Sussex Business Times - Issue 410

SBT

MARCH 2017 ISSUE 410

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

MINING YOUR OWN BUSINESS SBT INVESTIGATES HOW SMES CAN BENEFIT FROM BITCOIN AND ITS TECHNOLOGY

SMALL BUSINESSES:

GETTING THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE THEY DESERVE SBT TAKES A LOOK AT HOW SMALL BUSINESSES CAN GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

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WORKING LUNCH THE FRONT ROOM SBT TOOK TO THE COASTAL TOWN OF SEAFORD TO ENJOY LUNCH AT THE FRONT ROOM

SPICE GARDEN

EXQUISITE INDIAN CUISINE

SBT TAKES A LOOK AT THE SPICE GARDEN IN EASTBOURNE, TASTING SOME OF THE FOOD FOR OURSELVES AND CATCHING UP WITH THE OWNER, ABDUL KADIR SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

EN H OS C Y L N FUL C ARE AT DESIG E e GR co f f e y l e v o A l o p too. sh

Go totally TROPICAL… OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK BREWERS HOME BIRCH ROAD EASTBOURNE 2 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

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01323 43 4 60 0

SBTWelcome MEET THE TEAM

Lee Mansfield, Managing Director/ Publisher

Clare Fermor, Operations Director

Jenny Ardagh, Editor

Jess Saunders, Editor

Mike Deedigan, Sales

Elliott Mansfield, Sales

Geoff Diamond, Sales

Amy Watson, Production Manager

CONTRIBUTORS

Now that we’re well and truly settled into 2017, we can prepare you for the busy months ahead, and this year is set to be packed with important dates for the business calendar. Ahead of the West Sussex and Brighton Business Expos and Sussex Digital Awards, SBT supplies you with all of the information and details you need. In addition to this, we look back at events already passed – including the Better Business Show – and get feedback from the event’s visitors. Sussex Business Times also recaps on the winners of the Sussex Food & Drink Awards – and evening as a whole – in our social pages.

Elsewhere in this issue, Sussex Business Times takes a look at the issue of discrimination in the workplace, what businesses can do to prevent this from occurring and where they might be going wrong as an employer, as well as exploring the ways in which businesses can benefit from Bitcoin and its technology.

Firebrand is on hand to provide you with everything you need to know on making your business visible in a demanding market, while our health and wellbeing section explores the topic of retirement.

Our cover feature is Spice Garden, the winners of Curry House of the Year 2016, and in this issue we speak to the owner, Abdul Kadir about his recent achievements.

Martin Bannister, MD, Kogo Limited

Lorna Sizer, Senior Manager, Personal Tax, Knill James Chartered Accountants, UK200Group Members

Paul Wilcox, CEO, Wilcox Limousines

Simon Conn, Overseas Property and Finance Specialist

Alongside all of this, we provide you with your regular Ask the Expert columns and Made in Sussex – South Link Logistics.

Our motoring reviews are that of two Seat models, the Leon ST and Ibiza, and our hotel and lunch reviews this month feature Priory Court Hotel in Pevensey and The Front Room, Seaford.

Of course, there’s too much to mention in such a small place, so read on and enjoy!

Enjoy your read!

Jess Saunders, Editor.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 3

SBTContents

Issue 410

SBT

MARCH 2017 ISSUE 410

FREE

SUSSEX BUSINESS TIMES

MINING YOUR OWN BUSINESS SBT INVESTIGATES HOW SMES CAN BENEFIT FROM BITCOIN AND ITS TECHNOLOGY

SMALL BUSINESSES:

GETTING THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE THEY DESERVE SBT TAKES A LOOK AT HOW SMALL BUSINESSES CAN GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

+

WORKING LUNCH THE FRONT ROOM SBT TOOK TO THE COASTAL TOWN OF SEAFORD TO ENJOY LUNCH AT THE FRONT ROOM

SPICE GARDEN

EXQUISITE INDIAN CUISINE

SBT TAKES A LOOK AT THE SPICE GARDEN IN EASTBOURNE, TASTING SOME OF THE FOOD FOR OURSELVES AND CATCHING UP WITH THE OWNER, ABDUL KADIR SERVING THE SUSSEX BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

Cover: Spice Garden www.spice-garden.co.uk

Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Operations Director: Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Sales: Mike Deedigan mike@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Elliott Mansfield elliott@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 012 Geoff Diamond geoff@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 013 Editorial: Jenny Ardagh jenny@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 011 Jess Saunders jess@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819019 Production Manager: Amy Watson amy@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 018 Subscriptions: Linda Grace linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 015 Accounts: Anne Greenwood anne@lifemediagroup.co.uk 01323 819 007 Published by Life Media Group, Unit1, Swan Barn Business Centre, Swan Barn Road, Hailsham, BN27 2BY Printed by Gemini Print A1, Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6NZ 01273 464884 www.gemini-print.co.uk

All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Sussex Business Times Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Sussex Business Times Magazine assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisement contained within Sussex Business Times Magazine. All prices featured in Sussex Business Times Magazine are correct at the time of going to press.

Copyright Life Media Group LTD 2017 ©

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News

View the latest local and national business headlines.

Spending it

Make that morning commute to work more enjoyable with SBT’s top picks of new car releases and must-have accessories.

Money Matters: Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty Andrew Holder, the Bank of England’s Agent for Central Southern England answers a burning question: what should we make of the prospects for the UK economy?

Mining Your Own Business

SBT investigates how SMEs can benefit from Bitcoin and its technology.

Legal Advice

Sussex Business Times takes a look at how small businesses can get the support they need without breaking the bank.

Discrimination in the Workplace

Sussex Business Times takes a closer look at the seemingly high levels of discrimination in the workplace, and explores the steps employees and businesses can take in order to prevent this occurrence.

Cover Feature: Exquisite Indian Cuisine

SBT takes a look at the Spice Garden in Eastbourne, tasting some of the food for ourselves and catching up with the owner, Abdul Kadir.

Education: Introducing Skills on Tap UK

Sussex Business Times explores the importance of digital resources in the learning environment and introduces a new employability web app for students, Skills on Tap UK.

Tried and Tested in Sussex

SBT enjoyed an over-night stay at Priory Court Hotel, and took to Seaford for lunch at The Front Room.

Chamber News

Sussex Business Times has partnered up with The Seaford Chamber of Commerce this month to bring you all the latest news.

Motoring

For our March motoring reviews, Sussex Business Times got behind the wheel of two Seat Models – the Leon ST and the Ibiza.

Ask the Experts

Local Sussex business experts advise on relevant issues.

Made in Sussex

This month’s home-grown hero is South Link Logistics.

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A venue like no other

Available for meetings, events, awards and product launches at this stunning location on Brighton beach.

Conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects

Find Out More Events@BritishAirwaysi360.com 01273 448 370 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 5 BritishAirwaysi360.com

SBTLocal News The BYCEP Challenge 2017

The Eastbourne Education Business Partnership (EEBP) has announced the launch of “The BYCEP Challenge”, a competition that will give local students aged between 11 and 16 the chance to enhance their employability prospects and win up to £1000.

BYCEP, Boost Your Career and Employability Prospects, is a new employability and skills website for young people in the Eastbourne travel-to-work area. It acts as a “portal” to all aspects of careers and employment. The Challenge will take place over 12 weeks, through which students will be tasked with producing six humorous short videos that incorporate important aspects of the employability process.

At the end of the process, EEBP will host an awards ceremony for all participating students and there will be an array of prizes available, including an additional cash prize for the overall winner and alternative prizes for special achievements.

The date and location of this awards ceremony will be announced in due course.

To find out more about the BYCEP Challenge, please visit www.bycep.org.uk

Heritage Awards Launches for 2017 Recognised as the most prestigious architectural and conservational programme in East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove, the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards launches its scheme for 2017.

Launched at UTC@Harbourside, Newhaven on Thursday 9th February 2017, the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards called for entries from high quality conservation, restoration and good design of newly built projects. The UTC@

Harbourside was a 2016 winner in the Public and Community category, one of the nine categories available to enter.

The winners of the 2017 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards will be announced on Thursday 6th July 2017 at Pangdean Old Barn, London Road, Pyecombe.

For more information or an entry pack, please contact the Sussex Heritage Trust office on 01243 576524 or email info@sussexheritagetrust.com

Brighton’s Biggest Ever Commercial Property Deal The UK’s fastest growing online accountancy firm, Crunch Accounting, has secured almost 18,000 square feet of new office space in the heart of Brighton, with assistance from regional law firm, Coffin Mew. Following the lease, Crunch Accounting has moved its Brighton operations to Telecom House, having acquired the whole of the first floor along with 32 parking spaces. Crunch acquired the new space after another year of rapid business growth – it now has a 180-strong team

and its turnover expanded by 34% from 2015 to 2016.

Darren Fell, Founder and CEO of Crunch Accounting commented: “Given that there’s virtually no large office space available in Brighton, I was over the moon when we found a suitable building to house our fast expanding business. Telecom House ticked all the boxes and we’re hugely grateful to Coffin Mew for negotiating what was a complex lease.” to find out more about Crunch Accounting, go to www.crunch.co.uk

Exciting Hospitality Apprenticeships Available with Local Business Family run business, Time Well Spent, is offering six ambitious and committed people from a range of backgrounds the fantastic opportunity to train as an apprentice in one of their restaurants or pubs across Surrey and Sussex.

As well as providing quality service, the company aims to embrace and support their local communities with a particular emphasis on creating employment prospects for disadvantaged applicants. Time Well Spent maintains an all-inclusive policy, encouraging application from anyone who is keen to jump start their career in the hospitality

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industry, regardless of age, experience or background.

When Time Well Spent looked to take

on their new apprentices, they turned to Central Sussex College for help. The company has set up a training academy in partnership with the college, where they will provide theoretical knowledge and first-hand industry experience to a team of apprentices.

Marc Jones, owner of The Red Lion, commented: “I believe that with the right approach, anyone can be a part of this industry. Our purpose at Time Well Spent is to create opportunities for those who may not have traditionally been given the chance to work within the Hospitality sector.”

SBTLocal News Coffin Mew and Charles Lucas & Marshall Announce Merger Coffin Mew and Charles Lucas & Marshall have announced that they are going to merge, creating a legal services business with more than 270 years of combined experience across the central South.

The deal is a catalyst for Coffin Mew’s expansion in the South, taking the firm’s size to well over 200 employees across offices in London, Portsmouth, Southampton, Brighton, Gosport and now Newbury, Wantage and Swindon.

Managing Partner of Charles Lucas & Marshall, Hemant Amin, said: “Merging with one of the South’s leading law firms gives Charles Lucas & Marshall the opportunity to remain

in the vanguard of legal practice in the region. In Coffin Mew we have found a like-minded, highly respected firm that will enhance our expertise and depth of experience, making our client service second to none and a legal force to be reckoned with in the South.”

£13.2m Cash Boost for East Sussex to Help Create Local Jobs and Growth Two projects in East Sussex are to receive £13.2m of government cash to help create jobs, support businesses and create new growth opportunities.

Andrew Percy MP, Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, who has responsibility for local growth, announced a government cash injection of £102 million for capital projects for the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), which covers East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

The projects to be funded through this round of Local Growth Fund will improve educational attainment, create new jobs and provide the enabling infrastructure to support the delivery of new homes and employment, and will leverage

an additional £13m in private sector funding in East Sussex. £8.2m will go to the East Sussex Strategic Growth Project and £5m will go towards the Devonshire Park Quarter redevelopment.

For more information, please visit www.southeastlep.com.

Local Volunteering Programme Wins Prestigious Industry Award One of Brighton’s largest private sector employers American Express, has been recognised for its volunteering efforts across Sussex at a national industry awards ceremony held in London on 2nd February 2017.

The ‘Realise the Potential of the Community’ (RTPC) programme picked up the Best CSR Programme category at The Card & Payments Awards 2017, hosted by leading impressionist, Jon Culshaw. The Awards recognise and reward best practice, innovation and excellence in the Card and Payments Industry.

RTPC is a bespoke employee volunteering programme in partnership between American Express and Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club’s official charity, Albion in the Community (AITC). Running for five years, the programme is designed to support those most in need across Sussex, with a focus on areas of education, sports, disability, health and social inclusion.

Initiatives highlighted in the award submission included Goal Difference, a numeracy and literacy programme which aims to raise achievement levels in local primary schools.

For more information about RTPC or other AITC programmes running across Sussex visit: www.albioninthecommunity. org.uk or email: info@ albioninthecommunity.org.uk

Morgan Sindall Staff Pull Out All the Stops for Children’s Charity Staff from the Morgan Sindall Group have raised £20,000 for Sussex children’s charity, Rockinghorse, whom the company’s construction and infrastructure arm in Brighton has adopted as their Charity of the Year for 2016.

It is the third year that staff have chosen to support the children’s charity, having already raised £50,000 since the partnership began back in 2014.

Led by Area Director, Julien Jones, staff set about raising funds for the charity

through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including dress-down days, a quiz night on Brighton Pier and company donations, as well as attending many of Rockinghorse’s own events.

Area Director, Julien Jones said: “The Rockinghorse team do a fantastic job in fundraising for local children’s hospitals, and we at Morgan Sindall are proud to be contributors to such a worthwhile cause. We are busy planning our 2017 fundraising schedule and look forward to working with the team again.”

To find out more or how to get involved, please visit www. rockinghorse.org.uk.

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SBTNational News UK Inflation at its Highest Since June 2014

Inflation has reached its highest rate for two-and-half years, mainly as a result of the rising price of fuel.

Annual inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reached 1.8% in January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, up from a rate of 1.6% in December.

This is the fourth consecutive month that the rate has risen and tales inflation in the UK to its highest level since 2014.

Fuel prices hit a two-year high in February, according to the RAC and, as well as this, the ONS also said food prices also contributed to the rise in inflation, as prices were unchanged between December and January, having fallen a year ago. On the other hand, the prices of clothing and footwear fell by more than they did 12 months ago.

The increase in the inflation rate takes it closer to the Bank of England’s target of 2%, which was last seen in December 2013. Inflation is widely expected to pick up this year as a result of the weaker pound, which is making imported goods more expensive.

Flock, the #1 Team Launches in the UK Shopping On Messenger Mobile To Top £53bn

By 2024 Flock, one of the

world’s fastestgrowing team communication and collaboration apps, has announced its official arrival in the UK with new features, apps and a slick user interface. The ability to create teams on Flock enables groups within and beyond enterprises to connect, communicate and collaborate at least 30% faster.

Users are impressed with Flock’s speed, versatile sharing tools, video conferencing and screen sharing capabilities, easy task managers and third-party plugins. Flock’s uncluttered

and responsive interface enables switching from one team to another faster than any other business app for collaboration.

Flock Founder and CEO, Bhavin Turakhia said: “Thousands of users in the UK have already discovered for themselves how fast and flexible Flock is. This shows that more teams and businesses are rapidly adopting messaging as the primary platform for collaboration. Our efforts are aimed at making Flock the app of choice for diverse teams in the UK, and around the world.”

Amazon has Business Rate Cut While Other UK Businesses See Rises Online retail giant, Amazon will see its business levy slashed at the majority of its warehouses across the UK, whilst nearly half a million other businesses across the country will be hit with an increase in rates. The first overhaul of business rates, which take effect in April and represent the first change in nearly 10 years, will see companies paying rates, which have been calculated to take into account the rise in property prices since 2008.

According to an analysis by business rates specialists, CVS, high street retailers

in parts of the country are facing rises of up to 150% and many smaller businesses fear being pushed out of business altogether. Amazon however, which earlier this month reported $748m in profits for the final quarter of 2016 and is already under fire over allegations of tax avoidance, is expected to see business rates fall at six of its nine major distribution centres, according to CVS. Business rates for Amazon’s London head office will increase, but the overall bill for Amazon’s nine UK warehouses is set to fall by more than £140,000.

UK Start-up Invents Ground-breaking Augmented Reality Tech to Create Adverts the Size of Skyscrapers New start-up, Lightvert Ltd., is set to disrupt the Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) market with a ground-breaking new augmented reality solution called ECHO. ECHO is a patented technology that will take advertising to new dimensions of both height and engagement, producing huge digital images that appear as if by magic to the viewer.

The DOOH advertising market has not been significantly disrupted since the introduction of the LED in 2005.

Although the market is growing, it is limited by the amount of available advertising real estate in premium urban locations.

