PLATF9RM reveals ambitious plans for latest Hove Town Hall development

PLATF9RM reveals ambitious plans for latest Hove Town Hall development

Brighton & Hove’s largest independent coworking and business community, PLATF9RM is turning a previously vacant area of Hove Town Hall into the company’s first semi-public venue. The new ground floor development will connect to PLATF9RM’s existing space on the second floor of Hove Town Hall, which has been home to more than 200 members and 50 businesses since 2017.

Artist's impressions have today been released of the latest PLATF9RM venue, which is opening its doors on Friday 1st March. With space for up to 200 people, the bold ground floor development of more than 4,000 sq foot will breathe life back into the building, accentuating its original soft-brutalist features and exposing shuttered concrete previously unseen for over 25 years.

The development follows an £11 million renovation of the iconic Brutalist building in 2016. The Church Road undercroft that PLATF9RM is converting was last open to the public as a walkway more than 25 years ago. In the intervening years it was divided into separate spaces that were used for council offices, parking permit collection, a toy library and even a wedding room.

PLATF9RM’s new members-only coworking lounge and informal meeting area will benefit from an adjacent cafe and bar space that will also be open to the public from spring 2019.

The mezzanine floors will feature four meeting rooms available to members and non-members, including a 12-person boardroom with elevated views across the atrium. Downstairs will house showers for cycling commuters, artwork, bar seating and a 100-person plus event space with a full community programme of social and cultural events. The outside will also be opened out into a cafe working space.

Seb Royle, CEO and founder of PLATF9RM, said: “Brighton & Hove has the most incredible blend of talented people and businesses, but they have long lacked a home that matches their ambitions.

“PLATF9RM exists to support new and exciting ways of working and enable freelancers and businesses to spark new connections. This venture is a physical representation of that vision.

“It will be the first PLATF9RM venue with a high street presence and public access. We’re bringing this right into the community to support our city’s unique working culture, while rejuvenating the high street at the same time.”

Council leader, Daniel Yates, said: “Brighton & Hove is at the forefront of new ways of working, and it’s great to see an unused part of Hove Town Hall being brought back to life, offering co-working space for people wanting to work, network, host meetings and do business.

“Collaborative workspaces that foster connections between small businesses and freelancers are an essential part of the ecosystem for this thriving part of our economy. We’re very happy to be supporting PLATF9RM in transforming this space to serve our diverse business community.”

PLATF9RM’s two existing venues at North Road’s Tower Point and the second floor of Hove Town Hall on Church Road are already home to 650 members across 200 businesses ranging from startups to larger employers. The new venue, especially aimed at freelancers, will have room for 200 more members.

Anthony Prior, Director of Bagelman, added: “As a local high street business owner it’s encouraging to see this aspirational development bringing together the trends for freelance working and cafe culture. We need people with new ideas to evolve the high street and this hybrid between work, leisure and community could be part of the puzzle.”

PLATF9RM members use a blend of private offices and collaborative working environments among beautifully fitted surroundings. They can choose various packages ranging from unlimited access or a set number of hours per week starting from £99 a month. Packages above the entry level 40hr/per week membership allow members to move between venues as much as they like, with the latest venture at Hove Town Hall being no exception.

More than 50 new members have already signed up to join once the building opens. To book a tour of the space contact jess@platf9rm.com or visit www.platf9rm.com/groundfloor.

BRIGHTON SCHOOLS AND THEIR STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT LIFE CHANGING EVENT AIMED AT BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND IMPROVING CAREER PROSPECTS

BRIGHTON SCHOOLS AND THEIR STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT LIFE CHANGING EVENT AIMED AT BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND IMPROVING CAREER PROSPECTS

Sussex Police has initiated the launch of an innovative programme in Brighton to inspire young people by building their confidence and self-esteem to improve their employment and educational opportunities. Be the Change, created in 2015, has helped to support 2,000 young people in Sussex and now sees the start of the new Brighton programme with 110 school students from nine Brighton and Hove secondary schools joining the launch event on Thursday, January 31 at the American Express Community Stadium.

The 2019 Brighton programme launched following aspirations of Sussex Police to develop a preventative programme to support disengaged young people. The programme was also made possible following the support and business volunteers from other leading local employers, including headline sponsor Brandwatch and supporting partners American Express, Legal & General, Focus Group and Brighton and Hove City Council. The volunteer business guides from some of Brighton’s biggest employers were touched by the honest and emotional stories from 13 and 14 year old local students who shared their experiences and day-to-day challenges at the Brighton Be the Change event.

110 students and 36 business volunteers took part in activities that focussed on happiness, confidence, hope, relationships and employability, encouraging them to focus on personal qualities as well as qualifications and provide them with techniques to confidently promote themselves. Many of them spoke bravely about the barriers which they feel are holding them back, but now feel more positive about both their education and employment future, through the support of their business volunteers.

