Latest Government COVID Information – 24th August
24th August 2020
Latest Coronavirus news from Government On 17 August the Government announced that applications opened for the second stage of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Those eligible will receive a government grant worth up to £6,570. Further information is available
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Forest Bathing goes for gold at RHS Chelsea
3rd June 2024
Last week marked the highlight of the gardening calendar when the best in class gathered to showcase their inspiring garden landscapes and designs. Thanks to funding by the grant-making charity Project Giving Back, Muscular Dystrophy UK were at the RHS
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UK SMEs Urged to Update International Data Transfer Arrangements by 21st March 2024
20th March 2024
In a significant development for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a crucial deadline looms on the horizon. Businesses reliant on standard contractual clauses for international data transfers must update their arrangements to comply with new regulations by the 21st
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BCC Responds To Latest Ons Inflation Figures
17th November 2021
Commenting on the inflation statistics for October 2021, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Head of Economics at the BCC Suren Thiru, said: “The latest data confirms that inflation is on a significant upward trajectory. “October’s upturn was largely driven by rising household energy costs following the increase in Ofgem’s
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BCC responds to Prime Minister’s plan on training and skills
29th September 2020
Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcements on post-18 education and training today, BCC Head of People Policy Jane Gratton said: “The government have listened to Chambers and taken an important step toward a more agile adult skills system in
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Positivity Amongst Tenants at Surrey Research Park
8th October 2020
Over one third of businesses (37%) who responded to a recent Surrey Research Park tenant survey plan to increase headcount by the end of 2020. These businesses represent a range of sectors including healthcare, MedTech, space, IT software development, professional
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Commenting on the introduction of ‘Tier 4’ of Coronavirus restrictions in England, with many businesses once again forced to close their doors from 20th December, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:
20th December 2020
“Christmas was already cancelled for many businesses, but even more will now suffer as a result of this last-minute decision. “While Government must act on public health concerns, it must also address the economic consequences of its actions. Will there
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Surrey coffee roastery receives international B Corp sustainability accreditation
3rd August 2022
A speciality coffee roastery in the Surrey Hills has become one of only 700 businesses in the UK to be awarded B Corp status, an international commendation of its social and environmental performance. Photo: The Chimney Fire Coffee team with
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Venner Shipley’s team ranked in the 2020 edition of IAM Strategy 300
26th August 2020
Venner Shipley is delighted to announce that its patent attorneys Allie Elend and Anton Hutter have been ranked once again in the latest edition of IAM Strategy 300 – The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2020. This accolade is based exclusively
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BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker: Businesses not yet successfully accessing government loan and grant schemes
8th April 2020
Results from the second BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that most businesses have not yet successfully accessed the government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the grants for small businesses. Just 1 per cent of firms had successfully
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Infrastructure Strategy Must Become Reality
20th June 2025
Responding to the publication of the Government’s Infrastructure Strategy, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy, said: “A 10-year strategy for infrastructure will give businesses and supply chains much needed clarity and certainty to plan. Crucially it will create
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Azets, the UK’s Largest Regional Accountancy says – Extending winding up petitions again could unintentionally push many viable SME businesses into insolvency
14th December 2020
Extending winding up petitions again could unintentionally push many viable SME businesses into insolvency Commenting, Fraser Campbell, UK Head of Accounts & Business Advisory Services at Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, said:
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Surrey Chambers to lead Local Skills Improvement Plan
2nd September 2022
Surrey Chambers of Commerce is delighted to announce that they will be leading the local skills improvement plan (LSIP) for the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership area including the whole of Surrey. Working closely with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and other
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Spelthorne Youth Hub opens office in the Elmsleigh Centre
14th June 2022
The Spelthorne Youth Hub which offers careers and education advice for young people is opening in the Elmsleigh Centre in Staines-upon-Thames on Monday 13 June. Located in the unit formally occupied by Decathlon, the Youth Hub helps young people
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Local company investment to benefit the Borough’s digital infrastructure
6th September 2018
Funding for a community project to provide full ‘fibre to the premises’ (FTTP) broadband to connect Guildford’s rural communities was agreed by the Executive on Tuesday 28 August. An investment of £10,000 will go to ‘Broadband for Surrey Hills Limited’
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BCC: Simplifying planning rules would go a long way to boost rural coverage
27th August 2019
Commenting on the government announcement on proposals to simplify planning rules to improve rural mobile coverage, Mike Spicer, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “We’ve been calling on the new government to prioritise the introduction
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WHO IS GEF? UK exports could surge if SME export finance guarantee scheme promoted more effectively
7th June 2024
SME BOOST: Exports could grow if more companies were aware of ‘GEF’ – the General Export Facility, says Mark Barrie, funding and strategic partnership director with Azets SME exports could grow if more companies were aware of and using ‘GEF’
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Get ready to vote with the return of the Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards
8th June 2022
Experience Guildford, the town centre’s Business Improvement District, is delighted to announce the return of their Customer Service Awards and the opening of voting lines on 9th June. After a two-year covid imposed break, the awards represent the perfect opportunity
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Governance arrangements are fit for purpose, say 69% of family businesses
2nd February 2021
Family businesses believe their governance arrangements are entirely or broadly fit for purpose, according to 69% of respondents to a new survey published by Smith & Williamson, with an office in Guildford. Smith & Williamson’s latest Family Business Survey,
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BCC welcomes two-year post-study work visa
11th September 2019
Commenting on announcement on the two-year post-study work visa, Mike Spicer, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The British Chambers has long called for the two-year post-study work visa to be restored so this
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