ECHO solves this problem using augmented reality to unlock vast amounts of lucrative advertising real estate on high-rise buildings and other tall structures. A narrow strip of reflective material is fixed to the side of the building and a high-speed light scanner projects light off a reflector and towards the viewer. This creates largescale images that are ‘captured’ for a brief moment in the viewer’s eye through a ‘persistence of vision’ effect.

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Take the Wheel

Make that morning commute to work more enjoyable with SBT’s top picks of new car releases and must-have accessories WONDER HOLDER

JAGUAR F-TYPE R-DYNAMIC COUPÉ AND CONVERTIBLE

In the event that you ever do receive a call whilst on the road, it’s useful to have your phone in a visible place allowing you to see exactly who it is calling so you can decide whether to pull over and accept the call or just wait until later.

The Wonder Holder holds your device firmly in place and allows you to follow directions to your destination easily – without leaving a sticky mess behind!

The Jaguar F-TYPE offers even more driver-focused technology and a broader model range than ever comprising 28 derivatives. The R-Dynamic model is new to the core range. This specification is available with both the 340PS and 380PS versions of the supercharged V6, broadening customer choice, and is distinguished by 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheel designs and by the front bumper’s Gloss Black aperture bezels.

The new F-TYPE range goes on sale from the first quarter 2017.

For more information visit www.jaguar.co.uk

£6.95. www.red5.co.uk

RING EU TRAVEL KIT

THINKWARE F770

Kit contents • Warning triangle.

• 2 x high visibility jackets.

• Universal bulb kit • Set of beam converters.

• GB sticker • First aid kit.

• Foil blanket.

• Twin pack of NF approved breathalysers all packed in a compact carry bag. £30.57. www.autosessive.com

The Thinkware F770 flagship dashcam is packed with features including built in GPS and Dual Save technology, Built in Wi-Fi, Super Night Vision, Advanced Driving Assistance and Time Lapse Photography, which records your parked car for 48 hours – it’s the only dash cam available in the market with ALL these features! £199. www.thinkwaredashcam.uk

BELKIN’S MIXIT™ METALLIC CAR CHARGER

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Never again will you be without your maps on the road, so charge up your devices, call ahead and let everyone know you’re on your way! Available in white, black, rose gold, gold, silver and grey. £14.99.

Belkin.com

BMW 5 SERIES TOURING The new version of the BMW 5 Series Touring, which has traditionally enjoyed particular success in European car markets, raises the model’s signature combination of driving pleasure, aesthetic appeal, innovation and intelligent functionality to an even higher level. Compared with the outgoing model, the new BMW 5 Series Touring has slightly larger exterior dimensions and provides noticeably more space for passengers and luggage. The acoustic experience and levels of on-board comfort for rear-seat passengers have both been optimised. On sale June 2017.

For more information visit www.bmw.co.uk

MAC ALLISTER 2100W PRESSURE WASHER This 140 bar pressure washer comes with a powerful and quiet induction motor and is ideal for cleaning larger cars. 2 year guarantee. Complete with telescopic high pressure lance with rotary nozzle and variable power settings for greater comfort and control, rotating brush head, flexible reinforced 9m PVC hose for greater working area, reinforced metal spray gun, rotating brush head, floor cleaner with reservoir for detergent and a suction kit for use with a water butt. £224. www.diy.com

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE S Q4 GRANLUSSO Thanks to Maserati’s innovative Q4 all-wheel drive system, the Quattroporte S Q4 can comfortably take the worst roads and weather conditions in its stride – and at the same time deliver a bravura performance. Those who seek even more exclusivity and lavish luxury in their Quattroporte can opt for the unrestrained opulence of the GranLusso trim, with an interior styled and appointed by the leading fashion house of Ermenegildo Zegna. On the outside, for an even more luxurious look, the bumper inserts are in chrome, and there are body coloured sideskirts, black brake calipers and elegant 20” Mercurio wheels.

For more information visit www.maserati.com

TOMTOM GO 620 Meet the TomTom GO 620 - the smarter, faster, better connected sat nav. Wi-Fi® connectivity lets you update without a computer.

Voice controlled hands-free calling and smartphone messages offer connectivity with safety. With TomTom MyDrive, plan routes on your phone and the sat nav is ready when you get in the car. Free lifetime maps, traffic and speed camera updates are all included - even get alerts for average speed zones. 6 inch screen size. £249.99. www.tomtom.com

www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 11

Money Matters

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

Andrew Holder, the Bank of England’s Agent for Central Southern England answers a burning question: what should we make of the prospects for the UK economy just over a month into what promises to be another eventful year?

On the face of it, there’s much to be positive about Finance the UK economy.

Growth has proved surprisingly resilient since last year’s EU referendum and the Bank of England’s latest forecast points to a stronger outlook for 2017 than we had predicted last November.

That more positive picture is the product of several factors, including a boost from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and a brighter outlook for the global economy.

It’s also been helped by the low cost of borrowing for households and businesses, plus the benefits to trade from the big drop in sterling we saw in the second half of 2016.

And so far households have not cut

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back their spending, even though the cost of living is beginning to rise.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that, when Florence Hubert and I visit businesses around Central Southern England to talk to them about how they’re doing at the moment, many are quite positive.

In the services sector many local

companies have shrugged off their immediate post-referendum gloom and are reporting improving levels of activity.

A number of manufacturers who export, or supply exporters, have seen more positive order books following the fall in the value of sterling, along with some improvement in global demand.

These are just some of the stories that we’ve been feeding directly into our colleagues at Threadneedle Street recently. You can read a summary of our latest findings on our website.

Overall, however, it is a mixed picture.

For example, there’s some uncertainty about the post-Brexit landscape, particularly for those companies that rely heavily on international trade, and some investment plans have been affected, which could drag on growth over the coming years.

It is clear that the UK’s new relationship with the EU – and the reforms that it brings about – will determine the country’s long-term prosperity.

Money Matters

But they also noted that above-target inflation can only be tolerated for so long.

So they will watch the economy closely – in particular patterns in wage growth and household spending – over the coming months.

For example, if spending slows more abruptly than expected as prices rise and wages fail to keep pace, more supportive measures might be needed such as a further cut in interest rates.

But if pay growth picks up more rapidly – which might lead to further inflationary pressures in the economy – then it may be necessary to move policy in the other direction.

“A number of manufacturers who export, or supply exporters, have seen more positive order books following the fall in the value of sterling, along with some improvement in global demand”

In the nearer term, the Brexit vote will have a big impact on how much we pay for goods and services as last year’s drop in the value of sterling pushes up import prices.

We’ve already seen prices rise, and they will continue to do so - the Bank expects Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to peak at 2.8% in early 2018.

This will inevitably eat into people’s incomes, squeezing households’ spending power.

This is part of the reason why the level of GDP is still expected to be 1.5% lower in two years’ time than the Bank had projected last May. So the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee faces a difficult balancing act – how to keep inflation under control without risking higher unemployment.

Announcing their latest decision in early November – to keep interest rates at their historic low level of 0.25% - the committee judged it was appropriate to allow inflation to remain high for a period to support growth and jobs.

Last August, the Bank announced a series of policy measures to support the economy during a period of heightened uncertainty, including a cut in interest rates.

It appears that stimulus has played a part in keeping the economy ticking in recent months and some of that uncertainty has been mitigated.

This is unquestionably good news. But the Brexit journey is only just beginning, and there’ll no doubt be more twists along the way.

Assisted by the eyes and ears of the Bank’s Agents in Central Southern England and around the UK, the Bank’s policymakers will react as required to help steer the economy through as smooth a course as possible.

Andrew Holder, Bank of England’s Agent for Central Southern England @BoECentralSouth

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 13

Mining Your Own Business

Bitcoin was expected to take the world by storm, yet the revolution that was promised still seems unreachable. However, the technology behind it is sparking interest across a number of sectors, making way for a new form of sharing currency. SBT investigates how SMEs can benefit from Bitcoin, and its technology Blockchain, the online public ledger technology that Digital underpinns Bitcoin, Currency has been the hot topic in business technology lately, because it has the potential to transform the way businesses manage and account for transactions – including VAT in the EU. Widespread revolution was on the horizon as of 2008, with Bitcoin changing the way we make transactions; changing the way that businesses charge their customers and deal with international trade. Although use of the digital currency

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has far-reaching benefits for both the everyday consumer, local and international business, we just don’t seem to have taken to it. Why? Let’s start at the basics. Bitcoin uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority or banks. It’s opensource, public and a completely digital form of currency – it’s pretty much cash for the internet, termed ‘cryptocurrency’.

It was first conceptualised in late 2008 when its creator claimed that it was a system of “purely peer-to-peer electronic cash”, which could be controlled outright by the holder, and sent to anybody without needing a bank’s permission or

running the risk of confiscation. It saw significant promise in its own community and growing in popularity in the business sphere too, but still hasn’t reached anywhere near the level we would expect from a currency that could potentially become mainstream, as some have suggested it would.

Bitcoin itself may not have taken off, but that’s not to say that the technology behind it didn’t spark interest. Many large businesses took the online public ledgar technology used by Bitcoin under their wing due to its advantages over a centralised system. This technology is termed ‘blockchain’. Kid Misso, Senior

Digital Currency

Director of Solutions, Avalara explains: the choice of your own fees, which are “A blockchain system records each and unrelated to the amount you transfer, plus every transaction cryptographically; each there are no fees to receiving Bitcoins; change to the transaction creates another and the ability to convert Bitcoins to flat block in a connected and traceable chain, currency and deposit funds directly into making the transaction nearly impossible merchants’ bank accounts daily. to falsify or destroy. Blockchain is There are also fewer risks for an interesting new area in business merchants. Bitcoin is secure, irreversible technology and could have implications and doesn’t contain customer sensitive for all sorts of industries, from real estate information. This protects merchants and financial securities, to transfer funds against fraud losses. It’s impossible for and accounting. This is because of its merchants to force unwanted charges, as potential to transform the way businesses can happen with other payment methods manage and account and it offers strong for transactions. “ protection against “Blockchain is an He adds: identity theft. interesting new area in “Blockchain could Omar Mohamed, have significant business technology and Operations and implications for Financial Marker could have implications helping reduce VAT Analyst at Imperial for all sorts of industries, FX gives an fraud and enable from real estate and stronger oversight overview: “There are for business owners many reasons why financial securities, and tax authorities, SMEs will want to to transfer funds and particularly as crossuse Bitcoin in their accounting” border e-commerce transactions. Firstly, continues to grow. cryptocurrencies It also has the remove the costs potential to provide more sophisticated associated with storing physical money, transparency, security and immediacy as authorise credit and transferring funds countries, like the UK, implement digital between different institutions and tax reporting initiatives.” countries.

There’s no wonder that business is “Secondly, the middle man is removed seeing the potential of the technology and bank fees can be avoided, improving that Bitcoin brings, with benefits of the electronic liquidity and improving payment cryptocurrency including: freedom, due times. A standard transaction can to no borders and no bureaucracy; take around 10 minutes to reach the merchant’s account.

“Another plus point, is that the transaction is often final – however, this could also disgruntle customers who use the currency and are then unhappy with their purchase. Therefore, it is advisable that it is used for small transactions only.

“Thirdly, when using Bitcoin a singleuse token is generated, which then links to an account number stored in the cloud. This single-use token is much safer than traditional forms of currency as no reusable information is included in the transaction data.”

Omar concludes: “As a currency, Bitcoin has the potential to greatly improve business processes for SMEs – removing costly bank fees and improving transaction safety, payment clearing time and transparency.”

In essence, by making transactions digitally using blockchain technology it could help businesses, in particular with international payments, with more secure

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 15

Digital Currency

procedures and with real time tracking.

However, there are also disadvantages.

For example, on a basic level, many people are still unaware of Bitcoin, and due to never having had a start-up currency before, it’s very difficult to predict whether the value currently held by Bitcoin will increase or decrease, especially whilst the software is still being developed.

People are scared of what they don’t know, so it will take a ‘big bang’ for the masses to accept this change.

Although the private sector is recognising the downfalls of the centralised system we currently have in place, and beginning to understand, along with the government, that customers’ expectations are for more real time, personal and digital services to be implemented, the technology still has a long way to go. But with all this potential, will it ever become mainstream?

Well, perhaps the slow uptake was an advantage with the history of the cryptocurrency a turbulent one to say the least. Since 2009, Bitcoin has crashed twice and plunged over 5 times, with the most recent crashes leading to it being deemed a ‘failure’. On 5th January, Chinese Officials even considered restrictions on Bitcoin transactions after hackers stole 18,866 Bitcoins from Bitsmap.

Kid Misso contemplates its potential: “Bitcoin was the first step for digital currency but due to businesses slow on the uptake it’s unlikely to become mainstream. What’s exciting is the potential for blockchain, the technology underpinning it. It is likely to take some time for businesses to adopt but from our conversations with our clients and international ecommerce continues to increase, systems and technology that automates and transforms existing ways of doing business is the future.”

Kid added: “It is early days for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology and despite the many potential benefits there is still a vulnerability if electronic credentials are stolen, but it’s a much smaller problem than the paper signature system we use today.”

The UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Mark Walport, has argued that the government should be using this blockchain technology to help with things like tax collection, benefits, or the issuing of passports. Equally, Walport’s government report, ‘Distributed Ledger

16 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

“The UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Mark Walport, has argued that the government should be using this blockchain technology to help with things like tax collection, benefits, or the issuing of passports” Technology: Beyond Blockchain’ describes how this technology could and should be used across a number of sectors in the UK, including healthcare, electronics, even the world of art.

Financial services of course are the most prevalent beneficiary of blockchain technology. As Kid points out, it would be a good replacement for the system used now in the financial sector due to solving the issue of the costs of using paper - one of the biggest issues facing the sector. In recent years, there have been many different initiatives intended to remove paper documents from the economy. However, in many cases the new technology has simply recreated old processes in a new way, or continued to rely on paper in other stages of the process.

Of course Bitcoin simply combines

existing techniques in an innovative way, and is only just welcomed at a time when the idea of open source development on the internet is more or less fully mature.

People are now receptive to the idea of alternative monetary systems, and are fully immersed in the world’s “sharing economy”. Even so, at this point there is only a small minority of people using Bitcoin and the blockchain technology that underpins it. However, as this report

by Sir Walport suggests, the private sector is taking the technology under its wing, slowly but surely beginning to understand, along with the government, that customers’ expectations are for more real time, personal and digital services to be implemented. So maybe we won’t have a world run by cryptocurrency any time soon, but transactional technology is certainly on its way into the future.

Contactless Card Payments

Could Contactless Card Payments Benefit your Business?

Long gone are the days of drawing out money from a cash machine to pay your way and here, Sussex Business Times caught up with South Coast Payments, who explain the many advantages contactless card payments could provide your business

Since contactless card payments were introduced back Insight in 2007 they have grown enormously in popularity. Nowadays practically every customer expects the reduced queues and streamlined service that contactless provides, so why have contactless payments become so popular and how can they help benefit your business?

What is contactless?

Contactless card payments are a fast, efficient way of making a payment without having to insert a card in the card machine. The technology uses radio frequency identification or near field communication via an embedded chip to make secure payments. Customers simply hold their card close to the PDQ machine, which then identifies the card and processes the payment from the correct account.

number of smaller value transactions and suffer from long queues.

Contactless payments also offer the benefit of increased security, a point which was a concern for many consumers when contactless first became popular. On a surface level, contactless “The average payments are more secure contactless as the card never leaves payment is the customer’s hand and also the risk of pin number approximately compromise is eliminated 60% faster than for smaller payments as it the traditional card is not required.

How can contactless benefit my business?

One of the main ways contactless card payments can benefit your business is improving customer satisfaction.

Contactless payments payment significantly reduce the time it takes to carry out a transaction by reducing the card payment processing time. The average contactless payment is approximately 60% faster than the traditional card payment method, which is a huge benefit for businesses who carry out a large

method”

Is it secure?

Contactless technology has many security precautions in place.

As with regular chip and pin, contactless payments use secure encryption technology that supports a secure transaction and also data protection.

Banks offer the same level of fraud

protection on contactless cards as they do on non-contactless, which means customers are still protected in the event of their information getting into the wrong hands.

Due to the limit of £30 per spend and also the fact that every few payments customers will be asked to enter their pin number, contactless cards hold little appeal for criminals as the risk outweighs the potential gain.

The benefit of introducing contactless payments to businesses who sell items under the £30 threshold is great.

An improved customer experience is paramount to repeat custom for many businesses. Providing a contactless option will result in shorter transaction times, less queuing and many more happy customers.