Be the Change has been co-developed by Gary Peters of LoveLocalJobs.com and co-founder Graham Moore of metamoorephosis. At the ground breaking launch, the students and business volunteers took part in activities that were created and expertly led by, Graham Moore, a former teacher who understands the challenges facing young people today.

Graham said: “Our vision is for every young person to have raised hope and confidence, to have the chance to develop life skills and create positive cycles that will prepare them for life. Be the Change is a perfect vehicle to help young people develop the qualities and qualifications they need for a better future. The volunteers and the invaluable support and belief of local businesses adds a further dimension and depth to the engagement and journey the young people will experience.”

Founder of LoveLocalJobs.com Gary Peters said: “So many people leave school without the tools, confidence or belief to realise their full potential and Be the Change helps ensure our local next generation can thrive, irrespective of any barriers that may be in their way. Anybody can work to be the best they can be; it’s our commitment to give them the tools, confidence and inspiration to do so.”

Donna Ward, Detective Inspector from Sussex Police said: “We are really proud that alongside our partners, we have been able to make this happen for the young people of Brighton & Hove. We know that there is a direct correlation between school exclusions and the likelihood of being drawn into crime and so supporting those who are disengaged in education and empowering them to make positive choices acts as an excellent early preventative measure.

“As well as the wealth of benefits to the children who have been selected to participate in this programme, this is also a fantastic opportunity for the nine Brighton Police Officers and staff who have volunteered alongside other local businesses to act as mentors for the duration of the programme. We are always looking to develop new ways of engaging with and breaking down barriers with young people and programmes such as this provide the ideal opportunity to do just that.”

Jeremy Holtom, Head of Year 9 at Dorothy Stringer School said: “A superb day. Every student was welcomed and valued. They were given a boost to their confidence and a chance to share and have celebrated what is best about them. I watched a visible and positive change take place in many of my students during the course of the day. An inspirational start to what promises to be a really beneficial programme.”

To find out more about Be the Change, visit http://promotions.lovelocaljobs.com/bethechange/

High growth SaaS startup Futrli appoints new CTO to drive next wave of platform evolution

High growth SaaS startup Futrli appoints new CTO to drive next wave of platform evolution

Brighton's Futrli has today announced the appointment of Doug Johnson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Joining from behavioural marketing specialist SaleCycle, Johnson brings over 17 years experience to the role in which he will be responsible for driving the technology strategy and direction for Futrli, and working alongside Founder and CEO, Hannah Dawson, in leading the next phase of innovation and growth in Futrli’s platform.

Johnson has held senior positions at multiple high growth technology companies. During his tenure at SaleCycle he oversaw the technology transformation which enabled SaleCycle to achieve 2000% growth in its real-time data processing capability. Prior to this he worked for the Sage Group plc where, in his role as Head of Architecture for Sage One, he was responsible for the global technical strategy behind a single platform which enabled the release of online accounting and payroll solutions in 14 different countries.

Doug’s appointment comes soon after the news of Futrli’s selection to join Tech Nation’s 2019 Upscale 4.0 programme. The programme is designed to turn today’s most promising scale ups into tomorrow’s tech giants, with previous successes including Monzo, Bulb and Bloom & Wild.

Hannah Dawson comments: “This is a significant appointment for us and as we continue to invest in our technology, we’re excited to have Doug’s extensive experience and knowledge joining Futrli. Doug brings domain expertise, leadership and customer focus to the role and will be instrumental in helping us achieve our growth ambitions.

“In 2018 we doubled our workforce and increased our customer base by 30% year-on-year. We expect this trend to continue throughout 2019 and beyond, so introducing talent of Doug’s calibre is critical at this formative time for the business.”

Doug Johnson comments: “The vision for Futrli to have a groundbreaking impact on the success rate of small businesses worldwide is truly inspiring. Having witnessed first-hand the team's focus, determination, passion and overall capability, I feel privileged to be joining them in February to help bring that vision to life.”

Johnson will join the Futrli team on 18 February 2019.

SHOREHAM PORT APPOINTS UK’S FIRST PORT DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE & CLIMATE CHANGE AND WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

SHOREHAM PORT APPOINTS UK’S FIRST PORT DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE & CLIMATE CHANGE AND WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

Some important role changes are taking place at Shoreham Port this month. Tony Parker, previously Director of Engineering, is moving over to the new role of Director of Infrastructure & Climate Change, the first of its kind for a UK port. Meanwhile, Brian Rousell has been promoted from Deputy Director to Director of Engineering.

As an Eco-Port, Shoreham Port regularly assesses its environmental impact to develop strategies to anticipate and respond to environmental challenges, including climate change, air quality and energy conservation as well as noise, waste, and water management.

Tony is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a member of the ICE’s South Maritime Panel. With over 40 years of experience in the design, implementation and management of port and harbour facilities, as well coast protection and waterside development, Tony Parker has a wealth of expertise that makes him an ideal fit for the pioneering role of Director of Infrastructure & Climate Change.

Tony commented “I am very much looking forward to taking on my new role. I will be pushing forward on the large infrastructure challenges at the Port such as a new, bigger and more efficient lock and major schemes to counter sea level rise and increased storminess.’’

