Hounslow Chamber webinars
All are free, run for 60 minutes and start at 10:00 am:


25 th  June - Green Energy

Panellists include:
  • Derek Myers, CEO of Beond Group, initiators of Zero Carbon Project, are on a mission to help West London - the UK’s 2nd largest business district, become the greenest economy in the UK.
  • Cllr. Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency.
  • Colin Pearson, Brunel University, renewable energy in buildings
  • Mark Ormiston, Ormiston Wire, his ‘green’ journey
  • Mukesh Aggarwal, EWA Controls, filtration systems


2 nd July - Business Task Force: concentrating on the easing of lockdown in the hospitality sector


If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now:  https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
BUSINESS BRIEFING FROM GOVERNMENT'S COVID-19 PRESS CONFERENCE (courtesy of White Label)

The UK’s coronavirus alert level has been downgraded to level three.  

The announcement, from the UK’s chief medical officers, means the virus is now ‘in general circulation’ and could lead to a further relaxation of restrictions.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who led today’s Downing Street briefing, warned that the downgrading of the alert level did not mean the end of the pandemic.

Mr Williamson said the estimate for the ‘R’ rate remained unchanged from last week, at 07.-0.9 – but pledged to bring “all children, in all year groups” back to school in September – with funding packages, which can be tailored for schools to target the needs of the students they teach, also announced to catch up and make up for lost teaching time.

Green number plates planned to support zero-emission future
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed green number plates are set to be rolled out from autumn, under plans to drive a green economic recovery.

As part of the government’s plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, drivers will be encouraged to make the switch to electric vehicles through the introduction of green number plates. The plates will make it easier for cars to be identified as zero emission vehicles, helping local authorities design and put in place new policies to incentivise people to own and drive them.

"Green number plates could unlock a number of incentives for drivers and increase awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads, showing people that a greener transport future is within our grasp.

"We’re supporting small businesses to develop the transport tech of the future through a multi-million pound investment, ensuring that UK businesses remain at the forefront of low carbon innovation and research.’’

Earlier this week, Alok Sharma, Business Secretary and COP26 President made a keynote address at a London Stock Exchange webinar on the sustainable recovery, investor collaboration on COVID-19 recovery and the climate emergency You can read the speech in full here .
Covid-19 Support - VAT (courtesy of HMRC)


As part of the government’s support for businesses during COVID-19, HMRC gave businesses the option of deferring their VAT payments if they were unable to pay on time, without incurring late payment interest or penalties. Payment of VAT falling due between 20‌‌ March and 30‌‌ June 2020 can be deferred until 31‌‌ March 2021.

You must continue to file your VAT return on time, even if you defer payment.

We're writing to remind you that the option to defer paying VAT ends on 30‌‌ June 2020. This means that VAT returns with a payment due date after 30‌‌ June must be paid in full, on time.

If you haven't deferred any VAT payments, you don't need to take any further action. If you have deferred paying your VAT and normally pay by Direct Debit you should now reinstate it.

You should do this at least three working days before submitting your VAT return in order for HMRC to take payment. For further details go to GOV‌‌.UK and search for 'Pay your VAT bill'.

Please do not call us for more information, everything you need to know is on GOV.UK. This will leave our phone lines open for those who need them most.

Remember, any VAT payments you have deferred during this period should be paid in full on or before 31‌‌ March 2021. You can make ad hoc payments or additional payments with your subsequent VAT returns to reduce the amount outstanding, if you wish.

If you're unable to pay the VAT due and need additional time to pay, please contact HMRC before the payment is due. For help go to GOV‌‌.UK and search for 'If you cannot pay your tax bill on time', or call 0300 200 3835. If you do call, please quote 'V1'.
Bank of England Agents’ Summary of Business Conditions Q2 2020.
 
Read the answers to common coronavirus press conference questions (courtesy of Hounslow Council)
Over 350,000 questions have been submitted through the ‘ Ask a question at the coronavirus press conference ’ service. The Government analyses these regularly and answer the questions that cover the most common topics people ask about.