If you run a business in the South Coast area and would like to find out more about card payment solutions contact us today on 02392 489911.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 17

Money Matters

Sussex Digital Awards 2017

Taking place on Thursday 13th April 2017, the Sussex Digital Awards are fast approaching. The finalists have been announced and tickets for the Presentation Evening are now available. As media partner, here, Sussex Business Times provides you with all the information you need The Sussex Digital Awards was launched in 2016 to Sussex celebrate the online Events achievements of businesses, charities and schools from across Brighton, East Sussex and West Sussex and in January, SBT joined the Awards as a proud Media Partner. The Sussex Digital Awards follows successful sister schemes in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Milton Keynes and Surrey.

The winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges from a range of organisations including Sky Sports.

Tickets are on sale now and the finalists will compete across 13 categories including “Blog”, “Use of Social Media for Business” and the flagship “Website” classification.

The remaining contenders in each of the categories now have a shot at claiming Gold, Silver and Bronze awards at the SDA dinner ceremony on April 13 at Pelham House, Lewes.

Presenting awards at the Presentation Evening will be SDA key supporter

18 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Bailey, Chairman of the independent SDA Judging Panel, believes the night will be an “historic moment” in Sussex’s history.

He commented: “Our experience of hosting Digital Awards in six other counties across the south east tells us to expect a fantastic evening of networking, celebration and best practice sharing.

We are extremely excited by the quality and quantity of entries received at the SDAs and April 13 will be extremely competitive. We urge all people who are serious about using digital platforms to progress their business or organisation to attend this event. It’ll be a night to remember.”

The Sussex Digital Awards 2017 Presentation Evening will include an arrival drink, two-course meal and a complimentary third of a bottle of wine per person. Mr Bailey, a former BBC presenter, will host the event and it will also feature live entertainment.

Sussex Chamber of Commerce and SBT. Sussex Council of Training Providers, Clare Reeves Voiceovers and Capricorn Media also support the event. Robin

Tickets are priced at £62.50 + VAT with a special 10% discount on tables for ten. Tickets can be purchased at www.thedigitalawards. co/sussex/tickets

Entrepreneurial Spark

Sussex Digital Awards 2017 - The Finalists BLOG Advantage Air Systems Consortium Business Solutions Denyse Whillier Diary of the Dad Glide Training jugglingonrollerskates Muddy Stilettos Sussex MOBILE APP Country Eye by Kent Police Curing Perfect by Carousel M-Tickets by Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus MyTeamSafe by Hillingar ONLINE RETAILER Campania Food and Wine by Magnify Creative Cowdray Estate by 247 Creative CPO Lab TV by Tomango Protectfully by The Marketing Boutique The Cookshelf by Superlative Design Vinscovery by Nik Hannay RESPONSIVE WEBSITE 4D Data Centres 5and3: Integrated Communication Solutions Concept Tag by Tomango Condé Nast Johansens by Pragmatic Focus Digital Media I Am Team GB by Pragmatic Turner & Hoskins by Magnify Creative USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS Arundel Castle by Midnight Communications

Barfoots by Kitch Media Business East Sussex Cowdray Park Polo Club by Kitch Media Plumpton Racecourse Sofitel London Gatwick by Arora Group The Disabilities Trust USE OF VIDEO FOR BUSINESS Autism Parent Empower by Royalty Three BRITA Vivreau by Midnight Communications Egg Media IBDrelief Metro Cars by Royalty Three Play Unified by Midnight Communications RMV Productions WEBSITE 5and3: Integrated Communication Solutions Internet Matters by Pragmatic Jeremy Paxman by Bozboz Love Local Jobs Pier Recruitment by Focus Digital Media Root 1066 by ifour Rowland Gorringe Estate Agents by Focus Digital Media WEBSITE: B2B 4D Data Centres Alandale Plant and Scaffolding by Siric Communications Benchmarq Infigo Software Lambert Property Consultants by Focus Digital Media Ticketmedia by Made By Spoken Xpera by Focus Digital Media WEBSITE: LIFESTYLE & CULTURE Curing Perfect by Carousel Hester Grant Design by Studio Polpetto IBDrelief Middle Farm by Design M

SixtySix Productions by ifour The Cookshelf by Superlative Design Woman Alive by CPO WEBSITE: MARKETING & CREATIVE 5and3: Integrated Communication Solutions Consortium Business Solutions Focus Digital Media Jeremy Paxman by Bozboz Made By Spoken RMV Productions Superlative Design WEBSITE: SCHOOL, EDUCATION OR CHARITY Carousel Headway West Sussex by Shake It Up Creative Internet Matters by Pragmatic Lapin Logic Rockinghorse Children’s Charity St. John’s School and College TeamUp Bexhill by Rother Voluntary Action WEBSITE: SMALL BUSINESS Advantage Air Systems Brighton Digital Women Coast B&B by Studio Polpetto Lapin Logic Matthew Page Photography by Dan Gorham Creative Design Middle Farm by Design M Pentagon Plastics WEBSITE: TOURISM & HOSPITALITY Coast B&B by Studio Polpetto Condé Nast Johansens by Pragmatic Cowdray Estate by 247 Creative Dum Dum Donutterie Brighton Eatonden Manor Farm by Tomango Root 1066 by ifour

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 19

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club’s official business networking group, powered in partnership with Network My Club. One of the fastest growing business clubs in Sussex, Network Albion offers exciting and unique networking opportunities for business of all sizes.

Benefits

Upcoming Networking Events

- A place at monthly networking events at the Amex Stadium - Company listing in the match day programme at every Albion home match (approx. 9,000 sales per match) - Full company profile page on Network Albion website - Exclusive use of Network Albion logo - Discounted access to attend or join other Network My Club groups throughout the UK

Thursday 2nd March – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 6th April – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 4th May – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 1st June – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 6th July – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 3rd August – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 7th September – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 5th October – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 2nd November – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 7th December – 8:30am-10:30am

Cost

Annual Membership per Company £600+VAT (1 month free) or £55+VAT per month

To join Network Albion, or to find more information, visit www.networkalbion.co.uk or contact info@networkalbion.co.uk.

Learn more about Network My Club and the rapidly expanding group at

20 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

Want both b to join usin clubs? ess

Fontwell Park Racecourse’s official business networking group, powered in partnership with Network My Club. Network Fontwell offers members unique networking opportunities, on both race days and non-race days, as well as a host of other benefits to promote and showcase their business.

Save £60!

Benefits

Upcoming Networking Events

- A place at monthly networking events at Fontwell Park Racecourse - Company listing in the race day programme at each race meeting (approx. 3,000 sales per race day) - Full company profile page on Network Fontwell website - Exclusive use of Network Fontwell logo - 1 x use of corporate box at Fontwell Park for external meeting/conference purposes - 6 x tickets to a Fontwell Park race meeting, for your company to enjoy, entertain clients or reward staff - Discounted access to attend or join other Network My Club groups throughout the UK

Thursday 8th March – 12:00pm-5:00pm (race day) Thursday 13th April – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 25th May – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 15th June – 12:00pm-5:00pm (race day) Thursday 13th July – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 10th August – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 14th September – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 12th October – 8:30am-10:30am Thursday 10th November – 12:00pm-5:00pm (race day) Thursday 14th December – 8:30am-10:30am

Cost

Annual Membership per Company £385+VAT (1 month free) or £35+VAT per month

To join Network Fontwell, or to find more information, visit www.networkfontwell or contact info@networkfontwell.co.uk.

www.networkmyclub.co.uk or contact them on 01903 898025

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 21

Money Matters

Better Business Show 2017

After the Better Business Show, which took place last month at Worthing Assembly Hall, Sussex Business Times feeds back and speaks to attendees to find out their thoughts on the benefits of business events of this kind

Collaboratively delivered by Worthing Sussex and Adur Chamber of Commerce and Adur Events & Worthing Business Partnership, the Better Business Show 2017 took place last month, on Thursday 2nd February, and Sussex Business Times once again had the pleasure of attending.

With a strong focus on ‘Buy Local’ and the promise to deliver inspiration and networking opportunities to local Sussex businesses, the Better Business Show was dubbed as a ‘must’ in the 2017 business calendar for companies both large and small, and it didn’t disappoint.

Chief Executive of Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce commented post-event: “The show went extremely well. It went better than last year, which was beyond our dreams. We had a constant buzz throughout the day and we had lots of businesses giving out free advice and gifts.”

The Better Business Show 2017 saw more than 90 exhibitor stands and 600 visitors, all of whom were able to

22 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

get in amongst the endless networking about how she flourished from her prospects along with the many other roots in London’s East End and used opportunities. The event boasted free her own resources to achieve financial business support for a wide range freedom. Darren Fearing, international of professional services, including deluxe hotelier featuring in the TV information about grants and finance. In show ‘A Hotel in the Clouds’ shared addition to this, his entrepreneurial local procurement experiences and “The Better Business teams were on interests, while hand to discuss Show 2017 saw more Shaa Wasmund, opportunities, recently named than 90 exhibitor including the as one of the top stands and 600 Adur & Worthing 20 most influential visitors, all of whom Council heads entrepreneurs of department. in the UK also were able to get in The Expert Zone offered her advice amongst the endless offered advice on and opinion. networking prospects marketing, PR, Chamber branding and along with the many Operations legal, while the Manager, Tracie other opportunities” Google Digital Davey also Garage provided commented: “We visitors with information on how to make have had some amazing feedback their businesses more visible online. from the exhibitors with some Keynote speakers at the Better great stories about new business Business Show included Chamber relationships made and old ones Patron, financial entrepreneur and ‘Secret revisited. We are already receiving Millionaire’, Gillian Fielding, who spoke bookings for next year!”

Entrepreneurial Spark

Here is what some of the exhibitors at 2017’s Better Business Show had to say post-event…

Kelly O Haire, Ask for the Moon: “We thought it would be hard to top the success of last year, but once again, the Chamber pulled it out of the bag and delivered an excellent day. The organisation was great, the speakers were engaging and relevant and the room itself was buzzing. We made loads of great new contacts and will definitely be back next year for Better Business 2018.”

Clive Spring, Yoohoo Creative: “Last year’s show was good but this year’s was really great; an event to be really proud of.

Well done to all for the great organisation and hard work it took to make it such a success.”

Nicky Dumbleton, Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd: “We enjoyed exhibiting at the Better Business Show. We thought the show was extremely well organised and we really appreciate all the hard work and effort put into making the event such a success.

Looking forward to 2018!”

and you didn’t know whom you would be speaking to next, which made the day very interesting. We met start-ups and established businesses; everyone seemed to be at a different stage in their journey and the seminars certainly attracted a lot of people.”

Amy Kenward, Bennett Griffin LLP: “This year’s Better Business Show was probably the best yet. The speakers were fantastic and the quality of exhibitors and number of people who attended the show throughout the day just goes to show what a thriving business community Worthing and Adur has. We can’t wait to be involved again next year!”

Paul Green, Empire Print: “Thank you for the support and getting us a last minute slot at the Better Business Show.

It was a total success for us, we got to

“This year’s Better Business Show was probably the best yet. The speakers were fantastic and the quality of exhibitors ” - Amy Kenward, Bennett Griffin LLP

engage with so many businesses and have picked up some new clients, which is just fantastic! I’m guessing we will have to book our place for next year pretty early for 2018 judging by the reaction from other businesses that didn’t exhibit this year!”

Martin Bloomfield, Bloomfield Digital: “From my point of view as a small business the show was fantastic and very worthwhile, on many fronts. Not only did I meet potential new clients, but potential associates I can work with, and it helped me reinforce my brand to old clients and business people I meet from time to time. It was so well advertised too; radio, newspapers, banners and emails.”

Julia Johnson, Fine Marketing: “The show was very lively and busy.

Lots of different businesses attended

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 23

Events In Sussex

What made you decide to get involved in this year’s West Sussex Business Expo?

Penina Shepherd: We want to meet businesses from the wider community and feel that this Expo is a great opportunity to do that and a good way to for those businesses to get to know us.

Andrew Abaza: My experience from exhibiting at the Brighton Expo in 2016 was very successful for me in developing relationships with new and existing clients and building my business profile.

This experience has been critical in my decision to exhibit and participate in the West Sussex Expo.

How important are these events to the business community and how your business benefits from them in particular?

PS: These events are essential to the business community as they give the

Partners for West Sussex 24 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk Expo:

opportunity for so many businesses to come together and raise their profiles as well as making connections. There are learning opportunities too with speakers and seminars, which are a great way to get inspired and expand your business.

AA: This type of event offers business owners great opportunities to make contacts, get ideas for their businesses, and source (and sell) products and services – all in one day and in one place!

You are a speaker at this year’s West Sussex Expo - what do you plan on basing your talk on and why do you feel this is an important topic?

PS: The talk is called ‘The Freedom Revolution’ based on the book I have written, which reached number two on Amazon’s Best Seller’s list. I will explain in my talk that there’s a revolution happening in the business world and most of us haven’t even noticed. In the revolution, business people are driven by the pursuit of passion and purpose not profit, but still, and precisely because of this, enjoy extraordinary financial success.

Penina Shepherd

As we have mentioned in previous Sussex issues, the West Sussex Business Events Expo is set to take over Fontwell Park Racecourse on 25th May this year and promises to provide companies from across the region with seminars, networking opportunities and many other features that will offer advice and inspiration for many businessmen and women. Whether you’re an established business looking to flourish, a business in the early stages or you just want to explore the possibilities of starting your own business, the West Sussex Business Expo is the place for you.

Here, Sussex Business Times caught up with Andrew Abaza from Action Coach, and Acumen Business Law’s Penina Shepherd, who explain their reasons behind becoming involved in the upcoming event and the benefits it provides businesses across the region…

The West Sussex Business Expo is fast approaching and here, Sussex Business Times catches up with two of this year’s event speakers

Andrew Abaza

West Sussex Business Expo

AA: Business owners tell me they can struggle to find ways to improve profitability with so many conflicting pressures and advice they have to deal with. That is why I am presenting a straightforward 5-step framework to improve profits that business owners can take away and start using immediately.

What message do you hope to get across to people attending the event?

PS: That anyone can pursue their dream when their business life becomes aligned with their core values, purpose and passion. If you have that then the financial success will follow.

AA: For those planning to come to this type of event, I offer one piece of advice: be clear on what you want to get out of the day.

To book your free ticket to the West Sussex Business Expo or for any more information, head to B2Bexpos. co.uk/westsussex or contact Mike Monk directly at mike@monkmarketing.com

Sussex Giving for Sussex Children

1967 - 2017

An SBT Reminder:

The BIG Futures Show 2017 Ahead of The BIG Futures Show, set to take place at Eastbourne’s Winter Garden later this month, Sussex Business Times refreshes your mind on all the information you need to know about the upcoming event

For a huge amount of young people, finding the right Advertorial career path is an overwhelming process and, alongside revising for the all-important GCSEs and A Levels, can seem almost impossible. Cue The Big Futures Show, Eastbourne’s own employability and skills fair, set to take place at The Winter Gardens on 22nd March and aiming to provide businesses and students with inspiration and all the information and skills they need to prepare for future employment.

The BIG Futures Show is run by the Eastbourne Education Business Partnership and is sponsored by a range of businesses and organisations, including Eastbourne Borough Council, The View

Hotel, NHS Health Education England and Bexhill College. Hastings Direct and Sussex Downs College are also sponsors and will be introducing an ‘Employability Hub’ this year. Also, in addition to the main sponsors, those attending include, Ellis Building Contactors, Caffyns, RNLI, National Careers Service, Wrightflow Technologies, British Army, The Wayfinder Group, National Trust, Help Me I’m a Medic, LawlerDavis Independent Financial Planners, John Young Media, ESCC, CareUK, Firebrand and Rix & Kay to mention but a few.

New for 2017 is the ‘Disability Confident’ zone supported by Caroline Ansell MP and Legal & General, providing specialist advice and support for both visitors and exhibitors alike, including representatives from DWP, Possability People, RNIB and JPK Sussex Project.

“THE SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES SHOW FOR EAST SUSSEX”

The 32pp show guide was issued to visiting schools at the end of February to enable students to prepare for their visit.