Tony continued “The climate change role is very much about achieving the most positive contribution possible for a port to the challenges of climate change and the quality of the environment. Working closely with our local authorities and communities, we will aim to speed our way towards nett zero emission of greenhouse gases with a gradual reduction in the use of fossil fuels around the Port and an increase in our generation and use of green energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines.’’

‘’We also intend to enhance our ability to supply electricity directly to ships berthed on our quays and to fit the most energy-efficient lighting and power systems throughout the entire Port estate. In cooperation with the rest of the port industry and government, we will also work to increase the role of highly energy-efficient coastal shipping to replace the relatively high energy use of road and rail transport for goods.’’

In his new role as Director of Engineering, Brian Rousell will oversee the maintenance of all the quays, harbour arms, lock gates, and other assets around the Port, as well as managing the design and construction of new projects, such as new transit sheds, coast protection and terminals.

Brian has cumulatively worked at the Port for over seven years, having worked as a Port Engineer for six years from 2009 and returning to become the Deputy Director of Engineering in February of last year. Prior to joining the Port, Brian studied Civil Engineering at the University of Portsmouth before working in a variety of engineering roles, predominantly working within clean and waste water schemes. Brian is a Chartered Civil Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) Ambassador.

Brian commented “I am very proud to take on the role of Director of Engineering at the Port. Shoreham Port provides a fascinating range of engineering challenges and I am excited to lead our dedicated, skilled and enthusiastic team through these over the coming years. I plan to build on the approach that Tony has taken over the years, earning much respect in the maritime engineering world and leaving the Port’s infrastructure in a very strong position. I am really looking forward to working with my Senior Leadership Team peers and the Non-executive Board, absolutely confirming my decision to return for a second spell at Shoreham Port.”

Valley Garden's Feb 2019 Update Newsletter

Valley Garden's Feb 2019 Update Newsletter

The latest newsletter about the Valley Gardens Improvement Project has just been published. To view it, please click here.

Brexit & Brighton

Brexit & Brighton

The UK’s housing market and the construction industry, initially appeared relatively unaffected by the 2016 vote to leave the EU, despite a short pause after the surprise referendum result as householders took stock. But now with departure from the EU fast approaching in March 2019, it seems as if the uncertainties surrounding Brexit are weighing heavily on the property market.

Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, stated in September that a disorderly no-deal Brexit could see a drop in house prices by a third. Whilst he added that this most likely to impact the capital. Mr Carney’s warning did represent an extreme scenario, and the specifics of any deal ‘finally’ agreed by the government will of course affect the outcome and how the economy as a whole performs post Brexit.

There are many factors for households to consider when deciding whether Brexit should affect their decisions on house purchases and sales.

Housing markets in London have certainly slowed: with prices in London falling by 0.7 per cent in the past year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Transaction levels in the capital have also dropped 20 per cent on the same period from last year.

Moving away from the capital you can see clear evidence that average house prices remain on the rise. House prices overall in England increased by 3% in the year to September 2018, with Wales and Scotland both seeing increases of 5.8% over the same period.

Brighton itself was one of the areas that voted most overwhelmingly in favour to remain at almost 70%. Only 8 areas (outside of London boroughs) of a total of 400 had a higher remain percentage.

Tom Sleven of Graves Jenkins commented “We have noticed that as Brexit approaches most buyers are choosing to take a ‘wait and see’ approach regarding their sale or purchase. This is having a slowing affect on the marketplace but could rapidly change post Brexit. That being said the market has continued to remain active in Brighton with us agreeing multiple deals in the first weeks of January, which bodes well for the belief in the market from buyers”. Adding that “rather than wait sellers should consider marketing their property now, as there is so little housing stock available and still so many buyers on the lookout that you are likely to have a better chance of securing a sale at a good price”.

Our firm is an estate agency with a reputation built on total commitment to customer service and expert local knowledge. For over 25 years we have been helping people secure the best price in the shortest time for their home.

Should you wish to take advantage of their expertise, please call Tom Sleven on 01273 601060, to book your appointment.

Tom Sleven Head of Residential; Graves Jenkins

Military spouses face discrimination when applying for jobs

Military spouses face discrimination when applying for jobs

• Barclays research shows that four in ten say that having a partner in the military has prevented them from being offered a job interview

• A fifth of military spouses have hidden their military connection from potential employers

• A third say that their spouse’s career has meant that they’ve had to leave a job or take reduced hours

Military spouses are hiding their military connections when applying for jobs, a new study from Barclays has revealed.

The research from the Barclays AFTER (Armed Forces Transition, Employment & Resettlement) programme shows that partners of military personnel face a number of career challenges, with as many as four in ten (39 per cent) believing that they haven’t progressed through a job application because of their partner’s career choice. A fifth (18 per cent) believe this has happened on multiple occasions.

