Brighton Based Tech Company, Paxton, Identified in London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Europe’ Report

Brighton Based Tech Company, Paxton, Identified in London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Europe’ Report

Paxton, the UK market leader of electronic IP access control and video door entry solutions, has been identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Europe. The report is a celebration of high-growth and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses across Europe.

To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their country peers. This report demonstrates critical importance of high-growth, private, small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to future European economic growth, innovation and job creation.

This follows Paxton’s inclusion in this year’s Sussex Super Growth Award, these awards recognise the fastest growing businesses in Sussex. This in conjunction with appearing in the London Stock Exchange report highlights the company’s growth in the local and global security market. Paxton also celebrated ranking 49th in the 2018 Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, the annual survey run by the ‘Best Companies’ organisation. In the survey 96% of employees said they believe they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the company.

Paxton strive to be the employer of choice locally and invest in their local community through various initiatives and in 2017 launched the Paxton Scholarship. The scholarship, in conjunction with the University of Brighton, aims to invest in the bright minds of the future. The scholarship offered three students studying Engineering and Product Design related courses a 3-month work placement worth £10,000. The scholars will participate in technology research projects at Paxton, that will then form the final year project of their degree course. The scholarship is due to launch again later this year, this time offering four places for students at University of Brighton or Sussex.

Founded in 1985, Paxton employs over 300 people and operates mainly from its head office in Brighton with several international sales offices. All products are manufactured locally at the Paxton factory in Eastbourne and exported to over 60 countries worldwide. Being included in the London Stock Exchange report also marks one year since the Paxton Technology Centre opened, the 29,000-sq. ft. building houses Paxton’s Research and Development departments along with the installer training suite. You can the building coming together here: www.paxton.info/3553 

Commenting on the news, Adam Stroud, Paxton’s Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled to, once again, be part of this prestigious list.  It is another milestone on our journey to become world-class in all that we do. Paxton aspires to provide innovative products, industry-leading customer support, high-quality and efficient manufacturing, along with being one of the country’s best companies to work.  We are taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by new technology to fulfil customer‘s requirements for secure, convenient and energy efficient buildings“

Jyrki Katainen, European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: "Thanks to dynamic and innovative, high-growth SMEs, employment has reached new record levels with almost 240 million people in jobs. We need to continue on that path and create a favourable business environment enabling cutting edge innovators and solid manufacturing SMEs to grow and reach their full potential. Stock exchanges, such as London Stock Exchange Group, are an essential part of our Capital Markets Union, helping those with ideas to meet their financers."  

Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange Plc, said: “The economic potential of Europe’s fastest growing companies is clear in ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Europe’. The report shows high-growth SMEs are the innovators, job creators and drivers of economic growth. They have the potential to transform the European economy and give the next generation of young people the future they deserve.

“So, it is vital that we give these companies, and companies like them, access to suitable growth finance. London Stock Exchange Group is committed to supporting the job creators of tomorrow, increasing their access to long-term patient capital to fund their continued success.”

Paxton invest significantly in the training and education of their customers and are proud to offer free training to all their installers globally, to ensure its products are sold and installed with confidence. So far, 5,692 installers have been trained globally this year.

A full searchable database of all of the companies along with a downloadable pdf of the publication can be found online at www.1000companies.com

Shoreham Port is recuiting a Communications Executive

A fantastic opportunity to become the new Coms Exec at Shoreham Port has arisen.

To find out more or to apply visit www.shoreham-port.co.uk/jobs



The Platform Social Enterprise Folds

Sadly, the fantastic Brighton based Platform has closed.

The organisation has released the following statement:

“Due to funding constraints, we have taken the difficult decision to close our current activities. 

Unfortunately this means that the Social Enterprise Network will no longer be continuing in its current form. However, we are looking at a number of options that will enable this work to continue. 

If you would like to be kept informed about Social Enterprise in Greater Brighton then please click here 

We are grateful for all the work taken forward by staff, partners and associates who have made substantial changes in shaping the Social Enterprise landscape in the City and beyond. We sincerely hope that our work will find a new way forward to continue the evolution in recognising Business for Good and escalating the appreciation of Social Enterprise as a major business influencer and ideal.

