Opportunity knocks - Growth through Innovation

Venue: Canon, Woodhatch, Reigate RH2 8BF

Date: 10th July 2018

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

With issues like single use plastic & air pollution high in people’s minds, it is even more important for your business to reflect the needs & expectations of your customers.

Additionally, many companies expect their suppliers to have carbon footprint data or ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems. Others are more visionary, wanting detailed strategies in the circular economy or aligning to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Do you only respond to customer requests, or develop products & services they don’t yet know they need? What are the selling points you need, to demonstrate that you meet your customers’ requirements?

Anya Ledwith & Sandra Norval will cover three areas to help your business to grow through innovation:

• Systems - effective management systems & efficient processes
• Products - innovative products & materials
• Markets - identifying new markets & opportunities.

http://gatwickdiamondmeetthebuyers.com/events/opportunity-knocks---growth-through-innovation.html

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opportunity-knocks-growth-through-innovation-tickets-46799439383

RAIL COMPANIES TO INTRODUCE TEMPORARY TIMETABLES TO GIVE CUSTOMERS MORE CERTAINTY

The rail industry has pledged to work together to get services back on track as quickly as possible, giving customers the greater certainty they need over what trains will run, following disruption resulting from the biggest timetable change in a generation to accommodate more and faster trains

Today, Northern has published a temporary timetable which will enable it to start to stabilise service levels over the next few weeks and, importantly, start to reduce the number of last-minute cancellations. GTR will also be introducing a temporary timetable on Great Northern and Thameslink as soon as possible. Next week, GTR has plans to provide a more consistent level of service to allow passengers to plan their journeys with greater confidence.

The biggest timetable change in a generation took place on 20 May. This was part of delivering the rail industry’s plan to add 6,400 extra services a week and 7,000 new carriages by 2021, using new and upgraded track across the country to give customers a better service, better connect communities and secure £85bn of additional economic benefits.

While nationwide, more than eight out of 10 services have arrived as planned since the new timetable was introduced, customers in some parts of the country have experienced unacceptable levels of disruption. Northern and GTR are taking decisive action to give greater certainty to passengers as quickly as possible.

To accommodate the extra services being introduced, six out of 10 services nationwide had to be retimed. The time of all GTR and most Northern services had to be changed. All of these new journeys needed to be individually approved by Network Rail to ensure the national rail network runs safely and smoothly. 

As a result of the sheer number of changes required and the late running of some engineering improvements, the process took longer than anticipated, approvals for service changes were delayed and some timetable requests were changed. This meant that train companies had much less time to prepare for the new timetable meaning specialist training required could not be completed in time for drivers to learn all the new routes, or operate different trains for operators to address all the logistical challenges. 

While it will be some weeks before customers in the areas affected have the service improvements they were expecting in May, rail companies plan to run more services compared to before the change on 20th May. They will also be continuing to train drivers on new routes and timetables so that, in time, the full benefits for customers of the new timetable can be realised.

Passengers are advised to continue to check before they travel and, if they are delayed, to check with their operator to see whether they are due compensation.

Robert Nisbet, Regional Director of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

“We understand that rail customers quite rightly want a service they can rely on and in some parts of the country that has not been the case and we are sorry for that. The companies involved have plans to get services back on track as quickly as possible and while things will improve in the coming days, giving passengers greater certainty, it will be some time before the full benefits of the timetable are felt.

“The industry is determined to deliver its plan to change and improve Britain’s railway for customers, communities and the economy and will learn the lessons to ensure that as we transform the network, people continue to get the level of service they deserve.”

The industry has also committed to learn the lessons from what went wrong with introducing the new timetable to ensure future changes do not cause such disruption. Rail timetables are normally confirmed 12 weeks ahead of time but this was not the case for the May timetable change and the Rail Delivery Group, which represents Network Rail and train operators, has begun a review into why this happened.