A significant number of military spouses think there is an underlying bias against hiring military spouses, with four in ten (38 per cent) believing that employers would be put off hiring someone if they knew that their partner was in the military. It does not come as a surprise therefore that a fifth (19 per cent) of spouses have hidden the fact that they are a military partner from a potential employer.

Kevin Gartside, Director of the AFTER programme at Barclays, said: “Our Armed Forces are well known for their dedication and it’s important to remember that, behind the scenes, they’ll often be supported by an equally committed partner. Today’s research reminds us that this commitment can lead to military spouses having to make sacrifices in their own careers or, even worse, being potentially overlooked by employers.”

Career barriers

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of military spouses feel that having a partner in the Armed Forces has negatively impacted their career in some way, with many having to sacrifice their own careers to accommodate their partner’s. A third (33 per cent) report they have had to leave a job or take reduced hours because of it, while 15 per cent have had to take a job below their level of experience.

As well as a perceived bias amongst employers, many military spouses report wider barriers that hold them back when it comes to their career. The majority of military spouses (55 per cent) say their careers do (or did) take second place to their partner’s, while half (50 per cent) think they could have been able to focus more on their career if their partner was not in the Armed Forces.

Supporting military spouses

Perhaps reflective of the nature of military life, half of military spouses (50 per cent) say they’d benefit from a job that allowed flexible working – allowing them to keep working in the same job regardless of where their partners are posted.

In addition to this, 37 per cent say they’d like more support with finding work placements, while 28 per cent say practical advice on writing CVs and attending interviews would help them to achieve their full career potential.

Kevin Gartside adds “With the right support in place, employers of all sizes can help military spouses to find rewarding, challenging careers that suit their lifestyle – whether that’s offering flexible working or supporting them through the job application process. At Barclays, we’re committed to supporting military families and offer targeted support for spouses whose partners are in the Armed Forces, by offering work experience and CV support.”

Helen, a military spouse from Barclays’ office in Glasgow said: “I’ve often hidden my military connection from past employers, as I didn’t want to be seen as asking for special treatment or allowances.

“For me, one of the most challenging aspects of being a military spouse is balancing a young family and a full-time career when, often, my husband’s working schedule has to take priority. In previous jobs, I have felt that not being able to travel or work longer hours has hindered my career.

“It wasn’t until I became enrolled in the Barclays AFTER programme that I felt comfortable talking about my personal circumstances with my employer, however now I feel like I can have a transparent conversation with my colleagues and arrange my work around the needs of my family.”

DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN LONDON? BRIGHTON IS ONE OF THE BEST CITIES TO DEVELOP A CAREER IN DIGITAL

DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN LONDON? BRIGHTON IS ONE OF THE BEST CITIES TO DEVELOP A CAREER IN DIGITAL

• Monster.co.uk releases its Digital Cities Ranking highlighting the top 10 cities in the UK for developing digital careers outside of London

• Monster.co.uk analysed digital economy growth, available digital jobs and quality of life

• Created a Digital Cities Hub where candidates can find and apply for jobs outside of London easily: https://www.monster.co.uk/digital-cities.

United Kingdom – Monster’s Digital Cities highlights the top 10 cities outside of London to develop a digital career. To create the ranking Monster analysed a variety of factors across cities in the UK, including digital economy growth, available digital jobs and quality of life to create an overall score. The full rankings and corresponding information, including digital jobs available in these areas is available on Monster’s new Digital Cities Hub.

Louise Goodman, Marketing Director at Monster.co.uk, comments: “Our first Digital Cities ranking shows the digital industry is thriving all over the country, not just in London. With London fast becoming unaffordable for the majority of young people starting out their careers, we hope this ranking will give them confidence that there are exciting opportunities in their home or university cities. You don’t have to move to London to make it in digital!”

Birmingham topped the list thanks to the availability of over 437 digital jobs, combined with 33% industry growth YoY and average salaries of over £43,000 alongside average costs of £638 to rent a one bed home and £4 for a pint.

Leeds saw higher average earnings (£50,041) and lower cost of living, but had slightly fewer jobs than Birmingham available (310) granting it fourth spot on the UK wide ranking.

Edinburgh, seventh in the ranking of best places outside the capital to work, saw the highest average wages (£53,019) and eighth place Belfast saw the lowest rents (£528.5) combined with the largest digital growth with 37%.

Monster Digital Cities ranking:

For more information on each of these top Digital Cities and how to apply for digital focused jobs in the area head to: https://www.monster.co.uk/digital-cities.

New rules on street fundraising in Brighton & Hove

New rules on street fundraising

A new street fundraising agreement covering responsible face-to-face fundraising in Brighton & Hove comes into force today (Monday 28 January).

The agreement between the council, the Brighton City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) covers the whole city. 

The agreement limits fundraising to a number of streets in the city centre and sets controls on when fundraising can take place, the number of fundraisers in a location and the frequency of visits a week. 

The aim of the ‘Site Management Agreement’ (SMA) is to provide a balance between the duty of charities as they raise vital funds and the rights of the public not to be put under undue pressure to give.