It has been an incredible journey connecting and working with everyone in the network. We thank you for all your involvement with our organisation in assisting us with our vision and hope to work with you in some way in the future.

You are truly an inspiration….and watch this space!

The Platform Social Enterprise Team

Please note that our social media accounts are no longer active.

Need Support today?

There is an incredible ecosystem of business support providers in and around Brighton:

- Social Enterprise UK
- Unltd.
- School for Social Entrepreneurs
- Happy Startup School
- Sussex Innovation Centre
- Always Possible
- Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce
- Green Growth Platform
- Natwest Entrepreneurs Accelerator
- Brighton Barclays Eagle Lab

Lewes FC at Brighton Summit, 12 Oct

Lewes FC at Brighton Summit, 12 Oct

Lewes FC is a 100% community-owned and not-for-profit football club. The club has recently launched Equality FC, with the aim of paying their men's and women's teams the same. They are currently the first and only professional or semi-professional football club in the world to establish equal pay.

Director Ed Briggs and Marketing Manager Rosy Matheson are speakers at this year’s Brighton Summit on 12 October.

Their talk Stay united is about how a fan-owned football club became financially sustainable

Rosy and Ed will outline the club’s journey from private ownership back into community ownership and the challenges they have faced on the way.

Who’s the Brighton Summit for?

Brighton Summit is for anyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. It’s relevant for all kinds of enterprise: from SMEs to start-ups; from multinationals to social enterprises and charities. Whether you’re a business owner, a CEO, or a manager. And whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee.

What will I get from the Brighton Summit?

Fresh perspective. Approaches and ways of working that are genuinely new to you. Skills and techniques that will help your organisation thrive. The tools and confidence to do things differently. And the most productive and beneficial day out of the office all year.

Brighton Summit – Look Up

This year’s theme is ‘Look Up’. The Summit is a conference that brings together our city’s diverse business community for a day of inspiring talks, practical workshops and new experiences.

Tickets and more information:

https://brightonsummit.com/
Friday 12 October - 8:30 am-6:00 pm
The Clarendon Centre, 47 New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GQ

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Fifth educational seminar, supporting Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyers 2018 announced

Maximising the Gatwick Purchasing Opportunity

Venue: The Orchards Events Venue, New Road, West Malling, KENT, ME19 6BJ

NB: *Sat Nav Postcode - ME19 6BH*

Date: 2nd October 2018

Time: 09.30am - 12.30pm

http://www.gatwickdiamondmeetthebuyers.com/events/maximising-the-gatwick-purchasing-opportunity.html

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maximising-the-gatwick-purchasing-opportunity-tickets-48551972256

GTR and Network Rail launch site to support business during line closures

With a calendar of line closures for the Brighton line already begun, rail bosses have launched an online toolkit to support businesses during the closures. With links to information, posters and advice to keep your workforce in the know, it’s the go-to site to help keep you open for business during the works.

To find out more visit https://brightonmainline.co.uk/information-for-business/

The Brighton line will be closed on the following dates:

https://brightonmainline.co.uk/information-for-business/

Coast to Capital LEP Area Announces Growth Grant Programme 2018-2019

The Coast to Capital LEP area Growth Grant Programme is a capital equipment (capex) grant.  The grant provides last resort investment to part-fund projects undertaken by innovative, high growth small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises in the Coast to Capital LEP area. Eligible projects will result in an increased turnover of at least 20% per annum and improved productivity in the company and wider economy.

Applications from all sectors are welcome, but the Programme would particularly like to see applications from companies in the following sectors (identified as key for the Coast to Capital region economy):

•              Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing

•              Environmental Technologies, Goods and Services

•              Creative, Digital and IT (CDIT)

•              Healthcare, Medical Technology and Life Sciences

•              Professional and Business Services

•              Food and Drink Manufacturer

The proposed new activity must be additional to existing business activity.

Businesses must be able to incur the total project costs in full by 31 March 2019. The grant may only be used for capital equipment items.

