Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

Many businesses have had to make spending cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the latest IPA Bellwether report reveals a record decline in marketing budgets in 2020.

The Bedford College Group has won the title of FE College of the Year in the prestigious Times Educational Supplement (TES) Further Education awards.

The Bedford-based company revalidates its Silver Award, which is part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
 
This timber garden products manufacturer was firstly awarded in 2015 with the Bronze recognition.

Business uncertainty seems set to continue for some time, and we don’t know exactly how things will look on the other side. What was key to unlocking success before might not be the same going forward.

Priorities may need to change as new and exciting opportunities emerge. Now is the perfect time to challenge our plans and think about what we might need to do differently.

Company triumphs at prestigious Asia awards ceremony celebrating outstanding bioprocessing performance within Korea and worldwide

Espère Healthcare Ltd, located in Shefford, are raising awareness of the benefits of the Cambridge Mask PRO, including the environmental benefits provided by its capability to be worn for up to 340 hours, that’s around 6 months of wear for the average user.

New research released today by LifeSkills created by Barclays highlights that the younger generation has a critical role to play in the UK’s recovery from Covid-19.

Dunster House Ltd wins a new Long-Term Agreement to supply humanitarian products to Unicef

Once the UK reaches the end of the Brexit transition period, in just 70 days time, the process for importing and exporting goods to and from the EU will fundamentally change.

New facility expands European network providing support services for Crēdo Cube™ reusable shippers

Peli BioThermal, the global name in temperature controlled packaging, announces the opening of a new Service Centre in Strasbourg.

Commenting on the government’s updated Border Operating Model, published today, BCC Director of Trade Facilitation Liam Smyth said: 

With just 90 days to go until the end of the Brexit transition period, it’s remarkable to think that we still don’t know whether Britain will be leaving the EU with a deal. The chances of a ‘No Deal Brexit’ are rising, but an agreement is still possible.

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES)

In these uncertain times, many businesses will be focused on survival. But while it's all hands on deck to 'get business done', things like people development and making sure staff feel valued, may fall by the wayside.

Responding to The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP’s announcement of a Winter Economic Plan, including a new raft of measures to support businesses and the economy as the pandemic continues, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

This month the UK Government launched a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create thousands of jobs for young people.

London Luton Airport based training specialist, the British School of Aviation (BSA), has secured approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deliver face to face and online synchronous engineer type rating training for the Boeing 737 Classic, NG and MAX aircraft.

The Board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today announced that Director General Dr Adam Marshall will leave the organisation in the Spring of 2021.

Bedfordshire Chamber , in collaboration with Hertfordshire Chamber and Wenta, will break down barriers for small businesses to access the Kickstart scheme.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith has said businesses face “the most difficult trading conditions in post-war history” and set out a series of measures

As Government guidance means that face coverings will be part of the ‘new normal’ for the foreseeable future, a 19-year-old British entrepreneur is doing what he can to make everyday activities as cost-effective and easy

LinkedIn is a valuable business tool for connecting with like-minded business owners, clients and suppliers.

Leigh Frost, Managing Director of Truesilver Marketing & Web Design, describes LinkedIn as “the most accurate business to business database there is” and “a really powerful way to connect with people”.

The Willows Training Centre at Wyboston Lakes Resort has been refurbished to meet the current and future needs of learning & development professionals and those being trained with a comprehensive restyling of its interiors.

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, schools across the UK have been unable to meet the requirement to provide students with at least one meaningful encounter with an employer per year,

Now is a strange time to be starting a new job. Any new hire about to start in your company will most likely have never stepped foot in your office. Nor will they have had the opportunity to meet their manager or co-workers in person.

Research by the AA has revealed the five most common causes of callouts for their patrols.

Templers Safety and Security Ltd provide advice and guidance to SMEs to help them meet their health and safety responsibilities. The company was co-founded by Adam Schwalm, who has over fourteen years’ experience in the health and safety industry within a wide range of working environments, from government departments and local authorities to construction, excavation and utilities.

Returning from furlough to the “new normal” raises the question of how buildings can stay secure while people remain safe in an attempt to mitigate the threat of Covid-19?

Figures from the DfT show that between 2013 and 2018, illegal, defective or underinflated tyres contributed to nearly 3,500 accidents nationwide, while in mid-February a vehicle was seized by Lothian Police with tyres so worn down, the inside wires were showing through.

Bedford/UK based data protection experts Privacy Helper have secured an exclusive contract to supply the UK with Spy-Fy privacy products.