•   Read the Brighton & Hove Site Management Agreement in full (PDF 816KB)

Getting the balance right

The decision to review the city’s SMA was made at the Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities & Equalities committee on 3 December 2018 following concerns raised about street fundraising in George Street in Hove.

The new agreement means no street fundraising activity will take place in George Street.

Councillor Emma Daniel, chair of the council’s Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities & Equalities committee, said: 

“Street fundraising is an important way for charities to garner support, but we’ve listened to concerns that it has caused problems in some areas. This new site management agreement will help us get the balance right across the city. I‘m very pleased that we’ve been able to work with the Institute of Fundraisers and the Brighton BID to move so quickly on finding a solution.” 

Gavin Stewart, Chief Executive of the Brighton BID said:

“It’s great to be working closely with partners to ensure that charities have the visibility they need to raise funds, while balancing the needs of businesses and the public. We have worked with the IoF for many years now and welcome this new site management agreement, which I’m sure will deliver a better city centre experience for all involved.”

Alex Xavier, Director of Membership, Compliance and Professional Development at the IoF, said:

“I’m pleased that the IoF is working with Brighton & Hove City Council and the city centre Business Improvement District, Brilliant Brighton  to further improve the level of excellent fundraising in the city centre. Face-to-face fundraising and the work charities do to reach supporters in the Brighton & Hove area is vital to raise important funds for the causes the community cares about. 

“The fundraisers you meet on the street are there to have a personal, one-to-one conversation with members of the public to make a connection with a charitable cause. However, it’s important that these encounters are regulated and are pleasant experiences for the public.”

Street fundraising conditions

As well as setting controls on street fundraising, the new SMA also reiterates the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Street Fundraising Rule Book, which reinforce the rules that all fundraisers in the UK should follow. 

The IoF will support their members operating in Brighton & Hove through a programme of spot checks and continued co-regulation with the council partner. Breaches of the conditions of the SMA attract penalty points under our penalties and sanctions regime.

SHOREHAM PORT WELCOMES NEW MARITIME 2050 STRATEGY

SHOREHAM PORT WELCOMES NEW MARITIME 2050 STRATEGY

A new long-term maritime strategy has been launched by the Department for Transport this week, outlining a range of proposals for the next 30 years. Titled Maritime 2050, the initiative aims to ensure that the UK remains a world-leader within the maritime industry and continues to flourish. The strategy covers a range of topics including future economic trends, technology, environment, trade, safety and security, the future of work and infrastructure.

The port-specific aspects of Maritime 2050 will also be collated into a separate Ports Action Plan. This will include a range of research projects, environmental initiatives and a plan to develop a Maritime Innovation Hub in a UK port by 2030.

Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling commented “Maritime is a vital UK industry, bringing in £14 billion to our economy as well as providing thousands of new and exciting careers for people across the country. This strategy is a clear message to the world – we will continue to be a leading maritime nation for the next 30 years and beyond.”

There are also plans to broaden the existing promotion of diversity in the maritime sector. It is hoped that the already established Women in Maritime Taskforce, of which Shoreham Port’s Director of Corporate Services is a part of, can gather pace and tackle gender equality and diversity within the sector.

The Maritime 2050 strategy has been welcomed by Shoreham Port, whose own 2019-2023 strategy plan mirrors that of the Department of Transport, with aims to protect local amenities and the environment, providing sustainable careers, and enhancing diversity at the Port.

Rodney Lunn, Chief Executive at Shoreham Port commented “The Maritime 2050 initiative is vital to Shoreham Port. Not only are we at the heart of our local community, but we are attracting new diverse recruits for the future. We take our responsibility for the local environment incredibly seriously, so much so, we will be appointing a Climate Change Director at the beginning of February.”

Government Announces Additional Funding for England’s Business Districts

Government Announces Additional Funding for England’s Business Districts

The Business Improvement District (BID) Loan Fund has been established to assist with the development of new BIDs in town and city centres in England. BIDs are business-led partnerships which are created to deliver additional services and upgrade the environment for local businesses.

The Fund will support the development of new BIDs, in recognition that some prospective BIDs can encounter prohibitive start-up costs during their development phase.

Loans are repaid from levy receipts and, as repayments are made, further tranches of loans can be made available. Due to this recycling nature of funds, the provider has just announced the next tranche of funding has opened and applications are being encouraged.

The Fund has an overall budget of £500,000 and loans of between £10,000 and £50,000 are available, with £33,000 being the average offered to individual areas. The funds are to be used exclusively in the development of new BID proposals, which allow communities to come together to deliver additional local services and upgrade commercial areas.

High Streets Minister, Jake Berry MP, said:

"BIDs have a proven track record of upgrading commercial areas to enable business owners and entrepreneurs in our town centres and high streets to thrive. Our Loan Fund is designed to provide them with the means to drive regeneration forward and meet local needs.”

Professor Christopher Turner, British Bids Chief Executive said:

"Business Improvement Districts have been shown to be hugely successful in regenerating town centres. There are now over 300 BIDs across the UK and the Loan Fund that the government set up has been vital in helping key BIDs to emerge."