Charles Horton, CEO, GTR, said:

“May’s new timetable was part of the biggest change to services for decades introducing 400 extra services and providing longer trains to address the doubling of passengers on our network in just 16 years. 

“We always said that it would be challenging – but we are very sorry for the significant disruption being experienced by passengers and apologise sincerely. Delayed approval of the timetable led to an unexpected need to substantially adjust our plans and resources in an unexpectedly short time-frame. 

“We fully understand that passengers want more certainty and next week will make changes to bring greater consistency services with fewer unplanned cancellations, allowing passengers to arrange their journeys with greater confidence. We are also working with industry colleagues to introduce further changes that will progressively deliver improvement.” 

David Brown, Managing Director, Northern, said:

“I’d like to apologies for this unacceptable situation and for the disruption and inconvenience many passengers have faced. We’re truly sorry for this and we’re working hard with the Network Rail team to fix this.

“To deliver a more robust and stable service we are introducing an interim train timetable, effective from Monday 4 June until the end of July. This interim timetable will enable us to start to stabilise service levels over the next few weeks and, importantly, start to reduce the number of last-minute train cancellations.”

Mark Carne, Network Rail’s chief executive said:

“There is no doubt that the May timetable was finalised significantly later than normal for reasons that were both within and without our control. The consequences of that have been particularly hard for both Northern and GTR to absorb. 

“The industry has let down its passengers by failing to deliver the new services offered by the new timetable; a timetable that ultimately will deliver thousands of new services for the benefit of passengers, both far and wide.  It has not been good enough and we know it.  That is why we are working together across the industry to build a recovery plan that people can rely on and then more gradually introduce the benefits and new services everyone needs.”

As stated before, we want to thank you for your understanding, we will keep you updated with any developments, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any enquiries or if you would like a one to one at our usual email address –  gtr.stakeholders@gtrailway.com.

Breaking new Markets in a Post Brexit Britain

Gatwick Diamond Meet The Buyer events announced: 

Venue:                 Welland Medical, Hydehurst Lane, Crawley RH10 9AS

Date:                     26th June 2018

Time:                     9.30am-12.30pm

http://gatwickdiamondmeetthebuyers.com/events/breaking-new-markets-in-a-post-brexit-britain.html

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-new-markets-in-a-post-brexit-britain-tickets-46009746390

