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

• The UK deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.3bn in September 2013, unchanged from August
• There was a £9.8bn deficit on goods, partly offset by a £6.5bn surplus on services
• The trade deficit in goods and services increased markedly in Q3 2013, largely reflecting a wider goods deficit (down £4.3bn - £3.8bn goods)

Commenting on today’s interest rate decision, announced by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

• Manufacturing output rose 1.2% between August and September 2013, while total production increased by 0.9%
• In the three months to September 2013, manufacturing output rose 0.9% over the previous three months, but when compared with a year earlier, there was only a minimal increase (0.1%)

Office space is available at The Village at Great Marlings in Luton. Spaces from 1, 040-14, 597 square foot are on offer.

The Chamber's youngest member, nine year old Henry Patterson of Not Before Tea,  is seeking crowdfunding to publish six stories linked to his sweetie business.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, has paid a visit to Prologis Park at Marston Gate as part of her role as business ambassador for Central Bedfordshire.

In the face of intense competition from event and leisure venues across the globe, Wyboston Lakes has won the gold award for ‘Best Integrated Marketing Campaign’ in the prestigious Meetings Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) 2013.

Robinson & Hall are delighted to announce the launch of their new website www.robinsonandhall.co.uk With a more modern look and feel and new features, make sure you check it out for yourself today!

On Saturday 19 October, customers of MINI dealerships in Northampton and Oxford had an exclusive opportunity to experience the latest Countryman and Paceman models in an “adventure” on Millbrook’s world renowned tracks.

Bedfordshire Chamber's youngest member, Henry Patterson aged 9,  is celebrating after it was announced last night that the his company Not Before Tea is a finalist for the ‘Most Captivating Entrepreneur of the Year' category and also 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

• In September 2013, public sector net borrowing, excluding effects of financial interventions, was £1bn lower than in September 2012
• In the first six months of the current financial year, cumulative borrowing on a comparable basis was £5.9bn lower than in the corresponding period of the last financial year
• In September 2013, public sector net debt, excluding effects of financial interventions, was 75.9% of GDP

There are just days left to send your 2012/13 paper tax return to HM Revenue Customs (HMRC), if you want to beat the 31 October deadline and avoid a penalty.

Commenting on the announcement that a new nuclear power plant will be built at Hinkley Point in Somerset, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

SEMLEP is looking for a new private sector director to join its Board. Applicants will ideally have current experience of running a growing and successful business or social enterprise, be able to commit sufficient time and give leadership to help deliver SEMLEP's objectives.

To coincide with the announcement of the acquisition of Millbrook by Rutland Partners, the organisation has unveiled the progression of Millbrook’s brand image through a completely new website and enhanced logo.

• BCC’s Director General, John Longworth, gives keynote speech at business group’s International Trade Conference
• Vince Cable; Chuka Umunna; Carolyn McCall, CEO, easyJet; David Milner, CEO Tyrrells Crisps; and Lord Bilamoria, Chairman, Cobra Beer confirmed as guest speakers

Chamber member Interfoam Ltd is in celebratory mood after achieving an industry quality standard.  Interfoam  recognised the importance of Business Management Systems to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our operation, and are currently registered to ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management and ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental Management and has maintained these systems for many years.

Single, divorced or separated? Struggling to meet the right partner, online or otherwise?
Are you fearful of commitment or seem to only meet others who are?Then Relate might be able to help.

Central Bedfordshire Council has published its Procurement Pipeline.  The document is a forward look at the goods and services Central Bedfordshire Council intends to procure over the coming years. The Procurement Pipeline covers procurement over £10,000 in value.

Bedford College is proposing to open a brand new Technical Academy in September 2015 focusing on specialist technical training in science, service and creative technologies.

Commenting on the publication of the report, ‘Cut EU red tape’, which has been published by the Business Taskforce today (Tuesday), Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) have created a business guide to auto-enrolment, designed to help employers plan for legal changes to workplace pensions. 

Commenting on the Chancellor's announcement to simply and streamline visa applications, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

As Bedford-based business, Conservation By Design, celebrates its 21st anniversary, it has also created a special birthday present to mark the centenary of the Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Records Service.

• Manufacturing output in August 2013 was -1.2% on the month, -0.2% on the year
• In the three months to August 2013, manufacturing output rose by 1.2% compared with the previous three months
• The UK deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.3bn in August, compared with a deficit of £3.4bn in July
• There was a deficit of £9.6bn on goods, partly offset by an surplus of £6.3bn on services

The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is organising a Business Crime Prevention Conference on the 29th November. We are privileged to have Olly Martins, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Colette Paul, Bedfordshire Chief Constable together with business experts from banking and IT fully supporting and leading the event. 

Would you be interested in advertising to consumers and businesses that travel along a busy section of road in the Luton area?

Do you have an innovative business idea that supports the environment?  The Incuba Business Support and Learning Centre, being opened in Dunstable by Central Bedfordshire Council, is running a  Green Business and Innovation Competition.

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce member THSP (The Health and Safety People) is delighted to announce exciting changes to its Employment Law services which now includes an enhanced level of benefits for its clients.

Rutland Partners is pleased to announce that on 1 October 2013 it exchanged contracts with General Motors (“GM”) for the acquisition of Millbrook Proving Ground Limited (“Millbrook”) for an undisclosed amount with additional funds being made available for the development of new facilities.