Hundreds made business event ‘beyond our dreams’ 

Hundreds flocked to an annual business event on Thursday 2nd February, described by organisers as the best ever. Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce hosted the Better Business show, at the Assembly Hall, in Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, which was attended by more than 600 people. Chamber chief executive Tina Tilley said: “The show went extremely well. It went better than last year which was beyond our dreams. “We had a constant buzz throughout the day. We have had some amazing feedback from exhibitors who are already booking for next year.

Lots of businesses were giving out free advice and gifts.” An exclusive unveiling of the new BMW 5 Series car was organised by headline sponsor Chandlers. More than 90 exhibitors took part in the event, with two expert advice sessions every half hour on specialist topics. Guest speakers were Gill Fielding, Darren Gearing and Shaa Wasmund, supported by a range of talks and sessions from other local business figures. The Google Digital Garage team were on hand to provide tips, with two workshops over the course of the day. To find out more about next year’s event, email info@ worthingandadurchamber. co.uk

By Oli Poole Deputy political editor for Worthing Herald 

Will ‘Thematic’ Investments Drive Growth in 2017?

Investors looking for equity growth in the Brexit and Trump era should consider ‘theme-based’ opportunities rather than focusing too heavily on broad financial markets, according to Sanjay Rijhsinghani, Partner at LGT Vestra. He was speaking at an investment and tax seminar in Horsham organised by Sussex-based Carpenter Box Wealth Management.

Sanjay said company earnings in the third quarter of 2016 showed topline growth for the first time in over two years and that macro-economic factors were moving in favour of equities.

“Our thinking at the moment is to take a thematic approach to investments rather than looking at say the US, Japan or European markets,” he said. “So, for example, we see growth opportunities in equities linked to infrastructure because of the payback this activity delivers to governments and to operating companies alike.

“We also like financials as a result of the clean balance sheets of banks, a steepening yield curve and the move to a transaction-based cashless society, which reduces costs for banks. And we see positive prospects for a technology sector that is speeding up innovation lead times.”

Simon Fox, Managing Partner at Carpenter Box Wealth Management, underlined the need for coherent investment strategies in an era of historically low interest rates, citing the enduring appeal of pensions and focusing on the tax advantages of Enterprise Investment Schemes.

Stuart Noakes, Partner and Head of Tax Services at MHA Carpenter Box, urged delegates not to overlook the value of individual tax allowances that could deliver up to £33,000 of tax free income each year, while also outlining steps to mitigate inheritance tax through business property planning.

Photo: Simon Fox, Managing Partner, Carpenter Box Wealth Management

www.carpenterbox.com

Record investment coming to major projects across Adur and Worthing

A record level of Government investment, announced in the detail of the Autumn Statement, is being celebrated by Adur District and Worthing Borough Councils as the next steps in transforming the area for future generations.

Over £5.6million is to be invested in Worthing Central (Phase 1), which will see a comprehensive and co-ordinated transformation programme in the Town Centre, specifically focusing on Teville Gate and Union Place.  With discussions already underway to develop these sites into an exciting mix of homes, businesses and leisure uses, the Government’s investment underlines importance of these opportunities to the town’s thriving future.

Decoy Farm, meanwhile, will receive £4.84million.  This marks a step change in preparing this important site for active use, improving employment and economic opportunities in the Borough.

In Adur, the Government’s confidence in the growth of the area is underlined by over £5.7million investment in New Monk’s Farm development.  This investment will transform the site, helping to unlock up to 600 new homes and over 700 new jobs by dramatically improving the road network around this key site.

The funds to spur both developments come from the Local Growth Fund (Round 3) with the funds being administered by the Coast To Capital Local Economic Partnership.

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:

“This is a significant moment for the Borough and for some of our key regeneration sites.  We are absolutely committed to creating thriving, prosperous places and redeveloping Teville Gate and Union Place is at the heart of this commitment.

“Once developed, we will have created over 120 homes for Worthing residents, alongside over 180 new jobs.

“This is very, very good news for the future of the Worthing Borough and I am confident that we will see action on the ground soon - our intention is to deliver both of these important projects by the end of the 2020/21 year.”

Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, added:

“I am very pleased to hear that our belief in the future of our communities, alongside the hard work in preparing the bids for the Government, has been recognised through the Local Growth Fund.

“New Monks Farm is a key site in continuing to create places in which people can thrive - with the jobs, homes and other infrastructure needed to help that to happen.  Hundreds of new homes and jobs, together with much needed improvements on the A27 and a potential new IKEA store, will create new places for our communities to grow into and enjoy being a part of.”

Adur and Worthing Councils are now working closely with the Greater Brighton Economic Board and Coast To Capital on allocating funds to these projects.  

For further information on the progress of these sites, please see www.InvestAW.co.uk - the dedicated investment website for the Adur and Worthing areas.

Community donations exceed £250 for Mayor’s Charities in exchange for Connaught Studio seats.

Members of Worthing’s local community raised over £250 for Worthing Mayor’s Charities in under four hours on Monday January 30 as they made donations for seats from Worthing’s Connaught Studio, which receives new seating later this month.

34 people collected 140 seats from the cinema and theatre venue from 12pm onwards and all of the venue’s seats had been collected or removed by 4pm. £265.58 has been donated to the Mayor’s Charities in exchange for the seats to-date, with final donations expected later this week.

The seats were destined for a variety of new locations including an artist’s studio, a caravan-based ‘man cave’, a home cinema, a loft conversion, a theatre-inspired hallway and Coast Café on Worthing seafront which will house 20 of the seats.

The traditional theatrical seats were made available to the public as the need for reupholstering and spare parts for the majority of seats made them unsuitable for another venue or bulk-purchase.  The seats were also not stand-alone and therefore making them auction-ready or sale-ready would have required a great amount of time and further investment. 

The public collection therefore not only raised money for the mayor’s chosen charities, Worthing Samaritans, Coastal West Sussex MIND and St Barnabas House Hospice, but also prevented the seats from being destroyed while simultaneously saving money for Worthing Theatres as neither additional resources nor a commercial disposal company were required.

The installation of the new fixed-tiered and removable seating system in the Connaught Studio has begun and will be complete by February 20. The installation will create a superior customer experience, with improved sight-lines from every angle and the ability to diversify use of the space - hosting everything from seated-standing to fully seated events.

The seating will be vibrantly coloured and the new layout created by the fixed tier rake will enable the installation of a new bar at the back of the auditorium, planned for phase two in 2017/2018.

Cllr Dr Heather Mercer, Executive Member for Customer Services who holds Culture in her portfolio, says: “The savings made by the theatres through the disposal of the seats in such an innovative and community-minded way has been a delight to see. All those who made donations to the Mayor’s Charities for the seats were buzzing with excitement about the projects they had planned.  Now we can look forward to the arrival of the new seats and the transformation of the venue.”

Become a Councillor 

West Sussex County Council is lifting-the-lid on life as a county councillor with an information event ahead of the local elections in May.

The event for potential councillors takes place on Monday 27 February from 5.30pm to 8.45pm at County Hall, Chichester.

Places for the event are limited so potential candidates are encouraged to register at (link to: http://beacouncillor.co.uk/west-sussex/).

The event will give people thinking of standing in the elections on 4 May the chance to learn more about the County Council, take part in workshops, understand the election timetable and ask questions.

A new website has also been launched in collaboration with the Local Government Association’s ‘Be a Councillor’ campaign. The website allows people to take an eligibility quiz and watch a new video created with current West Sussex county councillors discussing their roles.

Pat Arculus, Chairman of West Sussex County Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people thinking of standing for election to find out more information about the county council, what the role involves and take part in workshops.

“You’ll also be able to watch the new video which includes ten of our current members, including myself, providing a great deal of insight into our responsibilities. I would urge anyone who is considering standing to take some time and watch it.”

All councils are led by democratically elected councillors who set the vision and direction of the council and represent their local community.

To be eligible for the role you must be:

• a British or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union
• at least 18 years old
• registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before an election.

More information on eligibility is available on the Be a Councillor website.

