News

Here, we bring you news from around Merton that we hope will be of interest to you and your business.

We always welcome any news stories that you would like to submit for this section, please email them to info@mertonchamber.co.uk and we will review them for inclusion.

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Mayor tells top business leaders to plan, prepare and profit from 2012 Games

As part of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s ongoing engagement with London's businesses to help them operate smoothly, plan for and benefit from the 2012 Games, he has today taken the message to the top of some of London's key businesses.

At a business breakfast hosted by Beverley Aspinall, managing director of Fortnum & Mason this morning, he met CEOs from leading businesses including Marks & Spencer, BMW and HSBC as well as senior managers from a range of businesses representing major hotels, logistics companies, supermarkets and banks. He reassured them that he would continue to work closely with them to ensure they were prepared to reap the benefits from the Games.

The Mayor was keen to hear from the top business leaders and understand what additional information they needed in order to be ready for the impact of London 2012. Working with Transport for London, he has already launched a website offering a one stop shop for Games-time transport information, providing easy to access, detailed information about the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and other road restrictions on key dates in the London 2012 calendar. He has also worked closely with BT to increase the number of WiFi hotspots available in London to enable flexible working, and is running a series of business surgeries for small and medium sized businesses in the run up to the Games.

He also took the opportunity to thank the private sector for some £60 million in investment and sponsorship into the capital which has been leveraged in over the past 12 months as a direct result of the Games coming to London, helping to ease the burden on the taxpayer. This funding includes £16 million for the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, £36 million for the Emirates Air Line cable car and sponsorship for the London Media Centre, the 2011 Sport Accord Conference and London House.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The success of the 2012 Games in London depends on the ability of our businesses, small and large, to maximise the opportunities from what promises to be a summer like no other.

“We are working very closely with businesses, from those at the top down, to make sure everyone has the information they need to grasp this moment and plan, prepare and ultimately profit from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Also speaking at the business breakfast, organised by the GLA and hosted by Fortnum & Mason, were Paul Deighton, Chief Executive, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games; Peter Hendy, Commissioner, Transport for London; Chair of the Olympic Park Legacy Company Baroness Ford and Colin Stanbridge, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who facilitated a Q&A session.It’s Global Entrepreneurship Week (15 - 18 November) and Merton Chamber of Commerce is yet again marking the event through a number of activities.
 

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"Global Entrepreneurship Week sees over 40,000 events take place in over 100 countries worldwide."

Here at the Chamber we know starting a business can be a challenge and a huge financial undertaking, that’s why we are running a Business Basics workshop on Friday 18th November. The workshop offers 3 hours with our trainer, covering all the essentials you need to know for starting up. Sounds right for you? Then book yourself onto our next event here.

We are also hosting a free networking event on Thursday 17th November. Come and meet likeminded people, potential clients or mentors. The 'Lunch and Learn' peer group learning network is for local people who are running a business to interact, share information and learn from each other all within a friendly supportive environment.

To find out more visit www.mertonchamber.co.uk or call us on 020 8944 5501.

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Local Businesses to Receive £15m Injection

500 Newspapers Offer Free Advertising to UK's Most Promising Businesses
Regional and local newspapers across the country have today delivered a huge boost to UK business by pledging an unprecedented £15m of free advertising to the most dynamic fledgling enterprises.

The bold initiative, backed by Dragons’ Den judge, Deborah Meaden, is called Local Business Accelerators and is being spearheaded by the voice of local media, the Newspaper Society. Nearly 500 local press publications are joining forces to promote the strength and value of local newspapers for local businesses and communities.

Together, the local press industry will search for the nation’s most promising young businesses and help them accelerate their success with top professional advice from local business mentors plus a substantial allocation of free advertising space in their local publication. What’s more, one lucky business picked from the hundreds of regional winners will get individual mentoring sessions from the LBA national ambassador Deborah Meaden, who will become a consultant and mentor to the business for one year.

Deborah Meaden comments, “I’ve seen the unique contribution that local press makes to the success of local businesses time and again with my own ventures. In this age of enterprise it has never been more important to drive awareness about the value of local marketing for a fledgling business, which is why I’m so proud to support Local Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities.”

The competition is open to all businesses that are active in the local community, between one and three years old and full of potential. They may have a great idea or product, or even found a new market. They’re the kind of businesses that will create new jobs and individually they will create pride in the community.

If you run such a business, or know anyone who does, and want the chance to receive invaluable business support and advertising space in your local title, visit www.accelerateme.co.uk for more information on the scheme and how to enter. Entries close 14 November 2011.

Members of the local business community alongside each title's business team will form the judging panel who will review and shortlist entries before awarding three lucky local businesses with the prize of free advertising and business advice. They’ll also be looking out for that one overall star business to put forward to be in with a chance to gain Deborah Meaden as a mentor during 2012.
 

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SMEs admit to dismissing employees unfairly - By Lewis Mitchell

A recent report from Peninsula Business Services has revealed 73 percent of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) admitted to dismissing an employee unfairly, while three-quarters of SME owners surveyed feel employments laws restrict the growth potential of their business.

Employment law consultants, Peninsula Business Services questioned 2,167 small business employers and a significant number owned up to firing an employee without deploying the necessary procedures.

Owners cited poor performance as a primary reason for dismissing employees, although SMEs are risking facing cases for unfair dismissal at a tribunal, according to Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula Business Services.

“Dismissing workers without following the correct procedure is a time bomb waiting to happen. At some stage an employee will take you to employment tribunal and if you have dismissed unfairly then there is a good chance that you will lose,” he said.

“Employees are more knowledgeable now about employment rights than ever before. In recent years the tables have turned and employment laws favour employees rather than the employer, unfortunately we see that many managers forget this. You need to make sure your company is up to date with changes in the law and be positive that you have watertight policies and procedures in place to safeguard you and your business.”
 

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Town Centre Business Forums

We have been asked by Merton Council to organise a series of business forums in Colliers Wood, Mitcham and Morden. Over the last two weeks we held the first forum for each town centre.

In light of recent events, the aim of each forum is to be business centred, focussing on the issues you and your business are currently facing.

We’d love to get your views so please could you help us shape the forums by completing this very short survey.

If you’d like more information on the next Town Centre Forum in your local area then please call us on 020 8944 5501.
 

 

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Digital TV Switchover in London

Television is now part of our working lives and virtually every workplace has at least one TV set. When London switches to digital TV on 4 and 18 April 2012 you may have to retune or add a digital box to your set to keep watching.

What you need to do at switchover depends on the type of TV set you have.

Visit the Digital UK website at www.digitaluk.co.uk to find out more.

 

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 Have Your Say on Policing in London

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is consulting businesses on London's policing priorities. They need to know what you think is important.

Please take part in a short questionnaire to tell them your views. To complete a questionnaire click here or call 020 7202 0063, leave your name and address and we will send you a paper copy.

Please feel free to pass details of the consultation on to other businesses.

The consultation closes on Friday 25 November 2011. The MPA is keen to hear your views on policing in London. For further information please click here.

 

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Mayor Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to a Young Enterprise Sutton and Merton meeting last week.

Speaking to Diana Sterck, who is a Board member, Mayor Boris commented how impressed he was with the work of Young Enterprise and was particularly interested in speaking with the students present.

Diana said "It was a welcome surprise to see the Mayor at our meeting with teachers, mentors and students. He was interested in the model we use in Merton and Sutton, where the Chamber of Commerce helps link business mentors with the companies set up in school by 6th form students" 

 

 

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