just a few of them…

“It was very well done, and we thought the gap between presentations was perfect.”

Chris Sharp, becg

“Our thanks and congratulations for putting on the outstanding event yesterday. People I spoke to during the day and the evening were unanimous in their praise of not just your organisational efforts, but also the quality of the gathered audience.”

Tom Brooks, London Borough of Hounslow

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“Well done! I heard about all of the hard work that went into it to set up such a fantastic and engaging event.”

Sukhvinder Dhanjal, Heathrow Airport

“Thank you for a great informative session.”

Ash Sanjenbam, Kingfisher Sec

“Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for organising such an informative regeneration conference. The speakers were very well chosen and I felt it was time really well spent. Thoroughly enjoyable!”

Deborah Barnes, Clayton Hotel Chiswick

“I just wanted to pass on our thanks on behalf of West Thames for a really good event.”

Rezveer Dwyer, West Thames College

The Brentford Project: the new waterfront

In our borough we have some fantastic regeneration schemes underway or in the pipeline – and an army of visionary entrepreneurs and companies that can make these projects a success

COVID-19

COVID-19 An Accountant’s Perspective

These last few months have presented unprecedented challenges for us all and has changed the dynamics of our working days even if we are fortunate enough to continue operating. We are faced with uncertainty in all aspects of our lives. But on the back of these there will be opportunities.

AGP would like to share some experiences and feedback we have had; this is merely a snippet and more focussed on problems people may have faced and certain practical changes in work approach we have had from our clients.

The government has set out a number of measures to ease the pain on our individual pockets, however there have been practical problems.

The job retention scheme took a while in coming, but then certain things were unclear, technically staff could not be furloughed and continue working. Also, the calculation methodology for those on Zero-hour contracts were unclear and were quite detrimental if you had started a job six months ago and had obviously been working towards a regular norm, however the calculations were detrimental. The application process is done through a portal and most calculations are simple, but they are more complex for non-standard hours and have been time consuming to get the optimum answer for the client. For claims put though we have seen payments typically in the bank within a week.

The Government have also launched a similar scheme for the self employed which is quite straightforward to work through. Tt will be pooling data from tax returns to give an answer, however it does miss out on those on the peripheries,

i.e. those who started selfemployment in 2018/19 but if they started part way through the year then it may reject the claim, in which case further justification would need to be provided.

To put the application through it needs to be done on an individual basis and cannot be done through the accountant’s agent portal.

It also poses a challenge for a number of clients who do not have a Government Gateway ID, which they will need to set up. One underlying fact some clients seem to have overlooked is that the claim is on the basis that they have lost profitability as a result of COVID 19 measures, for which they will need up to date accounting records to demonstrate if they are selected for an enquiry.

The business support grants in the main have been fairly easily claimed and administered, but we have seen a few clients facing problems in that they are operating from home and are not registered for business rates. It has also been quite beneficial to some small traders who have managed to stay open but they will be entitled to claim. It is not means tested. But some clients who are relatively small but operating in a high rateable above £51,000 will not be entitled to claim, some such are restaurants.

The various loan schemes from client experience is not as portrayed in the Chancellors statement, if businesses were shown as

struggling before the event, these have been declined, even when they may well have been back on the upwards trajectory, this has been the case with larger construction projects. The lesson is probably to have fairly accurate and up to date accounts to demonstrate an upwards trajectory and build that in to the narrative for the application. Projections tend to be over optimistic, so there is a need to be based on a history and build up a provable. Banks are not willing to extend their risk portfolio as the government is only backing up to 80% of the loan.

The bounce back loan was the most recent introduction whereby the government will be underwriting 100% of the loan, these are in the region of £2,000 to £50,000 and is targeted towards small and medium sized businesses who can demonstrate their business has been adversely affected as a result of COVID 19.

Aside from the various financial issues, we are getting used to the new normal, which on the face of it is not so bad, many of us are now fitting work around life rather than life fitting around work.

It is allowing us to re-valuate priorities. Forcing us to work from home for those of us in small businesses is bringing us opportunities to be more productive within the same 24 hours in the day just spacing the time differently.

Going forwards this may give us better opportunities to focus more on the business and work on the business rather than in the business. Many of our clients have found it useful to actually spend a bit more time in analyse the management accounts which form part of our regular bookkeeping. It is now more of a value add rather than just compliance for VAT or year-end accounts. Despite our clients cashflow problems we have persuaded them to understand the value of up to date and accurate business information.

They can see that it becomes even more pertinent to ensure that business information is current and used both in application process for the various government schemes as well as in formulating strategies in going forwards to allow better decision making.

Working from home in some shape or another will be part of the new normal and will probably allow us to reduce overhead costs as well as giving us back some time in our lives. But on the flip side larger businesses will have to adapt their working arrangements to ensure staff are kept safe.

More detailed information is available on the government website and we are happy to offer a free consultation for any businesses who are struggling and are puzzled by the minefield of guidance.

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the big

interview

Adapting for a brighter future An ambitious storage business is driving forward its expansion plans which include a new store in Acton…

later this year, the new site will be kitted out with self-storage facilities and, due to rising demand, flexible serviced offices.

Anthony Adams, director at Magenta, says: “We’ve had a

presence in Acton for the last 14 years but we knew we needed to move with the times. There has been lots of development and regeneration in the area

In the midst of the chaos caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s pretty much business as usual for Chamber member Magenta Self Storage.

The company continues to store away dozens of goods – from furniture and leisure equipment to prized household possessions – on behalf of individuals and businesses from its five centres in Acton, Banbury, Nottingham, Oxford and St Albans.

Now Magenta is preparing to bolster its presence in Hounslow and the wider London area with the construction of a state-ofthe-art new Acton store, which will replace it’s existing facility around the corner. Due to open

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so there’s greater demand for a more sophisticated service provision that currently exists.

“Lots of small businesses are now operating out of a serviced office and some of them need this space to be flexible and agile. Our serviced offices have the potential to be converted into a personal gym, bike shop or a space for other uses. They give people a platform to innovate.”

Magenta’s client base is predominantly made up of individuals, start-ups and SMEs, although large companies have also used the company’s storage facilities and serviced offices.

There has been lots of development and regeneration in the area so there’s greater demand for a more sophisticated service provision that currently exists.

Magenta’s ability to anticipate, adapt and respond to clients’ changing needs has held it in good stead over the years. In these challenging times, the company has benefited from having a steady income stream and operating in sector that’s cushioned against the impact of economic downturns.

“We can accommodate a range of requirements, whether that’s 10,000 sq ft of bulk space or a compact 10 sq ft locker.” says Anthony. “We’re keen to cover all bases when it comes to commercial storage requirements.”

Mark van Adrichem, director at Magenta, says: “When the country is going through a slowdown, our facilities are there to help.

Whether a business is expanding or contracting we can offer the back up storage support that is needed.

Any level of domestic and home life change be that moving house, decluttering, or reorganising after a period of home working are demand creators for the services we provide.

With our industries track record of supporting SME’s and new start-ups we know our sector can help to re-gear the economy and get things moving again.”

“People will be forced to change the way they operate,” says Mark.

“There may be less face-to-face contact; in our industry, for example, there may be more acceptance of digital signatures on contracts. Previously, many storage firms wanted people to come into their premises to sign up.”

As companies prepare for the “new normal” on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic – whatever form that will take – Magenta is looking forward to the future with optimism.

The company is looking to expand further over the coming years, at a rate of about one new facility per year, and the next storage facility in Northamptonshire is currently at the planning stage.

The inside track:

How do you spend your downtime? With my children mostly. When I do get some rare free time, I love going for a ride on my bike.

Angela Okwuosa, branch manager of Magenta’s Acton office

What are your key strengths as a manager? Building customer rapport and being able to adapt quickly.

Favourite food: A difficult one! I love food in general; there’s very little that I don’t like. Olives are definitely off the menu but most things carb are generally a winner.

Favourite tipple: I do enjoy a good espresso martini and cocktails are always a good choice.

Favourite holiday? Sun and sea please! I’m definitely more of a hot weather person.

Describe your family life? Incredibly fast-paced! I have two children at home, aged four and almost two, so once I’m home from work I dive straight CGI of the new Acton office and images of the new office under construction

Exactly when that will happen is difficult to pinpoint. Even when the economy does recover, it’s likely that some working practices may be altered – possibly for good.

into mummy mode. It’s a challenge, but I seem to function better when I’m busier. I think you have to have a strong sense of humour to make it work.

And your limitations? I work better when it’s busier so I can be a little slacker on quiet days. Because I know this, I’ll often make sure I have something to get stuck into, whether it be competitor research, marketing idea generation or more recently coding.

Best thing about doing business in the borough?

The quirky customer base, hands down. Some of the stories we get to hear are brilliant.

Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? Maya Angelou if she was still with us.

Most interesting fact about yourself? I used to run a home decor store called Oh Shop It a few years ago. I’ve got 12 tattoos and 13 piercings, I used to have pet rats as a teenager and I’m not too shabby with a pencil or paint brush and canvas.

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Pro-Advisor Platinum

hounslow

news

London street renamed after late Queen frontman A suburban London street has been renamed in honour of late rock star Freddie Mercury.

The street, now called Freddie Mercury Close, is located in Feltham – the place where Mercury’s family settled after moving from Zanzibar.

A ceremony was held to unveil signage for the newly renamed street, which was formerly called Hanworth Road.

Local authorities agreed to rename part of this road, which is where the headquarters of the World Zoroastrian Organization is located. Mercury was born a Zoroastrian and practised the ancient religion as a child.

Mercury, who became one of the most iconic stars in music history, had a strong association with Feltham.

The son of British Indian parents, he was born Farrokh Bulsara on the island of Zanzibar but was known as ‘Fred’ and even signed himself as Fred Bulsara on letters until 1970, when he changed his surname to Mercury.

After attending a British public school in India, he returned to Zanzibar but was forced to flee to London with his family in 1964 when the island’s violent revolution broke out.

The Bulsara family moved into 22 Gladstone Avenue in Feltham – where Mercury is now commemorated with a round blue English Heritage plaque. He also studied at Isleworth Polytechnic, in the Grade 2-listed Spring Grove House where Hounslow Chamber is currently based.

