31/08/2007 by admin.

Wrexham small businesses have been given the chance to get free help and advice from HM Revenue and Customs on filing online.

A series of events will take place across Wales in the coming months, ranging from demonstrations of HMRC’s online services to short presentations.

There will be an event in Wrexham on September 27. For further information or to book a place, call HMRC on 029 2032 6705. For enqiries in Welsh call 0845 302 1489.

Places are limited so anyone interested is advised to book early.

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31/08/2007 by admin.

The TUC is urging businesses time in the office to use social networking sites such as facebook. It said employers may stop staff using the sites during the day, but believed that a total ban would be an “over-reaction”.

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30/08/2007 by admin.

The sunny bank holiday cast a cloud over retailers as footfall dropped by around 10%, according to retail expert SPSL.

It revealed that the number of people passing through shop doors dropped by 9.8% year-on-year during Saturday and Sunday, with figures down 9.7% on Monday.

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30/08/2007 by admin.

A survey from the Legal Services Commission has revealed that people in Wales are least likely to turn to professionals when they have financial or debt worries.

Those questioned in the survey in Wales said they were more likely to turn to their family, friends or aquaintances to discuss financial or debt worries than they were to seek professional help.

Paul Davies, the LSC’s director in Wales, said: “It’s worrying that some people, especially those who are most vulnerable, are reluctant to go to the experts, for the financial and legal advice that they may need. While it’s natural for people to look to those they know to give them advice, well intentioned as it may be, this is clearly not always going to be the best advice.”

A free, confidential and bilingual service from Community Legal Service Direct and paid for by legal aid is available on 0845 345 4345 or at www.clsdirect.org.uk.

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29/08/2007 by admin.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has joined forces with the Information Commissioner’s Office to host a series of free breakfast seminars in the region to help tell SMEs about their responsibilities under data protection legislation.

The events have been organised in response to concerns about data protection among SMEs in North Wales.

They will be held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Wrexham, on September 25, Llandrillo College, Colwyn Bay on September 26, and Tre-Ysgawen Hall, Anglesey, on September 27. Breakfast will be served from 8.15am and the events will run until 11am.

Mike Learmond, FSB regional organiser, said he was shocked to learn many small busineses could be breaking the law without being aware of it.

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28/08/2007 by admin.

Wrexham’s Town Centre Forum have reported that interest rates have affected consumer spending in the town.

According to the report July’s sales growth was the weakest since November 2006, rising 1.2% on a like-for-like basis with July 2006, when sales were up 3.4%.

It also reported that sales patterns have been distorted by torrential rain which hit clothing, footwear and outdoor sales. Growth in homeware and furniture was largely discount driven.

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22/08/2007 by admin.

Work has started on a speculative office development in Wrexham which its backers say expects to create up to 600 new jobs.

The office scheme called ‘Wilkinson Court’ is being built on the industrial estate by Cheshire based Gladman Developments at a cost of £10m.

The first buildings in the 60,200 sq ft development are due to be ready by spring.

Gladman aquired the land after the success of its previous development in the town, Edison Court, an office scheme on Wrexham Technology Park which has attracted firms of all sizes wanting purpose built offices.

The company is prepared to sell as well as lease the new offices.

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22/08/2007 by admin.

Find local business events here. If you know of any events that can be added to the list or if you have any news about your business which you would like to share with the local business community please email jane@wrexhamtoday.com.

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20/08/2007 by admin.

Wrexham law firm Gwilym Hughes and Partners have warned that extra holidays for workers could lead to problems for employers. By autumn 2008 all full time workers in Wrexham and North Wales will be entitled to an extra eight days holiday a year. As an example this means that a business employing 10 people will be short of staff cover for an additional 80 days.

The change in legislation could also affect recruitment and holiday procedures and means that small businesses in particular will have to increase staff numbers or manage holiday leave better.

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20/08/2007 by admin.

Just twenty years ago people were still familiarising themselves with the technology of the barcode. Now, a national centre has been established to advise businesses in Wales on how they can use advance data capture technology. Read more…

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