Friday February 20, 2009
In This Issue
RECENT EVENTS
Meeting with Gordon Marples, Leader of MSDC – 6th February 2009
This meeting was arranged courtesy of our Chairman Nicholas Soames and there were two issues that we sought to table. The first concerned “economic development” and the concerns of our members that this is given a low priority by MSDC, to the extent that there is in effect no development strategy in place, let alone one that involved input from the business sector. John Jory, Chief Executive, had indicated in December that he understood our concerns and would seek approval from Cabinet to develop an “economic development strategy”, and proposed setting up a “working party” with business to achieve this within 2009.
We asked Gordon Marples whether he had given his approval to this. His replied that he thought he should await the report of the Council’s “working party” on economic development which was due for debate by the Council on 11th February, and he would advise their position shortly after that meeting.
Our second concern was that WSCC could not discuss with us alternative solutions to our A22 congestion problems, until Mid Sussex formally acknowledged that the “relief road” option, funded by the proposed housing development, was no longer a viable solution. Could he either get this acknowledgement made, or at least advise the time scale he would need to do so. He said he understood our concern, that his planning department were in discussion with Atlas, the advisory service for district planning departments, and he expected he would again be in a position in mid February, to clarify the Council’s position.
Opening Dialogue with Retailers - January 22nd to February 4th
Two meetings were held with retailers, the first aimed at those located in the High Street and West Street, and the second aimed at those from the London Rd. and Railway Approach. The first was rather more enthusiastically attended than the second and about twenty retailers attended in all. At each, the need for retailers to have a voice that would be heard, and the ability of the EGBA to achieve this on behalf of retailers, as well as for all the other businesses of the town, was discussed.
The outcome was agreement of a sufficient nucleus of retailers to join the EGBA, and to then help to establish a Retail Section within the EGBA, to be run by its own “Retailers’ Sub Committee” that would elect two of its members to serve on the Association’s Executive Committee.
This was duly achieved on Wednesday 18th February when six nominations were received and accepted for membership of the Sub Committee, and two were then elected at this meeting to join the Association’s Executive Committee.
Executive Committee Members:-
Graham Stevens, Graham Stevens Gallery - Middle Row
Carole Weighill, Threadneedles – High Street.
Sub Committee Members:-
Nick Hubsch, Tree Frog – High Street
Debbie Coghill, The Jewellery Workshop – High Street
Steven Price, London Rd
Joanne Borsa, Clever Clogs – Middle Row
Town Council Business Support Group – Retailers Meeting – Friday 29th January
There were approx. 60 people present at this meeting, of whom over forty were retailers. There were three main items on the agenda:
a) a review of the town centre events that had been put on over the Christmas season
b) a short presentation by the EGBA on the role they might play on behalf of Retailers
c) a presentation by Cllr Wall from MSDC on their management of the town’s car parks.
It was the “car parks” that were the meeting’s main focus of attention, and the retailers were able to express some of their frustrations to Cllr Wall on the seriously unsuitable keypads which are a feature of the new car parking machines installed last September. The extraordinary scale of the likely uplift in parking charges was also aired and Cllr Wall also indicated the range of alternative charging structures as between short and long stay car parks, and between the lengths of time over which people park
To the extent that none of this was as yet finalised, Cllr Wall undertook to take on board the views expressed, and in particular to explore the possibility of extending the removal of the registration requirement from the Chequer Mead car park’s machines, in addition to the three short term car parks to which this already applied.
back to top  FUTURE EVENTS
Members meeting – Management of the Town’s Car Parks – Tuesday 24th February
Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel (by the golf course) at 6.00pm
The aim of this meeting will be to establish the Membership’s consensus view on how they want their car parks managed in the future, and what their position is with regard to the current machines installed last September, and their reaction to the way in which the new charges that are being imposed on April 1st.
A “meeting paper” has been circulated to all members, potential members and to guests, as this meeting is open to guests, though voting will be restricted to members. After the meeting, voting forms will be circulated to all members by email, whether they could attend the meeting or not, and the outcome of the pole will be posted on the EGBA website.
We would strongly seek to persuade as many members as possible to attend this meeting, enjoy the Copthorne Effingham Park Hotel’s generous hospitality for half an hour before the meeting starts, and hear other members’ views in the bar after the formal meeting is concluded.
Members Meeting – “Business Rates – Why and How”. Tuesday 17th March.
Speaker: Roderick Bisset
Yew Lodge, Felcourt Rd @ 6.00pm
A thirty minute explanation of how and why these rates are levied, when and how they can be appealed - with examples from the past, where the money goes and what scope there might be in East Grinstead to take issue with our rateable values.
All generously hosted by one of our members in delightful surroundings and with a chance to meet and talk in the bar afterwards.
Members Meeting - Weds 22nd April – Ashdown Park Hotel, 6pm.
back to top BUSINESS SUPPORT
Winning Business in Tough Times
UK Trade and Investment are running a “Survive and Thrive” business breakfast programme which aims to give you 30 top tips on winning business when times are really tough. The nearest one to East Grinstead is at Gatwick on 31st March. If you are interested you can get the registration page on:
www.keystone-group.co.uk/ukti/southeast/register.php
For a brief overview of the meeting format see:
www.keystone-group.co.uk/ukti/southeast/programme.php
Rate Relief for Small Businesses
The Government introduced a national business rate discount scheme for small businesses in 2005. Those with rateable values of between £5,000 and £ 15,000 may be eligible and in some cases this could reduce their payment by as much as 50 per cent. Funding for the scheme comes from central government and is managed by local councils.
If you would like to discuss the scheme contact Mid Sussex District Council Tax and Business rates team on
01444 477565.
Local Business Clinics
Impartial business advice designed around your needs. Places are free but need to be booked.
Call Sussex Enterprise on
01444 259259
£1000 towards Management Training for your Business
The first £500 is available to managing directors, owner managers, and company directors and does not need to be matched.
A further grant of up to £500, which must be matched funded, is available to any senior manager of the management team.
Call Dawn Allen at Train to Gain on
07894 608507 or e-mail dawn.allen@traintogainse.co.uk
back to top OTHER NEWS
EGBA Business Exhibition
We are pleased to announce that the EGBA will be holding their first business exhibition which will be held at the Chequer Mead on 24th June from 9-5.30pm.
This full day event will have a variety of exhibitors plus several seminars on topical issues. It will be an ideal opportunity for businesses to showcase their diverse range of products and services. It will be open to all, including businesses, local schools and the general public.
We expect this event to be extremely popular and we are now taking bookings. First preference will be given to members and space will be on a first come first served basis. So don’t delay contact Caroll on caroll.everest@egba.co.uk
to receive a booking form. Tel:
01342 324353.
New Members
We are delighted to welcome 22 new members to the EGBA so far this year. They include:
Millennium & Copthorne Hotel
Chartham Park Golf Club
Open University
Burt Brill & Cardens
Elaine McGloin
Nizam Restaurant
Circlesquare
The Sign Company
Scott Combustion
RMS Engineering Ltd
Wolfcat Computers
Grub Café-Bar
MA Wickham Fishing Tackle
Threadneedles
Yew Lodge
The Jewellery Workshop Sx Ltd
Tree Frog
Clever Clogs Footwear for Kids
TaxAssist Accountant
Picture Gallery
JS Locksmiths
CJ’s Coffee Bar
To be part of this growing Association visit www.egba.co.uk and complete and return the application form.
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