Mercury is widely recognised as a talented songwriter and exceptional performer. He joined a blues band called Wreckage while studying graphic design courses at Ealing College of Art, and was subsequently introduced to Roger Taylor and Brian May, founder members of a band called Smile. Queen was formed when Smile split up and Mercury joined forces with Taylor and May. Mercury wrote the band’s first big hit, Killer Queen (1974), and arguably the most famous of all, Bohemian Rhapsody (1975).

He died from bronchial pneumonia at his London home on 24 November 1991, aged 45, a day after announcing that he was suffering from AIDS.

How a Virtual Office Puts Your Business on the Map In our current situation, virtually everything has gone, well, virtual.

Virtual meetings, virtual learning, virtual marathons - there’s even a virtual pub quiz.

Did you know there’s also a virtual office?

The concept is similar to a regular flexible office, except virtual office users usually work remotely or from home rather than from an office. A virtual office gives you a commercial address for your business cards and marketing material, regular mail forwarding to your home, receptionist call answering services, and admin support.

As you can imagine, it’s particularly popular during the current situation. However, the virtual office didn’t spring up in light of the health crisis. It’s been around for at least 30 years and for many small business owners and independent entrepreneurs, it’s a normal part of business life.

A virtual office is a cost-effective and flexible way to establish a local presence in Brentford without the commitment of a physical office. So, if you want to show customers that you’re open for business while you work from home, a virtual office is a great way to put your business on the map.

About UBC We operate a virtual office in Brentford with a fantastic address at The Mille, 1000 Great West Road, which can be yours from just £45 per month (and with your first month Free). Our Brentford team is currently managing our centre remotely with no disruption to our services, which means you can be setup with a new address in Brentford within a matter of days. We also have 6 other virtual office centres in prime locations around the UK. Get in touch and find out more at ubcuk.com.

Contact Andrew Billson Email: brentford@ubcuk.com Tel: 0800 169 9822 www.ubcuk.com/locations/brentford hounslow talksbusiness

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skills

Implement the change to support your business in the future We are living in an uncertain time, and it is impossible to know when things will return to what will be a new normal so it is understandable that many people in our community will feel that they are no longer in control of the future of their business.

There will be many things that are beyond our control, but we can use this time to implement the changes that will support your business in the future.

Implementing change can be tough but at the University of

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West London (UWL) we’re experts in it. Every year we work with more than 7,000 businesses across west London to drive innovation, develop new business opportunities and shape the game-changing graduates of tomorrow.

Right now we are doing our part to support our local community as we come together to tackle this unprecedented health crisis. Hundreds of our nursing students have chosen to work on the NHS frontline, our London College of Music

students have been providing free online performances, and we’re providing practical support to hundreds of local businesses.

So whilst our buildings may be closed, we are very much open for business, operating online

and in person to support businesses to implement the changes that will enable them to survive and thrive. Get in touch to find out more and see how we can support your business.

Take advantage of apprenticeships Now might be just the right time to look at using apprenticeships to help you build a high-calibre team, improve your service, and motivate your employees. Whether you are a big or small employer you can also take advantage of Government funds to upskill your workforce.

We are already providing over 600 degree apprenticeships with major employers such as GlaxoSmithKline, BP, Virgin Media, Sega, Pladis (United Biscuits), and McDonalds.

We are already providing over 600 degree apprenticeships with major employers such as GlaxoSmithKline, BP, Virgin Media, Sega, Pladis (United Biscuits), and McDonalds.

Recruit the best student talent By working with industry, employers, and professional bodies. we make sure our students are work-ready when they graduate. It’s why a staggering 98% our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

If you are looking to recruit for long or short-term job opportunities, we can support you with an end-to-end recruiting process that includes advertising, candidate screening, shortlisting support, assessment delivery and selection.

Give back and benefit Help us train the next generation of trailblazing graduates by providing virtual placements, remote-working internships and setting live project briefs for students.

Not only will you be contributing to shaping our future graduates, you will also benefit from their ideas, energy and growing expertise.

Through our ‘Fresh Minds for Business’ programme we have worked with employers such as Mercedes Benz, Brentford Football Club and the Musical Museum to provide expert advice to support businesses to adapt in challenging environments.

Tap into our expertise From product development to project delivery, world-class research to public policy development – you can tap into our expertise which is transforming businesses, delivering innovation and addressing real world problems.

Through our West London Food Innovation Lab we can provide 12 hours of product development consultancy to help you turn the innovative ideas into market-ready products and scale-up your approaches. We also back brilliant business ideas through our Westmont Enterprise Hub where we take a flicker of something smart through to proof of concept and on to market.

Transform your business We can support you to develop your product or improve your business processes to drive growth by securing investment via Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

In the last year, UWL has delivered over £6m of development and dissemination contracts, including supporting innovative food products, and evaluation of the usability of a range of apps, together with a raft of consultancy projects across all areas of the University.

Connect with us online to find out more about we can support your business to weather the storm and grow in the future. uwl.ac.uk/business-services

UWL is a valued patron of Hounslow Chamber.

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Thank you for your continued loyalty and trust in Radisson Hotels in these uncertain times. Our commitment and responsibility towards you has never been stronger as we face the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are continuously monitoring the ever-changing circumstances and are going above and beyond to keep our guests, employees, hotels and offices safe.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Heathrow hotel when it is safe to do so and we will be sharing some exciting news with you soon. In the meantime, if you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Heathrow hotel General Manager, Neil Muir: neil.muir@radissonhotels.com.

radissonhotels.com

ARE YOU SELFEMPLOYED OR RUNNING A BUSINESS WITH FEWER THAN 10 EMPLOYEES DURING THESE UNPRECENTED TIMES??

Just starting out or well established; we want all local businesses to thrive here in the London Borough of Hounslow. With our expert help you can increase your productivity and grow your online offer, market your business to reach its maximum potential and look at some of the many different funding options available to microbusinesses currently, and keeping records, pricing strategies and being ready for ‘unlock’.

One to one expert support and online workshops in the following topics: • How to Develop a Digital Business and Grow Online • Financial Support for SME’s – Getting you Fit for Funding • Understanding Tax and VAT • Developing Your Growth Plan • Cashflow, Terms & Conditions and Getting Paid • Keeping Records, Pricing & Getting Ready

for ‘Unlock’

Work Hounslow want to offer you FREE one-to-one business support and a suite of fantastic online workshops and short courses, refocussed to brace the needs of Microbusiness communities.

For more information on how WorkHounslow can help you contact us: Tel: 020 8583 6174, email: work@hounslow.gov.uk www.workhounslow.eventbrite.co.uk

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skills

Work Hounslow from the London Borough of Hounslow is supporting Microbusiness in Unprecedented times!

Work Hounslow, part of the London Borough of Hounslow, continues to roll out its online programme of workshops and business mentoring aimed at supporting the boroughs microbusinesses, (all businesses from 1 -10 members of staff) to achieve and grow during these unprecedented times.

Working in partnership with three local organisations as well as Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, Work Hounslow continues delivering programmes to support Microbusinesses to survive and thrive during these unprecedented times.

We collectively have the experience and expertise to understand the challenges faced by small businesses here in west London.

Presenting our modified training offer, that takes into account the issues Microbusiness are facing, we present the revised short courses content as a suite of online workshops and one to

one business mentoring sessions, to ensure our local businesses are in the best place to increase their productivity and meet their business goals.

Online workshops and short courses will be run in April, May and June: • How to Develop a Digital Business and Grow Online • Financial Support for SME’s – Getting you Fit for Funding • Understanding Tax and VAT • Developing Your Growth Plan

• Cashflow, Terms & Conditions and Getting Paid • Keeping Records, Pricing & Getting Ready for ‘Unlock’ with more programmes in development.

Hounslow’s Microbusinesses can choose to come to one or come to all. The programme endeavours to identify the needs of each business registered with us and work over the next year with each one to support them to achieve their goals – whatever they may be.

To find out more about what we have to offer and sign up visit https:// workhounslow.eventbrite.co.uk Further information is also available by contacting one of our friendly advisors on 020 8583 6174 or e-mailing: work@hounslow. gov.uk | www.workhounslow. eventbrite.co.uk

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spotlight

area focus

Support for Cranford firms in troubled times

Image courtesy of Cranford Parochial Church Council

Settled since Saxon times, Cranford began life as a hamlet within the Elthorne Hundred, lying north of Bath Road on the northern edge of Hounslow Heath. Located 12.5 miles west of Charing Cross and immediately east of Heathrow Airport, from which it is now separated by the River Crane, Cranford still holds that rural, historical feel. It is home to the ancient parish church of St Dunstan’s; the parish originally known as Cranford St John, named after St John the Baptist. A church has probably stood on the same site since Saxon times, and the parish was recorded in the Domesday Book. The local manor went through various changes of ownership until being acquired by the Berkeley family a member of whom is still the Patron of the Living today. The tomb of Lady Elizabeth Berkeley, great great niece of Queen Anne Boleyn, may be seen to the right of the Altar. The oldest parts of the present church date from the 14th/15th centuries.

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We will continue with our philosophy that regular eyecare helps to maintain people’s health and well-being.

As always, we will continue to offer a friendly, personal service believe we can help everyone, as we do both private and NHS eye tests, as well as accepting corporate eyecare vouchers.

Examples of those who qualify for NHS eye tests are the over 60s, under 18s, diabetics and people claiming tax and universal credit.

Today, Cranford also has a strong business presence, particularly within its main artery route, Bath Road. One of the businesses located there is Cranford Opticians, an independent, family-run company with a 30-year history in the village. Although it has had to adapt due to the coronavirus, the company remains very much open for business to ensure its customers get the services and products they need during this challenging time.

As is the case with most opticians, the company has

stopped conducting face-to-face eye-tests for the time being, but still provides essential eye care via telephone and organises replacement contact lenses, glasses and other products to be sent to customers.

Nila Mehra, who runs Cranford Opticians, says: “We will continue with our philosophy that regular eyecare helps to maintain people’s health and well-being. As always, we will continue to offer a friendly, personal service, give time and listen to our customers and offer the best solution for them. We

“We are adapting to the changing environment by letting people know what support is out there for them. For example, people who are struggling to make ends meet in the current crisis may be entitled to NHS-funded sight tests and money towards the cost of their glasses.

