Jays Cycles

Jay’s Cycles is a local friendly bike repair and servicing company based in the heart of Southwick. Founded by Jamie Witham, a qualified Mechanical Engineer with eight years’ experience in the Automotive Research and Materials Testing Industries. Jay’s Cycles offer an unrivalled range of repairs and services, covering everything from simple fixes to classic bicycle restorations and E-bike wiring repairs.

With a focus on repairing where possible, rather than replacing components, Jay’s Cycles can make your bike roadworthy without a costly repair bill. Some of the more advance repairs include E-bike wiring loom and motor overhauls, internal gear-hub services, wheel truing, gear shifter rebuilds and suspension services. At Jay’s Cycles, services are not graded or tied to lengthy contracts. For a single price, every aspect of your bike is covered, and upon completion, each bike is extensively ridden to ensure that it is operating smoothly. Servicing costs £50 for adults (excluding parts), E-bikes are £55 with children’s starting from £25. All bikes are also given an intensive clean and returned to you looking and riding like new! With the option for home pickup available, or you can drop by our secure, modern workshop, there is no reason not to book your bike in. After all, a well-maintained bike is not only easier to ride but it is also safer! For all your cycling needs contact Jay’s Cycles now:

Web: www.jayscycles.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamiescycles Email: info@jayscycles.co.uk Phone: 07814260207

KOH-KOH Chocolate Boutique

Finest Belgian chocolates The best local ice cream Coffee – hot or iced • Milkshakes Air-conditioned comfort Beautiful unique gifts

15 Southwick Square BN42 4FP www.koh-koh.uk

CARTERS CARPET CENTRE

LIMITED Est. 1987 Carpets Cushion Vinyl ✸ Celebrating 32 years

LVT Vinyl Tiles

H ard Flooring

Expert A dvice Prices for all Budgets

Unbeatable Value

Telephone: 01273 596688 Email: enquiries@carterscarpetcentre.co.uk Website: www.carterscarpetcentre.co.uk 5 Southwick Square • Southwick • BN42 4FP

• Double glazing, misted-up sealed units replaced • Fascia and guttering

• Carpentry and kitchen fitting • Decorating, tiling, flooring, fencing

FENSA registered installer Family run business Established 2002 Free no obligation quotes 01273 454974 / 07754 856769 lisa.backshall@hotmail.co.uk

DIVIDENDS & CORONAVIRUS: WILL YOUR INCOME BE AFFECTED?

As businesses have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, some have decided to cut dividends and regulators are adding pressure for others to follow suit. This may leave a hole in your income if you rely on dividends.

According to reports from The Times, investors have suffered a dividend cut of at least £600 million as some of the UK’s biggest businesses aim to conserve cash during the coronavirus pandemic. A wide range of business sectors has been impacted by the virus and resulting lockdown, leading to profits tumbling. As a result, firms have taken steps to hold cash as a buffer and, in some cases, regulators have stepped in. The UK banking regulator, for example, wants banks to suspend dividends temporarily. Some businesses are also using the government’s scheme to furlough staff, therefore taking money off the taxpayer, leading to questions around whether these firms should continue to make pay outs to shareholders.

WHY DOES THIS AFFECT INVESTORS?

If you’re investing in growth stocks with a longterm plan, the recent market volatility isn’t likely to have a significant impact on your goals overall. However, it’s a different story if you rely on dividends to top-up your income. A dividend is the distribution of a portion of the company’s earnings paid to shareholders. Dividends are managed by the company’s board of directors and must be approved by shareholders through their voting rights. Dividends are typically paid in cash, but can also be issued as shares, and may be issued at regular intervals. As a result, dividendpaying companies may be used as part of an income investment portfolio. These typically involve investing in well-established companies that no longer need to reinvest the majority of profits back into the business to reach goals. As a result, high growth businesses typically don’t pay out dividends. For the most part, once a company has established dividends, investors expect this to continue, but that doesn’t mean they will. As even established firms face uncertainty in light of the pandemic and more are choosing to either freeze or suspend dividends in the short term. Whilst historically dividends have tended to be less volatile than the stock market itself, this doesn’t mean they are a ‘safe’ investment. Investing for income, including dividend-paying companies, still comes with risks that need to be considered. So, if dividends make up a portion of your income, what can you do?

T. 01273 774855 E. advice@pembrokefs.co.uk W. www.pembrokefinancial.co.uk Marlborough House, 102-110 High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43 5DB Keith Relf & Keith Bonner - Managing Partners

1. REDUCE OUTGOINGS

If your income has been affected, the first thing to do is understand what it means for your finances in the short term. If there is a shortfall in covering essential outgoings, there are currently government-backed schemes in place to support households, including mortgage holidays. Where possible, it may be necessary to reduce outgoings temporarily to match the reduction in income.

2. USE YOUR EMERGENCY FUND

Everyone should have a cash emergency fund they can fall back on should their income drop. Ideally, this should be easily accessible and have enough to pay for three to six months of outgoings. Often clients can feel reluctant to access this money they’ve put away for a rainy day, but it’s times like these that you’ve been saving for.

3. CREATE AN INCOME FROM OTHER ASSETS

If your income from dividend-paying stocks has fallen, you could build an income stream from other assets that you hold. What’s possible and whether or not it’s the right decision for you will depend on a variety of factors. If this is something you’d like to discuss, please get in touch with us.

4. KEEP YOUR INVESTMENT PLANS IN MIND

If dividends have been reduced or halted altogether, you may be tempted to dump the stocks and look at alternatives. However, keep the bigger picture in mind. Given the current situation, it’s likely many dividendpaying companies are in a similar position for the time being. A reduction in dividends can be a prudent move and ensure sustainability, therefore protecting your dividend income over the long term. If you’re worried about how secure a firm is, research why the changes to dividends have been made. A statement is often made available on the firm’s website. This may be able to provide you with some reassurance that the changes are temporary.

5. SPEAK TO US

We’re here to help ease concerns you have about your financial situation and what it means for your plans. This includes a reduction in dividend income. Whether you want to understand what it means in the short term or are considering making investment changes due to this, please get in touch with us.

For investment advice you can trust call 01273 774855 or email us at advice@pembrokefs.co.uk

Please note: The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.