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Business Briefing

News and information for businesses from Havering Council

August 2015


Havering Business Awards 2015 finalists

Click on the poster to find out who the Havering Business Awards 2015 finalists are.


Roger Ramsey

Diary Dates



Leader’s Business Network Events

5.30pm, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD

Thursday 1 October

Thursday 10 December

Book your ticket here.

Women in Business

5.30pm at Havering College, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, RM11 2LL

Wednesday 9 September

Wednesday 11 November

Book your ticket here.


Networking in Havering

Networking is a proven way to build good relations with other businesses, which can lead to referrals and new contracts. There are a number of networking groups in Havering including those listed below.

BNI Valour chapter meets each Tuesday morning at YMCA, Roneo Corner, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 OPH.

The 4N networking group meets every fortnight at Liberty Bell, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EN on Thursdays from 8am until 10am.

The ebn Upminster and Hornchurch group meets at Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, RM13 9EL from 8am until 10am on alternate Tuesdays.

The Forum of Private Business meets on the second Friday of each month at YMCA, Roneo Corner, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 OPH, from 7.30am. More information: Gerry Goldner

Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the Federation of Small Businesses holds networking events at The Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT on the first Friday of each month from 7.30am until 9am.

NELE (Networking in East London and Essex) meets at the CEME Conference Centre in Rainham from 12.30pm until 2.30pm on Tuesdays.

Please check group websites for latest information. 


Age restricted sales – training for staff

Havering Council is running half-day courses for managers and staff involved in selling alcohol or tobacco to make sure they are aware of the latest legislation.

The next course is on Wednesday 21 October 2015. The courses run from 10am until 12.45pm and are limited to 15 people, so early booking is advised. Email Sasha Taylor to book your place.


Free legal advice on consumer law

The Business Companion provides free, impartial information and legal guidance for businesses and individuals that need to know about trading standards and consumer protection legislation

Business Companion website


London Growth Hub

The London Growth Hub provides a one-stop-shop for London’s businesses to access a range of public and private sector support. More information is available here.


Consumer Rights Act 2015

Havering businesses have until Thursday 1 October 2015 to make sure they meet the requirements of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which replaces 12 existing laws including the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982.  More information is available at Business Companion website.


Business Support

Havering Council offers a range of advice and help to support your business including:

Doing business with the Council

Business support and advice

Business rates

Food businesses

Networking events

Commercial property

Town centres and Romford Market

Support local businesses

Business waste

Buy With Confidence Scheme

Licenses and street trading

Trading standards

Health and safety

Planning

Building regulations

More details are on the website which is regularly updated.

Get full details here.


European Commission logo

Horizon 2020 offers funding

Horizon 2020 offers firms funding to implement the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness.

More information is available here.


Lorry traffic jam

Travel advice for businesses

Havering Council offers a range of services to help businesses make smarter transport choices.​

Free guides and resources are available to help you plan and develop new ways of getting around. More information is available here.


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This update is sent to you because you asked Havering Council for Business news.

We hope you find this information useful and will encourage friends, family and colleagues to subscribe too.

Keep up-to-date with news from Havering Council by signing up for our email updates then choose the topics that are of interest to you.

The full list of email updates currently produced by Havering Council can be seen here.  


Got something to say?

If you have a news item for a future edition of Business Briefing,please send it to Jolly Choudhury.


Email news logo

You can see previous edition of Business Briefing here.

Your Council, Your Say logo

Sunday trading - should it be for longer?

The Government is consulting on whether the Sunday trading laws should be changed. Before making its response, Havering Council wants to know your views.

Please complete the short survey here.


Business Directory web page

Keeping trade local

We provide a free online Havering business directory. You can use the directory to promote your business. Add your business to the directory here.


Kingston Smith logo

Business start up support

More people are deciding they want to work for themselves, which is why Havering Council has extended its free Business Start-Up Programme, in partnership with Kingston Smith. The next workshop is on Tuesday 8 September from 3pm to 5.30pm. Reserve your place here.


Cycle to work day logo

Cycle to work

Thursday 3 September is cycle to work day. Find out how your business can get involved here. 


Barclays Bank logo

Fired up for Growth

Havering businesses wanting practical advice to help grow their business, should head for Havering Town Hall on Thursday 10 September for a Barclays Fired Up for Growth Clinic which will run from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. Book your place here.

Digital Eagles fly in

Barclays Business Digital Eagles will be explaining how to connect with customers in a digital world when the Romford Digital Business Club meets on Wednesday 16 September from 6pm at Barclays Bank, 36-38 South Street, Romford, RM1 1RH. Book a place by email here.