“It’s also important that we continue to educate people on the importance of good eye care as this improves health and well-being at work and at home. We regularly give talks to the local businesses and nurseries to offer advice on how to keep eyes healthy. We specialise in the treatment of dry and watery eyes which affects people of all ages. We’ve invested in the latest technology to carry out advanced eye tests that can detect certain conditions, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, as well

as general health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.”

This attention to detail and unwavering focus on providing excellent customer service is probably why Cranford Opticians has enjoyed a long and distinguished history in the borough. The company has a loyal band of longstanding customers including Heathrow Airport workers and people who live in and around Hounslow.

“Cranford’s diversity is what makes it so appealing,” says Nila, whose husband and daughter are also involved in the business.

“We’re in a great location and we have customers who work locally and those from overseas who have flown into Heathrow. We have a 30-year history here and we were crowned Independent Business of the Year at the Hounslow Business Awards 2018, so we must be doing something right!

“Cranford is a close-knit community and everyone helps each other. This spirit will be vital as we all try to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.” www.CranfordOpticians.co.uk CONTINUED...

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spotlight

area focus

Right now our priority at HSBC UK is to support our customers to navigate through the current disruption.

We’ve been adapting our operations to support government schemes to provide essential funds to firms during this time

Martin Kilbane business banking area director, HSBC West London

government schemes to provide

to stress-test your working

the heart of the local business

essential funds to firms during

capital as flows of goods and

community. This is a thriving,

this time.”

services are interrupted and

multicultural location that has

consider any support you can

always had a reputation for a

offer your suppliers. We’d

strong entrepreneurial spirit

advise businesses to speak to

through a wide range of sectors.

their bank about the financial

The area has also always been a

support that’s available and

hub for international trade and

understand what steps could

we’re confident that businesses

be taken. It’s really important

will continue to thrive in the

to engage with your lender

future once society begins to

sooner rather than later.

return to normal.”

Supporting Hounslow Chamber during these difficult times, HSBC has outlined several factors that

This ethos of supporting local

firms should be considering

firms through COVID-19 is shared

to get through the weeks and

by HSBC, one of the largest

months ahead:

banking and financial services organisations in the world.

• Look after employees and their families – it’s essential

Martin Kilbane, business

to be able to contact staff

banking area director at

quickly to share information

Cranford-based HSBC West

and keep employees updated

London, says “At this time of

as the situation changes.

great concern and uncertainty,

Technology is helping many

many people’s focus is rightly

businesses to continue to

on the health and safety of their

operate, whether that’s

families and friends and we

disaster. By developing

through video conferencing

hope you are all keeping safe

response protocols, internal

technology or remote working

and well.

chains of command and

solutions.

contingency plans now you

“The measures introduced

– the steps you take now can be recorded to plan for other potential disruptions in the future, whether that’s a cyber-attack or a natural

will stand in good stead for the future.

to slow down the spread of

is the time to unearth hidden

COVID-19 have changed the way

dependencies by reviewing

Martin adds: “We’re continuing

customers can find further

we live our daily lives in so many

your supply chains from

to support British businesses

help, advice and support

ways and almost all businesses in

end to end, identifying your

the area will have felt an impact.

as they tackle the challenges

online by visiting

suppliers’ supply source

ahead and we’re committed to

www.business.hsbc.uk

down to component level

being there for businesses in the

and understanding who your

West London area at their time

customers sell onto.

of need.

“Right now our priority at HSBC UK is to support our customers to navigate through the current disruption. We’ve been adapting our operations to support

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• Review supply chains – now

• Build resilience for the future

hounslow talksbusiness

• Manage your financial risks – at this time it’s essential

“With its close proximity to Heathrow, Cranford is right at

HSBC UK business

For more information on Cranford Opticians, www.CranfordOpticians.co.uk

WELCOME HOME. OOPS, WE MEANT WELCOME TO WORK. An inspiring, high-end work environment where ideas develop, businesses build, and relationships evolve. A place where you can get down to business, check emails and hold meetings, all this while you can enjoy a great cup of coffee and a healthy lunch.

Why not stop by and visit us?

Give us call on 0800 756 2509 or book a tour via spacesworks.com/heathrow-airport

Offices, Coworking, Meeting Rooms.

patron

focus

Supporting businesses through challenging times Metro Bank is helping businesses to navigate their way through stormy economic seas…

Metro Bank is well-known for going the extra mile to help its customers. The company’s philosophy has always been to put its customers first and deliver a great experience for them, every step of the way – whether it’s face to face, online or via the bank’s app.

This people-centric approach offers a reason why Metro was rated number one in the country for its branch and digital services in the latest Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) service quality survey. It’s also proving to be a valuable way of helping of businesses through these uncertain times, with many seeking extra support to minimise the financial damage caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Metro Bank is one of 40 accredited lenders that are busily issuing loans under the government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The scheme

enables small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with an annual turnover of up to £45 million to access loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million for up to six years.

Adam Durrant, Hammersmithbased local director at Metro Bank, says: “We’re helping companies to navigate their way through government information on this scheme, to understand whether it’s relevant to them and how to go about applying for a loan. As you’d expect, we have received applications from businesses operating in a wide range of sectors.

“Hospitality and leisure firms have been affected badly, as have events companies; a lot of these businesses are planning for a three to six-month interruption to their trading. However, some firms have been able to adapt; some cafés that have had to temporarily shut their doors have started offering a delivery service, for example.

What sets us apart from the competition is our ability to tailor support to specific requirements of our customers, we are encouraging businesses to reach out to their relationship manager to find the best possible solution to see them through the current crisis.

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hounslow talksbusiness

“There’s a lot of uncertainty in the business community due to COVID-19 and we are well placed to support companies. We have dedicated relationship managers with a strong knowledge of the local marketplace and a network of contact centres so businesses can get advice and guidance on the phone. We provide a 24/7 online and mobile banking service and our stores are still open for urgent transactions.

“What sets us apart from the competition is our ability to tailor

support to specific requirements, whether that’s a manufacturer seeking additional finance to expand into overseas markets or an individual who wants to take a mortgage holiday to free up cash in the current crisis.”

Metro Bank has forged a strong relationship with Hounslow Chamber and its members over several years. A Chamber patron, the bank has been able to cement deep roots in the borough, building relationships and opening doors for businesses by linking

them with experts in different disciplines and making them aware of wider support networks.

improve parks and communal spaces for local residents.

Adam says: “Due to COVID-19

Metro Bank is also keen to give something back to the communities it serves. Every year the company hosts thousands of charity and business networking events across its stores, and its Day to Amaze initiative enables its staff to support charities and causes that are special to them, from preparing school children for the world of work, to helping to

we’ve extended the scheme so that our colleagues can devote five days a year to supporting worthwhile causes. In these testing times, we want to help in any way we can. Community support has always been an important part of our ethos and will continue to be so, both during the coronavirus pandemic and after it has passed.”

Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is delighted that Metro Bank is once again a patron of the Chamber.

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economy

Business Task Force Task force supports SMEs through coronavirus pandemic Your Chamber of Commerce proactively fights for local business to be supported, advised and heard. Since the lockdown and in reaction to the views of local micro and small SMEs, we’ve developed a daily coronavirus update mailshot that goes out to our database of 7,500 businesses in Hounslow and west London, the majority of which are smaller companies with 1 to 20 employees.

In the first month, nearly 40 mails have been sent and most are available in the news section on our website. We’ve also contacted local businesses, members and non-members alike to offer all types of support/ signposting, ranging from international trade to PPE supplies, ventilator parts and links into Hounslow Council to get frustrations cleared and fast-track the release of funding.

We’ve had excellent feedback from members and nonmembers on these initiatives and received some new member applications on the strength of them. Our highest accolade has

come from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, who praised us on “the impressive way” in which we’ve responded to the pandemic and for “working tirelessly to improve the lot” of our local communities (see letter opposite).

One way in which we’re supporting businesses is through the creation of the Hounslow Business Task Force, which was set up to help SMEs tackle a range of issues affecting their business.

We’re the voice of business in our area so we ask that the authorities hear the problems of business.

Sole traders and micro SMEs are the bedrock of the UK economy, employing 33% of workers and accounting for 96% of all businesses, and most of them will not be included in any of the government’s main financial support schemes.

With this in mind, we’ve organised a weekly FREE Business Task Force webinar, taking place every Thursday at 10.00am, to give the best professional advice on what these companies can do to survive. The webinars attract 50-70 attendees each week and the recordings/ videos are on our website and that of Chiswickbuzz, so increasing the bandwidth of our support.

The Business Task Force covers questions around redundancies, furlough, rent, and grant

and loan schemes such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and other government supported financing products.

It is made up of the following professionals from local businesses who kindly donate their time and expertise:

• HR specialist – John Rose of HR Department

• Solicitor – Nick Woolf of Nicholas Woolf and Co, who came up with the concept of the task force

• Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, cabinet member for finance and corporate services

• Accountant – Shankar Devarashetty of Oasis Accountants

• And, finally, Alan Rides, MD of Hounslow Chamber, a local businessman and specialist in international trade

• Financier – Marcus Gruenwald of FinPoint • Business support – Tony Ryan of Branduin Business Support and Dawn Edwards of The Real Business Club, an HMRC specialist

• Business restructuring specialist – Helen Roberts and Soraya Lavery of CPG, who can talk about restructuring your business when lockdown is lifted

The Chamber would like to give special thanks to its Business Task Force team who kindly donate their time to help local companies.

We always encourage feedback from the local business community. If you have any questions, please e-mail them to SallySmith@Hounslowchamber.org.uk 22

hounslow talksbusiness

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resilience

Building resilience in challenging times

In Britain, businesses that don’t sell essential services, such as food or medical supplies, have been ordered to shut down and despite financial measures introduced by the government to protect jobs and incomes, there is huge uncertainty surrounding the state of the economy and how it will look in a few months’ time.

Businesses and employees are trying to work out how to increase and maintain their resilience so they’re in a better position to cope, both during the crisis and after it has passed.

