SBC Magazine Summer 2019
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Issue 3 2019 www.shrewsburybusinesschamber.com Follow us on Twitter: @shrewsbusiness Chairman’s Shirley Joins Executive Committee Foreword In August we welcomed local business Welcome to the woman Shirley Davies on to the Business Autumn issue of the Chamber Executive Committee. As a Finance Business Chamber Director for creative design agency magazine. Yarrington, she has a wide experience of finance, administration, event management It has been a very eventful and marketing. few months since the release of the summer issue. In She is a keen supporter of local events, being August our new website was a trustee of the Shropshire Horticultural officially launched. Thank you Society, organisers of the Shrewsbury Flower to everyone at Yarrington for Show, and has also held senior positions their astounding work within St John Ambulance in Shropshire. creating a fresh look new website which has had a lot We are really excited to have her on board. of positive feedback from our members in it’s first few months. Grant funding available for small and In November, after the House medium enterprises of Commons and the EU Up to £50,000 funding is available for Innovation of low carbon products and unanimously decided to services. The Low Carbon Opportunities Programme is working in delay Brexit into the new partnership with Shropshire Council to provide revenue and capital support year, the outcome would be to enterprises in Shrewsbury and across the county. The funds will help that for the third time in four SME’s who are developing low carbon goods and services to implement years the UK would go to a ideas and commercialise products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. General Election. The Capital and revenue grants of up to £50,000 (at 40% intervention) are Business Chamber once available. Smaller grants can also be applied for. again were very proud to For more information please contact: have had the opportunity to host the hustings event for Don Gembeckas 01905 843902 [email protected] Or Shrewsbury & Atcham Christopher Atkinson 01905 843309 [email protected] constituency ahead of the election on the 12th December. This concluded A few words from our newest member our events programme for 2019 before our annual You will probably know of Christmas dinner on the 4th Drapers Hall, you may have December. dined with us, you may not I would like to pay special have visited us for sometime or thanks to all of the Executive perhaps none of the above. Whichever is the case for you, Committee including Martyn we would love to welcome you Rowlands, who has worked to our beautiful and iconic extremely hard to provide medieval building, in the heart members with a number of of Shrewsbury. varied networking events this year. He is currently working With a strong emphasis on on the programme for 2020 local, seasonal and sustainably Enjoy afternoon tea in a beautiful setting and when we are ready, we sourced ingredients, we will make announcements provide memorable dining experiences, the likes of which are unique very soon. within the town. We are happy to work alongside you to providebespoke packages for your clients, your stay or even your own special family I wish you a very Happy occasions - we can even arrangeentire restaurant takeovers. Christmas and look forward Open daily from 11am to seeing you at our events in the new year. New lunch menu | Fine dining | 6 Course tasting menu | Sunday lunch Afternoon tea | Cocktail bar | Private dining | Meeting rooms Val Edwards We also have six, individually designed, comfortable, characterful, en-suite double rooms which you might alsowish to consider for your Chairman, Shrewsbury individual plans. Business Chamber To explore the possibilities, please call us on 01743 344679 or visit our Partner, Hatchers Solicitors website: www.drapers-hall.co.uk 2 Shrewsbury Business Chamber Issue 3 2019 2LoremSitMonth 00, 0000 Local constituents warm up for December General Election with hustings debate The NHS, Adult Social Care, Brexit and more were passionately discussed in great depth at a Shrewsbury & Atcham Constituency General Election hustings event, which was hosted by Shrewsbury Business Chamber. About 250 constituency voters from across the political spectrum attended the ‘open’ meeting at Shrewsbury College and were able to put their questions to the five candidates: Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative), Hannah Locke (Independent), Dr Julia Buckley (Labour), Julian Dean (Green) and Nat Green (Liberal Democrat) in a lively but good natured debate that was facilitated by well known financial services commentator Ed Marshall from Kingsland Wealth Management. With 20 days to polling day, the candidates were looking to make a The five candidates for the Shrewsbury & Atcham constituency responded to questions from the good impression to voters