Please note: start-up businesses and those in the retail/wholesale sector are not eligible for this programme.

Eligibility Criteria

·         Grants of between £10,000 and £170,000 (subject to de minimis) can be available to businesses, on a match-funded basis

·         Equivalent to a maximum of 40% of the total project costs

·         Only capital expenditure items are grant eligible

·         Applicant businesses will need to provide at least 60% of the total project costs and confirm they have these funds available.

This is a grant of last resort. Applicants will be expected to evidence that they cannot source the gap in project funding from other sources.   

To be eligible businesses must:

-      Show how the grant will lead to improved productivity resulting in business growth of at least 20% per annum, over the next three years

-      Introducing an innovative product or exploiting new technology to access new markets

-      Be able to demonstrate that they have fully explored other sources of funding, without success

-      Show other investment alongside the grant. The grant can provide up to a maximum of 40% of the total project costs (to a maximum £170,000). Businesses will need to provide the remaining match-funding.

For example, for a total project costing £850,000, the grant could contribute £170,000 (20%) towards the project. The business would need to provide the remaining 80%. Other forms of investment could be; retained profits, loans, shareholders’ investment or equity finance.

-      Show how the proposed new activity is additional to existing business activity and  to the local economy

-      Social Enterprises must show they are adding social value and priority will be given those that can evidence some of the above criteria as well

-      Have premises in, or be planning to re-locate in the Coast to Capital LEP areas of:

o   Adur & Worthing Borough

o   Arun District

o   Brighton & Hove

o   Chichester District

o   Crawley District

o   Croydon

o   Epsom and Ewell Borough

o   Horsham District

o   Lewes District

o   Mid Sussex District

o   Mole Valley District

o   Reigate and Banstead Borough

o   Tandridge District Council  

For more information on the eligibility criteria, please read the Expression of Interest (EOI) Guidance Note which can be found on the C2C website.

To discuss potential projects, please contact the Growth Hub Team on 01403 333840 and speak to your local Account Manager.

Alternatively, you can email your enquiries to growth.hub@coast2capital.org.uk

Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions will apply.

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Stephen Boobyer from World of Books joins Brighton Summit speakers

Stephen Boobyer is CEO of the World of Books group in Goring-by-Sea. In just ten years, the business has grown from a start-up into one of the largest sellers of used and rare books in the world and one of the fastest growing companies in UK. World of Books is a perfect example of the circular economy in action. Over 70 million books each year are reused and recycled and in 2013, Ziffit.com was launched to purchase books directly from the public. World of Books has featured in the Sunday Times Fast Track, the LSEG ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, and was named Recycler of the Year in 2016 and received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2017. 

Stephen’s session is called ‘Reuse, recycle and grow’.

He will talk through the World of Books story, from the beginnings of an idea to a start-up in a bedroom, to one of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses with 600 employees – all in ten years. There have been challenges and headwinds, inevitably, but Stephen will show how management techniques and strategies have turned them into opportunities that have helped shape the group’s future. The vision, for Stephen and the team, is for to become the leading seller of used books globally, while helping people to reuse and recycle for less through innovation and technology.

Who’s the Brighton Summit for?

Brighton Summit is for anyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. It’s relevant for all kinds of enterprise: from SMEs to start-ups; from multinationals to social enterprises and charities. Whether you’re a business owner, a CEO, or a manager. And whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee.

What will I get from the Brighton Summit?

Fresh perspective. Approaches and ways of working that are genuinely new to you. Skills and techniques that will help your organisation thrive. The tools and confidence to do things differently. And the most productive and beneficial day out of the office all year.

Brighton Summit – Look Up

This year’s theme is ‘Look Up’. The Summit is a conference that brings together our city’s diverse business community for a day of inspiring talks, practical workshops and new experiences. 

Tickets and more information:

https://brightonsummit.com/
Friday 12 October - 8:30 am-6:00 pm
The Clarendon Centre, 47 New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GQ

Applications for 2019 Techstars ‘Anywhere Accelerator’ Open to Companies across the World

Techstars is a global ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to bring new technologies to market, wherever they choose to build their business. With numerous mentorship-driven accelerator programmes worldwide, Techstars exists to support the most promising entrepreneurs throughout their lifelong journey.

The initiative provides access founders, mentors investors, and corporate partners. Techstars makes entrepreneurship more accessible by providing access to capital, guidance, marketing, business development, customer acquisition, and recruitment.

The funding provider believes that successful founders can come from anywhere and appreciates that relocating to a new city for an accelerator programme can be disruptive, owing to personal or business constraints. Techstars Anywhere is a Virtual accelerator, which means participating businesses are not required to relocate. Founders follow the standard Techstars approach to accelerate their business.

The investment made in each company in terms of capital, time and network will be the same as other Techstars accelerators. Techstars companies will receive a US $100,000 of funding as a convertible note upon acceptance and US $20,000 in exchange for 6% equity stake.

Anyone from anywhere can apply. Techstars funds technology oriented companies, typically web-based or other software companies.

The application deadline for the next round of Techstars Anywhere is 14 October 2018.

The programme will commence on 4 February 2019 and the Demo Day will be 2 May 2019.

Click to view further information about this news alert

£150,000 Start-Up Series Open for New Equity Investment Round

The Start-Up Series is a seed funding competition, offering equity investment opportunities to UK businesses. The competition aims to identify the country’s brightest entrepreneurs with the smartest ideas to each qualify for one of 24 planned seed investments from a total of £3.6 million in equity funding.

Each month, one business will be chosen to receive up to £150,000 of seed funding. Supported start-ups will be required to give away equity in exchange for investment. In addition, Worth Capital will receive a 7% share option in the funded business.

The additional benefits of applying for this competition are as follows:

• Support: Each winner will have support from Worth Capital via an experienced director.
• Media coverage: Winning a high-profile competition and the exposure that generates is beneficial when talking to customers, potential employees and future investors.

The Start-Up Series is open to early-stage consumer businesses in the UK that are creating new products or services, or new ways to buy them.

Business owners must be in a position where they are looking to receive funding from investors in exchange for equity in their business. Because the fund will be for SEIS investments, the business needs to satisfy the following criteria set by HMRC:

• The business must be UK-based and the applicant must be a UK resident over 18 years old at the time of entry.
• The business must have been trading for less than 21 months and have less than £200,000 in gross assets (so as to qualify for SEIS-funding).
• The business must employ fewer than 25 staff.

Entries for the competition will be accepted on a monthly basis.

The deadline for the current application window is Friday 14 September 2018.

Click to view further information about this news alert

Free Sustainability Events in East Sussex

Sustainability Tour of Earthship

12th September 2018, 09:30 to 12:30, Brighton

Join Utilise Plus for a Sustainability Tour of Earthship in Brighton. Earthship was built in 2006 by the Low Carbon Trust, to show how a low-energy and low-waste future could look. An ‘off-grid’ building, Earthship generates power from the sun, harvests rain water, and treats wastewater on-site using plants! Delegates will be treated to a tour of the building to see first-hand the multitude of energy-saving measures throughout. Mischa Hewitt, Director of the Low Carbon Trust, will discuss these various sustainability features and answer questions from delegates.

Details & Bookings

Alternatively call 01273 964239 or email info@sustainablebusiness.org.uk
 

Energy Saving Workshop

10th October 2018, 09:30 to 13:00, Newhaven

Utilise Plus Energy Saving Workshops are practical, interactive sessions for organisations with premises, focussing on how your organisation can benefit from making energy saving improvements. This workshop will be delivered in partnership with the Newhaven Enterprise Zone. You will meet other organisations with similar interests, gain new knowledge and skills, and address barriers to change within your organisation by creating your own unique Action Plan.

After the workshop, further support and guidance will be given by the Sustainable Business Partnership, to help you implement your plan and quantify your energy and cost savings.

Details & Bookings

Alternatively call 01273 964239 or email info@sustainablebusiness.org.uk

Business Networking Breakfast

18th December 2018, 08:00 to 11:00, Brighton

Join Utilise Plus in Brighton for a Business Networking Breakfast. These events are a great way to build your energy-saving knowledge by hearing from expert speakers, being inspired by real-life case studies, and networking with others over a pastry and coffee!

Hear from expert speakers on the theme of ‘sustainable construction’, including Mischa Hewitt of Earthwise Construction and Alaric Wood of Avensys.

Details & Bookings

Alternatively call 01273 964239 or email info@sustainablebusiness.org.uk

Eligibility

This event is part of the Utilise Plus programme and is fully-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). As such, only those from eligible organisations can attend. Utilise Plus supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve their resource efficiency. Please note,  only one attendee accepted per organisation. Additional bookings will be added to a waiting list and notified should any places become available.

How To Grow Your Business - Free Event

The Breakfast Club - Brighton Business Networking Presents: "How To Grow Your Business" at the Courtlands Hotel in Hove, 19-27 The Drive, BN3 3JE

11 – 1pm on Saturday 15th September

FREE ADMISSION
Come along for Business Advice, Support and Networking. 
WIN 3 months membership to the Breakfast Club!
Refreshments provided.

The event covers:  
* Marketing
* Educational Networking
* Preconceptions in Business
* Using Pensions as Business Assets
* Free Government Funding.

Check out the flyer below for more information.

01273 458451
thebreakfastclubinbrighton@gmail.com

Coast to Capital £5.5m ERDF Innovation Call Launch - Monday 8th October - Horsham

Coast to Capital invite you to the launch of our £5.5m European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Priority Axis 1: Innovation Call.

Please register yourself here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/coast-to-capital-october-2018-erdf-innovation-call-launch-tickets-49839902490

This two hour event is primarily an information session, but will also offer prospective applicants the opportunity to meet prospective project partners/match funders in the 30 minutes set aside for networking.

An agenda for the day will be circulated to all confirmed delegates closer to the event date.

Further information on the Call is available here

WorldLabs Elevating Ideas Competition for Start-ups - Deadline Approaching

The WorldLabs Elevating Ideas Competition provides funding to start-ups and innovative ideas across all fields, with the aim of elevating the next generation of entrepreneurs. The competition is aimed at a global audience and is appealing to anyone who can showcase their initiative and prove it is promising and sustainable.

The award of £50,000 is designed to give early-stage entrepreneurial ventures help with starting up their operations. There are additional benefits in the competition for all participants, including:

• Publicity: The project will get a publicity boost on WorldLabs and across all other media channels.
• Collaboration: Finding the necessary connections and establishing meaningful collaborations. Entrants will get their idea noticed and be part of a network of team-members, co-founders and investors.
• Advancement: Establishing an idea on Worldlabs will help the venture grow beyond the duration of this competition. The same project will keep exposing the applicant to a network of collaborators, partners, advisors and investors.

To celebrate the end of the competition, WorldLabs is hosting an event in London. It will welcome 600+ entrepreneurs and investors, and over 50+ start-ups exhibiting. The top 10 teams shortlisted from the competition will be invited to pitch in front of a live audience and judges. The winner will be announced on the same day. The event will give entrepreneurs exposure to investment opportunities, mentors collaborators and industry influencers to help elevate their project to the next level.

Applications are accepted from entrepreneurs and start-ups worldwide, regardless of the type of idea and the professional/educational background of the applicant.

The deadline for applications to be received is 22 October 2018.

Click to view further information about this news alert

‘Look at me now’ at Brighton Summit

Andy Winter, CEO at Brighton Housing Trust, will be leading one of our afternoon speaker sessions at Brighton Summit on 12 October. 

Andy’s talk is called Look at me now

Belinda started using heroin when she was 13.  At the age of 48, after recovery and eight years’ abstinence, she got her first ever job. The day she got her first wage packet was one of the best of her life.

It’s easy to easy to dismiss people with alcohol and drug problems, without considering their causes and the possibility of complete recovery. Would you ever consider employing someone in recovery from addiction or mental health problems?

In this session you will hear first-hand about the extraordinary achievements of four impressive women who have overcome adversities that most of us cannot imagine. You will hear about the work of Brighton Housing Trust, how it combats homelessness, creates opportunities and promotes change in preparing people for work. Andy Winter will be joined by Sonia, a recovering addict now in employment. Together they will challenge common perceptions and show just what can be achieved.

Who’s the Brighton Summit for?

Brighton Summit is for anyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. It’s relevant for all kinds of enterprise: from SMEs to start-ups; from multinationals to social enterprises and charities. Whether you’re a business owner, a CEO, or a manager. And whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee.

What will I get from the Brighton Summit?

Fresh perspective. Approaches and ways of working that are genuinely new to you. Skills and techniques that will help your organisation thrive. The tools and confidence to do things differently. Permission to take risks – sensible risks. Low-impact, high-return networking with liked-minded business people. And the most productive and beneficial day out of the office all year.

The Summit is a conference that brings together our city’s diverse business community for a day of inspiring talks, practical workshops and new experiences.

Tickets and more information:

https://brightonsummit.com/
Friday 12 October - 8:30 am-6:00 pm
The Clarendon Centre, 47 New England Street, Brighton, BN1 4GQ

Govia Thameslink Railway appoints Steve White as Chief Operating Officer

GTR has appointed Steve White as Chief Operating Officer, from London Underground.

Steve, has worked at Silverlink Trains, Eurostar and Siemens PLC in executive roles and joined London Underground as Operations Director.

At LU he was responsible for operations and infrastructure during a period of major change on the ‘subsurface’ railway.

He has most recently has been implementing the new signalling system on the Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith and City and District Lines, and is a chartered engineer.

GTR CEO Patrick Verwer said: “I am delighted to welcome Steve to GTR and look forward to working with him. In Steve we are appointing a senior transport professional with the skills and management experience to lead GTR through the next stage of our modernisation programme, to increase capacity on the most congested part of the UK rail network.”

Steve succeeds Nick Brown, who in March announced his retirement at the end of September after almost four decades in the rail industry.

Patrick added: “I would like to thank Nick very much for the hard work, dedication and leadership that he has brought to GTR during a very challenging period. He has made a major contribution to the business, from strengthening the team to collaborative working with a wide range of stakeholders. I wish him all the very best for the future.”

Greater Brighton leaders welcome 'unique opportunity' to transform key port town

“A unique opportunity to create jobs and regenerate a whole town” - that’s the view of Greater Brighton leaders after meeting the people tasked with transforming Newhaven into a great place to live and work.

Home to one of just 44 Enterprise Zones in England, the port town is undergoing a period of rapid change which will see thousands of jobs created and millions invested into the local economy.

A year on from the Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) going live, Councillor Garry Wall, chairman of Greater Brighton, and Councillor Andy Smith, Leader of Lewes District Council, were given an update on the progress by its programme director Corinne Day.

During a tour of the town, businesses and residents spoke about the impact of the investment so far, which has seen the creation of new business, jobs and workspaces.

Cllr Wall, who is also Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “My everlasting impression from my visit is that there's massive potential in Newhaven. This means there’s a considerable opportunity for businesses to invest in Newhaven; to get government agencies, such as Coast to Capital and Greater Brighton to help bring those investments forward; and for Newhaven to take its rightful place as a major contributor the regional economy.

“Greater Brighton needs to continue to grow, it needs to look at where it can make those growth points and Newhaven is clearly one of them. The opportunity here is unique - one that will create jobs and regenerate a whole town. It’s therefore vital that we do what we can to get the development right for residents and businesses.”

The NEZ was established as a three-way agreement between the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, Lewes District Council and Government, with the support of Greater Brighton.

Covering eight sites and 79 hectares in the town, the NEZ acts as a catalyst to deliver new economic development opportunities. The aim is that within 25 years it will create 55,000 square metres of new commercial floor space for employment to sustain around 2,000 jobs.

During the visit, the two council leaders saw progress on some of the £30 million that has already been invested in the area - with critical flood defences created, new business units built and key regeneration sites unlocked.

The tour also took in the site of a new £23 million port access road, which received £10 million of government funding last month. This will provide direct access to the East Quay area of Newhaven Port unlocking 80,000 square metres of business space, generating up to 1,500 jobs and taking HGV traffic away from unsuitable roads in the town.

Another area visited was the town centre, which will be the focus of a £38 million mixed-use scheme to create hundreds of jobs in the construction, retail and hotel sectors, while generating an extra £100 million of inward investment into the local economy.

Cllr Andy Smith, Leader of Lewes District Council, said: “What we’ve seen is that the Newhaven Enterprise Zone isn't just the public sector working together; this is about the private sector coming in and working with us. By far the most amount of money coming into the town is coming from the private pocket.

“We want to deliver 2,000 jobs but we also want to deliver improvements to people's lives. This will become a great income generator for the area and a great wealth generator for its local people."

The Greater Brighton delegation also heard that a key part of Enterprise Zones is business rates discounts worth up to £275,000 over five years while pre-planning fees on employment led schemes are also waived.

One of those taking advantage is ValetPRO, who provide vehicle cleaning products across Europe. The company relocated to Newhaven this year from Uckfield, doubling the size of its warehouse to 12,000 square metres.

Milton Watts, ValetPRO’s operating manager, said: “The business rate relief was a significant reason for moving here as it allowed us to use that money to invest in other parts of the business, such as warehouse facilities.”

Sara Williams, of local business The Patchwork Cat, which is a cafe and fabric shop, said: “Newhaven has got huge potential. I think by bringing new businesses to the town and people having faith in the town it will be back to where it was - a good thriving town.”

Corinne Day, NEZ programme director, said: “It was great to welcome two board members from Greater Brighton to see the ongoing work in the Enterprise Zone.

“We want to tidy this place up - not just beautify, but give it a real sense of place so when people come here they want to stay. We want Newhaven to be somewhere that’s known for what it's about.”

Greater Brighton leaders: Why the myths of the Sunny South could hold us back

Greater Brighton leaders: Why the myths of the Sunny South could hold us back

‘Forget about the myth of the Sunny South’ - that was the message from Greater Brighton today as it calls for decision makers to ditch the notion that everything is rosy on the coast.

With government and big business shifting investment focus to the north, Councillor Garry Wall, the chairman of Greater Brighton, argues that overlooking regions south of the capital risks “choking off the contribution our economies make to UK plc”.

In an article for the respected Municipal Journal magazine, Cllr Wall made clear that the City Region, which contains nearly one million people from the south coast to Gatwick, is a vibrant place to do business with an economy worth more than £21 billion a year.

But he said that key issues, such as a lack of investment in transport infrastructure and a major skills shortage, are holding the region back, hampering growth and costing the treasury billions of pounds a year in revenue.

Cllr Wall argues that it is only by decision makers looking beyond the preconceived notion that everything is rosy on the coast that a true national economy can be created.

Cllr Wall, who is also leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said: “We have a simple request for investment bodies, big businesses, decision-makers of all kinds and, yes, government. That is to forget the preconceived notions about Greater Brighton, that here in the sunny South we are all comfortably well-off or retired to our seaside cottages.

“I’m asking that you don’t simply lump us in with London, that a Greater Brighton population of nearly a million people deserve better than that.”

The article references Channel 4’s recent decision to overlook the city of Brighton & Hove for a new creative hub.

While understanding the reasons for the broadcaster’s decision, Cllr Wall said he was concerned about the feedback that Brighton was too close to London and a new hub would fail to have an impact in providing new opportunities for a local workforce.

Cllr Wall said: “For me, as chairman of the Greater Brighton region - an area covering nearly one million residents from the south coast to Gatwick - what concerned us was that this revealed an unfortunate unawareness of the needs of our young people, the skills gaps we clearly have, the pockets of deprivation that exist, the employment opportunities we need to create for people born and brought up here to be able to stay. 

“That we are simply lumped together with London was always a suspicion. But I hadn’t ever seen it laid out so barely before.”

He adds: “Are we to be punished for living underneath London, for failing to get the investment in road and rail that we need because of a vague notion that we are doing alright anyway? I hope not.”