Chamber Patron Janet Leatherland, manager of the Treaty Shopping Centre in Hounslow, says: “In this climate, it’s all about adapting and doing things differently. Retailers are having to modify their offering where possible; some independent shops are able to offer a home delivery service, for example.

“Most of the retailers in our shopping centre are large high street brands so they’re likely to be following guidelines from their head offices. There will be teams of people trying to work out what the comeback strategy looks like.”

The world is facing the biggest health pandemic in living memory.

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused chaos across the globe, with countries in lockdown, companies having to temporarily or permanently lay off staff, and the death count rising by the day.

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hounslow talksbusiness

While many retailers in the Treaty Shopping Centre have temporarily closed their doors, others remain open. Lloyds and NatWest banks, Poundland, Wilko and Jobcentre Plus are all providing essential services so they can continue trading during the lockdown.

At this stage, nobody can predict what the future looks like but Janet says her focus will be on supporting local firms and customers.

club and by Eco World with whom we are in constant dialogue.

“ we are supporting our retailers in their return to trading,” she says. “We’re also trying to keep customers informed on the latest developments via our social media channels. Clearly, we’re not encouraging people to come into the centre but there are ways we can keep in touch with them from a distance.

“Going forward, we’ll all have to make adjustments although it’s difficult to say what these will be until the government clarifies the situation. We may have to operate on reduced opening hours and implement social distancing measures, such as limiting the number of people who can enter a shop at any one time.”

team are required to keep the players fit and well and some of the finance team have to

“At its recent peak, more than 400 people were travelling to and from work on the stadium site each day.

In light of current Government COVID-19 guidelines, Buckingham Group has now decided that it is imperative that they dramatically scale back activity at the stadium site for the present and this has been implemented. It is intended that for now works will be mainly targeted at electrical safety, care and maintenance and security areas and any activities will be

Flexibility and adaptability will be useful survival mechanisms, both during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Whilst sport has understandably been put on hold for a while, Chamber member Brentford Football Club’s senior executives have been assessing the club’s position in light of the pandemic and plotting the best way forward through these unchartered waters.

The club has closed all of its offices and furloughed some staff, although others who can perform some of their daily duties from home are doing so. To assist the club’s finances, the first team players have agreed to defer a proportion of their wages until football is back and games are being played without restrictions. Meanwhile, the club is in dialogue with the Mayor of London and local health authorities on the subject of making facilities and medical staff available to assist with the work being done to tackle the spread of the virus.

Jon Varney, chief executive of Brentford FC, says: “As some departments are not able to carry out their day-to-day duties, we must therefore shift our priorities and focus our efforts and resources on other areas so that we can continue to operate efficiently and effectively.

“These include activities vital to keeping our club running successfully. Some of the medical

work on revising budgets and forecasting. We need to ensure we continue to support season ticket migration and premium seat sales and the club shop will continue to service mail order purchases. We have a move to our new stadium to prepare for and deliver and it’s imperative we keep communicating with our supporters and club partners.”

The club’s new 17,250-capacity stadium was originally due to open in time for the start of the 2020-21 season. However, the coronavirus crisis has moved the goalposts somewhat and although the desire to get the project completed remains undiminished, the timescales for doing so may need to shift.

Jon Varney says: “Buckingham Group, stadium principal contractor to the developer, Eco World, had to take the serious but prudent decision to urgently pause the bulk of the works underway to allow time for the position to be assessed.

This was a very important action and was fully supported by both the

conducted strictly in accordance with current government COVID-19 guidelines. The absolutely minimum and essential requirement during this period is to ensure, as far as possible, that the site is made and kept safe at all times, especially in respect of hazardous unfinished electrical installations and, where feasible, other dependent critical live safety and related systems. Given the evolving situation regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not possible at this stage to reliably forecast when the new stadium will be fully complete.

“Despite the tough times we all find ourselves in, as Bees fans we have so much to look forward to. We are a resilient bunch and together we can see a bright future for our great football club.”

COVID-19 has hit most sectors of the economy hard, particularly the leisure and hospitality industry.

Chamber member St Giles Heathrow is one of many hotels in the borough to temporarily suspend its operations until further notice.

Hotel manager Charlie Islam-Harry says: “We took the very difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations here at St Giles Heathrow as the health and well-being of our guests, team and community is always our highest priority. While we are not accepting guests or new reservations currently, we are unable to confirm a date for the resumption of operations as this pandemic is rapidly changing. However, we will continue to evolve our response in accordance with guidance from the Government and once a date is set, we will update guests and clients via our website, newsletter, and social media channels.”

“The hotel is “home away from home” for a few long-staying guests. These guests remain on property with limited service that follows the strict guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization, Public Health England and the government.”

While maintaining a positive frame of mind is vital to building psychological resilience in this crisis, it’s also important for businesses take action to remain financially resilient. Many firms are taking steps to reduce outgoings and preserve cash within their businesses. Others are using existing downtime to nurture client relationships or adapt their product or service to help customers deal with the current situation.

Strength, resilience and tenacity will surely be needed over the coming months, as companies adapt to the “new normal” of a postCOVID-19 world. Fortunately, these characteristics are key strengths of the Hounslow business community – traits that will hold local firms in good stead in the long run.

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invest

in hounslow

Hounslow investment continues despite coronavirus Hounslow is currently undergoing a £4 billion regeneration programme that looks set to transform the local landscape.

The mixed-use Hounslow High Street Quarter, the development of Brentford Football Club’s new stadium and the creation of a new riverside town centre in the heart of west London will be a major boost to the local economy when complete – as will several other smaller schemes that are also driving business growth.

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hounslow talksbusiness

Although some work may have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, business leaders and regeneration specialists are still ploughing ahead with plans to invest in Hounslow.

Brentford FC stadium development The football club’s 17,250-capacity stadium is being built by EcoWorld London and will also provide a new home for London Irish, one of the capital’s leading rugby clubs. The development will include a mix of sports and leisure, education and residential facilities as part of a larger urban quarter in the area. It will also provide dedicated facilities for the Brentford Football Club Community Sports Trust.

Buckingham Group, stadium principal contractor to the developer, EcoWorld, has had to urgently pause the bulk of the works underway in light of current government COVID-19 guidelines. The main current priority is to ensure, as far as possible, that the site is made and kept safe at all times, especially in respect of hazardous unfinished electrical installations and, where feasible, other dependent critical live safety and related systems.

Despite these delays, the development is still going ahead as planned even though some timescales may have shifted.

The Brentford Project The development of Brentford South Side will see the creation of a new

riverside town centre in the heart of west London. Containing a mix of residential, retail, employment, community and leisure uses, the scheme will include an eclectic range of restaurants, cafes and pubs, stylish apartments and 14,000 square metres of retail space. It will also incorporate a host of new community spaces including the transformation of the deconsecrated Grade II*-listed St. Lawrence Church – a forgotten masterpiece originally designed by renowned Brentford architect Thomas Hardwick.

Ballymore is the developer behind the scheme, which is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed by 2027.

Hounslow High Street Quarter Barratt London is forging ahead with plans to create this vibrant, mixed-use development.

The £210 million scheme will provide 528 quality homes and incorporate 134,000 sq ft of commercial space, including a ten-screen multiplex cinema and a range of restaurants, cafés and shops, all set around a new town square. As well as creating around 745 new jobs for local workers, it will offer residents a wealth of vibrant amenities on their doorstep, ensuring the development is designed for a modern, cosmopolitan lifestyle.

At the heart of the development is the landmark 27-storey Kempton Tower – unveiled earlier this year by Barratt London. It will be the borough’s tallest residential tower at 90.8m² and a visual symbol of a new, thriving future for Hounslow.

Improvement works in Feltham Work is continuing on the upgrade to the highway and rail infrastructure around Feltham station. These works are classed as essential infrastructure improvements and are being carried out in line with government guidance in respect to Covid-19, relevant industry best practice on social distancing and appropriate cleansing arrangements for equipment and plant.

However, this requirement to work differently is having an impact on the pace of work onsite. There are also implications for the supply of labour, materials and plant from some supply chain partners which may cause further delays to the completion of some sections. Some utility companies have stopped all non-emergency works, which will prevent progress on some key tasks.

Cllr Khan, cabinet member for transport, said: “We understand the importance to the community of getting this vital infrastructure upgrade completed and available for public use as soon as

possible. The council and our contractors are therefore doing everything possible to keep works progressing during this difficult time. Assuming we can find workable solutions to some of the problems the current situation is causing, we still hope to see significant progress in the coming months and to complete works this calendar year.”

Convent Way investment Hounslow has asked residents to help shape the future of Convent Way as part of a borough-wide regeneration plan.

The programme is expected to deliver hundreds of high-quality, energy-efficient affordable housing for residents, who will play a leading role in shaping the proposals. It is being guided by a comprehensive assessment of the council’s 171 estates, designed to identify those that will need to be updated over the next 20 years.

The intention to prepare the programme has been approved.

It has also been resolved that the Convent Way estate in Heston will be the first estate to be regenerated, with the potential to create 1,100 new homes – up from 440 currently – a community centre, play areas and improved public transport links.

A charity sector “health-check” – from Inspire Hounslow While the social impacts of Covid-19 are heavily on our mind, we have been preparing for the future.

What Inspire Hounslow does: A local charity funding projects that benefit disadvantaged young people. This may be a backto-work programme, cultural initiative, community engagement, social trip, a new charity requiring a grant, or a social enterprise needing a contribution to kickstart a project. We are now working with our grantees to develop ways of online delivery.

re-setting policies, taking on new board members, repositioning our website, communicating more effectively with local government and charities, and marketing what we do to the community.

We funded even more projects.

The more people we tell, the more grant applications, the more funds we provide to organisations.

So, please tell people about us.

Our website has information.

We are also looking for more trustees to help run our organisation.

Contact: Via website at: inspirehouslow.co.uk or email: info@inspirehounlsow.co.uk

We evolved enormously last year: Streamlining our processes,

Convent Way was prioritised for early regeneration following an audit that showed it faced increasing maintenance bills, consistent concerns about nuisance behaviour such as flytipping, and that it would struggle to meet the council’s rigorous energy efficiency targets.