The Big Futures Show offers the many benefits of national shows with a strong mix of businesses, employers and educators in one room, all with an aim to educate young people on their way into the working world. tim.sorensen@eastbourneebp.org.uk 07890 388624

22 MARCH

2017

WINTER GARDEN EASTBOURNE

SPONSORED BY Big Futures Show #BIGFS2017

www.bigfuturesshow.org.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 73 www.sussexbusinesstimes.co.uk 25

Small Businesses: Getting the Access to Justice they Deserve Irwin Mitchell

The rising cost of accessing justice is pressuring businesses to consider private sector financing solutions. Sussex Business Times takes a look at how small businesses can get the support they need without breaking the bank

Seeking legal advice in the UK can be a costly and Legal time-consuming process for small businesses. So much so, that it has become something of a last resort.

In fact, a recent report by Deloitte showed that in 2015 around 55% of UK small businesses and individuals had a legal matter worth pursuing - but only 20% went ahead and sought the required legal support. Research has shown that 38% of small businesses experienced significant legal problems last year, with an average cost of £7,000. That can be enough to impact running costs and in some cases can mean the difference between remaining afloat or not. To make matters worse, those businesses who can afford some level of legal support are not overly enamoured by the quality of services they receive, with only a small number of businesses feeling they get value for

26 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

money from their chosen legal service provider.

It is inevitable that every business will require legal advice or representation at some stage. In a perfect world, it would be smooth sailing all the way – but who lives in a perfect world?

In order to strive forward and flourish, what is really needed is quick, good quality advice and the funds in place to clear any hurdles that stand in the way.

The legal industry has changed a lot over the past few years - adapting to the demands of small businesses – and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some £10 billion is the estimated amount of annual losses recorded by the UK’s small businesses due to legal issues. Read that again. £10 billion! And the cost isn’t only financial, with over 20% of business owners reporting ill health as a direct result of lengthy and expensive law suits.

Additionally, half of every small business involved in legal action believes they don’t

get good value for their money and, as stated earlier, more and more turn to lawyers as a last resort.

Fortunately, there are lots of options out there that can help you keep costs to a minimum and give you some great advice. It’s worth looking at your local academic institutions as many of these will run part-time courses helping you get to grips with the legal business basics. You could also approach centres such as the Citizens Advice Bureau or local startup groups. Many of these organisations host networking events which provide great opportunities to meet business owners who have had similar experiences, so are well placed to pass on their words of wisdom. Finally, a number of these centres, and indeed law firms themselves, run drop in clinics where owners can have one-on-one sessions with lawyers. Be sure to take advantage of these where possible.

With Legal Services Board Chairman, Sir Michael Pitt claiming that access to affordable and good legal representation

Irwin Mitchell

is showing no sign of improvement, something has to give.

Desperate times call for desperate measures… But what shouldn’t you do?

DIY methods: It is not only litigation that costs money – for start-up businesses there is a legal minefield to negate that could be eased with the help of a legal professional, but fear of costs mean that many businesses will opt for DIY methods instead – a choice that often proves more costly in the long run.

So, what can you do?

Payment plans: You may question what this means – that’s because it’s a new concept. Legal Cost Finance has created a means of covering the costs involved in all types of legal matters, contentious and noncontentious, which can be repaid over

a period of time that suits the business.

This means there is, in effect, a clear path to justice for those who need it most, and it means that all sides are happy. The small business can spread their legal cost payments to suit their budget, while the lawyer knows they will be paid in full and on time.

Dr Yuri Rapoport, CEO and Founder of Legal Cost Finance said: “We identified the areas we felt people and businesses were struggling to get access to justice, and provided a solution. We have a range of payment plans available that suit every possible situation – all tailored to suit each case.”

Direct financing: Unlike ‘litigation funding’, which is limited to contentious legal cases and claims a stake in the proceeds of a case outcome, ‘direct financing’ provides a means that is not restricted to any particular type of legal matter, and is not tied to the chances of success, plus it’s available for all types of legal costs.

“The small business can spread their legal cost payments to suit their budget, while the lawyer knows they will be paid in full and on time” The UK is reputed to have the best legal justice system in the world - yet if those who need to use it are unable to access it because of the costs involved, then the quality of the legal system means very little. However, finally, there is at least one solution - payment plans - representing a tangible way forward for small businesses facing expensive and/or unexpected legal bills.

For more information on payment plans and direct financing, and for any other legal support, visit www. legalcostfinance.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 27

Discrimination in the Workplace

After two BBC news stories have come to light this year already, Sussex Business Times takes a closer look at the seemingly high levels of discrimination, both during the recruitment process and in the workplace, and explores the steps employees and businesses can take in order to prevent this Over the years, the working world has changed drastically Insight and more and more people are now continuing to work instead of retiring.

Women now make up almost half of the UK’s workforce and around one in ten of the UK working age population are from an ethnic minority. Despite the fact that, as a nation we see ourselves as accepting, there seems to be a fair amount of evidence against how we ‘welcome’ difference; not only whilst arguments over immigration are still flying following on from the result of the EU referendum, but also because of the high levels of discrimination in the workplace.

Workplace discrimination has made up a large portion of our national news since the beginning of 2017. We were first made aware that gender discrimination was manifesting itself in dress codes

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legislation after gathering evidence of across UK companies, one of which sent sexist instructions given to hundreds of a London receptionist, Nicola Thorp, female employees, but not to their male home without pay for not wearing heels colleagues. This comes following the (specifically heels that were between two treatment Nicola Thorp received after and four inches high). This story gained reporting for work in traction, leading to 2015 as a receptionist hundreds of other “Hundreds of other at the accounting giant women claiming women claiming PwC in flat shoes. similarly sexist dress similarly sexist dress She was subsequently codes detailing nail sent home without pay codes detailing nail varnish shade and after refusing to buy hair root colour, and varnish shade and a pair of shoes with discriminatory rules, hair root colour, and at least a two-inch such as being asked discriminatory rules, heel, despite pointing to wear shorter skirts such as being asked out that men were and unbutton blouses to wear shorter skirts not required to wear at work. Women who face demands at work and unbutton blouses” similar attire. Thorp launched a petition to wear high heels, calling for a law to make-up or revealing stop firms from requiring women to outfits require a new legal framework to wear high heels at work, which attracted stop such discrimination.

152,420 signatures. As a consequence Two Commons’ committees have of her petition, the Women and Equalities called for a review of current equality

Workplace Discrimination

Committee and the Petitions Committee invited the public to send in other examples of discriminatory dress codes.

This petition for change on this subject made it into parliament, where the ease with which Nicola’s employer could send her home for such arbitrary reasons was discussed and it was suggested that guilty employers should be required to pay compensation to every worker affected by discriminatory rues. Chair of the Petitions Committee, Helen Jones MP said: “The way that Nicola Thorp was treated by her employer is against the law, but that didn’t stop her being sent home without pay.”

The Equality Act 2010 clearly states that offering working conditions or rules that disadvantage one group of people more than another is unlawful discrimination, as is introducing measures that discriminate between workers.

Having particular, strict dress code rules for one gender and not another is therefore quite clearly unlawful. Why should a woman have to wear heels?

Does it benefit her work practice? Does makeup make her more professional?

Is showing more skin (rather than the generally accepted policy of showing less in the workplace) make the employee more respected? “The Equality Act is clear in principle in setting out what constitutes discrimination in law,” the Committee said. “Nevertheless, discriminatory dress codes remain commonplace in some sectors of the economy.”

Of course, discrimination in the workplace doesn’t stop with female employees, and affects people of all kinds. Inside Out London added to the discussion by highlighting discrimination within the recruitment process.

After hearing that job seekers with Muslim names were struggling to receive job acceptance, and that British Muslims are less proportionately represented in managerial and professional occupations

than any other religious group, the BBC sent CVs, identical aside from the name, out to employers in London. The results showed that Adam was offered 12 interviews, whilst Mohammed was only offered four despite all qualifications, experience and wording being the same. Despite Muslims making up just over 1 million of London’s 8.2 million inhabitants, Muslim men are 76% less likely to be employed than their white Christian counterparts, according to research by the Research Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol.

Recruitment discrimination is of course, illegal, but it’s often more subtle than laws dictate. Phrases like

‘recent graduate’ or ‘highly experienced’ have replaced terms that suggest an age requirement or requirement for a particular number of years’ experience. In fact, there is a clause that encourages businesses to employ candidates who have ‘protected characteristics’ according to The Equality Act 2010, and these include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

The Act states that employers can choose a candidate who has protected characteristics over one who doesn’t if they are both suitable for the job and the employer believes that people with that characteristic are underrepresented in the workforce or ‘suffer a disadvantage connected to that characteristic’. In addition to this, it further states that disabled persons can be treated more favourably if their non-disabled ‘counterpart’ meets the same job requirements. Although this is seen as a step forwards in the working world, it seems that this enforced equality is actually rather hypocritical – is it not also

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Workplace Discrimination

discrimination to favour those who have protected characteristics than those without?

As you can probably tell, this issue is a rather complicated one, and one employers must tackle case by case.

Not only is it important for employers to protect staff and possible future employees from discrimination in the workplace, but also to protect themselves against making any discriminatory judgements, no matter how subtle, as after all, employers are held liable for any action of this kind.

There are many steps businesses can take in order to stay within the law and promote equality while preventing discrimination – having a policy in place so all employees (whether this is staff in managerial or non-managerial roles) clearly understand what is and what isn’t acceptable. ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides help and advice to employers and employees, including tips on how to prevent discrimination in the workplace and within the recruitment process in particular. Jill Coyne, ACAS Senior Guidance Manager said: “Recruitment processes should always aim to be open and fair to all candidates. Those doing the recruiting should not discriminate based on personal information they may know about the candidate, such as their name, gender, age, etc.”

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“Discrimination in the place of work will more often than not lead to unmotivated and unhappy members of staff, which can then contribute to damaged reputations” Here are their three main steps: 1. Employers must be aware of the key areas of work, such as recruiting staff, where discrimination can be more likely to happen and how to avoid potential pitfalls.

2. Introduce workplace rules for all members of staff. In other words, a policy should be in place, and in writing.

It can also be helpful and is advised for the employer to plan how they will encourage equality and diversity and try to stop discrimination in the workplace.

Employees have key parts to play in this.

3. It is also important as to how the employer can measure if their policy and any supporting plan work in practice is working, and whether this might need to change.

Discrimination in the place of work will more often than not lead to unmotivated and unhappy members of staff, and can

then contribute to damaged reputations, which is the very last thing any business owner/leader wants to face. Of course, there are general methods employers can take to ensure this isn’t the case.

Encouraging greater awareness and understanding of different protected characteristics – alongside tackling discrimination – can help to reduce the chance of complaints, therefore killing two birds with one stone. Additionally, improving team spirit means an employee or groups of employees who are being discriminated against are less likely to be unhappy and less productive, which can have a negative impact on the whole workforce. If staff who have been discriminated against feel undervalued or forced out and leave, companies will often run up the costs of recruiting more employees and settling in new staff, while reputations are likely to be damaged. Also, having staff at all levels from a wide range of backgrounds and skills can help develop a working environment, producing ideas and solutions that might not come from a smaller array of diverse groups.

A diverse workforce can also help an organisation better understand and meet diverse customer expectations.

These are all steps businesses of all kinds, big and small, can take to ensure a happy workforce. So take note, say no to discrimination and reap the benefits!

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01323 407555 | conveyancing@solegal.co.uk www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 31

Irwin Mitchell

A Golden Age of Urban Regeneration?

Sussex Business Times got into contact with Irwin Mitchell’s Nicola Gooch to discuss the Government’s strategies to improve living standards and industrial growth across the country Sometimes, all you need to do is look out of the window Irwin to see that urban Mitchell regeneration projects are undergoing a resurgence. In Sussex alone, major redevelopments are currently underway in Crawley, Brighton and Chichester. The key driver behind the activity is straightforward – it’s the economy. More specifically, the Government’s focus on the development of brownfield land as a solution to both the housing crisis and our need for highquality offices.

Any doubt about the Government’s preferred direction of travel has been eradicated over the last few months, with the release of the Industrial Strategy Green Paper and the Housing White Paper in relatively quick succession.

Both are heavily focussed on ensuring that our planning system is fully aligned with the country’s economic objectives.

The Green Paper highlights a lack of investment in infrastructure as one of the obstacles the UK faces in achieving economic growth, and sees a better alignment of housing, infrastructure and economic plans as key part of the longer term solution. The White Paper goes further, exhorting local authorities to ‘maximise the use of suitable land’ within their boroughs, by increasing housing densities and taking a more ‘handson’ role in assembling and managing development sites.

Given these clear objectives, it is not surprising that many local authorities view the comprehensive redevelopment of under-used urban sites as part of the answer. Mixed use developments, such as the North Street Quarter development in Lewes, can co-locate employment, retail and residential uses

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within previously developed sites, whilst simultaneously providing funds for (or in some cases just providing) large scale infrastructure improvements, such as flood defences. They can also make significant contributions towards a local authority’s housing supply; which can be crucial as a lack of housing is often a key justification for permitting development proposals which were not originally planned for.

The impetus for public/private partnerships to deliver these types of developments can be seen on both sides of the equation. Economic growth in the South East has been strong in recent years (Irwin Mitchell and leading economic think-tank Cebr predict Brighton will be in the top ten fastest growing cities in Q4 2017), which means that there is growing investor demand for these types of developments, particularly as returns are becoming more difficult to come by in London. Strong incentives for investors, landowners, and the local authority

are key to schemes coming forward.

Large-scale urban regeneration is complicated, both from a legal and a logistical point of view. It can take a significant period of time to assemble all of the various land interests, prepare and consult on a suitable master-plan and obtain planning consent; hurdles which all need to be jumped before construction can begin and the benefits of a scheme start to be realised.

Without strong incentives and effective partnerships schemes can stall at the early stages. For the moment, however, government policy, local interests and investor appetite appear to be broadly aligned; perhaps a golden age of urban regeneration is about to begin?

Nicola Gooch 01293 742868 nicola.gooch@ irwinmitchell.com

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irwinmitchell.com www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 33

BLS-0111-2

Exquisite Indian Cuisine SBT takes a look at the Spice Garden in Eastbourne, tasting some of the food for ourselves and catching up with the owner, Abdul Kadir 20 years ago, Spice Garden Cover opened its doors on Church Street Feature in Old Town, Eastbourne. Over these two decades, owner, Abdul Kadir and his brother have run a tight ship, ensuring that their customers experience exquisite Indian cuisine at its best. Their dedication and experience is demonstrated in their award winning food and service, winning Curry House of the Year 2016, as voted for by Eastbourne Herald and being awarded South East Regional Finalist in the Restaurant Awards 2011.

To keep up with demand, and to create a more sophisticated concept that suited both the times and a more decadent ambiance, the restaurant went through a big refurbishment in 2009, which saw the décor to what it is today.

With tables and chairs lined neatly across two levels of Spice Garden’s sizeable but intimate feeling space, the restaurant has plenty of room for all types of event. There are small tables for couples, small families and friends, and there are larger tables for big groups and corporate lunches or dinners.

The menu is extensive, with all the

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favourites but also with something a bit different. Abdul said: “We like to add our own twist to each recipe, so that you won’t find it the same anywhere else. There are a few dishes that are completely our own creation – they may have now been replicated elsewhere but we are proud to call them our own.”

Mr Kadir is a chef himself, but also runs the floor front of house. His regulars always expect to see him there and it’s very important to him to have a presence in his restaurant to greet his customers and ensure they have a good time.

“The future is looking promising.

We have a lot of regulars, and word has been spreading more and more through word-of-mouth, mainly client recommendations. We are always striving for people to have not just a meal, but a night out. We provide a full experience, rather than just Indian cuisine.

“We have a wide range of wines, ranging in price from £14 all the way up to £180, which our customers really appreciate. Customers can also order online either through our website or through our partner site, chefonline.co.uk, which offers flexibility.”

A Chef’s Special Review SBT had the pleasure of reviewing

Cover Feature

Spice Garden, tasting some of Abdul’s recommendations.

For starter, the Murgh Nazakat and Chicken Memo were beautifully served on our table alongside yoghurt. The Murgh Nazakat consisted of skewered chicken, flavoured with garlic and nutmeg. The chicken was beautifully succulent and full of flavour – not too hot, but spiced perfectly for my palette. The Chicken Memo dish consisted of a pancake stuffed with spiced chicken, made as a chef’s special. This was a particular favourite, combining the flavours of a bahji and a wrap into one.

For main, we were served two types of rice: boiled Basmati and Pilau rice. This was alongside a full plain Nan Bread, Sag Aloo, King Prawn Goan and a

beautiful lamb shank and chick pea dish.

