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

Lobbying and policy are possibly not the most exciting or glamorous elements of doing business, but in the background, they’re constantly working to influence decisions, sway opinion, and articulate your business’s hopes, fears, and interests, at local, regional, and national level.

Staff retention is a hot topic for today’s businesses – and the figures prove the point. On average, employee turnover rates in the UK have increased by 7.7% since 2019, and are estimated to increase even more in 2023, with a total predicted turnover rate of 35.6%.

Small businesses are stronger when they’re part of something bigger, but also when they’re part of something local. And with membership of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, you get the best of both worlds, as you’re also connected to the nationwide force for business that is the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

As the new financial year kicks in on 6^th April, your business will naturally find itself focused on the challenges and opportunities the new year will bring – projecting leads, assessing pipeline, forecasting income, and planning budgets.

“Cutting and simplifying” – this is how the Government headlined its 2023 Spring Budget.

So, we did some cutting and simplifying of our own, boiling the budget down into its business essentials to highlight the changes and opportunities you need to be aware of - and how we at the Chamber help our members take action to get on top of them.

It’s been a busy few weeks here at the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

We welcomed a visit from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director General, Shevaun Haviland, published the results on an opinion poll on the planned expansion of Luton Airport, met with Vauxhall to discuss electric vehicle strategy and funding, and hosted a Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) event to help businesses combat the skills shortage.

With the usual yearly flurry of cards, chocolates and flowers, Valentine’s Day has come and gone again.

But whilst we hope you and your beloved enjoyed the occasion, here at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce we believe in spreading the love all year round - in a strictly professional sense, of course.

On 6^th February 1952, Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne when the UK was exhausted from war and rationing. But on her watch, the economy soon began to boom. New shopping centres and housing were built, followed by the first motorway.

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 world's biggest and most successful businesses didn't make it to where they are now without a few rough patches. If anything is guaranteed in the business world, it's that challenging times lie ahead.

Need a gift? Chocolate makes you fat, flowers die quickly, wine is expensive. You need SPIKE!

Spike Cacti is the brainchild of Jonny Williams - The Chamber’s youngest member at just 10 years old.

Commenting on the publication of the first tranche of UK Government technical notices aimed at giving businesses and consumers advice on the implications of a 'no deal' exit from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Accountant, Keith Middleton, reached a significant milestone in his career on 19 August as he celebrated 50 years’ service with George Hay Chartered Accountants.

Keith joined George Hay in August 1968 and was a partner in the firm from 1997-2017. 

Row of typical English terraced houses in West Hampstead, London.

An extension of the mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing will come in to effect from 1st October 2018, 

The new Bedford i-Hub on Cauldwell Street is set to open in October creating a new business incubator centre in the middle of our county town.

Following investment by Bedford Borough Council, the i-Hub is bringing a 3000 sq.ft Georgian building 

Commenting on the first estimate of GDP for Q2 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said

Commenting ahead of the publication of technical notices from the government relating to the possibility of ‘no deal’ in the Brexit negotiations, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Hear from Emma, Julie and Meena, Gary, Wayne and Chris talking about how they've secured investment in their businesses through the expertise of local projects part-funded through European funding.

Employers across the UK suspected of providing false or misleading information to The Pensions Regulator about how they are meeting their automatic enrolment duties, will now be targeted with short notice inspections.

Leaders from Peli BioThermal, the global name in temperature controlled packaging, were joined by business officials and distinguished dignitaries at an esteemed presentation ceremony

The vast majority of UK businesses believe the cost of complying with the UK tax system has escalated over recent years, according to new research released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with Avalara.

Starting now until November, Velocity Growth Hub has brought together local business owners and trainers in a programme of new, fully-funded business skills workshops that combine local business knowledge and expert training to give you the best client experience.

The former High Sheriff of Bedfordshire encouraged graduates from the University of Bedfordshire to grasp every opportunity available.

Commenting on the inflation statistics for June 2018, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Cranfield University has been chosen by the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) to be the education provider for the Defence Enterprise Export Programme (DEEP) launched yesterday at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Directors from Peli BioThermal, the global name in temperature controlled packaging, attended a prestigious regal reception hosted by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and members of the Royal Family.

Commenting on the passage of amendments to the Customs Bill, which commit the government to fully separating the UK from the EU VAT regime, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

George Hay Chartered Accountants, which has offices in Biggleswade, Letchworth and Huntingdon, recently handed over a cheque for £1,610 to The Luton and Dunstable NICU Parents Accommodation Appeal.

Streets Chartered Accountants, a leading Top 40 accountancy practice, is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of London and Brighton based entertainment specialist accountancy firm

• Over half of UK businesses did not attempt to access finance in the last year
• One-in-two businesses that did seek finance did so because of cash flow
• Investment intentions are focused on incremental investments