The project will be a further step towards the council’s pledge to secure 5,000 new affordable homes for Hounslow (3,000 for social rent and 2,000 for shared ownership), and honouring its commitment to build 1,000 new council homes

by March 2022. Already 1,118 new affordable homes have been built in the borough.

During these challenging times, the team at Holiday Inn London – Brentford Lock sends their best wishes to the whole Hounslow community and beyond. We are looking forward to welcoming our guests back to the hotel in the hopefully not too distant future.

As always, for any meeting/event enquiries please reach out to our Sales Manager, Matthew Merrick: salesmanager@hibrentfordlock.co.uk and he would be delighted to assist. hounslow talksbusiness

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legal

Nigel George Partner and Head of Life Planning at Garner & Hancock Solicitors talks about the benefits of planning ahead Can I make a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney during the current Covid-19 outbreak?

Yes. We have a number of procedures in place so that you can safely make both. The Government have made it clear you can leave home and ask others to leave their home in order that these documents can be properly signed and witnessed.

Do you give advice to people with Dementia?

What is Life planning?

This is about helping you plan how best to manage your finances and your health and welfare both during your lifetime and after your death.

What areas of law do you cover?

We give advice on Wills, Trusts, Inheritance Tax, Lasting Powers of Attorney for Finance and Health, Court of Protection work and advice over Mental Capacity and Dementia.

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hounslow talksbusiness

Sadly, a number of our clients are now living with dementia. I’m a Dementia Champion and this means I have some insight on how best to act for and give legal advice to clients who are living with Dementia.

Why is it important to plan ahead?

Good planning is a form of insurance. You may not need it but will be glad to have a plan in place if and when you do.

What kind of things should you plan for?

Many of us make Wills so that our finances are dealt with after we die. People think less about the management of their money during their lifetime. What happens if, due to illness or accident, you lose the ability to manage your affairs?

How do bills get paid? Having Lasting Powers of Attorneys in place means that if you lose the

capacity to manage your affairs temporary or permanently you have somebody you trust who can easily take them over. In the absence of a Power of Attorney you are faced with a lengthy and expensive process in applying to the Court of Protection.

Why do I need a Health Lasting Power of Attorney?

The only person who can decide about your health and welfare is you. If you can’t make a decision a spouse or other family member may be asked for their opinion, decision making however lies with medical and social services.

They won’t always provide you with the healthcare you want. A Health Power of Attorney has two advantages. Firstly it encourages you to have a conversation with your family and friends as to what you would regard as a minimum acceptable quality of life. As Attorneys must always act in your best interest, it’s important you tell them what they are.

Secondly, if you can no longer enjoy a reasonable quality of life your Attorneys can arrange for life sustaining treatment to be withdrawn if that is what you would want. It allows you to remain in control of your healthcare. This can’t happen without a Health Power of Attorney in place.

Inheritance Tax often due to a lack of simple tax planning. There are a number of useful steps which can be taken to mitigate the liability for Inheritance Tax.

Should I make a Will if the Court can go and change it?

There have been court cases under which disinherited family members have obtained a proportion of the estate. On average however, this has only been around 10%. In some of these cases if no Will had been made then the disinherited child would have inherited everything.

Do I need to make a Will if I’m married?

If you have children, then yes you do. Under the Intestacy Rules your estate is divided between your spouse and your children.

This can result in family dispute and having to pay Inheritance tax when none would be due if a Will was in place.

What is the position if I’m not married?

A “common law spouse” inherits nothing. If you have children, they inherit everything. There are remedies available but at a cost which a will easily avoids.

To contact Nigel George

Should I worry about Inheritance Tax?

call 0208 232 9560

Inheritance Tax is payable at 40%. We are all paying more

www.garner-hancock.co.uk

ngeorge@garner-hancock.co.uk

Sponsor of Hounslow Festival of Business 2020

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What our clients say about us:

“was happy to place my full faith in Garner and Hancock and having legal partners that I could fully rely on made a huge difference.” “from the beginning they have been fantastically professional in their approach and were always on hand to take my calls and give advice.”

Our Services include: • Family Law

• Wealth Protection

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• Tax, Trusts and Inheritance Planning

• Wills and Probate

• Oaths & Certifications

Tel: +44 20 3879 4259 | www.garner-hancock.co.uk Garner & Hancock Solicitors: 4 Church Street, Old Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6BH

news

The Kettle Shed secures first African wholesale client A tea wholesaler has struck a deal to supply an international buyer in Africa.

The Kettle Shed will offer its extensive range of custom blends to Café Kwae, which has opened a second outlet, Kwae Terrace, in the Airport City of Accra, Ghana.

Café Kwae is a place where Accra locals and international visitors can cross paths to enjoy a nice cocktail or a delicious meal.

Owner Yvette Ansah moved back to Ghana in 2011, setting up Fresh

Bites, an Accra-based healthy fast food and delivery business, before launching Café Kwae.

Yvette believes that the mix of local tradition and international influences is a world-class cocktail and hopes to inspire and help change the current scenario where mostly non-Ghanaians own world-class businesses in the hospitality industry.

One of her customers, Danica, said: “I frequently visit Cafe Kwae when I’m staying in Accra. It is my go-to breakfast, brunch and lunch spot. The

menu just keeps on getting better and better. They have incredible staff, which is a reflection of the lovely owner, Yvette. If you’re looking for a cute place to sip bottomless mimosas and have a healthy meal to start your day, look no further!”

Café Kwae serves simple, fresh foods with a delicious taste. Staff there are committed to providing a quality service and a delightfully cosy environment where customers feel at home.

At Kwae Terrace, guests can dine al fresco or enjoy a drink at the bar

Glue 4 Glass (G4G) is an amazing light curing adhesive which is different from other adhesive.

All light curing adhesives bonds in ultra violet light, where as, G4G can bond in domestic light sources including halogen, fluorescence and high intensity LED light. Therefore equipment producing ultra violet light are no longer required.

Originally used in microscopy, where it’s properties are ideal for making microscope slides, G4G is now available to the general public to use in different applications such as hobbies, art and crafts,

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above the city lights. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and convivial, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening wide to bring the outdoors in. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks, all of the menus are crafted by expert chefs using the freshest and finest quality ingredients. The venue also sells a variety of looseleaf teas including the increasingly popular carrot cake iced tea.

For more information visit https://thekettleshed.com/ and https://www.lovecafekwae.com/

DIY, sign making and stain glass window design.

Further development of G4G include the production of a windscreen repair kit, bought from shops and garages, can be used as a low cost quick fix for chip windscreens.

There are also a number of industrial applications being sought for G4G. G4G is a product which has been developed and is manufactured in the UK.

Season Tickets available now Join the waiting list at newstadium.brentfordfc.com

FREE COUNSELLING available to Hounslow residents.

Anchor Counselling offers free, confidential, NHS counselling to adults based in Hounslow. Our therapists are accredited. We can help you with many areas of difficulty, including:

n Anxiety n Depression n Bereavement and loss n Relationship and family problems n Couples Counselling n Anger management n Self esteem and confidence n Psychosexual issues

Our clients come from all walks of life, cultures, religions, race and ages. We work in an inclusive way to ensure that everyone we see receives the best possible care to help them develop and sustain resilience, clarity and confidence towards a better wellbeing and happier future. We also work with interpreters and many of our therapists speak several languages.

Due to COVID-19 and lockdown, counselling is by phone or Zoom (webcam/internet) until our clinics reopen. If clinics reopen partway during counselling, it is possible to continue face-to-face at a clinic if preferred. Our clinics offer a quiet, private space and are located in Hounslow, Brentford, Feltham and Chiswick.

To arrange an appointment, you can quickly self-refer at our website: www.anchorcounselling.org

Or call 020 8867 7660. Please clearly leave your name and phone number and state if you prefer a call-back or a text message if it’s difficult for you to receive calls.

Anchor Counselling works in partnership with NHS Hounslow IAPT. We are an organisational member of BACP - British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.

technology

Working from home is a new way of life…

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, working from home is a new way of life for many of us. We need to be mindful of the unique challenges we face as we go about our working day. As we all adapt to ‘remote working’, with most business professionals now working from home, this may leave you feeling isolated. While video conferencing has become the standard way of holding meetings, some may miss the stimulation of face to face interactions with colleagues.

Some of you will struggle with sticking to a routine. Many well not be taking any breaks or taking far too many. Space may be an issue; you may be used to a desk with dual screens, but now have to work with a laptop on the couch. There may be distractions with television, social media, housework or family members wanting your undivided attention.

If you manage to overcome all of these and can focus on your work, you might find your home Internet connection is not up to scratch. You could be breaching the security policies the office network provides for you. For our clients, we have made sure the company security policies have been migrated over to the remote workers. We have ensured that these policies remain in place

donated money or much-needed PPE products to local care homes. Some have purchased over 4000 plastic tubs for local food banks to deliver food to the vulnerable and elderly.

Yes, it is about business, but above that, it is about relationships with our customers and our suppliers. Isn’t that what we should all be doing: looking out for each other?

When we overcome these difficult times, the strength of our business relationships will shine through.

Michael Ramlakhan, Founder & MD of Timeless IMS.

Get in touch with me now via the links below and I’ll happily provide you free advice on ways to help your organisation with its remote working, Cyber Security or if you just feel like talking to a fellow business owner during this troubled time.

Chamber Patron Timeless IMS - Your outsourced IT Director

with our Timeless IMS Total Security Passport managed service solution.

We are all human beings, and now even our social activities are facing restrictions. If we struggle to adapt to any of the above, we should remember to talk to someone — a simple interaction with another person during this difficult time can help us all.

My telephone calls with clients and suppliers have been based on “How are you doing? I’m just calling up for a chat”. We talk about the news headlines’, we talk about business, but we also talk about the social challenges and examples of strength within our local communities. As an example, some local companies have unselfishly and collectively

Talk to Timeless IMS today: www.timelessims.co.uk Tel: 0800 328 2852 Email: sales@timelessims.co.uk

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news

LEGAL

Chamber Patron Metro Bank opens in Hammersmith Metro Bank has opened its 74th store in Hammersmith.