Heart Of The City logo

Helping you helping others

Heart of the City (HotC) is offering a free, one-year programme for businesses looking to run a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Membership applications for the 2016 programme open in September.

Find out what help is available for you here.


Carbon monoxide alarms

Alarms for landlords

Private landlords could face penalties of up to £5,000 if they don’t meet new smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, due to come into force in October 2015. Full details of the new regulations can be seen here.

London Fire Brigade has a limited number of free alarms available for landlords. Apply here for your alarms.


The Brewery

Green boost for The Brewery

The Brewery has recently received ISO 14001 certification which is an environmental standard all shopping centres aim to reach.

The Brewery Centre Manager, Tom Stobbart, said: “ISO 14001 will enable us to manage and reduce the impacts of the site on the local environment, as well as make us more efficient in the use of energy, water and waste disposal.“


Safer Lorry Zone sign

HGVs face ban in safer zone

From Tuesday 1 September, HGVs will need safeguards to protect cyclists, and improved mirrors to give drivers a better view around their vehicle if they want to enter London inside the M25.

The maximum fine for each breach of the ban will be £1,000. The operator will also be referred for consideration to the relevant Traffic Commissioner, who is responsible for the licensing and regulation of HGV operators. Find out what it means for your business here.


piggy bank with notes going in it

Can you claim

Business Rate Relief?

If your business occupies retail properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less and is wholly or mainly used as a shop, restaurant, cafe or drinking establishment you could be entitled to business rate relief.

The relief that will apply is up to £1,000 for 2014/15 and £1,500 from the 2015/16 financial year. More information available here. 


survey

Tell us your views on migrant workers

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is consulting with businesses on the points based system for skilled workers outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) who have an offer of skilled employment in the UK.

Havering businesses are invited to submit views on the proposals by email to MAC, with copy to Jolly Choudhury before the deadline of Friday 25 September.


Romford Market logo

Want to be a Market Trader?

Romford Market currently has some spaces for new traders. Preference will be given to those wanting to trade on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays but there is also limited space available for casual traders wanting to operate on one day only. For more information email Matthew Steele.  


Email news logo

Keep customers safe

Safety First is a new Havering Council email update which contains information on Food Safety Alerts and Product Recalls. Click the relevant link to receive your copy each month.


tatters 2

Now open in town

Havering is proving an attractive place for new businesses, which bring with them jobs for local people. Among those firms which have recently invested in Havering are three new businesses at Romford Shopping Hall:


Matthew McLarty CEME

New Incubation Director at CEME

Matthew McLarty has been appointed as Incubation Director at the CEME Centre in Rainham. He is passionate about business, having been involved with 10 new ventures since the age of 12, across industries ranging from tech (mobile-commerce), manufacturing and FMCG distribution to real estate and tourism.

See the services available at CEME Innovation Centre here and contact Matthew by email here.


HMRC Logo

Help from HMRC

HMRC is offering free webinars to help businesses successfully complete end of year returns.

These include:

  1. Join the online presentation to see how you submit your tax return – ‘Self-employment and your online tax return’ at: Webinars if you're self-employed
  2. Find out about business expenses by watching the online presentation -  ‘Business expenses for the self-employed’ on our webinar and guidance page
  3. Thursday 27 August , 2pm PAYE using Basic PAYE Tools (BPT)
  4. Friday 28 August 10am Company Directors

Plan ahead and start filling your tax return in now. Visit the GOV.UK website at: Welcome to HMRC Online services expenses and benefits.


Food hygiene ratings sign

Food courses to

boost business

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene and Catering courses are run at Romford Baptist Church, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BL.

All the courses are on Tuesdays, starting at 9.15am and ending at 4.30pm. The proposed course dates are:

  • 15 September
  • 13 October
  • 17 November

Book your place here.


Apply online

Book site visits 24/7

If you are a builder or developer who needs a site visit from a Havering Council Building Control officer you can now book that visit at any time 24/7 using our online booking service. Book online before 10am and your site can be visited the same day.

There are also many Building Control forms you can complete online here. Havering Council also issues a Building Control Briefing email update which you can get free of charge here.


Good Business Giving Guide cover

Businesses supporting

the community

Havering Council is developing a project with companies with a presence in Havering, who wish to support their local voluntary and community sector.

More information is available here. 


Construction site with helmet

Building for success

Construction firms in Havering can benefit from free training thanks to a project involving the London Enterprise Panel and the Construction Industry Training Board.

The key learning areas are:

  • Tendering to win
  • Selling for profit
  • Excelling at customer service
  • Diversification to grow
  • Business planning for success
  • Marketing for results

For more information email here.