The prawns were perfect in texture and Everything tasted extremely fresh, and complemented the meal wonderfully. was at just the right heat, both in terms Prawn may not be something you of temperature and consider having with spice. The King Prawn a curry, but with “Each part of this Goan was something meal was a pleasure this dish, you really I had never come should. Equally, the for the taste buds, across before in an Lamb ‘E’ Doula, and demonstrated Indian restaurant and consisting of lamb on exactly what not after the first mouthful, the bone marinated it quickly became in spices with chick only Indian cuisine one of my favourite peas, was something is about, but also dishes. I’m unsure if I wouldn’t have what Abdul’s any other main dish chosen for myself. restaurant is about” will ever beat the The lamb simply fell taste of king prawns off the bone, showing marinated in thick, spiced tomato sauce the time and effort that had gone into with peppers, garlic, ginger, chillies and this dish, and the spices were delightful. a hint of lime, and cooked in a clay oven.

This went particularly well with the Sag Aloo, which was a blend of sliced, spiced potato and spinach.

Each part of this meal was a pleasure for the taste buds, and demonstrated exactly what not only Indian cuisine is about, but also what Abdul’s restaurant is about. With every dish, Abdul brings something familiar alongside something a bit different, which I think is very unique. A chef himself, his passion for good food comes through tenfold in everything that’s served, so I implore anyone to give Spice Garden a try.

Spice Garden Church Street, Old Town, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 1HT Tel: 01323 72212 Order online at http://www.spicegarden.co.uk or via ChefOnline only.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 35

Money Matters

A Big Impact!

Entrepreneurial Spark Awards 2017

Entrepreneurial Spark’s 2017 Impact Report demonstrates its need in the business community, going from strength to strength and producing the next generation of start-ups and big business successes

Insight

Entrepreneurial Spark, powered by NatWest, launched its annual report last month, showing an even bigger impact on the UK economy than

Halal Celebrations

previous years.

The figures in the 2017 Impact Report show some pretty hard evidence that the world’s largest free business accelerator is having a hugely positive impact on the entrepreneurial climate.

A focus on creating growth mindsets and hands-on enablement

by Entrepreneurial Spark with the key support of all its partners in NatWest, KPMG Enterprise, Dell Technologies and Pinsent Masons means that is has now enabled over 1,700 businesses to grow and scale-up across the UK. The figures are reflected across all four nations of the UK, with 2016 seeing hubs

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now open in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and across all sectors.

The number of jobs created is a massive 3,152, all of which have a positive impact on the UK economy.

Lucy-Rose Walker, Entrepreneurial Spark CEO said: “We’ve given this Impact Report the title ‘Blow Your Mind’ and it’s not hard to see why. The stats are truly mind blowing and we’ve enabled our entrepreneurs to create real jobs, huge turnover and significant investment via our focus on developing their entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviours.

Our entrepreneurs have turned over £176m, so it is clear what an impact we are having on the UK economy.”

The Entrepreneurial Spark programme leaders and mentors have proven to be highly dedicated and resilient, helping their chiclets through each step of the process to grow their business. As such, 85% of the businesses accelerated are

Entrepreneurial Spark

017

Brighton Entrepreneurial Spark Awards 2016

in what they do they offer so much to our still trading which is more than double the entrepreneurs.” national average.

Alison Rose, CEO of Commercial and Lucy-Rose commented: “Our vision is Private Banking for NatWest said: “The to create positive social change by giving Impact Report shows that the support people the chance to grow and create our free accelerators are giving to jobs, and value in the economy. It’s really entrepreneurs is working, enabling them gratifying to see that those entrepreneurs to create jobs across the UK, secure have now created 3,152 jobs across the millions of pounds of investment and UK, all of them creating social change support their local economies. Our hubs by contributing to their communities and are now in every local economies.” nation of the UK, in For NatWest, 2016 “The successes of many major cities was a key year in their drive to support the hatcheries has led and we are excited to be opening a start-up businesses to a 163% increase London hub later this and entrepreneurs. in entrepreneurs year.”

Last year they Entrepreneurial doubled the number across the country, Spark also recently of free business creating the climate created a new suite accelerators across we need as a nation of programmes the UK to 12, which will launch providing double to succeed in the even more the amount of free future” people into the office space offered entrepreneurial world to entrepreneurs, who build even better businesses. This access to their network, connections and evolved model will provide specialised, essential mentoring. bespoke enablement for entrepreneurs “Our partnership with NatWest is such on all stages of their journey. a powerful one and enables us to give Lucy-Rose concluded: “We have hands-on practical help to start-ups another exciting year ahead as we bring of every kind, from that first spark of our entrepreneuring revolution to London, an idea, right up to bigger businesses with our 13th hub and launch the first needing to scale and grow,” says Lucyfree, dedicated fintech accelerator in Rose. “We also love working with KPMG, Scotland. It’s going to be another mindDell Technologies, Pinsent Masons and blowing year.”

Harper Macleod because as the experts

The numbers from the Brighton hatchery are particularly impressive, with a combined turnover of £19 million over the past 18 months, alongside £7m worth of investments raised, 395 jobs created and an average turnover of £122k. Overall, £151m worth of investment has been raised across the 12 hatcheries, with £176m entrepreneur turnover. 1,736 companies have been supported- and 3,152 jobs created across the UK. The successes of the hatcheries has led to a 163% increase in entrepreneurs across the country, creating the climate we need as a nation to succeed in the future.

Despite a strong economic recovery driven by net job creation and earnings growth, more people than ever are deciding to strike out on their own, suggesting that we are witnessing a sustained cultural shift towards entrepreneurialism rather than a shortterm response to the financial crisis and a poor job market. In 2015, 608,110 businesses were started in the UK, which is a new record compared to 2014’s 581,173 start-ups and 526,447 in 2013 – fulfilling Startup Britain’s prediction of over 600,000 start-ups.

With the way the numbers are going, and the success of Entrepreneurial Spark across the country, Britain may even be looking at over 3 million startups a year, rather than the predicted 600,000.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 37

Marketing

Eight Ways to Gain Trust in a Sales Presentation Reaching the right client, the right demographic or the right consumer is what business is all about. It’s how companies grow, it’s how they succeed, and this wouldn’t happen without your team being able to sell your services. But trust is a very large part of any business deal, so Essie Rewane-Adajare gives an insight into how your sales team can improve trust during a sales presentation, and gain more customers in the process

1

Demonstrate your personal credibility

Know the product or service, and your company, inside out. Be knowledgeable about your industry and relevant news. Trust depends on your personal credibility.

2

Start as you mean to go on

For example, start your presentation with a question. This will show you are ready to handle whatever is thrown at you. If you are introducing an innovative new product you may want to begin with a short interactive exercise. This will show that your style of presenting matches the innovative nature of the product. Or, you may want to ask questions that relate to the desired change the audience is seeking knowing that your product or service is the solution.

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3

Put your audience’s needs first

Focus on the audience and demonstrate your understanding of their challenges as they relate to the solutions offered by your product or service. This will mean your audience gains an understanding of the value with relevance to their specific situation.

4

Create a connection between your product/service and the audience

Your audience will develop more trust in a product they’ve seen working or if they’ve heard credible testimonials from high-quality, believable sources.

Marketing

6

Keep your audience interested

Be animated. Vary your modulation. Avoid filler words such as ‘um, uh, so, like, you know, actually, literally’ etc. Too many filler words will create distraction, and compromise your credibility by suggesting a lack of preparation, knowledge and passion.

Rehearsing, and ideally videoing, your presentation will help you to use your voice and words to best effect. Aim to pronounce your words clearly, keep your focus on your audience, and demonstrate appropriate enthusiasm and energy.

7

Handle Questions and Answers assertively

Keep the answers brief. Answer the question that has been asked and don’t be tempted to go off on a tangent. If you genuinely do not know the answer to a question - promise to get back to them (and remember to do so).

If part way through your presentation, you can see that a key decision maker is looking quizzical stop and ask if she has a question.

8

5

Plan your visual aids carefully

Where possible, use images and video clips rather than wordy bullet points. This is because psychologically they help to make a more immediate and strong connection. However, you need to take account of the culture of the audience to whom you are presenting. If you are presenting a complex product to expert buyers, you may need to have detailed slides available.

“Keep the answers brief.

Answer the question that has been asked and don’t be tempted to go off on a tangent”

Close with care

How you end your presentation is very important. Your choice should be based on your understanding of your audience and where they are in their decision making process.

For example, briefly summarise what you have understood from them and the positive way you can solve their problem. Alternatively, if an immediate sale is on the cards I like to use the Indirect Close. Remind your audience of the pain they will continue to suffer until they use your products. Offer a bonus if they buy today.

Your knowledge of the audience will guide you to the appropriate close.

This final part of the presentation is crucial to your goal; if you want to make a sale, then practice your close in advance. On the day use your personal credibility and build on the trust you have established.

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 39

Branding

Making your Business Visible Michael Dale, Brand Strategy Director at Firebrand asks you to consider who you are and how you communicate in your quest to set yourself apart from the competition

I can almost guarantee that your marketplace is full of numerous Insight undifferentiated businesses, pushing too many messages, through too many channels.

How can prospective customers and clients possibly see the wood for the trees? The following approaches are all strategic and any one of them can make your business stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Be Different The human brain has evolved over millions of years to notice what’s different. So it may come as no surprise that the most longterm, sustainable way to stand out is to be unique. The world is full of ‘me too’ brands.

But if your product or service is sufficiently different, you could effectively be competing in a ‘category of one’.

We all remember the competitive advantage that Dyson held for several years with the creation of the bagless vacuum cleaner, and consequently the premium they were able to charge. Competitors were quick to imitate but Dyson just kept on innovating.

Although ‘innovation’ has become the most over-used term in business today, it should not be the preserve of R&D departments. Even the smallest of businesses can stand out if they do something different and relevant. Could your company be the next ‘disruptor’ brand - the Uber or Airbnb of your market sector? Or will you take the approach of Olympic cycling coach, Dave Brailsford and work with your team meticulously improving every little detail of your customer experience to make it truly outstanding.

Action: If your company can create a ‘culture of innovation’ where every person can contribute ideas, you can keep building on your competitive advantage (and positively improve employee engagement too).

Focus. Focus. Focus As businesses grow there is often a pressure to diversify. Bolt-on services or unrelated products can leave your brand poorly-focussed in the minds of your customers. The world has more than enough ‘generalists’. Conversely, specialisation in your market equates to deep expertise, and with it comes the reward of a premium price tag and clear differentiation.

You may have heard of a firm’s actions, attributes and values expressed as being ‘on brand’. This is a result of a concerted effort to focus on 1. what they do best, 2. discard

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Branding

ideas that don’t fit and 3. craft a clear vision for the future.

EasyJet’s attempt to create a no-frills cinema chain was a diversification too far and felt ‘off brand’. Film-lovers wanted an amazing experience not a budget one. In contrast, British Gas launched the Hive brand, a range of intelligent technology allowing homeowners to control their heating from their smart phones. A logical brand extension that positioned them as innovation leaders with their customers’ needs in mind.

Action: Write a vision statement that clearly articulates the impact your business will have on your customers’ lives. This will give you the endpoint for a roadmap that focusses your business activities.

now so widespread, stories and sharing are natural bedfellows.

The most forward-thinking businesses have taken this strategy a step further by providing a framework for customers to create their own stories around their brands. Once your customers take ownership of your brand, they become your strongest advocates, raising your visibility at no real cost to you. They can even go on to form tribes with shared beliefs and values.

Camera-makers, GoPro have written ‘a day on the mountain with friends is more meaningful than one spent alone, the sharing of our collective experiences makes our lives more fun’. Their mission is to provide all the tools to make that happen. Their customers will do the rest.

Action: If you can paint a vivid picture of how your business is in fact an experience, how it is rich in authenticity and how it meets its customers’ needs, you can create a story that will run and run.

“Brand stories can humanise faceless services and give provenance to the most mundane of products”

Weave a rich story Since the dawn of mankind, stories told around campfires have been the means to pass down experiences.

Likewise, brand stories can humanise faceless services and give provenance to the most mundane of products. They provide an authentic grounding and a narrative that can be easily retold by customers. And with social platforms

Find the white space Whilst your competitors battle it out for supremacy amongst the clutter of traditional marketing channels, you could

be finding clear water. Take the approach of Australian batting legend Ricky Ponting who once said “...in my head, I don’t see the fielders, I only see the gaps.”

White-space-mapping is used extensively for developing new products and services that fill the gaps in existing markets. It can also be used to create a more imaginative marketing mix, allowing your brand to stand out more effectively.

With the emphasis now so heavily on content creation you may find creating an expert ‘how-to’ YouTube video more effective than an Adshel poster. Or a white paper may have more gravitas than a direct mail campaign. It all depends on the market you are in.

Action: If you can create a white space matrix with your competitors on one axis and all potential channels on the other you can look for ideas that have the space to stand out.

There’s a lot more to getting noticed than shouting in a sea of noise. Your uniqueness, your relevance, your ability to engage with your audience and the means by which you do it are much more effective ways of standing out. Approach it strategically and see the difference.

Michael is Brand Strategy Director at Firebrand, a brand communications agency that specialises in building brands from the inside out. Contact him on michael@firebrand.co.uk www.firebrand.co.uk

www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk 41

Education

Introducing Skills on Tap UK In our education section of this issue, Sussex Business Times explores the importance of digital resources in the learning environment and introduces a new employability web app for students: Skills on Tap UK

Historically education has been a very different experience Education when compared to the highly sophisticated, digital learning of today. Bulky textbooks and streams of photocopied handouts would be presented by the educator, only to end up in a dark corner of students desks and lockers, never to be seen again. Today, the digital age is one that needs to be embraced because, after all, it’s not going anywhere! Technology in education opens up a whole new world of possibilities as to how students share and engage with other students, and present

their different ideas, facts and theories.

With today’s generation of learners never having known anything other than digital platforms, it is important that lessons and general daily life incorporates current technology to enhance the learning experience and capture the minds of the learners.

Digital resources offer benefits to educators also, and in this day and age, trainers and lecturers can engage with learners like never before and communication between the two has never been easier. A digital learning experience ensures that educational materials are distributed effectively and that learners are given the opportunity to engage not only with the presenter but also with fellow delegates remotely without the need to travel to a central location. With this in mind, the interaction with digital mediums in education and training should be seen as a way of preparing learners for the workplace, where everyday tasks are performed regularly using digital platforms and IT skills. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) found that 80% of 1,232 participants now source technical information relating to their job online, demonstrating the extent to which people rely on digital platforms to perform their job.

A digital tool, developed to boost students’ employability, has been launched by a university business expert.

Clare Griffiths, Business Development

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Education

students and graduates to find graduate Manager at the University of Brighton, jobs, schemes and internships in the UK. has launched Skills on Tap UK – a free, The skills audit itself is based on the digital tool that enables students to rate results of Clare’s postgraduate research themselves against skills and mindsets project (consisting of a most sought by case study exploring the employers, and helps “Technology in skills and behaviours them find graduate education opens up most valued by small jobs, schemes a whole new world and medium-sized and internships. of possibilities as to enterprises in the South It’s accessible on East of the UK). A any web-enabled how students share mobile device, laptop and engage with other paper-based version of or PC with two students, and present the skills audit tool has already been tested by main functions: to their different ideas, hundreds of students, as enable students and facts and theories” well as educators from graduates to work out higher education and which employability further education institutions. skills they have and which ones they “Many employers are telling universities can further develop whilst studying, that they place as much value on working or volunteering; and to act as a students’ skills, mindsets, and work jobs search tool, specialising in helping

experience, as they do on their academic qualifications, according to the Confederation of British Industry and Pearson,” commented Clare. “So, for students to present themselves in the best light, they need to be able to explain clearly how their university experience has benefited them personally and professionally. The Skills on Tap UK web app is designed to help students work out which employability skills they have, and which ones they can further develop whilst studying, working, or volunteering.”

Clare’s vision is for Skills on Tap UK to become the UK’s most popular employability web app – used in every university across the country. Her idea has already won the 2016 Brighton Digital Award, sponsored by Santander Universities to reward the best ideas for improving students’ lives. She went on to develop the web app with support from the university ‘after witnessing countless times the difficulties faced by students when trying to articulate their skills and experience’.

Clare continued: “It not only benefits students and graduates but also employers. Whilst graduate recruiters have a fantastic range of jobs, schemes, and internships on offer, information about these work opportunities doesn’t always reach as many people as it could. According to the market research company, High Fliers, more than 1000 graduate vacancies were left unfilled in 2015.”