Residents are also being encouraged to make sure they are on the electoral register to be able to vote on 4 May. To make sure you are on the electoral roll contact your local district or borough council by Thursday 13 April.

• Covering+letter+Pat+Arculus.pdf
• Final+Prog+27.02.17.pdf

Who can resist a jelly bean.... or three?!

When Empire Printworks of Lancing booked to exhibit at the Better Business Show, they decided on a sweet-treat show offer – guess the number of Jelly Beans in the jar.  So, after a painstaking night of counting out the Jelly Beans (one for the pot, one for them!) a stacked jar of colourful Jelly Beans took pride of place on their stand.

Guesses ranged from 241 right up to 15,356 but the well deserved winner was Sian Chapman of Will Power Worthing Limited, who was just 3 away from the total of 988.

Paul Green, of Empire Printworks said, “Print is a very competitive field so we wanted to have a little bit of fun alongside promoting our company at the exhibition.  We were delighted by everyone’s enthusiasm and really enjoyed the day.  It was great to chat to potential new customers and meet up with existing clients – we’ll definitely be back to exhibit again next year”.

Empire Printworks offer bespoke printing with a fast turnaround and a friendly service.

Will Power Worthing Ltd won £100 worth of printing for guessing the number of Jelly Beans correctly but as a post-show offer Empire Printworks are offering 500 FREE business cards for every customer who orders £50 of printing before 28 February 2017 – another sweet deal from Empire Printworks!

Call 0800 6510 008 or visit www.empireprintworks.co.uk

WCHP Upcoming Events in 2017

February

Alternative Rock Acoustic – Saturday 4^th 7pm Music event hosted by 69 Music at the Upper Lounge at Caroline of Brunswick, Ditchling Road, Brighton.

Littlehampton Sleepout – Saturday 25^th from 7pm
Littlehampton Sleepout, held at Riverbeach Primary School

March

A Street Cat Named Bob – Thursday 2^nd 8pm for 8.30pm.

A charity showing of A Street Cat Named Bob at Worthing Dome. 8pm for an 8.30pm start. Thank you to our sponsors Sussex Transport and Worthing Dome and Sony for being incredibly generous with their support of this showing. Tickets £6.50 and available by calling 01903 680742 or popping into one of our charity shops – Montague Street in Worthing or Littlehampton High Street.

Woolly Hat Day – Friday 3^rd All day

Get your friends, colleagues, school involved! Wear a woolly hat, take a photo and donate a £1 to WCHP! Share your photos on social media #wchpwoollyhatday .

Suspiciously Elvis – Thursday 23^rd from 7pm 
Suspiciously Elvis at Food Restaurant in Worthing. £29 for a three course meal and a fantastic evening’s entertainment. Call Food Restaurant on 01903 227780 to book your space.

Horsham Sleepout – Saturday 25^th from 7pm
Horsham Sleepout, held at St Roberts Southwell Catholic Primary School

May

Skydive – Saturday 20^th
Sponsored event held at Skydive Netheravon – email info@wchp.org.uk for more information!

June

Worthing Artist Open Houses – Weekends 17^th - 18^th and 24^th – 25^th
The theme of this year’s Worthing Artist Open Houses is “Safe Spaces”, held at Colonnade House in Worthing – email info@wchp.org.uk to get involved!

July

Worthing Artist Open Houses – Weekend of the 1^st – 2^nd 
The final weekend of this year’s event.

Worthing Summer Busk and Street Collection – Saturday 22^nd
Street collection in Worthing, with musicians

August

Shoreham Street Collection – Saturday 12^th

Street collection in Shoreham

October

Taylor Maid musical evening – Saturday 14^th from 7pm

Organised by the Goring Friends group, held at the Warren Ballroom. Tickets TBC

December

Christmas Tree Festival – Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd

Our annual Christmas Tree Festival will be held at St Mary de Haura Church in Shoreham

For further details of our events please contact the Fundraising Team on 01903 680740 or email info@wchp.org.uk 

If you would like help at any of our events please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01903 680740 or email helping@wchp.org.uk

Please visit our website www.wchp.org.uk or follow us on social media @WCHPnews