The recent topics include Test and Trace service, schools, social distancing guidelines, working safely during the coronavirus outbreak, using protective equipment in schools, giving blood, businesses that are not permitted to open and many more. You can find the full details of the most commonly asked questions and the answers on the Governments  website.
Mobile test centre available in Isleworth on Tuesday and Wednesday
The mobile coronavirus test centres form an essential part of the national testing programme and will be available again this Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June at Grasshoppers’ Rugby Club, Syon Lane, Osterley, Isleworth, TW7 5PN. 

There is a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments at this test centre. You can visit our  website for more information on how to register and book your test.
Take your litter home when visiting green spaces
When outside, remember to social distance but also think about what you do with your litter. 
If a bin is full, find another bin, or take it home, where it can be recycled or disposed of responsibly. 
Litter ruins the environment and creates a genuine hazard for wild animals, who can become injured and entangled in dumped materials. 
Our staff are doing their best to empty the bins but with parks often busier than usual, and staff shortages due to coronavirus, this means that this might not always be as frequently as we would like. 
Please do your bit to help us keep the borough clean. If you see any fly-tipping, please  report it.
For more information please visit our  website .
Summit

June 23rd 2020 - 14:00-15:30 - Online Event

Learn how to understand and adjust to the new business and social environment that is continually evolving.

In life, change is the only real constant. As our environment and society changes, we must adapt to thrive in the new world. We have all faced challenges in the past and have come out of them stronger and better informed. This will be no different.

Join us for a special web summit that will discuss these changes and what you can do to adapt your business model to kickstart your recovery and your way of thinking to ensure you not only survive, but thrive.
Spa de Sal re-opens its doors on Monday 6 th July.

People who know salt therapy have been waiting with bated breath for this news. Finally, after 15 weeks of closure due to Government lockdown, they can start taking their regular relaxing hour of salt therapy to help improve symptoms of respiratory and skin conditions such as hay fever, asthma, sinusitis, COPD, eczema and psoriasis. Spa de Sal is one of only three salt therapy spas in the whole of Greater London. Based in Brentford, yes on your doorstep, Spa de Sal has been in operation for three years. 

Due to social distancing guidelines, Matilda Goes the proprietor, has implemented measures to help protect her clients and staff. Each of the two salt rooms is on separate floors with their own entrances, toilet facilities and reception areas. There will be a reduced number of sessions and an increased time gap between sessions. During the session, with pressured are infused with medicated salt particles, the salt rooms are a sterile environment. In the short-term operation will be only from Monday to Friday.

Advance booking will be necessary, with booking and payment over the phone. The spa will be open from Monday 22 nd June only for taking phone enquiries.

Why don’t you try a session of salt therapy? Mention Hounslow Chamber and receive a 25% discount off your first session.

All signage is produced quickly and can also include Company Branding and Logo with your preferred graphics.

PULL-UP BANNERS
VINYL FLOOR GRAPHICS
OUTDOOR BANNERS & FLAGS
POSTERS-ALL SIZES
WINDOW GRAPHICS 

All above with fast turnaround and delivery!

Neil Matheson
Sales Director

T:020 8753 7710
M:07956 549220
This weekend would have seen our Summer Concerts, "Summertime in Paris". Not only have we had to cancel these due to COVID19, but in the last few days we learned of the sad passing of Dame Vera Lynn.

We will shortly be launching a new YouTube channel for the Musical Museum. Despite not being quite ready to start production, the Musical Museum team felt we should record something to mark the moment - so Chris Barber plays a short medley of songs that are instantly recognisable as Vera classics; you can watch the video through the link above, or by clicking here .

We're also excited to announce the launch of our new subscription service, though Patreon. This is a new way to show your support for the Musical Museum; and in return we will be offering lots of interesting rewards including access to live streams of concerts, free tickets to events, and much more. Please visit our Patreon page  for more details.

We hope you enjoy the music - thank you for your support.
Hounslow Chamber of Commerce is the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment for some 18,000 firms - from Chiswick to Feltham, Heathrow to Osterley and Brentford to Bedfont - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough.