The Insider

Take part in the UK’s Most Important Business Survey

It’s that time again: fieldwork for the Quarterly Economic Survey begins TODAY. Your responses this quarter will be crucial to shaping business policy during a hard-fought election campaign. We can’t win real policy changes without your responses we can’t win real policy changes – so we’d greatly appreciate your ongoing support.

In Memory of Rifleman Aldridge

This Saturday afternoon, Folkestone Invicta Football Club are inviting the local community to join them in observing a minute's silence before the match with Croydon Athletic in memory of Rifleman Aldridge. To precede this there will be a roll-call of organisations, businesses, schools and clubs in and around Folkestone who are represented on the day to pay their respects. The Club have agreed to waive the normal gate charge and allow free entry.

Three Parliamentary Candidates face Question Time

Folkestone and Hythe’s three parliamentary candidates have agreed to a spot of Question Time grilling from an invited audience at a Breakfast Forum in Elham, near Folkestone, on Friday 12 March.

This free event will take place at the Rose and Crown, Elham, from 8 to 9.30am. Places are limited to 30, and a breakfast buffet of bacon or sausage sandwiches will be served on arrival, If you are interested in attending this forum, please contact anne@employment-relations.co.uk, tel: 01303 840001 You are also invited to send questions in advance.

Key transport projects will deliver £85 billion benefit to UK economy

Prioritising thirteen crucial transport projects over the life of the next Parliament - twelve regional and one national - would bring the UK economic benefits worth a massive £85 billion, according to research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Businesses from across the UK revealed the transport projects that they believe are essential to the future success and growth of their regional economies. The projects include:

London - Crossrail Cost: £15.9bn Benefit: £36bn
South East - M20 Operation Stack Cost: £48m Benefit: £75m
South West - A303/A358 Improvement Scheme Cost: £184m Benefit: £1.1bn
East of England- A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Scheme Cost: £765m Benefit: £2bn
East Mids - A453 widening (M1 Jtn 24 to A52 Nottingham) Cost: £98m Benefit: £320m
West Mids - Birmingham Motorway Box Cost: £149m Benefit: £399m
Wales - M4 Relief Road Cost: £478m Benefit: £2.1bn
Yorkshire and the Humber - East Coast Mainline Cost: £606m Benefit: £1.7bn
North West - Manchester Hub Cost: £937m Benefit: £3.7bn
North East - A19 junction upgrades Cost: £171m Benefit: £707m
Scotland - Forth Replacement Bridge Cost: £1.4bn Benefit: £6bn
Northern Ireland - M1/Westlink Cost: £46m Benefit: £201m
National - 3rd Runway at Heathrow Cost: £9bn Benefit: £30.7bn

Despite pressure on the public finances, and the need for spending cuts to bring down the UK’s huge budget deficit, the Chambers argue that this powerful package of road, rail and airport improvements – chosen by Britain’s businesses - must be delivered over the next decade, with both the funding and political will to construct them guaranteed.

Number Eleven Supper Club – New Menu Tasting Evening

Our members, Number Eleven in Folkestone are holding a new menu tasting evening on Sunday 21st March. The evening will launch their Spring Menu, and will celebrate the new season using ingredients such as Romney Marsh lamb, mackerel, rabbit, purple sprouting broccoli and rhubarb. Douglas the chef will guide diners through 9 courses, explaining the ingredients and suppliers used. This is a unique opportunity find out more about the sourcing and inspiration behind the dishes and sounds superb value at only £50 per person, with wine and coffee.

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment on 01303 259535 or obtain a 10% discount online at : info@numberelevenfolkestone.co.uk

Shadowing Days for SEEDA Executives

We are looking for a Chamber member in East Kent who would like to host a senior SEEDA member staff for two days during the next couple of months. This is a great opportunity for the appropriate company to share knowledge and experience with a senior Regional Development Agency executive and promote the unique characteristics of your own dynamic business.

Would you please contact Channel Chamber on 01303 270022 if you are interested and you will be fully briefed with details of the placement.

For further details of the Chamber's forthcoming events, please log on to

http://www.shepwaybc.co.uk/events.php