Member News

Changes to employer national insurance (NI) announced in the Budget will add over £900 in business costs annually to the average £33,000 wage in the Brighton and Hove area, according to Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box.

With Christmas just around the corner, Sussex-based law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter is offering timely advice for homeowners looking to sell before the year-end. The festive season presents unique challenges, from reduced working hours to a rush on transactions, but a few key steps can help ensure a smoother sale.

For years, peat has been a popular choice in gardening and horticulture, known for its ability to retain moisture and support plant growth. But as awareness grows around peat extraction’s environmental impact, gardeners and growers are increasingly turning to sustainable alternatives. Coir, a renewable resource derived from coconut husks, offers a powerful, eco-friendly solution. At CoirProducts of Salike®, we’re leading the way in providing peat-free, high-quality coir products that not only help plants thrive but also support a healthier planet.

Carpenter Box has been named the Tax Team of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Accounting Excellence Awards. 

Horsham District Council is inviting local apprenticeship employers and training providers with apprenticeship courses to book a free stand now for their upcoming Apprenticeship Fair. This popular event will take place Saturday 8 February 2025 from 10am to 2pm at the Council’s Parkside offices in Chart Way, Horsham.

Responding to the Chancellor’s proposals on pension reform, Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

-Half (50%) of UK businesses say they have been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East.  -This is almost double the proportion (26%) who said they were affected in late October 2023,   -The main impacts cited by businesses are increased costs, shipping disruption and delays, and uncertainty on oil prices.   -Some firms report cancelling work in the Middle East because of the conflict. 

Reacting to the latest ONS Labour Market data published this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy said: 

Funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) will enable the Jolly Boatman pub in Newhaven to reopen next year with a Lewes brewery set to move in.

Summer 2024 has seen a wealth of new projects completed by the Phoenix Systems trades team. Every workplace fit-out is unique and spans from small office refurbishments to specialist technical fit-outs featuring both interiors and external works for clients across Sussex and Hampshire. Here's a small selection

Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: 

Contractor Pilbeam Construction has strengthened its team with three new hires, boosting its ability to deliver high-quality construction projects across Sussex and the South East.

A new independent taskforce will be launched today to map out an orderly transition for the North Sea that will safeguard tens of thousands of jobs and help secure its long-term future as a critical national asset. 

For those interested in a career in accountancy, Sussex and South East firm Carpenter Box is holding a Trainee Scheme Open Evening in November at their main office in Crescent Road, Worthing.

Mayo Wynne Baxter’s trusts and tax team has doubled in size in the past 30 months – reflecting the increasing demand for specialist legal services across the South East and strengthening the full-service law firm’s ability to provide tailored advice to its growing client base.

We are looking to grow our team! We are a young, fast-growing and dynamic charity, having a huge impact on people’s lives.

People are being encouraged to ‘Make a Difference’ in their communities by embarking on a rewarding career with their local council.

Have you checked your signs for wind damage? It is every business owners responsibility to check signage is safe following storms and high winds to ensure their customers and staff can safely enter the building.

The web is a very competitive place, where most of us are fighting to stand out from the crowd. There is also a level of distrust, afterall it is easy for scammers to set up a website or social media account, so building trust with your audience is essential. Users will also, typically be in a rush and spend only a matter of seconds scanning a product or service page, so it becomes even more essential to quickly make a good impression so they hang around and consider buying from you.

A new Housing board is being set up to give Wealden tenants a greater voice.

Local charities and support organisations in Sussex are urged to apply for funding from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust which is now open again for applications. 

Reacting to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:  

Funding is to be used from the Homelessness Prevention Grant to help people find housing in the private rented sector across Wealden.

In recent years, Sussex has become an increasingly popular destination for commuters seeking a balance between city work and country living. The county's picturesque landscapes, historic towns, and excellent transport links to London have made it an attractive option for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital.

As demand for sustainable gardening solutions continues to rise, CoirProducts.co.uk by Salike® Limited has emerged as the trusted choice for growers and gardeners, offering the UK’s most extensive range of carbon-neutral coir solutions. With a steadfast commitment to people and the planet, CoirProducts has grown in popularity, becoming the go-to choice for home gardeners, professional growers, and retailers seeking eco-friendly, high-performance solutions for everything from planting to soil preservation and erosion control.

Sussex and Surrey manufacturers looking to grow overseas benefited from advice from one of the UK’s leading international trade experts at the latest meeting of METALL, the forum for the region’s manufacturing, engineering and technology businesses.

-52% of UK exporters say Britain's brand helps boost their sales: More than half see their association with Britain as a key driver of growth.  -1/3 of consumers seek out British brands: Despite global competition, the desire to buy British remains a draw for a good portion of the public.  -43% rise in Brand Closeness: Brands tapping into British associations see a 43% increase in consumer connection, proving the power of national ties.  -Brand Britain is seen as traditional, enduring, and witty: Despite challenges, these traits continue to define Britain in the minds of consumers. 

-BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook for Q3 2024 shows a dip in SME exporters already poor performance on overseas sales.   -Under a quarter of exporting SME firms (22%) saw their overseas sales rise in Q3, compared to 27% in Q2.         -More than half of all SME exporters (54%) saw no change in overseas sales, and 24% reported a decrease.      B-CC’s SME export sales indicator has consistently underperformed compared to domestic sales indicators since the pandemic. 

We are proud to announce that The Sussex Sign Company has won the Roll-out Award at the UK Graphic Awards 2024! This prestigious honour acknowledges our outstanding work in delivering large-scale signage solutions across Sussex and reaffirms our position as a leader in the signage and graphics industry.

. Salike’s gardening for children’s range was initially introduced back in September, 2020.  A carbon-neutral company, this eagerly anticipated new range reaffirms Salike’s unwavering dedication to sustainability and education through GrowWithCoir. 

Join our workshops and learn how to tackle your unique challenges with AI.

Responding to the latest ONS labour market statistics, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  

Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter has further expanded its growing family team with the appointment of experienced partner Marie Stock.

Reacting to news of the launch of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: 

-The proportion of firms attempting to recruit new workers falls to its lowest level in three years at 56%.  -There are significant sectoral differences with transport (73%), hospitality (70%) and construction (67%) most likely to be attempting to recruit.   -Of those attempting to recruit 76% faced difficulties, up from 74% last quarter.  -Construction (85%), manufacturing (80%) and hospitality (76%) firms are the most likely to be facing recruitment problems. 

Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

Responding to the latest ONS data on GDP, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said:

Responding to the unveiling of the Government’s legislation on employment reform, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: 

Brighton’s biggest business networking event, the Brighton Business Expo, sponsored by EDF Energy is fast approaching. The free to attend event will be held at Brighton Racecourse, on Wednesday 16th October, from 10am to 2pm. ​​​​​​​

Small and independent retailers in Crawley can apply for a Shop Front and High Street grant of up to £5,000 to spruce up their shop front and help entice more customers.