The Insider

Support Demanded for Local Business

This morning on Radio Kent Channel Chamber urged all successful candidates in the local elections tomorrow to get behind East Kent businesses and help them to turn this area around.
The Chamber demanded that once elected all councilors at both parish and district levels should get out and meet their local businesses and find out how they can best help and support them.
We want our local councils to adopt a ‘can do’ policy towards business starting with a ‘buy local’ policy which they can adopt and also encourage their fellow public sector partners to follow suit. The total budgets of our councils, schools, colleges and hospitals comes to millions of pounds and much of this should be spent with our local businesses.
We also want our councilors to look towards the future of East Kent and make strong, bold decisions about regeneration and development. Businesses will be at the very heart of this agenda and they need their local councilors to be fully supportive of their growth and development plans if new jobs are to be created and the current level of unemployment to be lowered.

Sandwich and Deal Rail Times Slashed

Rail Travellers from Sandwich and Deal now have the prospect of a new High Speed Rail Service from 3 October 2011. This will slash the journey time to London to approx 90 minutes and aims to boost business confidence and support new employment opportunities in the area at the same time as Pfizer withdraws from its Sandwich site.
The service will provide 3 High Speed trains to London in the morning leaving Sandwich at 0551, 0617 and 0647 and calling at Deal 5 minutes later. Trains will return from St Pancras at 1740 and 1840.
The new service will build on the High Speed connections to be provided by Southeastern for the Open Golf Championship in Sandwich, in July.

Kent Schools Trade Fair

Businesses wishing to sell their services or products to Kent schools are invited to exhibit at the Kent CC Schools Trade Fair being held at the County Showground, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3JS on Tuesday 21st June 2011.
This is a popular annual event giving local businesses an opportunity to meet staff from Kent schools that have the responsibility for purchasing products and services. Last year’s Trade Exhibition was very successful with 400 people visiting 80 exhibitors.
For further details and a booking form please telephone 01227 284612 or email sfstradeexhibition@kent.gov.uk

New cross-media services launched in Dover

Dover-based company Buckland Press has launched a new range of cross-media services. The company, now rebranded Buckland Media Group, has expanded its existing range of print services to offer businesses a full range of cross-media solutions.
In addition to conventional high quality five-colour litho print, Buckland Media Group now offers personalised digital print, communication solutions, fulfilment and distribution, as well as online services, such as web-to-print, collateral management and an innovative virtual storefront to streamline the process of corporate print ordering.
Buckland Media Group has also launched an innovative dimensional print finish using the latest Kodak digital print technology, which brings images and text to life, adding extra impact and effects to printed materials.
For further details please contact: Kris Lancaster. Tel: 01227 768808

Forthcoming Chamber Events

Free Workshop - So you think you don't need a Will or Power of Attorney!

11th May 2011 - 5:30pm - 7:00pm,

Shearway Business Park, Folkestone

Without a Will or the correct type of Will and without a Lasting Power of Attorney the consequences for families can be disastrous with the courts and social services making decisions for you. If you are a partner or a major player within a company then things can come to a grinding halt. Jaci Godman Irvine is an Estate Planner specialising in Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate. She is well known for explaining the many issues involved in plain English and in a manner that can be easily understood giving the choices which one can have in such a way that an informed decision can be made. Come to an informal evening where Jaci will give a short presentation followed by a question and answer session. To book your place please contact Tracy Reynolds on 01303 270022

Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Free


Are You Environmentally Aware?

20th May 2011 - 09:30am - 12:00pm

Port Lympne Mansion, Port Lympne Park

Channel Chamber is holding this interactive seminar in this beautiful setting to provide an introduction of environmental benefits to small businesses. This workshop is sponsored by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and prepared and delivered by David Hall, Managing Director of Business Flow UK Limited, it provides an introduction to Environmental business improvement using the “Carbon Hub” and ISO 14001. Kent County Council’s Jenny Colville will be explaining the Kent County Council's 'South East Business Carbon Hub' and the benefits of free registration. An introduction to the work of the Aspinall Foundation will be followed by Andy Wilson Business Development Manager from the British Standards Institute (BSI) who will be showing you the way forward, how to certify and the benefits of Environmental standards in your business. The cost includes a lunch time buffet, tour of Zoo Park & networking. To book your place please contact Tracy Reynolds on 01303 270022

Member Price: £20 + VAT
Non-Member Price: £25 + VAT