Small business confidence crashes at end of 2011

Small business confidence plummeted in 2011 as businesses were hit by high inflation, rising utilities bills and reduced consumer spending power according to the latest findings from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index. The Index, comprising some 1,600 responses from businesses across the UK, recorded a score of -24.5 – the lowest level since the Index started in 2010 and is a fall of some 15.2 points over the quarter. Given that economic recovery is relying on business investment to create jobs and support the recovery, the ongoing weak sentiment is worrying.

And, with one in eight (12.6%) firms expecting a worsening economic situation in the coming three months, the FSB is calling on the Government to act on policies and initiatives already announced to help boost small business confidence so that they can invest and grow. While the short term prospects look weak, an improving inflation outlook will certainly help confidence over the year.  Inflation is expected to fall back sharply this year as the impact of 2011’s VAT rise lessens, with recent energy price cuts an encouraging sign inflationary pressures are finally easing.

Falling inflation should help cash-strapped consumers and give more room for discretionary spending. Businesses will benefit too as the cost pressures they faced in 2011 fade, which should feed into better margins and improved profitability. Reforms announced by the Government should help too.  The FSB has supported many of the policies outlined in the Growth Reviews and the Autumn Statement, such as measures to encourage bank lending to small businesses and boost investment through the seed enterprise investment scheme.  Proposed reforms to the planning system and government procurement contracts to increase small firms’ access were steps in the right direction too. However, many of these measures will take time to feed-in.  The key now for all levels of government is to focus on implementation: small firms need to see action to match the rhetoric and to see tangible actions that will benefit their businesses and permanently change the business environment for the better.

Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said: “The message is clear – things are going to get worse before they get better. But, we are hopeful that as the inflationary pressures lessen in 2012, that businesses will become more confident. There are some good policy proposals in the pipeline too.  However, the Government needs to quickly put in place the actions that it has promised. Small firms have heard what the Government has to say but are still waiting to see implementation. We believe that must be the Government’s priority: to make 2012 the year of doing, with the aim of creating a dynamic business landscape in which our entrepreneurs can grow and flourish.”

Charles Davis, Managing Economist, cebr, said: “The Q4 survey shows that small businesses are fighting a tough battle against a worsening economy. On the upside, falling inflation should ease the pressure on margins and should allow interest and mortgage rates to stay low for at least the next two years.”

Small business confidence crashes at end of 2011 is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

High street banks price war is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Portas Review offers hope to England’s ailing high streets

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the findings in the Portas Review of the high streets and urges central and local Government to take action as soon as possible.

In its submission to Mary Portas, the FSB stated that the review offered the opportunity to make the key policy recommendations needed to protect the UK’s high streets, which are at the heart of our communities. So the FSB is delighted to see the focus on planning, parking and business rates in her findings – it is here where real change can be achieved. Added to that, simple steps, such as National Market Days and removing regulations to make it easier for people to trade in the high street, will help to reinvigorate our high streets.

As the FSB has long argued, getting these policies right is key to revitalising the country’s high streets.  It is through reform in these areas where the FSB believes real change can be achieved, by creating jobs and encouraging investment. But this can only happen if central and local Government put these recommendations in place as soon as possible.

Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said:

On a stronger ‘Town Centre First’ policy:

“The planning system is hugely important in shaping the character of our high streets and town centres and so our local communities. It is vital that the Government and councils take note of these recommendations – in particular that the provisions in the new National Planning Policy Framework are strong enough to provide the protection needed since there has been a notable shift towards out of town retail developments in the last 10 years.  If no action is taken, the trend is set to continue.  If we want to ensure vibrant high streets for the future, we need to carefully balance that expansion with ensuring that existing town centres are not unwittingly damaged. It looks like, through this review, Mary Portas has really understood that challenge, and has put forward measures that should ensure the long-term sustainability of our high streets. What we need now is for it to be translated into action, especially locally.”

On reforms to out of town parking:

“The lack of affordable town centre parking is driving trade away from the high street to out of town retail sites. In a recent survey of FSB members, 50 per cent said that the availability of parking had a detrimental effect on their business. We have to think carefully at how we address this. Putting in place free controlled parking schemes and introducing a parking league table could go some way in doing this. But it will only work if the wider reforms in the Portas Review help to ensure the variety and choice on the high street that consumers want.”