Despite the difficulties mentioned above, Cllr Wall said that Greater Brighton, which is made up local authorities, businesses and academia, would continue to make significant headway in drawing in funding to address key issues.

He pointed to the securing of £160 million of Local Enterprise Partnership investment in flood defences, house building, town centre modernisation, job creation and road improvements. 

Cllr Wall also referenced the opening of an Advanced Engineering Centre and a Construction Trades Centre last year which will help create a skilled workforce of the future.

He added that Gatwick Airport and Crawley Borough Council joining the Greater Brighton Economic Board showed that the benefits of working together as a coherent regional force were being recognised.

Cllr Wall said: “As chairman I am determined that Greater Brighton will start punching its own weight, pushing its case in a way we have admired from some leaders in the north.

“To be seen as the southern outpost of London is to do to the area a massive disservice. My job this year, working with the Board, is to remind government and business that we do have challenges and also have much to offer to help create wealth for the UK.”

Better Brighton & Hove Launch Architectural Competition

A heaven sent opportunity?

You have a magnificent big church building.  It’s listed as being of architectural and historic interest and value.  But because of its size and age the small dedicated church congregation (and their Diocese) are faced with an increasing maintenance bill which they cannot afford. Neither can they make provision for its future.

That’s the issue facing many churches in the city and in the country, but one the congregation of St Martin’s in Lewes Road, Brighton want to address. 

St Martin’s is an enormous church built by the Rev. Henry Wagner in the 1860s to give the local artisans and workers – the poorer families - a beautiful place of worship, and with its stunning architectural features a glimpse of the life to come.

It’s a tricky problem, but the Diocese of Chichester and the Parish are exploring a radical new idea to see if they can find the solution.  Supported by a local charity keen to develop new ideas for the city – A Better Brighton & Hove – they are holding an architectural competition with a difference.  They are not just looking for innovative design ideas on this magnificent Grade ll listed building, they are seeking team entries which can prove their proposals are viable by bringing to the table end users and/or developers and investors.

They have instructed Colander, architectural competition specialists, to carry out the competition which went live this week.  The net for entrants is being spread far and wide – locally, nationally and internationally, to find the best designers and the best uses for the church and hall complex, whilst maintaining some worship space on the site.

Peter Field the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex has agreed to chair the judging panel.  For many years he chaired the Regeneration Partnership for the city and he sees this as a possible way forward to deal with some of the city’s heritage building problems.  He said:

“St Martin’s is big in both floor space and volume, and I see no reason why additional space cannot be created to result in a very large area that can be put to a variety of uses - be they commercial, cultural or community.  Care will be needed to reflect and incorporate the magnificent internal features, but we could end up with a very exciting project.

If we find viable ways to restore this magnificent building then we may have a great blueprint for others to use in the future.

The competition is open to architects, designers, developers, investors and occupiers and full details can be found by visiting the Colander website.  Registration of interest closes in September.

https://www.colander.co.uk/architectural-competitions

Valley Gardens redevelopment lands lead contractor

The Valley Gardens  Project has announced Dyer & Butler Ltd. as the successful contractors who will lead on the majority of the Valley Gardens construction works and communications. For more information, please see link to the recent press release published earlier this month:  https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/press-release/contract-awarded-valley-gardens-project

Pre-contract discussions between Brighton & Hove City Council and Dyer & Butler Ltd. have taken place and a start date has been identified and agreed for 3rd  September 2018. From this date contractors will be on-site starting work on the greenspace behind  St Peters Church. Initial work activities include setting up site compounds,  site preparation, investigation  and clearance works. It is expected that highway work should commence mid-September on the north-east area of the scheme. 

A full detailed programme is being developed and will be shared prior to works commencing on the highway. Dyer & Butler Ltd  have appointed a  Valley Gardens Communications Officer who will be responsible for ensuring you will be kept up to date as the construction work progress.

Up to date information relating to Valley Gardens can also be found on the BHCC website: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/parking-and-travel/travel-transport-and-road-safety/a-vision-valley-gardens