GTR Apologise for Service Delivery

Joint media statement from Network Rail, GTR and Northern
We are again extremely sorry to all passengers affected by recent disruption, and are setting out how we’re going to improve the service for our customers as quickly as possible.
What has gone wrong?
Demand for rail services since 1994 has more than doubled to over 1.7bn journeys. While this has been very welcome, it has also brought its challenges and some of our busiest routes are operating at capacity, particularly during peak times. To facilitate the extra services to satisfy the huge growth in demand, the railway is undergoing its biggest modernisation since the Victorian era. And the new timetable, introduced on Sunday 20 May, was planned to be the most ambitious in recent railway history, providing additional capacity for tens of thousands more peak-time commuters.
In order to make space on the network for the thousands of extra services, the timing of all GTR and most Northern services had to be changed. All of these new journeys needed to be individually approved by Network Rail to ensure the national rail network runs safely and smoothly. Unfortunately, as a result of the sheer number of changes required and the late running of some engineering improvements, the process took longer than anticipated, approvals for service changes were delayed and some timetable requests were changed.
Whilst circumstances differ across the country, this meant that train companies had much less time to prepare for the new timetable which required trains and drivers to run on different routes. The differences between the timetables submitted and those approved created a requirement for training that had not been anticipated. This meant that the necessary specialist training was not able to be completed in time for drivers to learn new routes and for operators to address all the logistical challenges.
What are we going to do to put it right?
Network Rail, Northern and GTR are urgently working on comprehensive plans to reduce disruption and give passengers the greatest possible certainty of train services, so they can better plan ahead. Unfortunately, it will take some time to deliver significant improvements to services, but we will keep passengers up to date on all changes we make.
What are we doing to ensure it won’t happen again?
We are reviewing how timetable changes are introduced to better understand the root causes of exactly what went wrong here, so that future changes can implemented more smoothly.
How are we making this up to customers?
Passengers are encouraged to apply for Delay Repay compensation for affected journeys and we are working hard to respond to all claims as soon possible.
Mark Carne, Network Rail’s chief executive said: “There is no doubt that the May timetable was finalised significantly later than normal for reasons that were both within and without our control. The consequences of that have been particularly hard for both Northern and GTR to absorb.
"But we are all firmly focussed on fixing this issue as quickly as possible to give passengers the reliable service they need and deserve. At the moment, in some parts of the country, that simply isn’t happening and for that I’d like to wholeheartedly apologise.”
Charles Horton, CEO, GTR, said: “We always said that delivering the biggest timetable change in generations would be challenging – but we are sorry that we have not been able to deliver the service that passengers expect. Delayed approval of the timetable led to an unexpected need to substantially adjust our plans and resources. We fully understand that
passengers want more certainty and are working very hard to bring greater consistency to
the timetable as soon as possible. We will also be working with industry colleagues to
establish a timetable that will progressively deliver improvement.”
David Brown, Managing Director, Northern said: “We are doing everything we can to
minimise cancellations and keep customers informed. It has been extremely difficult for
many of our customers, in particular on a number of routes around north Manchester,
Liverpool, and Blackpool extending up to Cumbria, and we are truly sorry for this.
“We‘ve agreed a number of actions with the Department for Transport and are urgently
working with them on a comprehensive plan to stabilise our services. Such a plan is likely to
take a number of weeks to deliver lasting improvements, but we recognise our customers
deserve better and that’s what we’re focused on.”
In due course, the Thameslink Programme and the investment programmes on Northern will
provide more capacity and reliability as intended, with more trains running more regularly
and more reliably to more destinations. But these services will only be re-introduced when
we can do so reliably without any negative effect on the service. The industry continues to
be confident that the new timetables will work well once bedded-in.
We thank you for your patience and apologise again for the delays in rolling out the new
timetable. Everyone in the rail industry is working together to provide a safe, improved and
reliable service.

Gingerman Restaurant Group to Open Restaurant at Hanningtons Estate Brighton

European retail real estate investment manager Redevco has agreed a deal with Brighton and Hove’s popular Gingerman Restaurant Group to open a new restaurant at the heart of its Hanningtons Estate.

To be known as ‘Flint House’, the restaurant will be located in a beautiful stand alone, two storey building, at the centre of the new Hanningtons Lane. It will provide over 50 covers and a rooftop terrace with adjacent green wall and views across the Lanes.

Andrew Foulds, Portfolio Director at Redevco comments, “We couldn’t have asked for a better restaurant operator to occupy the jewel in the crown of this scheme. Gingerman Restaurant Group has four existing local businesses within its portfolio and a strong Brighton following. Their philosophy is to offer really good food and great service, within a relaxed setting, which is perfect for the Lanes.”

The Ginger Chef Ben McKellar, together with wife and business partner Pamela McKellar, started Gingerman Restaurant Group in 1998, with their flagship restaurant The Gingerman, close to the seafront in Brighton. The Group has since added The Ginger Fox, Ginger Dog and Ginger Pig to its portfolio.

The Ginger Pig has recently been extended to incorporate 11 en-suite double bedrooms, corporate and event space and re-opened Spring 2018 following an extensive refurbishment. Considered amongst the best in Brighton, The Ginger Pig was ranked by GQ as one of the top 10 pubs in the UK and the Group has also received rave reviews from The Guardian, Telegraph, Grazia and CN Traveller.

Pamela McKellar comments, “We plan to open January 2019 and are very excited to be creating a new concept restaurant for central Brighton. Morgan Carn Architects have designed a beautiful flint clad centerpiece to Hanningtons Estate and we are working with Landivar to create an equally first class interior finish, with a full-length kitchen bar and outside tables.”