Spring naturally makes us look forward. More clients contact us so as to settle their affairs. So property moves, lasting powers of attorney and will drafting in particular are in specific focus.

At the time of writing the Corona Virus restrictions are in full force. So our advice is tempered by the current restrictions and includes the popular queries received from our clients. As in all matters communication is key.

Q. Can I still put a will or Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs)in place with a solicitor during social distancing?

A. Yes you can. However the current restrictions will not be in place forever.

So any wills and LPAs must reflect your long term needs. We are still open and are working within government guidelines. For example face to face meetings are replaced by video calls. Verifying your ID and address is still paramount. So more extensive checks will be required by us, to protect you.

Of course we will guide you throughout the process and specifically on how your will can be validly signed.

Q. I have a mortgage offer which is due to run out during the current restrictions A. Most lenders have agreed to extend existing mortgage offers for a period up to three months. Call your provider to confirm and update their records.

Q. Can I still move house?

A. The property market is particularly sensitive at the moment. However there will always be reasons you need to move, both in the buying and rental markets. Nothing in the current restrictions override property law.

So if for example you have exchanged contracts you are obliged to move, unless all parties agree to amend the contract and moving dates.

If you are fortunate to move to an empty property nothing much needs to change and your only issue should be the physical practicalities of moving.

Q. Can properties still be sold at auctions?

A. Auctioneers in particular are geared up anyway to sell properties online.

As purchasers often aren’t local and may even be abroad. This will involve virtual tours of the property and organised online bidding.

Q. Are courts still open?

A. Only 75 English courts are completely closed. 159 are open to the public and a further 117 courts are staffed but not accessible to the public. The majority of the accessible courts are magistrates and Crown Courts.

Uxbridge Combine Court centre is fully functioning along with Isleworth Crown Court, Ealing Magistrates court. Family and probate courts in West London and central London respectively, are available but busy.

All the above responses have been simplified and shortened for expediency. If you have any comments or queries, contact Austins Solicitors. As an accredited firm we can advise you in detail to your specific situation.

Building 3 Chiswick Business Park 566 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 5YA Tel: 0800 3777716 (+44203 858 0041) Fax 08456 583635 | www.austinsandco.co.uk

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The company offers customers the choice to bank however, whenever and wherever they choose – whether that’s face-to-face banking in store, on the phone, online or via its mobile app.

To mark the occasion, Metro Bank invited businesses, residents, families and dogs to a grand opening party in February to celebrate the new Hammersmith store, which is located in the Kings Mall on King Street.

Mayor of Hammersmith, councillor Daryl Brown, attended the official opening ceremony to cut a symbolic ribbon alongside the new store’s local director, Adam Durrant and store manager, Kiyesha Gordon.

The Hammersmith team worked closely with the Hammersmith Business Improvement District (BID) in the lead up to the opening and last

year attended its local Christmas market for charity, where Metro Bank put on a craft event for children.

Ian Walters, managing director of retail and business banking at Metro Bank, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening a new store in Hammersmith, and to be providing the very best service and convenience to our growing network of personal and business customers in the West London region. This store will give the people of Hammersmith a place not only to do their banking, but to connect with their local community and feel valued as customers.”

Patricia Bench, Hammersmith BID director, added: “We are delighted to welcome Metro Bank to Hammersmith. We very much look forward to working closely with them at this exciting period for Kings Mall and the whole of the Hammersmith business community.”

Hounslow Chamber of Commerce had planned a physical launch of ‘West London Local Chambers’, in Hammersmith just before lockdown hit. This will complement our Ealing regular monthly breakfast meetings that have been running for the past 18 months. Both Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham no longer have Chambers of Commerce, so with the blessing of both local authorities and London Chamber of Commerce this gap will be filled by West London Local Chambers . As soon as we are able, after the Government lifts the lockdown, this initiative will be launched and we will offer our full services to businesses in Hammersmith & Fulham, and also Ealing. We will be holding a Hammersmith business breakfast once a month at the Metro Hammersmith store to complement the ongoing Ealing, Chiswick and Hounslow breakfasts, plus other monthly sector summits which will be spread across the boroughs. in the meantime a soft virtual launch will take place in late may via a new website and webinars

Community comes together in a crisis Heston West Big Local and Cranford Community College have teamed together to support the most vulnerable households in the Cranford and Heston area during this time of the coronavirus crisis.

The idea was to set up a pop-up foodbank which delivers to those in need using Cranford Community College’s catering company Chartwell as our supply chain. The initiative led by Heston West Big Local and Cranford Community College has been supported by Morrisons, Honeycomb pub, Chartwell, Seema Malhotra MP, and local councillors.

Over the past two weeks a team of over 20 volunteers, young and old, have delivered 124 food parcels to a value of between £40 and £50 pounds to our community. This has

helped to put much needed food on the table of over 200 residents.

It is our intention to run this service until the crisis is over. To do so we need your help please donate at justgiving.com and type in Heston West Big Local or alternatively click on the link below https://www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/ hestonwestbiglocal?utm_ term=gVdGv7Wkk For more information on this important lifeline please visit hestonwest.org Alan Fraser Chair, Heston West Big Local Director of Community Partnerships, Cranford Community College

ask the

expert

Opportunity for a Financial Review ?

Alex Smith - Chartered Financial Planner based at Chiswick Business Park How has Covid-19 changed your business plan and life planning? Perhaps the current business conditions will accelerate your retirement plans? Alternatively, retirement may seem further away than ever. In any event, it is likely you have more time on your hands than you had anticipated.

Like everything in life, you are more likely to succeed if you have a plan. Do you have ENOUGH? ENOUGH to eventually stop working and focus on spending time doing exactly what you want to do (the beach, family, mountains, hobbies). Even if you enjoy your work or running your business, I am sure it would be better if you could choose how hard you work and how often.

Personal Cashflow Planning can create a Financial Plan to allow you to enjoy life and retirement before it’s too late. As Covid-19 has sadly demonstrated, none of us know how long we have left.

Let’s plan to enjoy it as much as possible. You might be surprised how quickly you can stop working.

Alternatively, you might have to save harder. Surely better to know. No more head in the sand.

This is Financial Planning. In addition, we look at tax planning and investment planning.

How much does this cost. There is a £500 initial fee but only if you decide to become a client and act on my plan for you. We then manage your money and are paid to do so. If you do not want to continue paying you can leave us at any time. You are not tied in. Nobody ever leaves us, but you can.

Contact details: Tel: 07961 622797 | Direct: 01708 250624 | Email: alex@watsonmooreifa.com Building 3, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 5YA | www.watsonmooreifa.com hounslow talksbusiness

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hounslow chamber

events

Festival of Business past event Hounslow is the borough of Business – our economy is strong, made up of nearly a third of a million people, over 18,000 businesses. It is an economy of nearly £20bn. Hounslow - Festival of Business is an annual event to celebrate, showcase and promote our diverse business community. The Festival of Business took place on 27th February. Covid-19 was beginning to have a slight impact but as always our timing was serendipitous, The Festival was the most successful to date, with 70 businesses attending the stakeholders breakfast, where Justin Urquhart Stewart entertained us for around 30 minutes, giving a whistle stop tour of the economies of Europe and the world. He speaks so knowledgeable and without notes – impressive! There were 50 stands and 300 people coming through the doors over the day.

Film crews from BBC London and BBC Arabia service interviewed attendees and visitors with special visitors from the Iraq Embassy.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Heathrow Airport Ltd, Hounslow Council, the Treaty Centre, Garner & Hancock and Charter Place.

“I paid a visit to most of the c.50 stands and all were really positive about the connections being made and the buzz in the room (captured by BBC London news I hear). I also attended one of the workshops (Insightful Images) and the content was both interesting and engaging. In these times of great uncertainty for business, I feel our borough is really well placed to provide support through strong partnerships such as ours and this was in evidence on Thursday.”

“As Cllr Curran said, we look forward to supporting the Chamber with its next flagship event – the Hounslow Business Awards – later this year.” Tom Brooks, Housing, Planning and Communities, London Borough of Hounslow

“Congratulation everyone for making this a great success.

These events are hard work and I hope you all enjoyed a glass to two at the end! From a Dell perspective we thoroughly enjoyed the day, great conversations with a lot of mutual interest among the exhibitors as well as very positive comments from the visitors. Looking forward to the next one! ” Jane Jones, Dell

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Events: Dates for May / June are all delivered via on line webinars including:

Business Task Force Webinars

10.00am on Thursdays through May and June

Sector Webinars

10.00am on Tuesdays through May and June

Webinars on Health & Wellbeing, Security, International Trade (exports to UAE) and Green Energy tbc.

Please see our website for more information

Regeneration Conference

SAVE THE

DATE?

End of July 2020 2pm-6pm, date & venue tbc pending government restrictions

Come along to learn more about progress on the exciting developments/projects across the borough and to meet the planning department from Hounslow Council.

Presentations and exhibitors last year were from all the major construction companies active in the borough.

HOUNSLOW BUSINESS AWARDS Thursday October 15th

Clayton Hotel, 626 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5RY

Companies are being invited to take part in this year’s business awards hosted by Hounslow Chamber of Commerce.

Award categories to include: • Business of the Year

• Employer of the Year

• Best Business for Marketing and Social Media

• Best Green Business

• Best SME

• Best Cargo and Logistics Company of the Year

• Best business for Customer Service • Best Charity/ Social Enterprise • Best New Business

• Best Exporter of the Year

It’s free to enter and very easy to do; for more details just visit www.hounslowchamber.org.uk.

• Best Security • Best Business Support and Advice (Service Company)

Hounslow Regeneration 2.0 Conference – September 2019

Please contact Sally Smith on sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk or 020 8326 6416 | 07879 813817 or www.hounslowchamber.org.uk for more information. hounslow talksbusiness

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international

trade

Exporters can fuel economic growth With the coronavirus grounding many flights across the world, there’s a common misconception that the global export market is closed for business. The fact is that nothing could be further from the truth.

Image provided by Heathrow Airport

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The UK and US governments have opened negotiations on a free trade agreement, with hopes high among the SME exporting community that a planned chapter to help the UK’s 5.9 million small businesses will help them to export their way out of the Covid-19 crisis.