Expressions of Interest for the eleventh tranche of the Fund are being invited until 5pm on Friday 8 March 2019.

https://britishbids.info/services/bid-loan-fund

Local Businesses Receive Funding Boost

Local Businesses Receive Funding Boost

Coast to Capital recently approved four Growth Grant Applications from the 201819 Growth Grant Programme. In addition to the two applications approved in September 2018, the programme has now awarded growth grants to six businesses across the Coast to Capital area. The programme provides match funded grants to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises in the Coast to Capital area. The funding comes from the Local Growth Fund and aligns with the new strategic economic plan, ‘Gatwick 360˚’.

We are delighted to announce that the following four businesses were awarded Growth Grants:

• Wildtrax Electronics in Littlehampton were awarded a grant of nearly £50,000 to support production productivity enhancements through the upgrading of their surface mount printed circuit board assembly equipment and Industry 4.0 ‘smart’ component feeders. • The Chichester Biltong Company were awarded a grant of £135,000 to purchase new packing machinery for their expansion project. • Roscomac Ltd in Worthing are approved for a grant of £170,000 to support factory modernisation by purchasing 5 new 5-axis CNC milling machines. • Gemini Print Southern Ltd in Shoreham-by-Sea were awarded a grant of £105,100 to purchase a new high-speed print folder that will increase outputs and efficiencies. The programme is not currently accepting applications, however, we encourage eligible businesses in the Coast to Capital area that want to discuss the potential for grant funding from April 2019 to get in touch with the Growth Hub. More details on the programme and eligibility documents can be found on our website.

Jonathan Sharrock, Coast to Capital Chief Executive said:

“We are thrilled to be able to further support our economic area by funding innovative and high growth projects. This programme compliments our already successful Growth Hub service and the new Coast to Capital Escalator Programme.”

Mark Bullen, Managing Director of Wildtrax Electronics said:

“We are incredibly excited about winning this grant as it will enable us to move towards our goal of being Industry 4.0 ready; with significant technological upgrades in machine automation and intelligence. Leading to a step-change in productivity enhancements throughout Wildtrax and GB Electronics group.”

Simon Smith, Managing Director of The Chichester Biltong Company said:

“The Coast to Capital experience has been surprising. The interest and effort shown to us by the late Amanda Geel and her colleagues goes above and beyond

what we ever expected. They tirelessly guided our efforts without hesitation to enable us to apply and successfully attain a £135k grant award. This award enables us to expand into our second factory and buy the much needed automated packing line that we otherwise could not achieve in the time frame required. Coast to Capital are true small business champions. I recommend this program wholeheartedly.”

Joseph Martello, Managing Director of Roscomac Ltd said:

“Roscomac manufactures a wide range of components and subassemblies using the latest CNC technology. This award is great news for Roscomac, its staff and customers, helping us stay at the forefront of machining technology.”

Steve Cropper, Managing Director of Gemini Print Southern Ltd said:

“It was a challenging process applying for the Growth Grant programme, but their input and guidance was invaluable, and such a thorough due diligence process by experts is a really positive thing for any company. The grant has allowed us to invest in leading-edge, world-class technology to achieve costeffective, high-quality results for our clients.”

CPJ Field provides a green way to make the final trip

CPJ Field provides a green way to make the final trip

Family-run funeral director CPJ Field has invested in an electric hearse to offer its clients an environmentally friendly option that is also lower cost. The car, which is a modified Nissan Leaf, is the first electric powered hearse to be available in Brighton. It is now being offered alongside CPJ Field’s more traditional modes of transport and the business aims to switch the rest of its fleet to electric vehicles by 2024.

Electric hearses, which help reduce emissions and protect air quality, are just one step in CPJ Field’s drive to make responsible changes in light of climate change. The company already offers green funerals and alternatives to timber coffins, such as those made with wool, as well as only using wood from sustainable sources. What’s more, £25 is donated to Groundwork UK whenever a standard funeral service is conducted that could create any CO2 emissions.

Electric hearses have benefits for customers too. As the costs to run them are notably lower than a traditional hearse, the savings are passed onto customers with lower hire fees. Customers can hire the Nissan Leaf for £395, compared to £478 for a traditional hearse.

The car, commonly known as the ‘Eco-Hearse’, has a sleek design and is coloured in a traditional black. With the passenger’s side doors being replaced by glass, bystanders have full visibility of the coffin and flowers as with a traditional vehicle. It is also near silent in operation.

Charlie Field, Deputy Chairman at CPJ Field comments: “We’re pleased to now offer a much needed eco-friendly alternative to the traditional hearse. As a 300-year-old family business, we take a long-term view in everything we do and have a responsibility to future generations, as well as caring for the living and the dead now. We’re always looking to innovate and give our clients choices that enable them to fully reflect the values of the person who has died."

