Category Archives: Business News

Business Advice, Business News

Campaign launched to recharge high streets and businesses in the West Midlands

A new campaign to support businesses that are safely open for business in the West Midlands launches today.

#WMOpen4Biz is being run by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and is backed by the region’s trade and industry leaders, to encourage shoppers and residents to safely return to town and city centres. Since June, businesses and offices have been opening their doors again, putting in measures to ensure they are ‘Covid-secure’ and that residents can shop and work safely.

The campaign has been kicked off by Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street who visited a variety of independent shops in Wolverhampton and Birmingham to see how they had made themselves ‘Covid-secure’.

The Mayor said: “Coronavirus continues to have a big impact on our way of life and shows no sign of stopping, meaning we must learn to live safely with it. This is critical because whilst we face a public health crisis, we also face an economic one too.

“It is brilliant that so many local businesses, shops, restaurants, and a whole host of other venues have re-opened their doors despite the difficult times, but they need support to stay open.

“As well as Government support which we are lobbying for, small acts such as buying a morning coffee from a coffee shop, picking up lunch from a sandwich bar, and shopping on your local high street for essentials instead of online, can make such a difference to these businesses, their employees, and ultimately the West Midlands economy.

“So I want to encourage everyone who can to safely get out to our brilliant local shops and restaurants once again. West Midlands businesses are open, and they have gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of workers and customers, so please remember to socially distance and wear a mask.”

Cllr Ian Brookfield, WMCA portfolio lead for economy and innovation and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council said: “During the summer, shopping areas have safely reopened across the region including in our city thanks to our Wolverhampton Open for Business Campaign.

“Despite ongoing challenges with Covid-19, the message is that the West Midlands as a region is open for business and it’s important to continue to support your local high streets and boost the economy.”

As part of the campaign launch, the Mayor visited local businesses in Wolverhampton city centre that have managed to keep their doors open thanks to taking measures to make their premises safe. He visited the offices of the Express and Star; Ron Flowers Sports; Blooms Menswear; and Michael Kirk the Butcher.

Sam Carter, sales assistant at Ron Flowers Sports, said: “It’s definitely a good campaign. Getting people back in the shop is brilliant but keeping people safe is ultimately the most important part; I’m all for getting people back on the high street.”

The Mayor also visited businesses in Birmingham city centre, who also shared the measures that they had put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their customers, including Piccadilly Cobbler and the Smithsonia gift shop.

The campaign has received strong support from business representative organisations, including the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.

Anjum Khan, the director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), said: “The Open for Business safely campaign, in conjunction with the ABCC’s Business Support campaign, will be critical in engaging more members of the Asian business community with guidance and advice that is crucial to their survival.

“Working collaboratively, we can help businesses throughout the region, by ensuring they have the knowledge and resources they need to remain open while doing all that they can to contain the spread of this virus.

“Any business that is looking for support should call our hotline for advice on 0121 274 3280.”

Further details of advice and support for businesses can be found at https://beta.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/covid-19-support/business-support/

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street meets Nia Cameron (centre) and Ayisha Saddique (right) at Ron Flowers Sports in Wolverhampton ahead of today’s launch of the #WMOpen4Biz campaign
Business News, Coronavirus, Retail

Town centre shops and hospitality firms unite to bounce back from Coronavirus lockdown

THE VIBRANT market town of Mold will be stronger than ever in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

As has been the case in communities across north east Wales, businesses and residents have come together like never before; supporting local firms and food and drink producers, embracing online platforms and new service models, and looking after one another during one of the most challenging periods in the country’s history.

As independent shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars reopen safely and securely, with strict social distancing measures in place, the town council has been busy behind closed doors promoting the town and its unique community.

Pre-lockdown, Mold was shortlisted for the ‘Rising Star Award’ at the prestigious Great British High Street Awards, and its vacancy rate was at a very low level in comparison to the national average.

Jo Douglass, Business and Regeneration Officer, revealed how COVID-19 has since impacted upon the high street and surrounding area.

“We have been in awe of the businesses, the way they’ve adapted to customers’ needs, changed their models and offered home delivery at no extra cost has been incredible,” she said.

“The support from the community has reflected that, people have wanted to shop local and as a result Mold has continued to be busy.

“The measures Flintshire County Council have put in place as restrictions have eased have enabled them to feel confident, there is a safety net in place and social distancing rules, as the health and wellbeing of the public is of course paramount.”

Some essential stores have even set aside after-hours time slots for shoppers who have been shielding to purchase their goods in an isolated environment.

“It’s fantastic customer service, people are able to go shopping on their own and can feel totally safe, which is great to see,” said Jo.

Jane Evans, Events and Community Engagement Officer, added a one-way traffic and pedestrianised system is in place to ensure space is at a premium.

