Some of the latest changes planned to take place from 1 August have unfortunately been postponed at least until 16 August, but the impact of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme starting on Monday made one of our Board Members comment that she had never seen so many people in Leatherhead High Street ever, many of whom were sitting outside enjoying food and drink! It is to be hoped that this trend continues throughout the District and translates into more footfall and spending in our shops and local businesses too! The scheme applies Monday to Wednesday between 3 and 31 August, offering a discount of 50% up to £10 per head against the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Here is a link to a list of those in Mole Valley. For those looking to add outdoor seating there is now a streamlined application process with MVDC in charge instead of SCC.
Have you thought of applying for the new grants of between £1,000 - £5,000 to help SMEs access new technology and other equipment as well as professional, legal, financial or other advice to help them get back on track? £250,000 has been allocated to Coast 2 Capital who will no doubt welcome applications.
Wednesday’s Virtual Coffee event - Restart Your Business Session 10: Starting with Video went well, with an excellent presentation by Richard Horne of Here We Go Films using a variety of video clips to illustrate the points he was making, and who then answered a whole host of questions from a wide variety of business types. The video will shortly be found on our YouTube channel.
Wednesday 12 August sees our next Virtual Coffee event - Restart Your Business Session 11: Starting with Social Media, led by Olivia Lucas of Pink Spaghetti. This is intended to help business owners to go outside their comfort zones using some of the tools now available to engage with existing and prospective customers. It is intended to be of value to both existing and new users, and explore some they may not already be using.
On Wednesday 19 August we have our next monthly Virtual Breakfast - Expanding Your Network and a Special Opportunity for our Newest Members. July’s breakfast was so successful - with some 40 Members and guests registered, and 14 new Members using the 2/3-minute slots to introduce themselves and their businesses - that we are repeating the same format. All new Members are reminded to book both the event (in the usual way) and also their 2-3-minute slot with Kerry-Anne Kitson. After the introductions, there will be a chance to ask any questions, followed by the regular one-minute speed round of all other Members.
On 26 August is our Restart Your Business Session 12: Skills, Training And Apprenticeships To Support Your Post Covid Recovery Plan, with Stefanie Burlison from Nescot College.
NB: We are still looking for suggestions for further topics, and volunteers or nominations to lead on them!
Remember that one of the challenges for all businesses as they reopen is to get the message out that they have done so and to reassure customers that they are safe to use and operating in accordance with Government guidelines! How are you getting this message out there? If by using social media then as a Chamber we will support you in terms of liking, sharing, commenting or retweeting as appropriate...and please do the same for other local business and the Chamber posts!
Be sure to look at the Members Offers & Discounts page on our website. Surrey Hills Community Radio has an excellent offer for advertising at the moment and is open to interviews with our members too! If you have an offer out there or wish to promote something special please do send details to Kerry-Anne. We are also now publicising Job opportunities for Chamber Members so please let us have any sits vacant too!
Finally, please do promote the benefits of joining the Chamber to your business colleagues and customers. If you have a window which needs one of our posters and a membership sticker do let us know, and we have flyers as well for anyone in a position to deliver some.