2,000 workspaces available for lease at Edward Street Quarter development

2,000 workspaces available for lease at Edward Street Quarter development

2,000 workspaces have been made available to lease in the largest commercial development in central Brighton in the last 25 years, Edward Street Quarter. The 150,000 sq ft commercial element due to be on site this year will include 110,000 sq ft of office space.

Edward Street Quarter is the £120 million redevelopment of the former AMEX House in Brighton.

Designed by BuckleyGreyYeoman, Edward Street Quarter is inspired by Brighton’s eclectic street scene and will introduce a new high-quality public realm, with three new public spaces created by renowned landscape designers Spacehub.

Mixed-use developer First Base and Patron Capital have announced the appointment of Cushman & Wakefield, CF Commercial and SHW as agents for the development.

Cushman & Wakefield and SHW have been appointed as office agents for the scheme, which will deliver 110,000 sq ft of flexible space for Brighton’s burgeoning media and creative sectors and wider corporate community, making it the largest provision of workspace to be delivered in the city since 1993.

SHW and CF Commercial will lead on the marketing of 40,000 sqft targeting food and beverage, gyms, cinemas and retail units.

Edward Street Quarter will also comprise 168 new homes, comprising a mix of private and affordable units to meet local demand.

Demolition of AMEX House is complete, with construction set to commence in early summer 2019.

Steve Eccles, Project Director at First Base, commented: “The growth of Brighton’s creative sector has been frustrated by a shortage of quality workspace, so we anticipate strong demand for the space we are delivering at Edward Street Quarter. We look forward to working with our agents to create an exciting mix of businesses, cafes and restaurants at this new neighbourhood in central Brighton.”

Gavin Stewart, Executive Director, Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said: “It’s no secret that Brighton and Hove is in desperate need of additional housing as well as Grade A office space to support many of the 16,000 businesses that exist in the city. This development delivers just that along with a range of additional enhancements that will support the local community to the East of Brighton for generations to come.”

Circular Brighton & Hove launch best practice event

This seminar will bring together strategic leaders of the Circular Economy and local area practitioners to help the audience understand the basic concepts of Circular Economy and how it is actually being delivered on the ground.   

Circular Economy is a relatively new concept to many people and this session will allow both the uninitiated and converted to expand their knowledge of new ways of approaching business and utilisation of the resources around us and to learn about the local delivery of Circular Economy.  We will be referring to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) definition of Circular Economy.

The ‘Brandwatch journey’ Lunch - How a Brighton company took on the world

The ‘Brandwatch journey’ Lunch - How a Brighton company took on the world

The world’s leading social listening and analytics tech companies was born right here in Brighton - Brandwatch has built intelligent software solutions that meet the needs of over 1,200 business across the globe, including Unilever, Whirlpool, British Airways, Walmart and Dell. With offices in New York, Berlin and Singapore … and an impressive collection of awards, they have come far since their inception in 2007.

On Wednesday 27 February Brighton Chamber is hosting founder and CEO Giles Palmer at Malmaison for a business lunch event.

At The ‘Brandwatch journey’ Lunch Giles will take attendees through the highs and lows of scaling up a small tech company to a global business in seven international cities. He’ll reflect on the challenges and insights he has gained through this considerable growth story and explain why organisations need to find and understand actionable insights from social data and share the right insights with the right people throughout the business.

Join Brighton Chamber for a delicious two-course lunch and glass of wine at Malmaison, with plenty of time for networking and questions with Giles.

Book your place here

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SHOREHAM PORT UNVEILS NEW VISITOR CENTRE FOR HIRE

SHOREHAM PORT UNVEILS NEW VISITOR CENTRE FOR HIRE

There are exciting times ahead for Shoreham Port in 2019, as it expands its bank of commercial property available for hire, which will benefit local businesses and the wider community. Following on from the successes of the fully serviced office centre, Maritime House, Shoreham Port are now unveiling their recently renovated Visitor Centre for hire at flexible hourly and day rates from January 2019.

The Port’s fully serviced and self-contained Visitor Centre boasts an open-plan event space with seating for approximately 30 delegates, as well as a break-off meeting room. The bright, airy modern space is located on the ground floor of the Port’s head office, Nautilus House, reached via a private entrance which is fully wheelchair accessible. The venue also offers a kitchen with full amenities.

The Port’s Visitor Centre is ideally located, just a four-minute walk away from Southwick Railway Station and a one-minute walk from the 700 Stagecoach bus stop. By opening up the Visitor Centre to stakeholders and the local community, the Port aims to support local businesses who are struggling to find affordable meeting space. The space is already being utilised by local charity As You Are, once a week for their Systemic Family Therapy that began this month. Mentoring and coaching has also taken place in the Visitor Centre, along with yoga classes and training workshops.

Tim Hague, Director of Property and Development commented “We’re very pleased that renovations on our Visitor Centre are complete and that the space can be used for the benefit of our stakeholders and the local community. Affordable space is at a premium in the local area and we hope that by opening up our doors we can support local businesses who are in need of a fully accessible, modern and professional space for their meetings and events.’’