And the ‘Totally Mold’ shop local voucher scheme launches this October, ensuring businesses continue to be supported.

“The vouchers can be given as gifts, and towards Christmas we will introduce other new ideas and special offers to build on momentum,” said Jane.

“It’s also for service providers, hairdressers, gyms, events, restaurants and not just retail, which highlights what a wide variety of businesses we have in Mold.

“If every adult in the town spent £5 a week in our shops rather than online that would equate to more than £2million a year for the local economy. People have already got behind it, they have been so supportive and as a result we are seeing green shoots of recovery after a challenging few months.”

The second annual Blasu/Taste North East Wales is taking place virtually this year after organisers Clwydian Range Food and Drink and Llangollen and Dee Valley Food and Drink, with the support of Cadwyn Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the local authorities of Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire, decided to host an online celebration to ensure the health and safety of participants.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, via the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Visit Mold Town Centre Facebook page at www.facebook.com/moldtowncentre.mold/ for more information and latest information and updates.

For more information on Taste North East Wales, visit www.tastenortheastwales.org/ and follow the hashtag #keeplocalalive on social media.

Business Investment, Business News, News

UK scaleups face £15bn growth capital gap

Urgent action is required to close the UK’s growth capital gap, according to a report released today by Innovate Finance, the ScaleUp Institute and Deloitte in collaboration with the Business Action Council (BAC), by accelerating, evolving and expanding existing initiatives under a national framework for growth.

The report, The Future of Growth Capital, stresses that closing the emerging £15bn gap will provide opportunities for aiding the UK’s economic recovery post-Covid, generating future prosperity and boosting regional economies, productivity, innovation and internationalism.

Growth capital refers to the financing that enables scaling innovative companies, both young and established, to reach maturity.

The gap — the difference between demand for and supply of growth capital — stood at £5bn-£10bn a year before the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic has significantly exacerbated the issue and effectively doubled the gap, with it now reaching £15bn.

The report lays out five specific and practical recommendations to tackle the long-standing, structural problem of a lack of available capital for scaleup companies. The recommendations are:

  1. Create a ‘National Blueprint for Growth’ that delivers a strategic joined up approach to support and champion more consistent and effective economic growth across all regions and sectors
  2. Accelerate the unlocking of Institutional and Corporate Funding through changes in legislation and organisation that crowds in the existing significant private sector capital that can make inroads into closing the growth capital gap
  3. Expand and build upon the British Business Bank (BBB) by strengthening the regional presence of the BBB with empowered decision making deployed under a national framework, and continue the developments of its products along with Scottish Investment Bank (SIB), Development Bank of Wales and Invest NI
  4. Expand the role and scale of Innovate UK and its direct deployment of innovation capital to our most innovative, early stage and scaling businesses
  5. Create a “Future Opportunity Fund” to develop diverse sectors and impact investing potential that is focused on emerging, socially inclusive markets, including the carbon net-zero economy

There are a number of potential benefits from closing the growth-funding gap and laying to rest the long-term structural issues identified in the report. These include a 10-20% boost in business investment, doubling the number of scaleups in the UK and supporting levelling-up objectives delivered through strong growth across all regions.

The UK’s 33,860 scaleup businesses constitute a critical portion of UK small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and contribute £1 trillion to the UK economy annually. These scaleups represent 50% of the SME economy and are twice as likely to innovate and have international businesses than their peers.

The UK is the top destination in Europe for FinTech investment and has strong growth in sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and media. Although it ranks third in the world for starting a business, it only ranks 13th when it comes to scaling them.

The report looks at what the UK can learn from the targeted support that many of the UK’s international peers have developed for scaleups. The five recommendations draw on lessons from what Germany, Canada and the USA are doing to deploy growth capital to scaleups in their own countries as a means to drive economic revival. This is often also in tandem with structured long-term business support measures.

Irene Graham OBE, CEO of ScaleUp Institute, commented: “Scaleup companies are key to economic recovery. They make a significant contribution across the country in every locality and sector. As this report highlights, even through the Covid-19 period, they remain highly innovative and are still investing in R&D and job creation. As we seek to build back better we must be bold in addressing our scaleup challenges and the widening gap in long term patient capital.

“We believe that the combination of approaches set out in this report can finally solve long standing growth capital issues and make significant inroads to the leveling up agenda. As this report emphasises, the public and private sector must work together in a collaborative effort to deliver the step change required.”

Charlotte Crosswell, CEO of Innovate Finance, commented: “As we reset our economy in the wake of Covid-19, this is the moment to address the growth and innovation-capital gap with long-term policy solutions. We accept that there is no silver bullet or single policy that can resolve a complex issue. That is why our recommendations spread across different areas and feed into a long-term solution.