On reforms to business rates:

“We welcome the calls to review the way the rates system can better support small businesses, and to encourage councils to offer targeted interventions to attract and retain small retailers that add diversity to our local high street. This is exactly the sort of pro-active local action we have been calling for. The key is going to be encouraging councils to use these powers: not all councils fully utilise their existing powers to help local businesses with their rates as it is. One of the challenges will be getting councils to use their new discretion to target discounts and award reliefs if they fear it will directly affect their revenue streams. We need councils to do some long term thinking about the benefits of creating resilient and sustainable high streets and town centres in their local communities.  Help in the short term can reap benefits further down the line.”

Portas Review offers hope to England’s ailing high streets is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hovertravel operations remain suspended today and tomorrow morning.   Hovertravel has arranged alternative travel for all of their customers.  All passengers with Season or Travel Cards and those with pre-paid tickets will be provided with a free of charge voucher from Hovertravel, which will enable them to travel on Wightlink services.  Hovertravel staff will be at both Portsmouth Harbour and Pier Head terminals.  A further update will be provided by Hovertravel by 12:00 hrs tomorrow.

The suspension of services follows an issue with a propeller on the Solent Express Hovercraft on 30th October. Hovertravel is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure full safety checks are completed on its hovercraft fleet and to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA.   Hovertravel hopes to resume service shortly.  Ongoing safety checks and investigations into the blade and propellers on all hovercraft are in progress.

The safety of customers, crew and hovercraft is of paramount importance and Hovertravel has been working with the MCA continually throughout the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service.

Hovertravel confirms that all passengers holding reservations and Season or Travel Card holders will be looked after and transferred on to alternative travel arrangements.  We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience caused, and are grateful for our passengers’ understanding. We are confident that, with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA, we will complete this process as quickly as we can.

Further updates will be available in the Service Status section of Hovertravel’s websitewww.hovertravel.com (under the Travel Info heading). We will update the website and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend and Monday to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed that we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.

Update for Hovertravel is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hovertravel can confirm that they have suspended hovercraft services with effect from 18:00 today Friday 18th November.

Following an issue with a propeller on the Solent Express Hovercraft on 30th October, further safety checks are to be undertaken to ensure the continued safety of Hovertravel’s fleet.

Hovertravel is working with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), the regulatory authority, and hopes to restore a full service as soon as possible.

It is important to stress that the current fleet of hovercraft are different models to the one in service on 30th October.  As a mandatory measure we are required to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA.

The entire matter revolves around ensuring the safety of our operation.   The safety of customers, crew & hovercraft are of paramount importance and Hovertravel are working with the MCA continually throughout this evening and the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service.

This will involve working through a number of further checks now being implemented to ensure that not only the MCA, but Hovertravel are fully satisfied that our craft are safe to operate. We are confident that with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA we will complete this process as quickly as we can.

We are currently working with Wightlink to accommodate our passengers who are already booked, to ensure they are able to cross the Solent this evening.

We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this matter has caused our passengers, and are grateful for their understanding.

We will update our website www.hovertravel.com, and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.

Hovertravel have suspended hovercraft services is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Yeeha – fantastic 25% saving on a one hour horse riding lesson!

The breathtaking scenery of West Wight is enough for anyone to jump on horseback and ride off into the countryside. Now you can with this great discounted deal from Hill Farm Stables – 60 minutes for just £18.75 per person, saving you a fab 25%!

The stables are perfectly situated for hacking through the beautiful countryside or you have a lesson in the security of the riding school. The rides are tailor made to fit your ability whether you are a complete beginner, novice or an experienced rider. Parties are also welcome so you can buy a voucher for you and your friends.

Trot on, share the fun and spread the savings!  www.wightliving.co.uk

Wightliving – great offer with Hill farm Stables is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Price Is Wight Offer A Wonderful Family Photoshoot Package is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

HOVERTRAVEL’S BOOK SIGNING SUCCESS

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, hosted the first ever book signing on 27 October onboard their hovercraft and in terminals with motoring journalist Ashley Hollebone, author of The Hovercraft Story.

Ashley Hollebone travelled to and from Ryde and Southsea signing books and talking to passengers and fans of the book. There was a lot of interest from all ages with some hovercraft enthusiasts as young as ten wanting a signed copy. The Hovercraft Story details the history of the hovercraft right back to its invention in 1965, supported by a great selection of photos.