Rowena Tyler, Community Rail Developer at Sussex Community Rail Partnership who recently hired the Visitor Centre commented “It was fantastic to be able to book out Shoreham Port's Visitor Centre for our Annual General Meeting. The space was perfect for our 30 guests and we even managed to turn the meeting room into a buffet space! Thoroughly recommend to anyone in the area looking for a fuss free venue to hire.”

To enquire about booking the Visitor Centre, please email visitorcentre@shoreham-port.co.uk or call 01273 598100 for further information.

The Race Is On For Solar In Sussex

The Race Is On For Solar In Sussex

Despite widespread public approval for renewable energy, the UK Government recently announced that it will be ending all subsidies to new solar power projects from April 2019.

The Feed-In-Tariff scheme, which rewards solar panel owners for the clean energy they produce, has supported nearly 1 million solar installations since it began in 2010.

Community energy groups are furious at the decision and are scrambling to complete as many solar projects as possible before the window closes forever.

Kayla Ente from local non-profit Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo), said “This is a major blow for community energy, and is shocking when you remember we were told just a few months ago that the world has until 2030 to avoid the worst effects of climate change.”

BHESCo have launched a ‘Solar For Sussex’ campaign to fundraise £50,000 for eight new community solar projects before the Feed-In-Tariff closes.

Investors will receive a 5% annual return and join a thriving movement that is standing up to climate change.

For more info visit https://bhesco.co.uk/investment

Fully-funded (FREE!) Energy Audits

Fully-funded (FREE!) Energy Audits  

Apply for an Energy Audit through our ongoing UTILISE PLUS PROGRAMME, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

WHAT IS AN ENERGY AUDIT?
An Energy Audit provides you with an impartial, expert assessment of how energy is used at your premises and makes recommendations on how to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills. 

A qualified Energy Assessor will review your organisation's energy data and building information and then visit your premises to undertake a thorough survey and see how energy is being used - this a visual inspection, so not invasive of the structure of the building. These visits usually take around 2 hours and the Assessor will need to be accompanied at all times.

After the site visit, you'll receive your unique Audit Report detailing all the energy saving opportunities for your organisation. 

HOW CAN I BOOK ONE?
To book an Energy Audit, simply register your interest on our website. We'll get in touch with you as soon as possible to collect information on your organisation and your energy use. Once we have everything we need, we can book a date for the audit at a time that's convenient for you.

ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for a free energy audit, you must be a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) based in the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership area. Read the full eligibility criteria on our website.

Beating January blues could cost more than a week in paradise

People are at risk of losing thousands to villa scams, according to new data from Barclays. The data revealed that more than a third of reported villa scams result in losses of over £1,000.

To help holidaymakers stay safe this January, Barclays is issuing a new warning against the dangers of villa scams – where criminals hijack the details of overseas villas, or use fake details to dupe unsuspecting tourists.

Research suggests that all consumers need to take greater care when booking accommodation online to help prevent them from losing their holiday fund. One in seven of those surveyed (14 per cent) admitted they would still book holiday accommodation despite knowing there is a risk of being scammed, and a quarter (26 per cent) would be prepared to put themselves at risk just in the hope of bagging a summer bargain.

Barclays has identified that there are several warning signs people are ignoring when booking their holiday. Research shows that 43 per cent would not hear alarm bells if they were asked to pay for a holiday via bank transfer, and less than half (45 per cent) would check their booking is with a member of a trade body or consumer protection scheme such as the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), leaving them susceptible to less protected companies.

In addition, more than half (55 per cent) would not be put off booking a holiday, even if it seemed ‘too good to be true’.

Ross Martin, Barclays Head of Digital Safety, said: “Trying to escape the January blues may seem like an appealing prospect, but fraudsters are preparing to take advantage of sun-seekers at this time of year. We must all be aware of the risks and make sure we are carrying out proper safety checks to ensure our online security and enjoy a scam-free holiday.”

Barclays top tips for staying safe while booking holidays this January:

1. Is the offer too good to be true?

Do your research. If a villa is advertised at half the going rate and has great availability in peak season when everywhere else is full, this should tell you something. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is

1. Do an internet search on the location

If the villa in question appears to be advertised by other companies under another name, this may also be a warning sign. Be sure to do thorough research before making any booking

1. Are they asking you to pay by transfer?

Scammers love bank transfers. The money goes straight from your account to theirs and then they take it straight out and it disappears. By the time you realise that something is wrong, they are long gone

1. Look for companies that have a real location and real phone numbers

Be suspicious of businesses that will only communicate via email and mobile phones. It’s worth checking the address or even looking at the location through an online street map. Make sure you check that the travel agent and website is certified, and that your payment is going to the right people

1. Before you commit to anything, stop and take time to think

If it is a legitimate company, five minutes isn’t going to make any difference – and it could save you thousands of pounds and untold heartache.

 For more details on how to stay safe, visit www.barclays.co.uk/security

Barclays backs Take Five to Stop Fraud – a national campaign from UK Finance and Government offering straight-forward advice to help everyone prevent financial fraud.