Although flight passenger numbers have fallen off a cliff edge due to lockdowns imposed in several countries, cargo and air freight transportation is on the rise.

In the week commencing April 27, Heathrow saw a 1,334% increase in cargo-only air traffic compared to the weekly average seen before the pandemic. In the week commencing May 4, the airport handled more than 100 cargo-only flights a day on average, easily surpassing the pre-COVID weekly average of 47 (or 6.7 per day). Meanwhile, the number of passenger flights operating out of Heathrow fell by a staggering 97% in April, with many passenger airlines having started cargo-only flights.

More than 40% of the UK’s pharmaceutical products such as medicines, vaccines and respirators are imported and exported via Heathrow, which is a global hub for dozens of businesses based in the borough of Hounslow. In recent weeks, flights have touched down from China and other far-flung places, loaded solely with personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other medical supplies to help the NHS save lives and keep medical staff safe.

These statistics are confirmation that the world is still very much open for business – and support is available for businesses that want to find new overseas markets for their products and services and expand their international footprint.

Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is taking firms on this journey, helping them to break down trade barriers and navigate the complex world of regulation.

Developing a proactive export plan is the first step to success in overseas markets and several

firms have benefited from the Chamber’s Export Trade Planner, which helps exporters find the right market for their business.

Alan Rides, managing director of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, says: “In the current climate, exporters need all the help they can get to exploit opportunities to ramp up trade. Our export planner – a free-to-use tool – enables companies to locate the largest and

https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/ business-finance-finder.”

Alan says: “This tool covers the whole finance market and helps firms to locate appropriate funding options for their business.

Essentially, it’s a one-stop-shop for all of their funding needs.”

These options have increased recently with the launch of government financial measures

More than 40% of the UK’s pharmaceutical products such as medicines, vaccines and respirators are imported and exported via Heathrow, which is a global hub for dozens of businesses based in the borough of Hounslow. most appropriate overseas markets for their products, and then develop a suitable plan of action for selling them into their target country.”

The Chamber has also created an Export Business Finance Finder in partnership with business financing platform, Finpoint, to help SMEs find the right lenders and get access to appropriate finance options with just one simple online application.

Marcus Gruenwald, CTO of Finpoint, said: “We are delighted to be the delivery partner for Hounslow Chamber of Commerce on access to finance. Coronavirus started to take hold shortly after our partnership launched on the Chamber website, but thanks to our use of technology we are very much open for business.

The pandemic is impacting businesses in different ways, but from our end it is business as usual, and any business seeking help and advice for business funding is welcome to use our simple and easy online process. We can connect you to multiple providers in one go and this includes the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

Please visit Hounslow Business Finance Finder to get started:

including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, which gives SMEs with an annual turnover of up to £45 million access to loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance of up to £5 million. Business bounce back loans, a separate scheme that went live in May, enables smaller firms affected by COVID-19 to apply for loans of up to £50,000. There’s also a range of traditional and alternative funding streams to tap into, allowing firms to kick-start or continue their export journey.

Choosing an export market and obtaining the relevant finance to conquer it is only part of the equation, though. Marketing products and services to the right people and securing that vital order are the next steps, and Hounslow Chamber can also provide advice and support in these areas.

Companies must also be aware of the legal jargon contained in any contract they sign. In particular, it’s important to check the specifics of Force Majeure (FM) clauses, which set out requirements for establishing the existence of an event or circumstance that prevents or impedes a party’s performance of its contractual duties.

The COVID-19 pandemic falls under the category of unforeseen events that couldn’t be planned for. It could cause problems for exporters that don’t have an FM clause in their contracts.

Alan says: “If you’re fulfilling the terms of a contract that you signed three months ago, the landscape has changed since then – and this could have major financial implications.

Let’s suppose you’re exporting bespoke clothing overseas. The cost of air freight has trebled due to the pandemic, so unless you’re covered by an FM clause, you could be facing an unforeseen bill that you might not be able to cover.”

In the absence of an FM provision in a contract, the law applicable to the contract will be relevant and parties would be well advised to seek legal assistance for guidance.

The concept of FM is not universally recognised, and different legal systems provide different solutions where an impediment prevents the fulfilment of a commercial contract.

The International Chamber of Commerce has produced a useful guide on FM clauses: https://iccwbo.org/content/ uploads/sites/3/2020/03/2020forcemajeure-commcontracts.pdf For more information and advice on how to succeed in international markets, visit https://hounslowchamber.org. uk/international-trade

UK Export Finance Support UK Export Finance has expanded the export insurance policy to cover exporters against the risk of non-payment if customers become insolvent. The policy now covers transactions with the European Union, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.

The scheme is designed to help companies concerned about the impact of the coronavirus to export with confidence, offering insurance that can cover up to 95% of the value of an export contract. Find out more by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/ organisations/uk-export-finance

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international

trade

UK-US trade talks bring hope to exporters The UK and US governments have opened negotiations on a free trade agreement, with hopes high among the SME exporting community that a planned chapter to help the UK’s 5.9 million small businesses will help them to export their way out of the Covid-19 crisis.

The first round of talks was launched by UK international trade secretary Liz Truss and US trade representative Robert Lighthizer via videocall, and will be held for approximately two weeks, involving around 100 negotiators on each side.

The UK government says that further rounds will take place approximately every six weeks and will be carried out remotely until it is safe to travel.

Liz Truss said: “The US is our largest trading partner and increasing transatlantic trade can help our economies bounce

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back from the economic challenge posed by the coronavirus. We want to strike an ambitious deal that opens up new opportunities for our businesses, brings in more investment and creates better jobs for people across the whole of the country. As the Prime Minister has said, the UK is a champion of free trade and this deal will make it even easier to do business with our friends across the pond.”

Robert Lighthizer said: “Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States will negotiate an ambitious and high-standard trade agreement

with the UK that will strengthen our economies, support goodpaying jobs and substantially improve opportunities for trade and investment between our two countries. This will be an historic agreement that is consistent with US priorities and the negotiating objectives established by Congress in US law.”

Total UK-US trade was valued at £220.9bn last year, making up 19.8% of the UK’s exports. The US currently levies £451m in tariffs on UK exports each year, with food and farming, manufactured goods and textiles benefiting most if these are lifted.

With some 30,000 UK SMEs already exporting to the US, taking into account their needs when striking a deal will be crucial, according to Mike Cherry, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

He said: “For small businesses, the US is the number one single market of choice for importers and exporters for the next three years,

which is why these negotiations are so critical. With our economy likely to be suppressed for some time, we are going to need small businesses that trade to lead the way.”

In a recent survey, the FSB found that the US is the most important individual country market for small firms hoping to export over the next three years, with 46% selecting the country.

“Small businesses are already the backbone of the UK’s domestic economy,” Mike Cherry said. “Especially in these difficult times, we now need to see their share of global trade start to catch up. We can do this by putting SMEs front and centre of all new trade agreements.

“Securing a pro-small business free trade agreement, which includes a comprehensive and dedicated small business chapter, will be essential to addressing the needs and distinct challenges that small firms face when engaged in transatlantic trade.”

environment Covid-19 hits energy consumption Many organisations have been forced to temporarily close-down or dramatically reduce operations.

Chamber member Beond has been working hard to advise and support clients on their energy needs during this challenging time.

A month after the UK lockdown was announced, Beond has taken stock of what they have seen and below is a summary of the key points to be aware of.

1. If you expect to see a material reduction in energy consumption, then notify your energy consultant or energy supplier.

2. Energy suppliers will continue to expect bills to be paid on time. If this is a problem, please contact your energy consultant or your supplier. Suppliers prefer a-dialogue to no-dialogue!

3. Check your half-hourly electricity bills carefully. If the consumption is not coming down as you would expect then it could be that the meter is not working.

• Your energy supplier may be billing you on estimated half-hourly data and they are not flagging this up on the bill. Again, contact your energy consultant or supplier.

4. Take manual meter readings for non-half-hourly and gas meters and send these to your supplier so they only bill you for the energy you consume.

5. If you have already shutdown then ask your energy consultant how much energy you are still using in your empty buildings and try to reduce if further.

critical sites. If you require a new/upgraded meter do expect delays or plan ahead.

If you are unsure about any of the above or have another problem, talk to Beond. They can investigate the issue and also manage the communication with the supplier and aim to get the best commercial outcome for you.

Beond’s team remains fully intact and they continue to deliver prompt responses to queries and issues raised by our clients. Beond aims to be particularly sensitive to clients who are being disrupted professionally or personally or delivering critical services to the NHS, etc.

6. If your energy supply contracts need to be renewed in 2020 then do not hang around.

Suppliers are also struggling and slow to respond or even reluctant to give out quotes, so it is best to warm them up now

During the lock-down Beond are actively marketing their services to new organisations and sharing messages about zero-carbon and cost-savings and their values of quality, integrity, and innovation.

7. Many suppliers have ceased to process new meter connections or upgrades unless the meters are for

If you have any questions please call Beond on 020 8634 7533 or visit their website at www.BeondGroup.com.

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Workplace Wellbeing in the time of Quarantine 2020 heralds a new era – one in which health sits firmly at the top of the agenda. The lockdown will end, but the post-pandemic world will require new ways of working, living, and caring for ourselves and each other.

This time last year, no one could have predicted where we’d be in May 2020. Essential workers wearing PPE. Others attending Zoom meetings while working from home. Phrases like ‘social distancing’, ‘flattening the curve’, and ‘quarantine and chill’ have become everyday language. And the hottest fashion items – a pair of joggers and a designer face mask!

The world around us has changed rapidly and staying healthy, both mentally and physically, is more important than ever. For employers, this means being ready to confront the issues concerning a post-pandemic workplace. The businesses that will flourish are those that create peoplecentred work and social spaces.

Many employers are turning to the diffusion of essential oils to increase wellbeing and actively improve performance, productivity, and resilience.

Lisa Montague, office manager at ChannelAdvisor uses oils to reduce stress and promote positivity: “We love doTERRA oils and diffuse them daily in the office for staff wellbeing. Our favourites are Motivate for creativity, Cheer for positivity, and Serenity for relaxation. They make us all feel more calm and vibrant.”

