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

We want your views on our plans for 2020/21.

The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) has launched a consultation on its proposals for its Service delivery and the Budget and Council Tax requirements for 2020/21.

January often feels like a hard month to get through. The magic of Christmas is over, it’s dark outside, and we’re back at work. This means many of us will be doing things to combat the January blues, such as getting back in the gym and making sure we get plenty of time to relax.

Luton-based chartered accountants and business advisers, Foxley Kingham is starting the New Year in contemporary new offices at the Butterfield Business Park.

Collaboration is a great opportunity for all small businesses, regardless of the industry you’re in. Not only will collaboration help you to grow your network and increase revenue, but it can also save you money and teach you something valuable at the same time.

Leighton Buzzard business donates food and money for the festive season

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey reveals that the UK ended 2019 in stagnation, amid long term uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global economy. 

Commenting on the appointment of Andrew Bailey, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:   

Commenting on the Queen’s Speech today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

As we approach the end of the year, many small business owners will be thinking about their goals and challenges for 2020.

Christmas is a time for giving, so maybe consider giving something back to the environment is the message from local charity and Community Forest, the Forest of Marston Vale. The Charity has launched a Christmas fundraising appeal, Give Back to Trees this Christmas, asking people to help them plant more trees.

• £35 million fund to boost rural productivity and create local jobs
• Grants of up to £750,000 to fuel investment in rural enterprises
• Scheme has already created over 3,700 jobs in local communities

The pressure to become more eco-friendly as a business and as an individual comes from all directions: employees, the media, the government, clients and customers.

There has been much controversy around the planned government changes to IR35, the legislation meant to prevent employees from passing themselves off as freelancers in order to avoid tax.

If you have old hard disc drives, USB sticks or mobile phones in drawers or cupboards you most certainly do. With the new GDPR regulations you need to ensure that this data is tightly controlled.

Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding. In the early days, every step is celebrated; the launch of your product or service, your website going live, your first paying customer, your first hire. And as you continue to raise your profile and expand your customer base, the more fulfilling it becomes.

Whether you’re a sole trader or a small, medium or large business, joining a local network or organisation designed to support businesses like yours is a big decision. No one wants to spend money on a membership that won’t help their business.

The Disability Resource Centre was very pleased to accept the Disability Smart Award (which was sponsored by Jo Cross Photography) at The Dunstable and Houghton Regis Business & Community Awards.

A business that has found a way to detect corrosion and prevent leaks in assets such as pipelines through a network of remote sensors has secured a £1m funding round. 

Winning new business is essential for growth, and in the early days as a small business, gaining just a handful more new customers can make a big difference.

Streets Law has been set up as the dedicated legal services practice of Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. The move is one that is certainly pioneering for a mid-tier multi regional firm like Streets.

Wyboston Lakes Resort is partnering with the Princes Trust ‘Get into’ programme to help the next generation of aspiring hospitality and events professionals become ‘job ready’.

A multi-million pound speculative development of 23 units – the first of its kind in Bedford for more than 20 years – is open for business after reaching practical completion.

Shaun Armstrong is the founder of Mubsta Business Photography, a Bedford-based company that provides professional photography services to businesses, projects and organisations.

As the owner of a small business, growing your company is always high up on your agenda. From building a sales funnel to tracking competitor activity, you’ll constantly be thinking about the necessary steps required to grow your business.

Last year, when I was 32 I took the youngest member of my team to a client meeting and within 37 seconds Laurie made me feel eighty-four. On the desk in front of us was what Laurie described as a 3D printed “save icon”- It was in fact a floppy disk. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Bibby Financial Services (BFS) have revealed that uncertainty around Brexit, tariffs and exchange rate volatility

It’s a common misconception that exporting is only for large companies with thousands of staff, but the truth is no business is too small to trade overseas.

Louisa Watson, Director of Marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort is to feature in the first Women to Watch in Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Index 2019.

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – now in its thirtieth year as the largest UK private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth

The world-renowned Monarch Airlines Engineering Training Academy facilities at London Luton Airport have been purchased from the joint administrators at KPMG, by British School of Aviation (BSA).