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

• New community bank and DRIVE-THRU to open in Luton
• Grand Opening celebrations to take place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October
• Over 6,000 safe deposit boxes on offer

A community vineyard run almost entirely by volunteers has won a national award. Warden Abbey Vineyard in Bedfordshire earned the runner-up trophy in the Social Enterprise/Community Project category in this year’s Rural Business Awards 2017.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private-sector business survey.

Record-breaking 73,349 votes decide the nation’s favourite parks and show how much people #LoveParks.

Commenting on the trade statistics for September 2017, released today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Congratulations go to Andrew Jenkinson, Partner & Rural Surveyor at Robinson & Hall, Land and Property Professionals, who was crowned Farm Adviser of the Year 2017 at the Farmers Weekly Awards last week.

Six months after its introduction, businesses remain in the dark about how best to utilise the Apprenticeship Levy, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in conjunction with Middlesex University London.

Following an incredibly successful first half of the 2017/18 financial year and with predictions for a record year in terms of bookings and delegate numbers, Center Parcs has restructured its Corporate Events Team to meet the increasing level of demand from new and existing corporate bookers.

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members, Kimm and Miller and Jam Crackers, have been crowned Winners of 2 categories in the East of England Regional heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2017.  Now in their 14^th year, the Awards are a highlight of the business calendar, recognising the key role that local businesses play in driving the UK economy.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Lloyds Bank Plc have launched their much anticipated Manufacturing Survey Report for 2017/18. Our survey highlights that, 65% of respondents have achieved revenue growth this last year, compared with 50% the year before.

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The Learning Partnership is becoming part of The Bedford College Group. The partnership will help secure community education funding opportunities.

Half of UK businesses have faced skills or labour shortages in the last year, but only a minority are actively looking overseas to fill vacancies, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Middlesex University London. 

I don’t know if it’s one of those British things, but talking about ‘culture’ is something we do in a strangulated whisper, as though someone’s got their hands up our back squeezing the syllables out of us.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its medium-term outlook for the UK economy over the next few years. While the BCC has slightly upgraded its UK growth forecast for 2017 from 1.5% to 1.6%, its growth expectations for 2018 and 2019 have been cut from 1.3% to 1.2%, and 1.5% to 1.4% respectively.

At Robinson & Hall we are firm believers in undertaking robust investigations into the deliverability and constraints surrounding a site prior to submitting any planning application. 

As part of our business support offer, we officially launch the Autumn / Winter ERDF business growth workshops.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), and the Association of German Chambers of Commerce (DIHK) have today called for UK and EU negotiators to put a clear focus on our shared economic interests as Brexit talks reconvene in Brussels.

Around 4 in every 5 businesses have seen their costs increase this year through changes in employment legislation, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Center Parcs has strengthened its Corporate Events team at Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire with the promotion of Kelvin Hayward as Conference & Events Manager and Catherine Mansfield as Event Co-ordinator.

We are delighted to announce that the Hatters squad have chosen Luton-based charity Families United Network (FUN) as their players’ charity of the season.

After a long and distinguished career with the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, Cheryl will be retiring at the end of September. 

Cheryl has worked tirelessly for the Bedfordshire Chamber for almost thirty years. She has been a great advocate for Bedfordshire Businesses and demonstrated her expertise and skill in export matters by being the leader of several trade missions around the world. 

Nick Willis, Senior Partner at George Hay Chartered Accountants, achieved a significant milestone recently, having celebrated 40 years’ service on 15th August.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with DHL, today publishes its latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook, which shows that while many exporters continue to put in a solid performance, wider economic factors are a cause of concern.

Commenting on the inflation statistics for July 2017, released today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the proposed Data Protection Bill, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Central Bedfordshire Council has now published its preferred options for the new Local Plan, which will cover the period from 2015 to 2035.

• Opel and Vauxhall to be operated as true iconic German and British brands
• New performance plan to be presented in 100 days: to generate a positive operational free cash flow by 2020 as well as an operating margin of 2% by 2020 and 6% by 2026
• Four new team members to join the leadership team

A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed is being launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A new online tax forum and dedicated webchat service for small businesses and the self-employed is being launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Biggleswade United Football Club are delighted to announce the formation of a business partnership.