Ben McKellar adds, “Flint House is about casual dining, small plates, simple local ingredients cooked well, and a wide range of quality wines served by the glass. The Lanes is somewhere people want to linger and we have the perfect rooftop terrace for them to grab a glass of wine, bite to eat and do just that.”

Redevco started redeveloping the 1.3 acre site, which includes the former Hanningtons department store, in February 2017. The masterplan for Hanningtons Estate includes the creation of a new Lane, new entrance to the Lanes from North Street, premium office suites, residential accommodation and the reconfiguration of existing shops to provide exciting new spaces for retailers, restaurants and cafes. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

An evening with Chris Fox, Lib Dem Peer

Why Business Matters networking event

Why Business Matters

As Brexit is taking up so much parliamentary time and energy, the Liberal Democrats feel that government is struggling to focus on the other major challenges and existential threats facing business and the wider economy: technological change, geographical change / geopolitical shift, demographic change and environmental change.  To address this issue, the first regional meeting of the ‘ Liberal Democrats in Business’ group was held in Brighton last Tuesday, with guest speaker Lord Chris Fox, Lib Dem spokesperson for Business and Industry.

After a networking supper with the members, Chris went into more detail on what he felt were the areas which required government attention:

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 300 BIDS

British BIDs has annouinced a momentous milestone for the Business Improvement District (BID) industry across the UK and Ireland as it reaches 300 BIDs.

Last Friday, businesses in Penrith industrial estates have voted favourably for the creation of a BID, a ‘yes’ vote which marks a total of 300 BIDs for the growing industry.

The first BID was established in England in 2005 and, since their creation, have gained widespread national attention across the country.

A BID is a business-led organisation aimed at improving a commercially defined area. Businesses within that area take part in a formal ballot which determines whether a BID is implemented in that area, and whether money can be spent.

There are varying types of BIDs across the UK and Ireland that deliver a number of regeneration plans, ranging from town centre through to commercial BIDs. The first Welsh BID was formed in 2006. 2013 saw the first BID to be created in Scotland, and Northern Ireland followed shortly behind in its footsteps with the first BID being developed in Northern Ireland in 2015.

BIDs have gained Government backing over the past decade, with the introduction of the BID Loan Fund, introduced in 2013 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In 2016, the Mayor of London also achieved his pledged target to support 50 BIDs in London.

Commenting on the BID industry reaching 300 BIDs, CEO of British BIDs Chris Turner said:

“Business Improvement Districts are a powerful way for all the businesses in an area to invest for the future, to have safe and secure streets, to have clean streets, to have new businesses and to market themselves to the world. They allow businesses to have some control over their own futures in a turbulent world. We welcome the 300th BID into the national community.”

Penrith Industrial Estates BID will run from 2018-2023 and covers three industrial estates; Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith Industrial Estate and Eden Business Park.

Brighton City Centre BID, otherwise known as Brilliant Brighton (www.brilliantbrighton.com) has been running since 2006 and covers over 500 business in the city centre. who invest nearly £2m over each 5year term to help make Brighton safer and more attractive.

Tech firm SaleCycle to open new office in Brighton, creating 30+ new jobs

Marketing technology firm SaleCycle is opening its next office in Brighton, looking to attract some of the region’s top tech talent to fill 30 new roles.

Founded in 2010, SaleCycle’s marketing tech services are used by some of the world’s biggest retailers and brands, including Virgin Atlantic, BT, Nike and IKEA.

The company now employs over 165 staff and has grown from its Head Office in North East England to have offices around the world, including Washington DC, Paris and Singapore.

SaleCycle is one of Europe’s fastest growing companies, and has recently been named in the

FT 1000

as well as both the Sunday Times

Export Track 100

and its

Tech Track 100

.

The Brighton office is part of this continuing expansion, and will be located in Trafalgar Place in the centre of Brighton, just a two minute walk from the train station.

The first openings are for

Software Engineering Team Leads

and experienced

Software Engineers

.

SaleCycle is interested in meeting candidates with full stack experience, meaning Javascript / Typescript experience is essential, together with API development experience in any number of different back-end languages.

Candidates should have experience delivering high-traffic solutions, working with AWS, as well as an aptitude for self-directed learning.

As SaleCycle’s CTO Doug Johnson explains, Brighton is the perfect choice for a tech company looking to continue its growth:

“Brighton is a terrific location for us to invest in the next phase of SaleCycle's growth, with its high concentration of digital tech talent. I'm thrilled to be building a team of experienced forward thinking software engineers here, keen to emulate the modern practices, culture and working environment we've become renowned for in the North East."

SaleCycle expects its engineers to collaborate, help each other become the best they can be, have a little fun and above all love what you do. If you’re interested in an opportunity to help build a new team with a positive culture, building software the way it should be done, find out more at www.salecycle.com/careers.

New Research Reveals Cost of Opening A Business in Brighton: £6,000

But retail businesses can expect to see an outlay of £150K in the first year, while tech start-ups need around £380K to get going.

New research, carried out exclusively by business comparison site Quotemyenergy, has revealed the average outlay for starting up your own business in Brighton over the first year.

From Business to Business

No two companies are the same, but different types of business influence what likely first year outlays could be. From the most budget friendly to the businesses you’ll need to scrimp to set up, the most popular dream gigs and their costs were found to be:

- Solopreneurs - £6K outlay for the first year:

‘Solopreneurs’, or those going it properly alone, have it the cheapest, with an estimated first year outlay of £6K. With office rental coming at around £3.5K for a seat in a co-working space such as the Skiff, or less for savvy entrepreneurs, the biggest expenses a solopreneur will need to budget for in their first year will likely be company set-up, insurance and building a website to advertise their services - a must in today’s market!

- Retailers - £150K outlay for the first year:

Owning a retail business, from grocery store to boutique fashion store, is a popular dream in the UK, but those backing themselves to get into this line of work should be aware they’ll likely need some start up capital, as setting up a retail business in Brighton costs around £150K. Renting retail premises and storage space can cost anywhere upwards from £37K, while buying your store space can be a six figure sum if you're looking at the world famous Laines. Stock, tills and employees are also expenses prospective retailers will need to factor in, including the hidden cost of employees’ NI payments and insurance.

- Tech Entrepreneurs - £380K outlay for the first year:

There’s a lot of money to be made in tech today - but anyone looking to make some in Brighton, may need to spend it first. Office rentals for even a small team could account for up to 50% of that estimated budget, while employee salaries, insurance and equipment are another huge budgetary consideration. However, tech-savvy entrepreneurs may be able to save money by building their own websites!

Business Budgeting

Unless you’re a solopreneur going it alone from the comfort of your own home, office premises are likely to be your biggest first year expense, with prices starting at £3K for one year-round co-working space. Employees are likely to be the second biggest drain on your purse strings, with basic salaries also added to with NI considerations, employee insurance, potential recruiter fees, and equipment for your new team. Just registering your business alone is also likely to pump up the cost, with an estimated cost of £340.37 just to get your business up and running.

Build Your Own Business Plan

Quotemyenergy noticed that there was a real demand for a business calculator, but ones that existed online simply allowed prospective business owners to add in the costs for every aspect of starting their business manually. This was not helpful for those who do not know how much it costs to register a business or set up an office.

This new tool collates data from government, business and retail sources to provide an estimate of how much investment may be needed over the first year of setting up your dream business - whether it’s a small coffee shop or a tech giant.

Whatever your dream or budget, you can find out for free how much it would cost to set up your dream business in Brighton using the calculator here.

Can you help us help rough sleepers? Search for a venue to provide shelterSuitable accommodation for rough sleepers to stay overnight is needed

Suitable accommodation for rough sleepers to stay overnight is needed for a new service being set up by Brighton & Hove City council.