Latest news from Surrey Chambers CEO 24th August 2020

24th August 2020

As the easing of the lockdown has progressed, Surrey Chambers has continued to bring many informational and networking virtual events to life. Our first taste of a face to face event was the monthly golf tournament, which took place at Camberley Heath Golf Club. Whilst we were unable to host our usual prize giving dinner, our golfers were delighted to get back on the course.  There is no stopping the Chamber team as they plan our Presidents awards at the Hilton Hotel Cobham, which will celebrate some of the heroes during the pandemic as well as an early New Year celebration at Brooklands Hotel, where we will look forward to a productive and successful 2021! We hope that these events will be “live”, albeit with very limited numbers, but will be ready to react to changes in government advice. Anyone ready to meet their colleagues, in person, should make sure they book early!

Funding and support coming

Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from £20 million of new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic it was announced recently. Small and medium sized businesses will have access to grants of between £1,000 – £5,000 to help them access new technology and other equipment as well as professional, legal, financial or other advice to help them get back on track. To register  interest in the funding, businesses have to communicate depending on which Borough or District their business is in: For businesses in: Epsom & Ewell, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge or Mole Valley they have to visit the Coast to Capital LEP website and complete the expression of interest. For businesses in: Woking, Guildford, Spelthorne, Elmbridge, Runnymede, Surrey Heath or Waverley they should email rose.kneller@enterprisem3growthhub.co.uk. There will also be the opportunity for businesses to join a peer to peer group, facilitated by an experienced advisor, allowing them all the chance to benefit from each other’s experiences and knowledge. Surrey Chambers will be sharing details of all these opportunities as they become live.

Are we avoiding Covid-19?

Whilst the state of the economy is our focus, we cannot afford to be complacent about the health issues that have caused this massive contraction in business activity. Last week Surrey County Council put out a communication encouraging everyone to be vigilant in keeping cases of COVID-19 to a minimum, following a small increase in numbers of cases in Woking. There is a comprehensive Employers guide to staying safe and we encourage all businesses to refer to this as they move back into the workplace. This is available via the Chamber and also on the Surrey County Council’s website.

Forging ahead with International Trade

As well as preparing for a massive increase in documentation for imports and exports as we approach the 1st January and our exit from the EU, we are also preparing businesses to consider exporting around the world. Every month starting in September will be designated as a country month and we will be kicking off with the USA. Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce will be joined, virtually, by US Ambassador to the UK Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV for a strategic overview of the UK – US trading relationship. They will talk aboutUS/UK bilateral trade and investment; priorities for future trade relations; the current challenges including EU transition and the global economic crisis; and how to help industry to recover and grow beyond Coronavirus. This webinar is definitely one to sign up to.

Surrey Chambers of Commerce can be reached on 01483 735540, info@surrey-chambers.co.uk, @surreychambers

 

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