“The problem is abundantly clear, and it’s now crucial we make the changes and address it. Areas of our growth economy such as the FinTech sector – which is full of scaling, innovative companies – are advancing at a rapid pace, and we risk losing an entire generation of vitally important businesses if we don’t make the necessary structural adjustments.”

Richard Kibble, UK Head of Banking at Deloitte, commented: “No one can deny the widespread disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the short and medium term, it’s vital that we find new ways to get the economy growing again. However, longer term it also represents a unique opportunity to reset some of the fundamental challenges the UK has faced for quite some time – regional levelling up, diversity, carbon emissions, unemployment – to name but a few.

“We believe therefore that Covid-19 should act as a catalyst for change. Now more than ever it is vital that businesses are encouraged to start and scale up to their full potential. After all, it could be a chance to create a positive and lasting legacy from the upheaval of this crisis.”

Download the report here: https://growthcapital.report

 

Business News, COVID-19, Local Government, Wales News

Bridgend Businesses encouraging visitors and other businesses to make a promise to help keep Wales safe this summer

Businesses in Bridgend are encouraging visitors and other businesses across Bridgend county borough to make a promise to help keep Wales safe.

The promise, or Addo in Welsh, is part of a Visit Wales initiative which asks people to care for each other, for the land and for our communities by doing the little things that together will make a big difference.

The steps include regularly washing hands or using sanitiser, keeping a safe distance from other groups by choosing open spaces and respecting local rules, sticking to paths in the countryside and keeping dogs on leads when needed, and enjoying the best Wales has to offer by supporting local businesses and buying Welsh produce.

Emma Lamport who provides outdoor activities to connect children and families to the coast via the Beach Academy at the Watersports Centre in Rest Bay, Porthcawl, said: “I think it’s really important for businesses to sign to help instil confidence – everyone wants to feel safe and we are certainly finding that parents want to know safety measures are in place.

“As a service provider, anything at the moment that can give confidence and shows to people that you care is important, it’s extremely simple to sign up to and only takes a moment.

“We’ve been open for a couple of weeks and are seeing more and more families venture out – at the watersports centre and on the beach, it’s easy to put all the safety measures in place.”

The Visit Wales scheme is free to join and anyone travelling around Wales is encouraged to get involved by signing the pledge online to ensure Wales is a safe place to visit.

Tracey Miles runs STEER – The Enterprise Academy in Tondu, a 37-acre community project incorporating a Resource and Wellbeing Centre, a forest school, sensory garden, outdoor gym, community café, 14-acre historical woodlands and more. She said: “We would encourage businesses and visitors to sign up to the promise – with the Covid-19 pandemic, these safety measures are key and when it comes to caring for our environment and our communities – it’s exactly what we’re all about.”

Bridgend County Borough Council recently launched a new destination brand and website, promoting places to visit in the area and providing information on activities and available accommodation.

The new platform visitbridgend.co.uk was due to launch ahead of the Easter holidays but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Replacing the BridgendBites website, the new site promotes the sea, summits and scenery of the county borough, featuring a range of activities, accommodation and various places of interest.

 

Automotive Tech, Business News, Logistics Tech

GROWING DEMAND FOR LONE DRIVER PROTECTION SOLUTIONS FROM ROAD TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS BUSINESSES

Peoplesafe has seen a surge in demand for its personal safety solutions from the road transport and logistics sectors as businesses look to safeguard vulnerable delivery professionals. There are increasing dangers when making deliveries – such as the risk of being physically attacked or being struck at the roadside – so vehicle operators are exploring new ways to ensure driver welfare and meet duty of care commitments.

“We are increasingly hearing from vehicle operators that assaults, attempted thefts and roadside incidents are on the rise, so the threat to drivers working alone has rarely been greater,” explains Naz Dossa, CEO of Peoplesafe. “Our range of personal safety solutions are designed to offer added lone worker protection when a driver is away from the vehicle and at greatest risk, providing peace of mind and supporting duty of care.”

Peoplesafe provides a comprehensive range of handheld devices, fobs and apps for drivers operating in remote or unsafe locations, especially out of hours or after dark. The lone worker app turns any smartphone or tablet into an effective personal safety device, which can also be used in conjunction with a wearable Bluetooth button for even easier, more discreet personal protection.

Drivers can immediately raise an alarm in the event of an emergency in a number of ways, depending on their access to their device or phone. This alerts Peoplesafe’s 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), which quickly determines the level of threat and provides the fastest possible response to the incident. A driver can also log locations and activities, with monitored check-up messages if required. The additional fall detection functionality also recognises if a driver needs assistance having fallen over or been knocked down.

“There are over 300,000 HGV drivers working within the UK, of which the majority work alone, often at night. With employers having to meet more and more stringent legislation on protecting their staff, having an effective lone worker safety culture is now essential. We are already working closely with hundreds or organisations, across multiple sectors, to protect tens of thousands of vulnerable workers every day,” concludes Dossa.