Ashley Hollebone, author of The Hovercraft Story, said: “I have always had an interest in hovercrafts and decided to write The Hovercraft Story because although it is such a unique method of transport there is very little written about them. I currently have a hovercraft which I keep at The Hovercraft Museum in Gosport and it was here that I sourced many of the pictures and information for my book. Hovertravel has been very helpful and supportive ever since I first met with them to discuss the idea of the book. To be a part of having the first ever book signing onboard a hovercraft with Hovertravel was a fantastic experience, it was great meeting with fans and hovercraft enthusiasts alike.”

Pick up a special signed copy of The Hovercraft Story by Ashley Hollebone in either the Ryde or Southsea Hovertravel terminal.

HOVERTRAVEL’S BOOK SIGNING SUCCESS is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Credit easing must be bold to ensure it helps small businesses

The Government must be bold in its development of credit easing, ensuring that it is separate from the banks, affordable and available as soon as possible to help small businesses, says the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Even though the banks have signed up to the Project Merlin agreement to meet lending targets, many small firms are not getting the credit they need, as the banks failed to meet the half year targets set. As a result, the Chancellor announced that the Treasury would look into credit easing, to make access to finance easier, particularly for small firms.

Only 15 % of respondents to the latest FSB survey have gone to the banks for finance in the past two months. Of these, half had their application accepted but more than a third (34%) were refused. Previous FSB research has shown that businesses that have not secured all the finance they applied for continued to have money worries (40%), missed their growth opportunities (31%) and have delayed their investment plans (21%).

In a new paper, FSB credit easing viewpoint, which will form part of its submission ahead of the Autumn Statement, the FSB lays out the ways which it believes the Government can deliver credit easing to benefit the smallest of businesses.

Treasury is looking at the direct purchase of corporate bonds in small and medium sized enterprises, through the creation of a new market as one way to make the credit easing scheme work. The FSB believes that this would miss the very smallest of businesses that need access to small amounts of finance, as those businesses would not have the manpower to develop bonds. And, the value of bonds from a micro firm would also not be large enough to prove efficient for the Government to be a bond investor.

To deliver the scheme, the FSB proposes that the Government look at more creative methods which could use existing Government lending agencies. This could include scaling-up existing Government lending schemes such as the successful Enterprise Finance Guarantee and the Exports Credit Guarantee Department, bringing in back-office capabilities, possibly from a bank.

However, the FSB is urging the Government to ensure that the scheme has three core principles to guarantee its success and so it reaches the businesses that need it most:

• Boost competition: in line with the Independent Commission on Banking’s recommendations, Government intervention should encourage competition in the market and aim to address the market dominance of a few large players
• Increasing access to credit for the smallest companies: the scheme should improve the supply and price of credit to the lower end of the market – loan values of less than £25,000, where the majority of demand lies and where firms have had particular problems raising finance, as a key objective
• Community development: where possible, Government intervention should aim to improve the flow of credit to ‘hard to reach’ sectors of the economy such as rural areas and areas that have experienced industrial decline

Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said: “For credit easing to have any impact, it must be bold and look to boost competition by stimulating innovative models that are coming onto the market, such as peer-to-peer lending and smaller internet banks. Analysis of small businesses lending shows that it’s the smallest of firms that are getting the worse deal – they’re paying more and they’re more likely to be refused. For credit easing to work it needs to benefit the smallest of businesses as well as medium-sized ones. However, if it is run through the main high street banks, that already dominate the small business market, we fear that businesses will be put off applying for it and so wouldn’t have the impact needed to make a difference. If thought through properly, this scheme could be really useful. The FSB would like the Government to establish a scheme which is universal so that all businesses, whatever their size, sector or status can access it. It needs to be something that can be easily set up, for example, using existing Government schemes as its backbone and it must be at arm’s length from the banks.” For full information , go to www.fsb.org.uk/fsb-survey-panel

Credit easing must be bold to ensure it helps small businesses is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

We all look for ways to save money, without compromising on the good life. Now a new island based discount website is making it easy for everyone. Officially launched last week, www.wightliving.co.uk is helping islanders and visitors, enjoy the best the island has to offer, while making huge savings along the way. Wightliving offers great discounts across the board from romantic places to stay to fabulous eating out, family entertainment, beauty, fitness, leisure, sports and more.

