30/10/2007 by admin.

Millions of small businesses in the UK need more support to help boost their growth, according to a new report by BT.

1,600 companies were surveyed and unearthed criticism that the government was not doing enough to help them thrive. Simplifying regulations topped the list of demands followed by a call for lower business related taxes.

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30/10/2007 by admin.

The TUC has welcomed a call for employers to get Commute Smart, as journey times to work hit all time high.

The TUC reveals journey times to work have rocketed over the past decade with the Welsh the hardest hit by longer commutes as the number of commuters travelling for over an hour each day has risen by 43 per cent. Read more…

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30/10/2007 by admin.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Environment Agency to do more to publicise major changes to waste disposal laws, which come into force tomorrow (Tuesday).

Under the rules implementing the EU Landfill Directive, liquid waste will be banned from landfill and all landfill waste will have to be pre-treated.

The changes will have a profound effect on the UK’s 4.5 million small business owners, who will have the ultimate responsibility for what happens to their waste.

John Holbrow, FSB Environment Chairman, said: “From tomorrow small businesses will have new obligations when it comes to their waste. We urge small businesses to ensure they are aware of the new rules and to contact their waste contractors.

“The FSB supports the environmental principles that have led to these changes. But it would be nothing less than a dereliction of duty for the Government to bring in these new laws without a sustained publicity campaign to ensure small businesses are aware of them.

“The Environment Agency must do more to let small businesses know what their obligations are. Putting information on a website is simply not enough. There must be widespread publicity otherwise small businesses could be punished for breaking laws they knew nothing about.”

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24/10/2007 by admin.

Today businesses are being urged to give workers more time off in the run-up to Christmas or face problems caused by the “sick-note” season. Read more…

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21/10/2007 by admin.

Cadbury’s Chirk will not be affected by ‘restructuring’ in the company which will axe a total of 700 jobs from its Bristol and Bourneville sites.

The confectionary giant announced that as part of the continued restructuring of its UK chocolate production, massive job cuts are to be made from the two sites over the next four years.

Chocolate production from the Bristol site will move to Poland. However in a statement the firm said that the Chirk and Leominster factories would be “unaffected by these proposals”.

The Chirk factory processes cocoa beans for making chocolate and employs 186 workers, more than 90% of whom live within an eight-mile radius of the site.

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21/10/2007 by admin.

The Glyn Valley Tramway are appealing for items to help them get started on their exciting project to rebuild the steam railway in the Ceiriog Valley, Wrexham. Find the list here. The Trust is also seeking funds to help them buy specially built Port-a-Cabin which acts as their project office. Visit www.tramwayblog.co.uk for more information.

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21/10/2007 by admin.

St Giles School is asking local businesses to donate plants and garden items to their gardening club. If you can help please email gardeningclub@stgilesschool.co.uk or phone 01978 356016.

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21/10/2007 by admin.

Giving to charity either with money or time can benefit your business in a number of ways. Several research studies have shown that businesses which show social responsibility have improved financial performance, an enhanced brand image, increased sales and customer loyalty, and an increased ability to attract and retain employees.

Many businesses restrict support to local beneficiaries by sponsoring an event or helping a charity either financially or through the supply of labour or staff expertise. Working with your immediate community in this way brings a wide range of business benefits:

*Loyal customers are often an important source of sales,

*Improving your reputation may make recruitment easier.

*A good relationship with local authorities can help eg councils prefer to award contracts to businesses with a record of community involvement.

Many businesses seek to align community involvement with their strategic business goals by getting involved in an activity related to their product. This makes commercial sense in that you can share your expertise as well as show the human face of your business. For example builders give free labour and materials to community projects, banks help to finance a project, or local shops may offer raffle prizes related to their business

Whatever road you take it is worth involving your employees - encourage them to volunteer for community activities - perhaps by giving them paid time off to do it. As well as improving your community relations, this can help motivate employees and develop their skills.

Remember that getting involved with charity is not the time to be shy. Your community involvement efforts should not be your best kept secret. Sharing your efforts will not only create positive publicity for your business, it will also help educate and remind others about the charity or cause you support, as well as inspire people to get involved.

Communicate your charitable efforts to your local media, customers and employees. Also make use of your website or company newsletter to get word out. A good photo connecting your business with the charity will help get your picture published.

Giving needn’t be taxing either. Setting up a payroll giving scheme is a simple, easy and tax-efficient way to encourage your employees to donate to charity. For more information on payroll giving schemes click here.

Perhaps your company could organise a one-off fundraising event such as a dress down day or put forward a team to take part in a local challenge. Could you organise a fundraising event at your Christmas party or sponsor the boss to do something amusing? It’s all for a good cause! You may want to match any funds employees raise, so consider offering match funding schemes.

A study by Walker Research found that when price and quality are equal 76% of consumers would switch brands or retailers when a company is associated with a good cause. So helping a charity can work both ways - good for the charity and good for business.

An example of a local organisation seeking support is the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust. The Trust is aiming to rebuild the steam railway that ran through the Ceiriog Valley and they are looking for support from local businesses. For more information visit the GVT blog at www.tramwayblog.co.uk.

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21/10/2007 by admin.

Awarding winning North Wales pub group Brunning and Price, whose sites include the Pant yr Ochain in Gresford, and the Cross Foxes at Erbistock, has been sold to Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group for £32m. Read more…

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21/10/2007 by admin.

Wrexham butcher Jeremy Williams has come up with a novel fundraising idea which has got local dogs wagging their tails.
Read more…

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