At Oasis Accountants, they use Wild Orange and Peppermint for a natural caffeine hit: “They’re great in the diffuser – both invigorating and uplifting.”

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Essential oils have been around for millennia. And we’ve used them in our homes for many years. But today, they’re gaining traction in workplaces from hospitals and gyms to offices and schools for good reason – they work.

Top 5 doTERRA Office Oils (great at home too!)

• Calm frazzled emotions with Serenity or Balance • Stimulate positivity and reduce stress with Cheer • Fight airborne germs and purify with OnGuard • Increase productivity and performance with Motivate • Get a natural caffeine hit with Wild Orange and Peppermint Before the use of any pure essential oils you must speak to an expert. For more information or to book a consultation contact Alex Willis – 07957 312 237 Alex.willis.doterra@gmail.com mydoterra.com/alexandrawillis

health and

wellbeing

Why is workplace health and well-being so important?

Nicholas Rose, Director of Chiswick based London Counselling Practice Limited says “If we go straight to the bottom line and the standard Health & Safety Executive (HSE) position then looking after your people’s health and wellbeing is proven to help businesses reduce sickness, increase profitability and avoid legal action.

Thinking more holistically we know some of the world’s greatest companies have excellent health and wellbeing programmes because they know that workplaces that provoke positive emotions for their people improve creativity and motivation. Finally, for anyone thinking about inward investment, great employers benefit from a wider base of potential investment as ethical organisations are increasingly prioritised.”

How can managers improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of staff who are working remotely due to the coronavirus?

Nicholas continues “Our clients have been talking about how the range of experiences of remote working is huge, for some it has brought great benefits for example

removed hours of commuting whilst for others it been really tough, for example where there’s a full house, poor broadband, children at home, having family members who are isolating or having to be shielded.

Everyone understands the need for flexibility but with home working likely to continue businesses need to remember they have statutory obligations for health and safety and so putting in place effective working practices that work for all now will save time and expense later on”.

What kind of services do you provide to businesses?

Marybeth Mendenhall, Senior Associate says “Some organisations have an ethos akin to a family whilst for others inter-relationships, structures, roles and dynamics can all be approached through the thoughtful application of systemic

theories. So as therapists our expertise is in facilitating better self-care, communication and relationships within and outside the organisation”.

Ia Tollstam, Counsultant Supervisor of Organisational Work adds “The concept of social capital is so relevant here to leadership philosophy, we can help you to ensure you provide people with the conditions needed for them to thrive and the organisation as a whole to flourish develop in a sustainable way”.

Services we can offer include: 1. Consultancy on communications and social integration 2. In-house therapeutic support and consultancy at times of crisis for example bereavements, redundancy 3. Counselling sessions direct with our therapists (sometimes going through HR reduces staff take up) 4. Group sessions facilitated by therapists, so staff members can share experiences and build team resilience 5. Group workshops on stress and anxiety management online options are now very affordable and cost effective What sort of help are they asking for? Will this change as a result of the coronavirus?

Senior Associate, Martin Weaver “I think resilience, awareness of and development within organisations will be very important as we move forward, akin to rehabilitation programme for patients recovering after prolonged illness, managed skilfully then the potential for post traumatic growth” Nicholas “We definitely expect organisations will see the benefits of accessing specialist help in thinking about how to support staff with new and complex issues arising from the pandemic and restrictions post lockdown”.

For further information please contact visit www.nicholas-rose.co.uk

hounslow talksbusiness

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5 reasons to join

the chamber

5 Reasons to Join

The Hounslow Chamber is made up of active and successful business people from a wide range of sectors, who are based in Hounslow, believe in Hounslow and wish Hounslow to prosper.

The Chamber has risen to the challenge of supporting its members and the wider Hounslow business community during this current crisis. It needs the continued support of its members and to encourage new members to join to maintain its high level of service and benefits to Chamber members.

1 2 3 4 5

Regular networking events / conferences Until lockdown starts to be eased, our events are all virtual. Once restrictions begin to be lifted our regular events will be re-introduced with the facility for businesses to be with us in person or virtually if they prefer.

Signposting & introductions

International trade missions & export documents

Lobbying and professional business advice via the Hounslow Task Force

Business Awards / Festival of Business / Hounslow Regeneration conference

Find out how to join and learn how others are benefiting from their membership.

For more information telephone: 020 8326 6416 | 07879 813 817 Email: sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk or go to our Website: www.hounslowchamber.org.uk

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hounslow talksbusiness

new

members Welcome to our New Members

Raza Shahid Syed

TaxAssist Southall 07772 974 383 razasyed@taxassist.co.uk srs_sagitarius@hotmail.com www.taxassist.co.uk/southall Accountancy & Financial Services

Timothy Davies

Dilasser Private Clients - London 07960 823 684 tim.dpc@sjpp.co.uk www.dilasserprivateclients.co.uk Accountancy & Financial Services

Cumhur Kizilari

Morten Consultancy & Training Services Limited 07831 295 965 ckizilari@mortenict.co.uk www.mortenict.co.uk Technology

Soraya Lavery

CPG Executive Consulting Ltd 020 7019 32319 07544 496 010 soraya@cpgexp.com helen@cpgexp.com www.cpgexp.com Business Consultancy

Jeff Windsor

Windsor Jennings Limited 01372 869 655 07860 860 760 jeff@windsorjennings.com Printing

Enyi Inyama

Architecture-E 07947 634 411 enyiinyama@rocketmail.com www.architecture-e.co.uk Architect

Marnix Teeken

SBH Park Holding LTD 0782 518 0384 07909 552 207 marnix.teeken@hilton.com www.hilton.com Hospitality

Mohammed AI-Issa

Progress Group Limited 07411 994 428 info@progressgroup.uk www.progressgroup.uk Business Services

Bal Sidhu

Charlie Islam-Harry

Waracle 07954 113 456 b.sidhu@waracle.com www.waracle.com Technology

St Giles Heathrow Hotel 020 8817 7101 cislam@stgiles.com www.stgileshotels.com/hotels/united-kingdom/london/h Hospitality

Paul Smith Peninsula / Paul Smith 07970 531 495 paulr.smith@peninsula-uk.com www.peninsula-uk.com HR Services

Claire O’Connell Pink Connect (Richmond) 0203 004 2242 07734 115 470 claire.oconnell@pinkconnect.com www.pinkconnect.com Telecommunications

Colin Gallaugher Coalo Ltd 0208 583 5899 07970 117 268 Colin.Gallaugher@hounslow.gov.uk Facilities Management/Construction

Neil Badcock

Allied Air Services Ltd 020 8979 4711 07760 164 224 neil.aas@talktalk.net Airport Services

Balubhai Patel Valradio Electronics Ltd 020 8560 3005 07967 478 889 valradio@btinternet.com | bg@valradio.com www.valradio.com Utilities/Energy

Cenk Gumus Penelope Bedroom 07464 355 477 cenk.gumus@mayatekstil.com www.penelopebedroom.co.uk Retail

Ahsan Abu-Baker I Like To Move It Move It LTD 020 7101 4159 ari@iliketomoveitmoveit.co.uk www.iliketomoveitmoveit.co.uk Logistics

Benoit Bernier Benoit Bernier 07455 386 833 benbresil@gmail.com benbresil@icloud.com International Trade

Sanjay Sah Makesworth Accountants 020 7993 8850 020 7183 5320 ss@makesworth.co.uk www.makesworth.co.uk Accountancy and Financial Services

Emmanuel Akinyosoye e-wire Translation & Innovation Hub 07525 859 835 emmanuel@e-wire.co.uk Telecommunications

Basil Fernandes Smart Consulting 07821 196 033 fernandesbasil21@gmail.com Business Consultancy

Ghassan Al-Jasim European Control Systems Co UK Ltd 07732 055 602 07732 939 638 info@europeancontrols.com gaaljasim@gmail.com Control Systems

Nicholas Rose London Counselling Practice Limited 07789 488 691 nicholas@nicholas-rose.co.uk mail@nicholas-rose.co.uk www.nicholas-rose.co.uk Health & Wellbeing

hounslow talksbusiness

45

5 minutes

with....

Debbie Leon

MD of Fashionizer Couture Uniforms Who are you?

I’m the founder and managing director of Fashionizer Couture Uniforms and Fashionizer Spa. I was originally a costume designer and I’ve been manufacturing clothing for more than 30 years.

What’s your business all about?

Fashionizer is a luxury uniform design company. We design bespoke hotel and restaurant uniforms for luxury brands, five-star properties, resorts and spas, retail

Biggest achievement?

Keeping the business going and overcoming tough challenges, such as the financial crash of 2008 and the New York terrorist attacks of 2001. After 9/11 we made uniforms for use in a James Bond film to keep the money coming in.

and corporate service sector providers

Biggest gripe?

worldwide. Due to the coronavirus

The big banks. We approached them for financial assistance several weeks ago and we still haven’t received a response.

pandemic, we’ve diversified our offering and we now supply washable, reusable organic cotton face masks. We’re also exploring the feasibility of making wash bags for the masks to help people minimise the spread of infection.

Three words to describe yourself?

Tenacious, hardworking, people-friendly.

Ideal customer?

Someone who appreciates the value and

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complexity of what we do. We’ve very bespoke and a lot of hard work and craft goes into making our uniforms.

hounslow talksbusiness

Sporting hero?

That’s an easy one to answer – I don’t have one!

Biggest tip for success?

Your inspiration?

Don’t take no for an answer and embrace

My family. I’m also inspired by the wellness community and how people support each other, especially in these

innovations as unviable but there would be no

difficult times.

Philosophy in business?

new ideas. Many people dismiss unproven iPads or iPhones if we adopted that attitude.

And of course joining your local Chamber of Commerce – in my case it is Hounslow

I build trust with the people I work with. You

Chamber, who have been most supportive

can’t operate without it.

over the years.

Degree Apprenticeships A leading degree apprenticeship provider for forward-thinking businesses uwl.ac.uk/apprenticeships

Reserve your apprenticeship now: Janet Rowson - Head of Degree Apprenticeships janet.rowson@uwl.ac.uk