Somerset Chamber of Commerce have announced ambitious plans to open a second office in Somerset, offering further support to businesses across the county.  From their Taunton based HQ, CEO Stephen Henagulph today revealed that the Chamber have developed a Somerset North office covering Highbridge, Weston and the Mendip area of the county.  Stephen commented “Since joining the Chamber as CEO ...

Commenting on the inflation statistics for February 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Inflation picked-up for the first time since August 2018, with rising prices across a range of items including food and alcohol, placing the largest upward pressure on price growth in February. “Infla...

NEW businesses are being offered access to a free series of workshops designed to help them on the road to success. Organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and open to all chamber members who have been in business for under three years, the workshops will focus on business planning, accounting, marketing and sales. The first workshop, Business Planning, takes place at the Somerset Chamber of C...

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today (Monday) slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting growth of just 1.2% in 2019 (down from 1.3%), which if realised would be the weakest growth in a decade. The BCC has also downgraded its growth forecast for 2020 to 1.3% (down from 1.5%) and published its first forecast for 2021 of 1.4% growth.  A weaker outlook f...

The Government has today announced a range of temporary import tariffs which would come into effect if the UK leaves the EU on March 29 without a deal in place.  How should you be preparing for a 'no deal' Brexit? The British Chamber of Commerce has produced an FAQ checklist to help businesses plan for Brexit. We've also put together the following FAQs about the 'no deal' Brexit tariffs for our...

Commenting on the Spring Statement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The Chancellor is right to warn of the risks that a messy and disorderly exit on March 29th would pose for the economy. Westminster must heed the fact that businesses and government agencies are simply not ready for such an abrupt change, and Parliament must take concrete act...

SOMERSET businesses remain in a state of limbo and urgent consultation and clarity is needed before any trade tariff changes come into effect in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Stephen Henagulph, the Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce said today (March 13). Mr Henagulph maintained that a ‘no deal’ Brexit was not practical for the chamber’s members and said the announcement...

Students from Weston College showcased their catering skills when they hosted a dinner for 50 local business people at an event organised by the college and Somerset Chamber of Commerce on March 7. The evening was held at the college’s Knightstone Campus and gave businesses from a variety of sectors the opportunity to make new contacts and meet old acquaintances. Stephen Henagulph, the Chief E...

AROUND 50 businesswomen from across Somerset enjoyed afternoon tea and the opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday at a networking event organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Old Mill Accountants and Financial Planners. The ladies came from all business sectors, including recruitment, financial, marketing and legal, and were able to make new contacts, r...

Commenting on the latest UK GDP and trade statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Although there was an increase in GDP growth between December and January, the data for the longer three-month period recorded an economy that was continuing to slow under the weight of uncertainty over Brexit and weakening global tra...

A FAMILIAR face will be taking on a new challenge when she steps up to become the Hinkley Point Project Lead on behalf of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Sam Evans, who is currently the Head of Hinkley Supply Chain Engagement for the chamber, will become the Hinkley Project Lead in June, when Chris Langdon steps away from the role. Chris has been the Project Lead for the Hinkley Supply Chain team ...

This week is National Apprenticeship Week and the Hinkley Supply Chain Team, based within the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, is offering a unique opportunity to be part of one of the biggest construction projects in Europe and the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK for over 20 years.The team is looking for an Advanced Business Apprentice to play a pivotal role in the Hink...

Somerset Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph was on hand to help with the first step in a £19.2 million scheme to upgrade the M5 Junction 25 roundabout in Taunton. He was among business leaders, civic dignitaries, funding partners and developers who attended a ceremony to mark the start of advance site clearance works. The works include the relocation and replanting of around ...

“While this a giant political leap for the Prime Minister, this is only a small step towards the clarity and precision that businesses need to chart their future direction. “The overriding priority is still to assure businesses and communities that an unwanted ‘no deal’ scenario will not happen by default on March 29th. “Businesses still need to ensure they are preparing for all possib...

Commenting on the latest update to existing trade agreements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The lack of progress revealed today is an incredibly disappointing, though not unexpected admission. This is unfortunately yet another example where politicians have overpromised and underdelivered – and it...