Wightliving was started by four islanders, Fraser and Emily Lloyd Jones, Sarah Sims and Dom Hicklin. “ We all love the island and thought a great way of supporting local business and boosting the local economy was offering discounts on the best the island has to offer. So people get real value for money and a memorable experience, while businesses increase their customer base, even during the quiet times,” explains Fraser Jones, ex-manager of the Priory Bay. “What’s more is that membership is totally free for both the customer and businesses interested in signing up. “

For anyone wanting to try out any Wightliving offers, all you have to do is sign up by registering your email address. You’ll get regularly updated every few days with new offers. But you must be quick to grab a deal, as offers are only available for a limited time only. “It’s a great way to continue enjoying the island’s delights, while saving you money at the same time, whether it’s a two hour beauty treatment package for half the price or a fab meal for two with 50% off – there’s something for everyone, ” says co-founder Sarah Sims. Recent offers and current deals at www.wightliving.co.uk are Harmony Beauty, Barefoot on the Beach, Chessell Pottery, Dan’s Kitchen, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, The Garlic Farm shop and Café

Wightliving now Launched on the Isle of Wight is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

RF Engines nominated for Made By Britain Project is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Wightliving the island’s exciting new discount website is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Bodster Equine Assisted Learning Centre a new business based at Aldermoor farm, Upton Road, Ryde. There is no riding involved but learners have experiences with horses, such as grooming, leading and taking part in team building exercises along with exercises such as choosing a horse to say hello to which allows learners to think about how they make choices. Bodster has received funding from Aiming High to offer subsidised courses as a short break for youngsters with complex needs. Bodster has also received funding from the Community Adult Learning to offer courses for learners 19+ with poor literacy and numeracy to achieve an NOCN qualification.

We recently had our Open day.

Horses never judge and reflect peoples’ moods and help people to overcome fear and gain confidence and a sense of self-worth. We recently worked with a youngster who was seriously ill. Coming for sessions with the horses has helped her grow and see a point to getting out of bed. Another young person really leads the team in sessions but at school finds it hard to communicate.

Visit www.eaqbodster.com for more details and to join a session please contact Jo Boddington on joandgi@googlemail.com.

Equine Assisted Learning Centre Now On The Isle Of Wight. is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

FSB Comments on:

• Statement of new regulation
• Ed Balls speech to Labour conference

Commenting on the new statement of regulation, published by Government today, which identifies which regulations are going to be implemented in the following six months as well as detailing the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’, Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said:

“It is good news to see that the list of regulations to be introduced this October is shorter than it has been in previous years. We also welcome the list of deregulatory measures – Government should be congratulated for that. However, these messages will be completely undermined by the introduction of the Agency Workers Directive and many of the recent proposals to make further burdensome changes to employment law such as the extension of the right to request flexible working. It is big changes in employment law that cost businesses in time and money and this is one of their biggest areas of concern.”

Commenting on the Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls MP, speech to the Labour Conference, Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said:

“We are pleased that the Shadow Chancellor has realised that introducing a National Insurance Contributions holiday to existing small businesses and a targeted VAT cut to five per cent are both realistic and affordable. It is now essential that the Government acts in the national interest and adopts these measures to kick-start growth. With lending to small businesses deteriorating and no improvement in sight, we support calls for a national investment banks for small firms. This would help to boost competition and get funds to the businesses that need them.”

The FSB is the UK’s leading business organisation with over 200,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk

Ed Balls speech to Labour conference is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Noble Childcare Agency provides the childcare you’ve been looking for.  Marilyn Pitts-Noble, herself with over 15 years professional childcare experience and knowledge, has launched Noble Childcare  to provide high quality excellent and affordable childcare to Island families and visitors alike.

Understanding how difficult it is for parents juggling busy modern lives, Noble Childcare was created with the clear vision to provide dedicated, experienced and qualified carers to suit the family’s needs.  The Carers have been chosen to join the team for their experience and ability to adapt to new environments and caring for children in a range of settings.

Noble Childcare recognises no two children or families are alike, and each carer is handpicked to best suit you.

Services include:

• Traditional Babysitting – so you can enjoy evenings out.
• Daily Nannies – taking complete care of your little ones.
• Mothers Help – a second pair of hands, working alongside parents to aid all daily activities from childcare to household chores.

Whatever your dreams or needs are surrounding childcare Noble Childcare Agency can ensure it is covered to a high standard.

For further information please contact us:

contact@noblechildcare.co.uk

Tel: (01983) 24 53 52

*All our staff are ‘enhanced CRB checked and carry fully up to date First Aid Certificates.

Noble Childcare Agency now serving the Isle of Wight. is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

FSB comment on the Independent Commission on Banking’s Report is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk