The insider

Your Last Chance to Grill the Candidates

This Free Hustings Breakfast event at the Quality Burlington Hotel in Folkestone on Thursday 15th April, is being hosted jointly by Channel Chamber and the FSB (Federation of Small Business).

Chaired by Clive Lawrence (journalist and ex BBC presenter) this will give you a unique opportunity to question the four main local parliamentary candidates before finally deciding which way you vote in the forthcoming General Election.

Places are strictly limited, and on a first-come-first -served basis, so if you are interested in joining us please email – peter.hobbs@channelchamber.co.uk

Women’s Networking Lunch

G Casino, Westwood Cross are holding a women’s networking lunch on Thursday 15th April from 12.30pm-2.30pm in the Gallery restaurant. Come and enjoy a delicious 3 course set menu plus a glass of wine for only £12.50pp. The event will begin at 12.30pm for drinks followed by the sit down meal at 1.00pm. A glass of wine will be provided with dinner but there will be a bar serving soft drinks, teas/coffees, wine and spirits. (Tea/coffee & water will be complimentary pre-lunch).

Call Sherrill on 01843 579361 to book your place. You are welcome to bring guests just remember your photo ID for registration!

Luxury Serviced Accommodation in the heart of the Creative Quarter by our Chamber Sponsor

One of our Chamber members Quake provides self contained, fully furnished and serviced accommodation available to rent from £230 per week. There is a choice of a 3 bedroom cottage on the harbour with views across to France, or a newly renovated one-bedroom maisonette in the Old High Street with a secluded sunny roof terrace. Both properties are decorated and furnished to high standards. Discounts are available for longer lets depending on the level of service required. An additional discount of 10% is offered to all Chamber members. For more details and pictures go to www.stadecottagefolkestone.co.uk or email Rachel on stadecottage@btinternet.com

Snapshot Survey

Channel Chamber and other members of the British Chambers of Commerce in South East England are working with partners to understand the level of activity and support given to your business in key areas of Business Support. This is to ensure that you have good access to this support and the services can be shaped to fit your business needs.

Please help us by completing a snapshot survey which will take less than a minute. Your reply will be treated in confidence, in accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct.

To complete the survey just click on the link below
Skills Snapshot Survey

Haven’t signed the NIC Petition yet?

Very disappointing that the previously-announced employer National Insurance rise remains in place after last week’s budget. However, there’s still time for you to sign the BCC petition against the NICs rise.

Free Family Fun Day

Another date for your diary - Friday 16th April, when families across Folkestone are being invited to a fantastic day of thrills and entertainment at the Folkestone Academy (10am – 4pm). This event is being hosted by the Shepway Inspiring Communities Programme and the Channel Chamber team will be signing people up to our exciting digital mentoring project.

All Chamber members and their families coming along are guaranteed a great day out with an amazing range of activities including Bungee jumping, trampolining, climbing wall, music, competitions and lots more fun and games.

New Chamber Finance Hotline

RBS and Natwest have launched a dedicated Chamber specific advice hotline, which is intended to provide impartial financial advice and is available to members regardless of who they bank with.
The phone number 0800 656 9634 is answered “Chamber Finance hotline” and has been solely created for the Accredited Chambers in the UK in order to assist their members in all matters relating to finance.

Chamber Business Choice Healthcare

All Channel Chamber members currently receive AXA PPP healthcare receive two free business services from AXA PPP Healthcare – Health at Hand and Personal Business Assistance. There are no catches or conditions to these services and they are enhancements to the standard Chamber package..

Health at Hand is an exclusive 24/7 service specially designed to provide expert information and peace of mind. The Health at Hand team includes healthcare professionals, such as nurses, midwives, pharmacists and counsellors, who are all experts in their field.

Personal Business Assistance enables members to maintain contact with customers, prospective clients or suppliers, if in hospital or suffering from health problems that prevent them from being accessible or able to communicate effectively.

With the ever increasing pressures of sickness absence on small companies, these two services provide a good level of health advice and support during those difficult times. If you want to find out more information on the Chamber Business Choice Healthcare then please contact Steve Hancock on 07964 502238 or stephen.hancock@axa-ppp.co.uk.
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Are Your Ready to Tender?

Tuesday 13th April, 2010 Ramada Hotel, Whitfield, Dover, Kent

Channel Chamber of Commerce is holding a series of workshops to help small businesses qualify for big money contracts. The workshop is being sponsored by the British Standards Institute (BSI) and will be delivered by David Hall, Managing Director of Business Flow UK Limited, and is an introduction to the essential ISO standards.
Kent County Council's Strategic Procurement Manager - John Tunnicliff will also be taking you through the schedule of tenders suitable for SME's during the year ahead.
Andy Wilson Business Development Manager from the British Standards Institute (BSI) will be showing you the way forward, how to certify and the benefits to your business and a Business Link executive will offer practical help and expert advice on how to take full advantage of these opportunities for public sector procurement.

For more information or to book on, please contact Tracy Reynolds on 01303 270022
Member Price: £15+VAT
Non-Member Price: £20+VAT