Most of those businesses which had to postpone opening until at least 16 August have now been allowed to reopen. Wedding receptions can now be for up to 30 people, including any staff serving them, and our Member Delicious Dishes has completed their first one for 27 under the new rules! The impact of the Eat Out To Help Out initiative has resulted in upwards of 35 million people using the scheme, resulting in busier times for those offering outdoor seating in particular, although rain and thunderstorms forecast may affect this trend. But we hope it will translate 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 Breakfast - Expanding Your Network and a Special Opportunity for our Newest Members repeated July’s format, with lower numbers no doubt reflecting people being away on holiday!
We conclude our August events on Wednesday 26, with Restart Your Business Session 12: Skills, Training And Apprenticeships To Support Your Post Covid Recovery Plan, with Stefanie Burlison from Nescot College in Epsom/Ewell who will talk about training options designed to develop the skills you and your employees need for your business to succeed:
- How can apprenticeships help my business? Bearing in mind they are no longer limited to 16-19-year olds and can go all the way up to Masters Degree level!
- How do the new government apprenticeship incentives work?
- Need to re-skill or gain new qualifications to succeed in the post Covid recovery?
Stefanie’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Wednesday 2 September sees Restart Your Business Session 13: Don’t Splash the Cash with Derek Williamson from Titus Goddards Accountants talking about Tips and Tricks on how to manage your cashflow over the next 12 months. Also on 2 September is our The Not a Pub Quiz with questions set by Bob Knight from Compass FRI.
NB: We are currently looking for a number of new Directors to join the Chamber Board and to represent businesses and disciplines across the MVDC area. If you would like to find out more about this please call me! We are also still looking for suggestions for further topics, and volunteers or nominations to lead on them! A Member survey will also be sent out shortly to canvas opinion on activity going forward.
Everyone is reminded that some of the many benefits of Chamber Membership include the ability for Members to promote their business events, news, other items of interest, situations vacant and Members’ Offers & Discounts via the Chamber’s Website and Weekly Update Emails – so Members, please do send details to Melodie Hunt at the Chamber office.
There are some great offers currently on the Members Offers & Discounts page on our website. Surrey Hills Community Radio has an excellent free offer for advertising at the moment and is open to interviews with our Members too! JP Leadership Coaching are promoting a group coaching programme.
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.
