The Somerset Chamber team would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone who has booked to come to our Christmas coffee morning next Tuesday, 17 December, and we’ll be here to help our members right up until Christmas Eve. Our offices will, however, be closed during the festive period, from Christmas Day through to 2 Janua...

Yeovil-based Ocean Fire and Security has been presented with a hamper of Somerset produce after winning the Chamber’s QES prize draw. The company was chosen at random to win the from the local businesses which completed the British Chambers of Commerce Q3 QES survey through the Somerset Chamber. Jenn Chidley-Sanders, the Chamber’s Member Engagement and Policy Manager, presented the hamper to...

UK economic growth in 2020 is forecast to slow to its weakest rate since the financial crisis as higher Government spending struggles to offset falling business investment, weakening net trade and sluggish consumer spending.    GDP growth is forecast to slow from 1.3% for this year to 1.0% in 2020 - the weakest outturn since 2009 – according to the latest economic forecast from British Chamb...

UK businesses are even less satisfied with UK infrastructure than they were a year ago, according to research published today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Stagecoach.   The survey of 1,200 business leaders finds that only around one third (35%) of UK businesses feel that the UK road network is meeting their needs when reaching customers, suppliers, and employees. This is a redu...

A new Chairman has taken over at the helm of Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and will be joined by a host of new faces, representing businesses from across the county. Businesswoman Helen Lacey, Managing Director of Red Berry Recruitment which has offices in Yeovil and Shepton Mallet, took over the chairmanship from outgoing Chairman Greg Saunders, Director of Stanhurst Consul...

The percentage of UK firms facing recruitment difficulties has returned to previous highs, while one in four businesses expect to increase headcount according to the UK’s largest survey of employers.   The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Totaljobs, reveals that almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of businesses who attempted to re...

A majority of UK manufacturing exporters are reporting a worsening in sales and orders, with indicators showing a substantial drop compared to 2017 and 2018 levels.  The Quarterly International Trade Outlook for Q3 2019, released by British Chambers of Commerce and DHL today, reveals that indicators for exporting manufacturers in Q3 2019 have undergone large declines, with several key indicators...

Avoiding a no-deal Brexit and delivering an urgent confidence boost through action on infrastructure, immigration, skills and business costs must be at the forefront of the next Government’s agenda, says the British Chambers of Commerce.  2020 and beyond: business priorities for the next UK Government – compiled with input from the 53 accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK and the BC...

One of Somerset Chamber's longest standing members has become a Businesses Partner. Local solicitors Clarke Willmott have been long term supporters of the Chamber and the Somerset Business Awards, sponsoring the popular Charity of The Year award for the last six years.   Chris Thorne, Partner and Head of Taunton office, said: “We are delighted to enter into a new partnership with the Some...

Figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed growth in the UK economy has slowed to its lowest rate in almost a decade. Year-on-year GDP growth slowed to 1% in the three months to the end of September - the lowest since the first three months of 2010. The economy avoided recession after expanding 0.3% in the three months to the end of September - the economy shrunk in the second...

The winner of the iPad from the Somerset Chamber of Commerce broadband survey was presented with their prize today by sponsors Truespeed. James O’Sullivan, of O’Sullivans Chartered Accountants, completed the survey which aimed to highlight the demand for broadband across the region.  James noted that as an accountant he was increasingly reliant on a reliable and fast connection as more ser...

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that in the year to April 2019, the gender pay gap for full-time workers rose to 8.9% - up from 8.6% the previous year. But for people under 40, the gap for full-time employees was close to zero. The gender pay gap is the percentage difference between average hourly earnings for men and women. Responding to the ONS gender pay g...

THE winners of the 2019 Somerset Business Awards were announced on Friday, 25 October, at a glittering black-tie event at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare. Nearly 400 business people from across Somerset attended the gala evening, which was organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Somerset cricket legend Peter Trego. The 2019 finalists came from all corners of the...

The BEIS Business Brexit Helpline - 0300 2000 900 - goes live today. This is a single helpline that will direct calls to the appropriate Government department or one of the existing BEIS helplines (the Enquiry Unit, the Business Support Helpline, and the Office for Product Safety and Standards Contact Centre). The helpline will be open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. A spokesman for BEIS said t...

It’s riskier to cycle across London on a bicycle than it is to export, that was the message given to the 500 delegates who attended the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) International Trade Summit in London in October. Leading businesses were joined by High Commissioners, politicians and trade experts for the event which highlighted trading opportunities, policies and good practice across ...