Skills on Tap UK is currently looking to partner with employers in Sussex and London, to publish their company profiles, FAQs, and graduate vacancies – all within the tool. This way, student and graduate users will be able to find out about those recruiters, and start searching for graduate jobs, schemes, and internships.

What problems does Skills on Tap UK solve?

Students and recent graduates sometimes struggle to work out which employability skills they have, and when they have applied those skills in a professional setting. This means, that when it comes to applying for jobs and talking to prospective employers, they don’t always present their skills and experiences as well as they could.

The knock-on effect is they miss out on great work opportunities. This app is

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Education

How do students/graduates use Skills on Tap UK? In the skills audit tool, there are six essential graduate attributes; the Creative Thinker, the Critical Thinker, the Communicator, the Collaborator, the Entrepreneur and the Self-Manager. job applications, and when preparing Within each attribute, there are a number for interviews and assessment centres. of skills and mindsets listed. Users are The possibilities are endless! At any asked to rate themselves out of 5, for time, users can revisit their skills audit to each skill or mindset listed. At the end update it. of each section, they are then prompted to write down an How can educators example of when they use Skills on Tap have applied that “Despite the best UK? skill or mindset whilst efforts of universities Skills on Tap UK studying, working, or and employers, only also works as a volunteering. They are a small fraction of the free learning tool for also prompted to write student population lecturers, educators, down when they could participate in employer and careers advisers further develop that engagement activities, to use within the attribute. such as career fairs curriculum, or as part Users can then save and employer-led of their information, a copy of the skills events” advice, and guidance audit, and email it to work. Educators themselves, and use can use it in their teaching, as an the text (in the emailed copy of their individual or group exercise during a audit) for their essays and reflective lecture, or they can ask their students writing pieces. They can also use the to use it during their independent study information in their completed audit for time. They can also use Skills on Tap the skills section of their CV when writing

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Clare Griffiths, Business Development Manager at the University of Brighton

a skills audit which helps students and graduates work out which employability skills and behaviours they have aquired.

The audit results can then be used for personal development planning, writing CVs, and applying for jobs. Students and graduates can either use the tool at home, or in the classroom, as part of the curriculum.

Graduate employers are another group of people who can benefit from the app. Despite the best efforts of universities and employers, only a small fraction of the student population participate in employer engagement activities, such as career fairs and employer-led events. Consequently, the majority of students don’t find out about all the different work opportunities they could apply for. According to Magnet. me (2016), students are only aware of 27% of graduate opportunities on offer, meaning 73% of their potential employers are failing to reach them. In response to this problem, the Skills on Tap UK team have created a searchable database within the web app to help students discover a whole range of work opportunities available to them.

UK as part of a formal assessment, for example, when their students have to evaluate and reflect on their employability skills. Alternatively, they could use it with their students as a course evaluation exercise. If the educators work in a Careers Service or Employability Hub, they could use it in a one-to-one situation with their service users, when they are helping them analyse their employability skills, write CVs, and prepare for job interviews.

Skills on Tap UK is also an accessible tool for individuals to use when planning their personal and professional development – whatever the context.

Students and graduates wanting to boost their employability can gain free, lifetime access to the web app by signing up at skillsontapuk.com, and employers interested in partnering with Skills on Tap UK to help Clare achieve her vision, should get in contact via skillsontapuk.com.

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FRESH CLEANING SERVICES LIMITED

CLEANING SERVICES Fresh Cleaning Services are a Sussex based family owned commercial and domestic cleaning company. Fresh Cleaning has been established for over 10 years.

We pride ourselves on the personal touch to each individual client. Our staff are fully trained, achieve high standards which we except and maintain for our clients.

WHAT WE OFFER: • Office Cleaning • Stripping and resealing floors • Carpet Cleaning • Consumables provided • Free estimates and advice • Drive ways, patios and flag stone jet washed • Washroom services • Fully insured • Competitive rates • Testimonies available • Initial ‘spring clean’ to all new contracts • Visits from management to client sites

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d.stephens@fresh-clean.co.uk • Tel: 07976 568241 • www.fresh-clean.co.uk

Wellness in Retirement:

Bridging the Gap

Retirement is a big step in any employee’s life, and one that can impact greatly on an individual’s wellbeing without the right support or information. SBT looks at the most recent research, which suggests that more control over the retirement process and perhaps a more gradual transition could have a substantially more positive impact on an individual’s health and wellbeing in later life We’ve all heard the statistics about health Health & and wellbeing in Wellbeing the workplace, with free time, a healthy work-life balance, eating well and sleeping well being the main priorities whilst working. Health, wellbeing and education charity, Central YMCA, recently highlighted that being at work is the most common situation in which people feel their happiness is decreased – with a fifth of people stating this. The 1,000 respondents stated they feel wellbeing at its highest when on holiday (66%), when

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spending time with family (56%), or whilst socialising with friends (49%) – signalling the importance of creating a healthy worklife balance.

Nancy Hey, Director of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, which commissioned the research by the Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Reading and Sheffield, said: “Good work is really important for our overall life satisfaction and how we retire matters. When we’ve gone around the UK asking what quality of life looks like, the importance of wellbeing at work consistently comes up.”

You’d think then that retiring would be a god-send to wellbeing. However, it seems

that stopping work has some potentially very negative effects on end-of-life health and wellbeing. A recent study, which looked at all existing research on the topic of retirement, found that a sudden end to a career can have a huge impact on an individual’s wellbeing. The extent of an individual’s wellbeing depends on whether employees had control over when they retired, rather than being forced out through ill health or restructuring. Leaving a more prestigious, satisfying job was unsurprisingly found to decrease life satisfaction on retirement, and in addition, men were found to struggle more when they retire if their wives are still working.

Health & Wellbeing

Here are some ways in which employers can help: 1. Worker’s Control: employers can introduce measures that support older workers with health problems who wish to work longer.

2. Pension Saving Support: employers can offer better pension saving support and provide more information on retirement planning.

This is particularly important for lowearners.

3. Late Career Reviews: employers can offer older staff reviews, talks or seminars to encourage planning for retirement.

4. Bridging Jobs: employers can offer more flexible work towards the end of their older employee’s careers, providing them with a part-time option or alternative role that suits a transition into retirement.

Predictably, retirees who are satisfied jobs which can help older workers with their home lives and had support prepare for retirement and means that networks fare much better than those their valuable skills and experience aren’t who don’t, but even with the support in suddenly lost to their firms.” place, retiring is a stressful change.

So offering support, control and the Mark Bryan, Reader in Economics at option of ‘bridging jobs’, whether through University of Sheffield and co-author of going part time in your current role or the study, commented: “The evidence shifting to a different flexible solution, on wellbeing points to the importance seem to be the answer for those who of giving people control over their may struggle at the end of their careers. retirement decision - both through But equally, those who take up bridge support for people who jobs only because of wish to stay in work financial strain and not Those who take and decent pension a drive to continue work up bridge jobs for provision for those who to some extent, tend wish to retire.” social or enjoyment to experience a drop in What was suggested wellbeing rather than reasons have a by the findings was an increase. Those who greater level of life take up bridge jobs for that employers should satisfaction than support older workers social or enjoyment to ‘wind-down’ into their pre-retirement reasons have a greater retirement, providing level of life-satisfaction levels bridging jobs or than their prereducing their working retirement levels, so the hours to avoid poor wellbeing and circumstances must be right. It’s a tough improve end of life satisfaction. balance.

Sara Connolly, Professor of Personal Since the government is already Economics in the Norwich Business encouraging workers to prolong their School, and co-author of the study, said: working life, it certainly seems necessary “The research identifies the importance of to implement more support for older planning – financially, psychologically and workers. “Policy needs to reflect the socially – for retirement, which ensures changing patterns and ways of working, that retirement isn’t a sudden shock to and how that impacts how, why and the system. when we retire. A sudden shift from “It also emphasises the role that employed to retired isn’t working,” says employers can play by offering bridge Nancy Hey.

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Fresh Cleaning Services

Fresh Cleaning Services

Uniquely focused on the customer experience, Fresh Cleaning Services Ltd is taking its high quality services to the next level, with expansion plans afoot coming up to their 15th year in trade Fresh Cleaning Services Ltd has been serving the builders Advertorial and commercial community for 13 years. Now entering the run up to its 15th anniversary, the business is expanding.

Fresh Cleaning and its team pride themselves not only on the high standard of work that they produce but also on the high levels of communication and organisation that they implement within all projects. Their services include cleaning for both new builds and commercial work, offering 20 fully trained, reliable staff with a range of experience in everything from chemicals, floors, fabric cleaning and bin disposal to carpet cleaning.

The dedicated team believe that clients should trust whatever cleaning service they use, and that the service they receive should be at the best standards possible.

Dale Stephens, Operations Director at

Some of our clients include:

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Fresh Cleaning Services ensures that all of customers are supported with thorough and regular communication.

This is what makes Fresh Cleaning different; they are proactive, meeting with each and every customer on a monthly basis to ensure the service is on form.

As any business knows, keeping the client happy is a priority, and proactively reaching out to those using the service is hugely beneficial. Dale explained: “If there are any problems – as there inevitably and frequently are in the cleaning environment – myself and my team are able to extinguish them before they become an issue.”

The company also prides itself on its longstanding relationships with clients.

Managing Director and Founder of Fresh Cleaning Services Ltd, Lee Mansfield commented: “We have a core of clients that have been with us since the beginning and continue to be happy with our service. We are very proud to say that

we have a very loyal customer base, and that reflects the quality of our service.”

Fresh has grown organically, and gradually over the years to ensure the best deliver of service. Currently, the business is thriving, taking on more staff in 2016, including Emily Singer, who took the role of Commercial Manager.

Emily helps to guarantee that the strict standards of the company are upheld, and that no customer is left unhappy. Darren Sinden, who joined the team in 2014, acts as Business Development Manager, looking after both the commercial and builders’ cleaning services, and ensuring that business keeps growing across the South East.

The company has a wide profile of clients, stretching across the region from Southampton across to Dartford, and up to London.

The expansion planned for the next two years will be careful and precise, but will be an exciting step for the company.

Fresh Cleaning Services

What do Fresh Cleaning Services customers say?

Managing Director – Lee Mansfield Lee Mansfield founded Fresh Cleaning more than ten years ago as a small enterprise. He has slowly grown the company, ensuring that standards, communication and competitive pricing are at the forefront of the business model. He has a daily input into the management and running of the services and applies strategic thinking to the growth of the business as a whole.

Operations Director – Dale Stephens Dale Stephens, Operations Director, worked within national companies prior to joining Fresh Cleaning over ten years ago. These gave him the essential experience and training that he has implemented within Fresh Cleaning’s portfolio. Dale is extremely hard working and nothing is too much trouble: he is on call 24 hours a day for any of our clients and prides himself on being available and at their disposal. He has excellent management skills and controls each project with precision and efficiency.

There is no doubt that Dale is key to the Fresh Cleaning business.

Business Development Manager – Darren Sinden Darren Sinden joined Fresh Cleaning Services in 2014. He has had twenty years of experience in the construction industry and has brought a wealth of knowledge in not just the construction industry but also the service industries alike.

Commercial Manager - Emily Singer Emily has been the Manager of the commercial cleaning in East Sussex for a year with Fresh. She has 8 years experience in the trade, having her own cleaning business for 6 years. She works closely with the clients and the staff to maintain a very high standard of cleaning.

Accounts Manager – Clare Fermor Clare has worked for the business from the start and is in control of all administration and accounts. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures a smooth running and accurate recording.

Christine Munday, The English Wine Centre “We have used Fresh Cleaning and Dale Stephens in particular for the last six years. We have found them to be consistently prompt and reliable in their attendance here, constructive and helpful especially when we have needed their specialist cleaning skills.

Dale has a cheerful disposition which makes the Fresh team a pleasure to work with.”

Michael Gietzen, Director, Identity Signage & Printing Identity House “Fresh Cleaning have worked for us now for 5 Years. We have found their service to be excellent and the standard of work is of the highest level. The team is extremely responsive and there is no request to large or to small. It is nice to work with a company of this level of knowledge and professionalism.

I recommend Fresh Cleaning Service Ltd to any other company/ organisation.”

Joe Smith, Managing Director, SM Building & Property Maintenance “We have used Fresh Cleaning Services LTD on many of our building cleans in the last 2 years, we have found them to be reliable and consistent, their standards have always been to the highest level. We have no hesitation in recommending them to other organisations.”

Visit www.fresh-clean.co.uk or call 01323 819013 for more information.

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Working Lunch:

The Front Room

Address: The Front Room, 42 High St, Seaford, BN25 1PL Tel: 01323 895383 www.frontroomseaford.co.uk

For March’s lunch review, Sussex Business Times’ Jess Saunders and Amy Watson took to the coastal town of Seaford to enjoy lunch at The Front Room Located in the heart of Seaford town, The Lunch Front Room posed the perfect setting Review for a crisp afternoon lunch. In amongst all that the coast of Seaford has to offer – with the seafront and train station just a short distance away and the rest of the high street’s shops right next door - The Front Room really is the perfect venue for a quick lunchtime bite. The Front Room is a family owned and run Coffee House and Tapas Restaurant. The building dates back to 1896 and once upon a time The Front Room would have been just that, which is what has formed the basis of their hospitality philosophy, and they strive to make visitors feel as relaxed in their company as they would in their own front rooms.

Their coffee is provided by Ozone Coffee Roasters and The Front Room pride themselves on bringing their refined artisan style coffee, prevalent in locations around the world such as Australia and

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New Zealand, to the Sussex coast.

With a mission to source the finest quality ingredients, The Front Room also specialise in outside catering, from mobile and TV & film location shoot catering to weddings and event catering across the East Sussex region. Not only this, but this café and restaurant goes that one step further, available for sole hire for wedding receptions and other special occasions.

Considering the location of The Front Room and the time of day we were visiting, finding a parking space almost right outside was surprisingly easy. The Front Room’s exterior is indistinct and fairly underwhelming, almost hidden in amongst the long row of similar looking premises. For a café located in the midst of the town centre, I wasn’t expecting anything huge, but I have to say, it was a lot smaller than originally expected – intimate and cosy though, which is an ambiance that works for this small high street. There were a fair amount of tables inside considering that we turned up just after lunch hour. It boasts quite a quirky design, incorporating bright

colours into the furniture and accessories, very welcome – returned to our table to take our orders. Drink-wise, I went for the with vibrant images placed carefully on hot chocolate, while Amy opted for a pot the walls. The whole building was well of English Breakfast tea. The staff took lit, with ceiling lights throughout and a the liberty of serving large front window. The my hot chocolate with counter sported a range “If you’re looking for marshmallows, which of cakes, and nearby a cosy and intimate was a nice touch. shelves held a variety of The Front Room bottled beverages. lunch this summer in boasts six weekly On arrival we were the heart of the hustle menus; Breakfast greeted at the counter and bustle of Seaford Menu from 9-11am, by the friendly staff and town, then The Front Lunch Menu from shown immediately Room is definitely 11:45am–3pm, to the best seat in the Afternoon from house – the window seat your place!”

3-4:30pm, Supper where we could watch from 3:30-6:30pm, the world go by whilst Tapas Inspired Menu from 6:30pm every devouring a first-class lunch. It wasn’t day and Sunday Roasts from 12:30before long that the waitress came to our 6:30pm. Of course, turning up at 2:30pm table to present us with two menus – one on a Monday afternoon meant that we for food and one for drinks. After a few turned straight to the Lunchtime Menu. brief minutes, and maybe slightly too premature, the owner – who made us feel Taking full advantage of the plentiful

menu, and after not much deliberation at all, I opted for The Front Room Chicken Club Sandwich, served with potato wedges and salad, while – after an explanation by the attentive staff on what was included in the dish – Amy decided on the Homemade Tart, consisting of potato, onion and Cheddar.

The food arrived at our table in a very timely fashion and looked incredible; presented to perfection. I’m sure there’s only a number of ways in which you can make a sandwich look appetising, but The Front Room has this down to a T. The Front Room Chicken Club Sandwich was what can only be described as huge – three layers of bread and overflowing with succulent fillings. The bread was perfectly toasted, and inside was sliced tomatoes, bacon (which was also cooked to perfection), chicken and rocket. Served on the side was a tower of crisp potato wedges, a rocket lettuce salad drizzled with Honey and Mustard dressing and mayonnaise – the perfect complement. Amy’s Homemade Tart also looked delicious, and it was clear to see that the staff at The Front Room pride themselves on the presentation of their dishes. Also served with potato wedges and a side salad, this dish was rich with flavour. My only critique would be that both lunches were slightly too big, but unless you’re not being provided with enough food, you can’t really complain, can you?

If you’re looking for a cosy and intimate lunch this summer in the heart of the quiet and quaint Seaford town, with quick service and varied menus, then The Front Room is definitely your place!

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Hotel Review:

The Priory Court Hotel For this month’s hotel review, Managing Director, Lee Mansfield took to Pevensey to enjoy an overnight stay at Priory Court Hotel Located in the heart of the historic town of Pevensey, the 17th Review Century Priory Court Hotel is nestled among stunning scenery and extraordinary local landmarks, with the ancient Pevensey Castle sat elegantly right opposite. The recently refurbished hotel offers cosy accommodation, substantial function rooms, traditional English tearooms and beautiful gardens, which together with the hotel’s outstanding levels of and experience in catering, creates the perfect stop for any occasion.

Being situated within close proximity to Eastbourne, Brighton and Hastings, and within arms length of major transport links – Pevensey and Westham train station sits a five-minute walk away and bus stops to Eastbourne town centre and surrounding areas are close by - making the Priory Court Hotel a great venue for

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business meetings and conferences as well as special occasions, functions and the occasional weekend away. Hosting wedding receptions and ceremonies is a particular specialty of the Priory Court

Hotel, and its beautiful gardens combined with the beautiful backdrop of Pevensey Castle promise to make for a wonderful and unique setting for occasions of this kind.

The Priory Court Hotel hosts Grill Night every Thursday, offering guests the opportunity to choose from various different grills, sides and sauces, all for just £9 per person. Their restaurant is open to visitors every day from 8am, and also serves Sunday lunch every week, while the hotel’s 17th Century tearooms boast a range of homemade cakes and traditional English cream teas.

Our dinner reservation was booked for 8pm and upon walking into the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised.

Although Priory Court might seem like a better venue for the warmer weather due to the outside areas being one of the hotel’s most attractive features, it was clear to see that they are prepared for visits during all times of the year.

Tried & Tested in Sussex

The roaring open fire, dim lighting and lit candles contributed to the perfect ambiance for a winter meal. The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, although this is to be expected for a hotel that boasts just five suites, especially at this time of the year.

We were presented with menus and chose to share a bottle of white – Sauvignon Blanc – which perfectly complemented the delightful dishes we were about to experience.

For my starter I opted for the Crayfish and Prawn Cocktail, served with roasted red peppers, shredded baby gem, avocado purée and smoked Paprika, while my wife chose The Priory Deli Board; cured and smoked meats with baked local cheese, pickles and toasts.

Both starters were exquisite. A Prawn Cocktail is something I will often go for, but the fact that the Priory Court added Crayfish into the mix made it all the more delightful. My wife had no complaints either and enjoyed her Deli Board even more after learning that all meats used at Priory Court Hotel are locally sourced.

For our main courses we opted for the Wild Mullet with rainbow chard, served with baby potatoes and saffron cream, and the 8oz Sussex Sirloin steak, which came neatly with dauphinoise potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli and red wine jus. The steak was succulent – cooked to perfection – and arrived at my table sliced, which made for a nice surprise.

The potatoes were delightfully creamy and soft. Both meals came out piping hot right through to the centre – a sign of a well-cooked meal. Desserts were equally as satisfying; steamed Ginger sponge with custard for myself, and Plum Tarte Tatin with cinnamon ice cream for my wife.

We left the restaurant without a single complaint. Each dish exceeded my expectations; portion sizes were perfect, as was the amount of time left between courses being brought to our table. The waiting staff were attentive, polite and chatty, making the whole experience that little bit more enjoyable, and Peter – the owner – was very knowledgeable when it came to the history of the premises and origins of the food and drink they serve.

Full to the brim and satisfied to say the least, we saw the opportunity to take a relaxing evening stroll around the village, but were shocked to find that the nearby pubs had closed by 10:30pm, which led us back to the warmth of the hotel and

“We left the restaurant without a single complaint. Each dish exceeded my expectations; portion sizes were perfect” into our suite. Our room was surprisingly spacious and marked 10 out of 10 on the cleanliness scale. While the bed was extremely comfy and promised a sound night’s sleep, the décor was very plain, with magnolia walls and grey carpet. It might not have had the ‘wow’ factor, but it was a comfortable, functioning room and, looking at the hotel’s suites on the website, it seems that some others may offer a bit more personality – it’s hard to get a realistic feel of what can be expected from just one room.

The sit-down breakfast was the same standard of food as what we had experienced the previous night; a lovely start to a miserable Thursday morning.

It was a shock to see how busy Priory Court Hotel gets for breakfast; obviously they are in high demand. Every dish arrived at table piping hot and the food

was wonderfully fresh. My wife chose Eggs Royale while I devoured a full english with locally sourced sausages.

Overall, while the hotel could use a little bit more charisma, Priory Court really is a lovely place. Whether you’re looking for a well-cooked meal, a reasonably priced overnight stay or long weekend in the historic town of Pevensey, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for here. I’ll be sure to recommend to a friend and can look forward to returning in the near future.

Address: The Priory Court Hotel, Restaurant & Bar, Castle Road, Pevensey, BN24 5LG Telephone: 01323 763150 Web: www.thepriorycourthotel.com

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NEWS

Sussex Business Times has partnered with Seaford Chamber of Commerce this month, who detail their plans for 2017

The town of Seaford’s unique situation on the coastal strip makes it a hidden gem nestling on the fringe of the South Downs National Park. Whilst close to Newhaven and the industry generated from the French ferry crossing, the town enjoys its picturesque vista dominated by Seaford Head overlooking the popular beach. It is by far the best beach eastwards after Brighton, but without the busy metropolis of Eastbourne. Visitors to Seaford enjoy the charm and slightly old-fashioned personality of the seafront, but frequent the many independent local shops in the bustling town centre.

Seaford Chamber organises French and Italian street markets 4 times per year during the summer months to increase footfall for local traders and

add a continental flavour to the goods available. The French market in particular is welcomed as one stall plays traditional French music, adding to the ambiance!

Residents and visitors alike enjoy this opportunity to purchase authentic French and Italian produce without having to travel!

Breakfast Club is the most popular event held by the Chamber which is held at The View at Seaford Head Golf Club. With a regular attendance of over 30 members, this (relatively) new venue provides a fine breakfast and has spectacular views across the bay from Seaford Head in the summer! Over the years we have arranged an eclectic mix of speakers – from the local MP Maria Caulfield (in January 2017) to a

demonstration from First Responders, to pensions Auto Enrollment, Making Tax Digital and one of the most memorable presentations ever, from Action on Hearing Loss. Andy Taylor gave a most entertaining and informative insight into the huge amount of support available to businesses who choose to employ a person with hearing impairment – and he did it all in sign language with the help of an interpreter. He will most definitely be receiving an invitation to come back again!

Seaford was badly affected by the cancellation of much of its rail service during the current Southern Rail dispute, and the Chamber was an active participant in recent correspondence from ACES (Association of Chambers in

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Chamber News

East Sussex) to government agencies and the rail companies. Members were encouraged to provide local stories and evidence of the severe disruption, which was fed back through to the lobbying undertaken by ACES. In late 2015, the Chamber initiated a proposal to Lewes District Council to create an Enterprise Centre in Seaford and members were invited to participate in the Feasibility Study. Whilst this initiative has yet to come to fruition, the Chamber is still lobbying for this facility and will continue to do so.

A new Chamber website has recently been launched incorporating the latest technology and a free event was organised for members to help them upload their profile. This not only helps to educate and expand the technical expertise of members, it encourages engagement which will boost the SEO rankings of all the members on the at the Christmas Magic event. The roads website. are closed and market stalls are installed Participation in the Seahaven in the High Street and Broad Street, Business Awards and Lewes District with street entertainment and other local Business Awards means that Seaford attractions including a children’s lantern Chamber members are encouraged to parade at dusk. gain some recognition for their various Each year, the Chamber organises achievements, plus some excellent free a Christmas party and the occasional publicity. Seaford businesses have done social event – such as the Karting particularly well in the ‘Best Business’ Challenge between Newhaven, Seaford category of the Seahaven awards. and Peacehaven Chambers (which Support for Seaford Chamber Young Enterprise won in its first year, “A new Chamber is offered by 2015). Whilst the the Chamber to website has recently Chamber exists encourage the primarily to support been launched next generation local business, it incorporating the of local is surprising how latest technology entrepreneurs! much networking Liaison with and business can and a free event was Seaford’s organised for members be done fuelled by secondary adrenaline – even to help them upload schools can not in a social setting! their profile” only broadcast However, the details to local competitive nature of businesses, participants ensures but has given the young people an a memorable Sunday event before opportunity to attend a Chamber returning to work on Monday. breakfast meeting to present their A Charity Golf Day has been held projects to members and give them a for the last 2 years raising funds for flavour of the real business world! local good causes – last year Seaford The Seaford Christmas Magic event Chamber supported the Barn Theatre – a is held each year on the first Saturday in fabulous local facility in Seaford which not December and is organised now mainly only provides great local entertainment, by the Town Council although in previous but engages a large number of teenagers years, the Chamber has been active in in the town. This year the beneficiary raising funds to pay for the spectacular will be the Bevern Trust – a local charity lights across Broad Street. These are based in Barcombe providing love, switched on by Father Christmas himself care, freedom and opportunity allowing

profoundly disabled people to get more from life. The charity golf day is open to anyone who would like to participate and we particularly welcome teams from other local Chambers. Contact the secretary for more information.

Funding from the Government’s Mary Portas scheme was secured by the Chamber in 2014 in conjunction with Lewes District Council to launch a mobile Town App for Seaford, a hub for local services and information as well as promoting businesses. Initially the scheme had an excellent take up and plans are in hand now to launch phase 2.

This resource has been promoted heavily on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry when the Chamber joined ASDTE, the Tourism and Economic Development Associaton fostering collaboration with trade between Dieppe/Seine-Maratime and the Seahaven District of East Sussex.

The Chamber works closely with the Town Council on many local events and this excellent cohesion means a great deal can be achieved. Currently the Chamber is exerting pressure to improve the signage from the Seafront area to the town centre in order to increase footfall, and some proposals in the pipeline include free-wifi in the town centre to encourage residents and visitors to linger longer and frequent shops, pubs and cafes. A Committee of 10 people work on a voluntary basis as a team and the membership has doubled in the last 3 or 4 years – the new website is testament to the fact that Seaford Chamber really is going places.

Or telephone 0800 881 5331

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Test Drive For our March motoring reviews, Sussex Business Times got behind the wheel of two Seat Models – the Leon ST and the Ibiza. Here, we share our thoughts

SEAT Leon ST The SEAT Leon ST is one of five SEAT body styles the versatile model is Leon now available in.

Options include the three-door, five-door, hot hatch Cupra, four-wheel drive X-Perience and the load-lugging ST. The ST line-up mirrors the fivedoor’s, with S, SE and FR trim levels, and power coming from a selection of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.

These include an efficient 87g/km 1.6 TDI Ecomotive model, but many will go for the standard 1.6 TDI in SE specification.

This is the first time that an estate version of the Leon has been offered, and SEAT has done a wonderful job of keeping the hatchback’s style in tact.

It drives almost as well too, despite weighing 45kg more than the five-door.

Better insulation means the VW Group 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine feels smoother in the SEAT than it does in the Skoda Octavia Estate. It never really feels slow, thanks to a slick

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regains composure quickly. Even the gearshift and snappy throttle response.

X-Perience with its raised ride height, A 108bhp 1.6 TDI Ecomotive model handles well and is barely any different returns an incredible 80mpg, but from other ST models. lacks refinement as the revs rise, while Choose one of the smaller diesel the punchy 104bhp 1.2 TSI is much and petrol engines, and running costs smoother and cheaper to buy in the really are minimal. The pick of the first place. Moving up the range there bunch is the 1.6 TDI are 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI Ecomotive model and 2.0 TDI engines “This is the first time – the particular – all available in sporty FR trim. that an estate version motor SBT had the This SEAT model of the Leon has been pleasure of testing – capable of fuel has an advantage offered, and SEAT economy and CO2 over its rivals for has done a wonderful emissions of 80mpg handling thanks and 87g/km – to its electronic job of keeping the making it one of the diff. In corners, hatchback’s style in cleanest non-hybrid this system gently tact” cars on the road. brakes individual The 1.2 TSI unit front wheels, and comes with either 85bhp or 104bhp, as a result the Leon gets around them returning 54mpg and 119g/km, or with far greater agility than its main 58mpg and 114g/km respectively. rivals. It feels stable and has lots of grip, while body roll is kept in check, too. This performance doesn’t come Price: Prices start from £18,900 at the expense of comfort, either.

Engine capacity: 1.8 litre The suspension becomes a little Transmission: 6-speed manual unsettled over bumps, but the Leon 0-62mph: 6.7 seconds

Motoring

SEAT Ibiza SC CUPRA The SEAT Ibiza has always been SEAT one of the most Ibiza fun choices in the supermini market, and the latest version upholds this reputation by delivering a more engaging driving experience than its small car cousins from the VW Group, the Volkswagen Polo and the Skoda Fabia. In terms of price though, the Ibiza sits somewhere in between the Fabia and Polo, and it offers lots of standard equipment for the money.

Add those stylish looks, as well as nimble handling, and the car makes lots of sense in the showroom.

The Ibiza isn’t quite as practical as the best models in this class, largely thanks to the rakish roofline, while there are some question marks over its reliability record, but it’s still an appealing supermini choice. Alloy wheels arrive with SE spec, as does an upgraded colour touchscreen system. Connect editions bring Internet connectivity, MirrorLink and Apple CarPlay among a feast of infotainment upgrades. The FR package however, adds sports suspension and a wealth

of racy trim enhancements inside and out.

Some buyers will find the suspension a little harsh, but SEAT tweaked it as part of the update to the range in 2015 in a bid to take the edge off. The driving position in the SEAT Ibiza is excellent, adding to the sense of involvement behind the wheel. And no matter which

model you go for, there’s not much body roll in corners, while the steering is quick. If only it provided a little more feedback.

This Ibiza model comes with a five or six-speed manual gearbox, depending on the engine size. There’s also an automatic option, in the shape of the seven-speed twin-clutch DSG system sourced from Volkswagen. The combination of the refined engine and softer suspension means the SEAT supermini covers ground with far more poise than it did before. The five-speed manual gearbox is short and snappy, while power from the engine builds progressively. With a useful 160Nm of torque, it delivers a 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds and a 119mph top speed.

SEAT has a reputation for building good-value cars, and the Ibiza is no exception. It comes with a decent level of kit, and all the engines should prove easy on the wallet, too, so you can’t really go wrong with this little motor.

Price: Prices start from £24,435 Engine capacity: 2.0 litre Transmission: 6-speed manual 0-62mph: 8.6 seconds Max speed: 134mph

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SBTMotoring News A Helping Hand for Business Owners from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Running vehicles for your business is complex and, if not done well, expensive too. As part of its ‘Working With You’ commitment, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has a suite of measures to support van users and simplify the entire vehicle purchase and ownership journey. One of these is having a professional Business Development Manager (BDM) in each of its 72 Van Centres, someone on hand to help those buying and managing vehicles, so they can concentrate on running their businesses.

UK’s Largest Luxury Car Care and Detailing Facility Opens in the Midlands The UK market for luxury car care and detailing has seen sustained growth over the past few years and has grown into a multi-million pound industry with further expansion predicted for 2017.

The Reed Group, in association with PG Automotive, has just opened the UK’s largest luxury car care and detailing facility close to Leicester city centre. This new facility is geared to providing an exclusive VIP experience to customers for the first time in the UK, from the moment they arrive at the company.

The Reep Midlands investment represents some £250,000 and is designed to provide a top quality and innovative detailing service for high value, prestige and cherished cars. Reep Midlands, through the Reep Group, has forged important supply arrangements with some of the world’s leading car care, detailing and surface protection product companies including Swissvax, Koch Chemie, Gtechniq and LLumar all of which bring leading edge technologies to the detailing market.

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Business Development Managers spend a great deal of time on the road assisting businesses with their vehicle purchase requirements. This one-toone service allows business owners

to carry on running their businesses and often mean they don’t even have to leave their premises during the process.

Andrea Rigby Carnell, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Business Development Manager said: “Since joining Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in 2015, the business has made significant changes in the way in which the BDMs operate and the technology we have available. Our aim is to help make the sales process as easy as possible for our clients.”

Plug-in Tech Makes Car Ownership Less Taxing The number of vehicles clamped or impounded for non-payment of road tax peaked at more than 12,200 a month last summer, over double the number recorded prior to the abolition of paper tax discs. Smartdriverclub has added TAX and MOT reminders to the host of peace of mind and cost saving benefits provided with membership. These include crash alerts, theft tracking, a digital mechanic that can identify faults, car valuations, up to 40% membership discount on motor insurance and

reports of business mileage for expenses.

CEO of Smartdriverclub, Penny Searles said: “Many drivers being penalised have quite innocently forgotten the date of renewal without that physical reminder in the windscreen of the car. MOTs are another chore – in fact new data from the DVSA3 shows nearly 50% of all faults found on MOTs could be avoided by carrying out regular, simple checks and maintenance, like replacing bulbs, wipers and tyres – all problems that can be identified by the Smartdriverclub digital mechanic.

British Motor Heritage Launches Long Awaited Replacement Bodyshells for MK1 Mini The values of MK1 Minis continue to rocket, increasingly justifying the cost of the part or total restorations that will be required for most examples sooner or later.

British Motor Heritage (BMH) has long since been at the forefront of supplying individual panels for all marks of classic Minis, and complete bodyshells for models from 1976 onwards. What’s been missing until now is the Holy Grail, a full replacement shell for the MK1, but

the wait is now over. Mini enthusiasts were given a glimpse of what was to come on BMH’s stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show last November, and the response was universally positive.

The first production batch of 15 bodies will therefore commence in April, with deliveries occurring through May and June. The launch price is £9,950 including VAT and the company is accepting orders accompanied by a 25 percent deposit.

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Contact the team at Life Studios to discuss your requirements or simply to enquire about hourly or day rates for professional hire: 01323 819007

Gemini Print and Brighton Fringe in partnership for the fourth year running GEMINI PRINT GROUP are proud to confirm they have been chosen to be the official print partner to the Brighton Fringe 2017 for the fourth consecutive year. Brighton Fringe is England’s largest arts festival and one of the biggest Fringe festivals in the world taking place from Friday 5th May – Sunday 4th June 2017.

The Fringe comprises of acts from all over the world performing in a selection of venues in the Brighton region. Brighton’s well known vibrant city culture fits the performing arts theme perfectly making the city one of most popular places to visit in the UK over the Fringe month.

The partnership works extremely well for both parties with one main focus – to remain eco-friendly.

Gemini is one of the leading ecofriendly printers in the UK using only vegetable inks, processor less plate technology and currently recycles 93% of all materials used.

Managing director of Gemini Print, Steve Cropper comments “This is a fantastic opportunity for Gemini to yet again support the Fringe and has enabled us to create a trustworthy working relationship with them.

Members of the Gemini team hosted ‘Print Marketing Workshops’ for both venue holders and participants advising them on how to create ‘print that sticks’. This was received very well and for the first time the participants evening was streamed ‘live’ on-line. This was a great chance for us to share our expertise with a much wider audience.’’

Gemini has reduced printing prices in place especially for all Fringe participants and venue holders to help them promote their shows and venues at a small cost (please see right).

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BRIGHTON FRINGE SPECIAL OFFERS The Gemini Print Group is pleased to support all those involved with Brighton Fringe. To help you promote your shows, events and venues we have discounted our printing costs especially for you – the venue managers and participants.

Costs are based on ready to print PDF supplied artwork.

Alternatively we are happy to offer a design and artwork service at £20 per hour (over 50% off the usual rate).

A4 8 Page Brochure (297mm x 210mm) – Printed on 170gsm silk – Matt laminated on outer only – Saddle stitched 50 = £123.00 100 = £150.00 200 = £203.00 500 = £356.00

In te lli g e n

A6 Flyers (148mm x 105mm) – Printed both sides on 170gsm silk 500 = £31.00 1000 = £44.00 1500 = £57.00 2000 = £70.00 2500 = £83.00 3000 = £92.00 4000 = £110.00 5000 = £128.00

b y d e si g n… t p ri n ti n g

rint Gemini P -by-Sea

oreham phin Way, Sh Unit A1, Dol 43 6NZ BN , ex West Suss 884 4 t: 01273 46 .uk ini-print.co m ge @ ts e: l.rober co.uk t. in pr iin w w w.gem

Please quote “BRIGHTON FRINGE PRINT OFFER” when placing your order.

A5 Flyers

(210mm x 148mm) – Printed both sides on 170gsm silk 500 = £44.00 1000 = £67.00 1500 = £90.00 2000 = £113.00 2500 = £136.00 3000 = £181.00 4000 = £221.00 5000 = £261.00 * A3 Posters (420mm x 297mm) – Printed one side on 170gsm silk 10 = £14.00 20 = £15.00 30 = £17.00 50 = £21.00 75 = £26.00 100 = £30.00 200 = £48.00 500 = £92.00 * Posters will be subject to vat at 20%

EXTRA COST FOR UK DELIVERY £8 PER ORDER

BEST DESIGN FOR PRINT AWARD Not only does Gemini ‘print’ all marketing material for the Fringe but Gemini will also be hosting and awarding a £500 print

voucher as first prize for the ‘Best Design for Print’ award.

Please visit www.gemini-print.co.uk/brighton-fringe for further information or to enter.

Gemini’s BEST DES IG N F O R

A ward

PRINT

NOW OP

EN

For free advice on your next print project call us today on (01273) 464 884 or visit www.gemini-print.co.uk for more information on the products and services available at Gemini.

Written by Alicia Condon.

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SBT Ask the Experts is sponsored by

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EXPERT

Martin Bannister, MD, Kogo Limited synchronised across all the computers that the folder was shared with, spreading the infection. Data in Dropbox it is still prone to attack so should be protected.

What does “Cybersecurity” mean to your business?

As more businesses suffer cyber-attacks, people are starting to ask questions about their cybersecurity. Let’s answer some of the questions we hear most often.

Is using Dropbox safe?

Dropbox allows you to share a folder across computers and users via the cloud; but this opens you up to crossinfection. We had a client whose Dropbox folders were infected and the files then

EXPERT

Are PDFs safe?

Many know that Office documents can infect your systems, but did you know PDFs, audio files, and pictures can too? They may appear safe, but in the background they can drop malicious code on to your computer. We all need to receive files, but by protecting your network with a good firewall and your computers with strong antivirus you are building in multi-layered protection to minimise the risk.

Are tape backups adequate?

Full recovery from tape is an arduous process. A full recovery means reinstalling the entire system, applications, and configuration. By using disk imaging

I am on Cloud email so am I safe?

Email is the biggest attack vector, and Office 365 only has limited malware protection. Many clients without additional protection have fallen victim to it.

I am worried about security for my business. What do i do?

Understanding areas of risk is vital so it is important to look at all the ways data can come into your business, and any possible ways your systems could be compromised.

Of course, engaging with a security specialist such as Kogo can help you understand the risks and potential solutions for your business.

Contact info: askmartin@kogo.co.uk or call: 01342 333000

Lorna Sizer, Senior Manager, Personal Tax, Knill James Chartered Accountants, UK200Group Members What are the tax implications of renting a room through Airbnb?

Airbnb website offers a way of earning money from your property by renting out a room on a short stay basis. Airbnb take their fee for acting as agent on the booking and the net payment is received by the owner.

Where the room being let out is in the host’s own home then the rental income will be tax free up to £7,500 each year (i.e. £625 per month).

One point to watch is that this rental income is the gross amount before any expenses including Airbnb fee so care needs to be taken if a room is rented out on a regular basis.

Rental in excess of the £7,500 limit is taxable, without any further deduction for expenses, and should be advised to HMRC.

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backups with multiple recovery points you can recover quicker and lose less data.

What about second homes?

If the host is letting out a second property, perhaps a holiday home, then the income will be taxable as normal rental income without the benefit of the £7,500 tax free amount. Instead, costs relating to the letting can be deducted from the income. There are favourable capital gains tax rules where such a letting meets the conditions to be regarded as a Furnished Holiday letting, primarily based around the time during which the property is available for letting and the actual periods during which it is let out on a short term basis and capital allowances can be available so it is not all bad news.

www.knilljames.co.uk

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Simon Conn, Overseas Property and Finance Specialist I’m thinking of buying a property abroad. With Brexit looming, is it a good idea?

Although Brexit and the Trump decisions did have an initial impact on clients thinking of purchasing overseas, others have seen this as a good time to look for opportunities and bargains available in the market, so don’t be put off.

Which are the most popular countries?

France, Spain, Portugal, Southern Cyprus and the USA. Further afield, the Caribbean, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are still of interest. Malta and Gozo are very popular with Brits because of the good climate and reasonable prices.

Any other words of wisdom?

Decide on your budget and bear in mind that visas, legal fees, stamp duty

EXPERT

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For more information, contact Simon on simon@simonconn.com or call 07739 033266. Website: www.simonconn.com

Paul Wilcox, CEO, Wilcox Limousines family business, I would say that the most important aspects are: ethos, balance and innovation. To ensure the survival and the growth of a family business, it’s essential to endow the business with a strong ethos and a sense of purpose.

At Wilcox Limousines, our ethos – excellence, experience and elegance – is the essence of our brand. These values have become synonymous with our vehicles, and have been instrumental in crafting our sense of identity. These are standards of which we’re rightfully proud, and which we’ve all worked very hard to maintain.

What are the most important aspects of running a family business?

When it comes to running a successful

and other taxes will all eat into this.

Also think about inheritance and tax issues. Always instruct an independent reputable lawyer to help you with the buying process. This prevents any surprises further down the line. It is essential you know what is happening and if you do not speak the language, employ an interpreter. Do not feel pressured into making any decisions.

Keep in mind that if you are looking to buy abroad for investment purposes, most lenders do not take rental income into account. Also, all mortgages are normally based on a client’s affordability, overall personal financial profile and the valuation of the property.

How do you strike the right balance between family and business?

A healthy work-life balance is crucial.

Especially so when you’re working with family. It’s something that a lot of

business owners struggle with but it’s even harder when working with family, and yet even more crucial.

I work closely with my daughter, Leila Wilcox, who is Head of Marketing and Business Development, and my nephew Louis Wilcox, who is our Sales Director.

I can’t imagine wanting to work with anyone else other than my family. We have a very good working relationship, trust one another implicitly and run a thriving business. However, a lot of what makes our working dynamic such a success is how well we manage the transition from office-life to home-life. If you want your business to grow and be successful, then establishing a worklife balance that works for you and your family is of utmost importance. limousines.co.uk

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Networking in Sussex

SBT

Society Sussex Food and Drink Heroes Celebrate Success

Hosted by awards patron, Sally Gunnell OBE DL and Danny Pike of BBC Sussex, the glittering 11th awards ceremony was a sell out with nearly 400 leaders in the food, drink and farming industry gathering for what is now dubbed as ‘the Sussex foodie event of the year’, celebrating the cream of Sussex food and drink producers.

Guests were treated to a wonderful ‘Sussex bubbly and ale reception’, sponsored by Pulborough NFU Mutual, with Harveys Ale, Carr Taylor sparkling wine, Wobblegate apple juice, Brighton Gin and South Downs Water, accompanied by delicious canapés from Jah Jyot and The Artisan Bakehouse.

This was followed by a stunning seven-course banquet created by stadium caterers Sodexo Prestige, using the very best local and seasonal ingredients supplied by Lighthouse Bakery, Bookham & Harrison, Southview Farm Dairy, Hoads Farm, Veasey & Sons Fishmongers, Plumpton College, R P Meats (Wholesale), T G Fruits, Wobblegate, Paynes Bee Farm, The Cheese Man, Noble and Stace chocolatiers, Bluebird Tea Co and Edgcumbes Coffee Roasters.

Sussex Food Producer of the Year: The Real Pie Company

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year: Nyetimber

Sussex Young Chef of the Year: Michael Sutherland, The Star Inne

Sussex Farmer of the Year: Andrew and Joanne Knowles, Trenchmore Farm

Sussex Butcher of the Year: A C Coughtrey Butchers

Sussex Farmers Market of the Year: Shoreham Farmers Market

Sussex Eating Experience of the Year: The Earl of March

Sussex Food Shop of the Year: Cowdray Farm Shop

Sussex Street Food Vendor of the Year: Jah Jyot

Sussex Newcomer of the Year: The Bluebird Tea Co Shop

For further information on the awards and winners, visit www.sussexfoodawards.biz Winners for 2017 are as follows: Sussex Food Producer of the Year: The Real Pie Company Sussex Drink Producer of the Year: Nyetimber Sussex Young Chef of the Year: Michael Sutherland, The Star Inn Sussex Farmer of the Year: Andrew and Joanne Knowles, Trenchmore Farm Sussex Butcher of the Year: A C Coughtrey Butchers Sussex Farmers Market of the Year: Shoreham Farmers Market Sussex Eating Experience of the Year: The Earl of March Sussex Food Shop of the Year: Cowdray Farm Shop Sussex Street Food Vendor of the Year: Jah Jyot Sussex Newcomer of the Year: The Bluebird Tea Co Shop

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Made in Sussex

Made in Sussex:

South Link Logistics

Freight and logistics company, South Link is celebrating 25 years in business.

It specialises in express transport and the palletised distribution of freight to anywhere in the UK. SBT looks at how South Link Logistics has achieved the success it has and where it’s going now It’s not every day a company makes it Brand to its 25th birthday.

Focus With recessions to get through and competitors to stand out from, it takes hard work and dedication to survive in often competitive market places.

But it’s something that Lancing-based South Link Logistics is celebrating. The family run business was started in 1991

by Karl Reidy as a small courier and parcel service operating around the local area. The family remain at the helm today, with continued support from Karl – his daughters Jade and Leann play important roles in the business and his son Paul is a driver.

In the two and a half decades since its inception the company has grown into the transport, freight and logistics business it is today. Employing 25 people, South Link Logistics operates a fleet of 15 vehicles, with access to a further 400 rental vehicles through its partner, Allports, transporting palletised freight across the UK. Over the years the company has expanded its offering to reflect the demands of its customers, such as by adding storage and commercial vehicle rental services.

Karl Reidy commented: “It’s hard to believe we’re now celebrating 25 years – time has flown by. It hasn’t always been easy but we’ve recognised that as the needs of our customers continually evolve, we have to as well and here we are today, more successful than ever.”

This success was realised at the end of 2016 when South Link Logistics reached an impressive £3m turnover. At the same time the company celebrated the second anniversary of being a member of entrepreneur Hilary Devey’s palletised

66 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk

freight network, Pall-Ex. Being part of Pall-Ex enables South Link Logistics to offer customers an even better service with the ability to transport goods quickly and cost-effectively.

Karl added: “Whilst we’re delighted with the success, we’re not resting on our laurels. Although we’re only a few months into 2017 we’ve already worked with a Sussex marketing agency to help take us forward with the launch of a new logo and a brand-new website.”

South Link Logistics is also keen to be more involved with the wider Sussex community and in January, launched its GEM Awards. Karl explains the concept behind the awards: “The aim is to recognise Sussex youngsters who, like us, pride themselves on going above and beyond. Teenagers don’t always get the best press, so throughout the year we will be celebrating their achievements by giving out an award every school term.”

It’s this type of continued reinvention

that will mean South Link Logistics continues to operate for many more years.

Karl concluded: “Whilst much of our business has changed and grown, our core values of being a proud, family run, loyal and dedicated company have remained constant. Since the very start, our customers have been our number one priority and that certainly hasn’t changed; we are focused on exceeding expectations.

“It seems that our 25th birthday has spurred the whole team on to pursue more opportunities and grow the business further, so here’s to the next 25!”

South Link Logistics operates from Winston Business Centre in Lancing.

For more information call 01903 851 852 or visit www.southlink.co.uk.

T

Spice Garden Exquisite Indian Cuisine

Welcome to the Spice Garden The Spice Garden restaurant and take-away is fully licensed and provides exquisite Indian cuisine with a wide ranging diversity of contemporary Indian styles

“Winner - Curry House Of The Year 2016�

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T: 01323 722121 | W: www.spice-garden.co.uk

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The Cloud Accounting Specialists Helping businesses prepare for digital accounting

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