in what 250 voters in attendance could be considered to be a critical night by thanking everyone who election in shaping the country for initiatives to address the Global Climate Emergency. was in attendance and Shrewsbury generations to come. Colleges Group for hosting the Whilst national issues around Brexit In responding to questions about meeting. She added ‘’The Chamber and the NHS were discussed, many what they would do to support was pleased to organise this event of the audience were keen to hear businesses in Shrewsbury, as part of our annual programme each candidates positions on local candidates outlined their proposals which promotes Shrewsbury as a issues including the state of adult which included upskilling the work business centre, and the social care, the Future Fit hospital force; providing bursaries for importance of local businesses to debate and the need for more local training and helping to improve the the community.’’ digital infrastructure. With some young voters in the audience, candidates were also questioned on what they would do to support young people if they were elected. The candidates acknowledge these as the future of the country who need support and investment. Increases to the living wage, reductions in income tax for lower earners and free bus travel to under 25 were all considered. Voters arriving at Shrewsbury College to quiz Val Edwards, Chair of Shrewsbury Ed Marshall from Kingsland Wealth the candidates on national and local issues. Business Chamber concluded the Management was the compere for the evening. Christmas Meal Join us from 7pm on Wednesday 4th December for our annual Christmas dinner at the Origins Restaurant on London Road. We are having a sumptuous six course sit down meal. The price is £28 for members and £33 for non-members. Please visit www.shrewsburybusinesschamber.com/events to book your place. Issue 3 2019 Shrewsbury Business Chamber 3 A look back at previous events: Flower Show Breakfast Meeting at Quarry Park AGM with Dr Josh Dixey On Friday 9th August we On Wednesday 25th began the 133nd September we Shrewbury Flower Show welcomed the High with a special breakfast Sheriff Dr Josh meeting. We were joined Dixey to our AGM. It by Margaret Thrower, was a really who gave an interesting informative talk talk on her family and her where he shared his recollections of the optimism for Flower Show since the Shrewsbury and the county from a business point of 1940s. The catering by Lulu Beau Nosh was view; the opportunities to grow an outright university fantastic. We look forward to the next one in 2020. in Shrewsbury and how he supports charitable organisations all over Shropshire. Climate Emergency: Actions for Business We are all aware that the challenges facing our planet businesses greener and the Green Achiever scheme are worrying. from E4 Environment is one of them – this assesses The presentation given by Mandy Stoker what we have already achieved, what and Deb Cairns from E4 Environment and changes we are committed to make and Robin Mager from Shropshire wildlife what we can do in the future. Trust did not gloss over the issues, but Having a good environmental policy can gave us some background into why help us to gain more business as well as organisations such as extinction rebellion helping to slow down climate change. (XR) are demonstrating in order to make There are already laws which we need to us all aware of how fast the climate is adhere to regarding disposal of waste and changing. there was an opportunity at the end of the There are ways in which we can assess presentation whereby we were able to and measure our commitment to making our share frustrations regarding disposal of business waste, and good prac�ces used within our businesses. Meeting with Clive Wright and Peter Nutting th On Wednesday 13 November we welcomed large amount of traffic from Smithfield Road and ease Shropshire Council leader Peter Nutting and Chief the burden on the town centre. Executive Clive Wright to our networking event. The Council also hope to announce their After a fantastic buffet, Peter took to the plans for developing the Riverside, Pride stage to talk about the council’s plans for Hill and Darwin shopping centres in the Shrewsbury and other parts of Shropshire near future. Attracting popular national moving towards the new year. retailers and food outlets is seen as The biggest priority is to look at how they important to retaining business within can improve accessibility to the town the town. centre and develop services such as the It was acknowledged that parking park and ride which now has fallen to provision in the town centre is a real 600,000 users a year over the Meole concern. The multi-story car park does Brace, Oxon and Harlescott sites. need to be replaced in the near future, There is hope for the North West Relief which the Council are considering Road to be successfully completed and in 2023 there options for.