May 2011 Breakfast news: Some businesses are like buses, more vinegar tips and a major announcement

33 members and non-members were at the May breakfast at the golf club and by the end of the meeting we had four more members than when we started! All is revealed below – see Peter’s Bees.

This month the business coaches, like buses, turned up in threes, as Dave Baker of Charting Success, remarked. But then we also had several businesses offering website services, IT support and even banking!

Neil Lennon, of Lloyds TSB paid a flying visit back briefly from his long-term posting to Bristol.  Plainly he needs a lungful of Suffolk air now and again. Sharon Rayner, of HSBC, also attended.

Simon Burton of 8CW had another couple of vinegary tips for us – firstly graphically describing the effect of a few drops on slugs – a wonderful accompaniment to breakfast! Then it was the turn of the ants, who apparently hate vinegar diluted with water and wiped over kitchen surfaces. Perhaps Simon should think about compiling a book of vinegar tips!

Allan Scott, of Newsletter Genie, has been helping the John Peel Centre in its efforts to raise matched funding for their bid for sponsorship to develop the proposed arts centre in Stowmarket.

Allan is supporting the venture by providing an e-newsletter and, with the first edition imminent, reminded members of the opportunity of sponsorship through advertisements.  He also encouraged members to offer their professional skills to the organisers.

Many businesses were represented, from civil engineering to employee driver training, Suffolk’s only motorbike courier service, to every type of support for IT, websites and social networking, pain relief, window cleaning, home cleaning, business coaching and legal support.

Spotlight from Nigel George, complete with Machete and Bucket

Nigel gave members a reprise of his recent seminar in Bury St Edmunds on the subject of changes to retirement law, which come into force in October.

Hence the machete, because no longer will employers be able to give people “the chop” when they reach the age of 65.  He pointed out that employers must in any case give six months’ notice so that the law is now effectively in place.

It seems the inventor of the retirement pension was Otto von Bismarck, who set the pension age at 70 – when the average mortality rate was actually 45.  A similar calculation was made on the introduction of pensions in Britain. However, as Nigel pointed out average longevity has now increased to 85 for men and 89 for women.

Nigel explained that the law says that it is perfectly legitimate to get employees to retire if it’s “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim” but the universal “machete” approach was now regarded as disproportionate!

A bucket and a pair of pliers were enlisted as props to illustrate the ages at which a fireman and a dentist were deemed too old to embark on their respective careers.

However, it is still possible to dismiss someone who is no longer fit to do their job.  The change in the law simply makes it illegal to discriminate on grounds of age.

Chairman’s report – complete with Queen Bee

Peter’s Queen Bee flew in with a number of updates for members, first and foremost that the proposed two-tier membership structure for Stowmarket has now been accepted by Suffolk Chamber and will be officially launched on June 1 at the Made in Stowmarket event in the John Peel Centre.

Suffolk Chamber will subsidise new member sign-ups from now until the end of September by 50%, so that the annual fee for new “Town Members” during that period will be £25 instead of £50.

By the end of the meeting four new members had joined, with Simon Burton the first in the queue.  The other three are Darren Guiheen, of DL Design Associates Ltd, Rachel Henke, The Niche Expert Coach, and Alison Withers, of Multimedia Reputations.

In other news, Peter reported that Bosch and Muntons are likely to be among the local firms at the “Made in Stowmarket” event and that members were welcome to display their banners and business cards on the Chamber table or exhibit at the event themselves.

Work on the new Morrisons supermarket is developing quickly and the Stowmarket Chamber is already in touch with the new manager.

Finally, Peter urged local residents to make sure they filled in their response to the referendum on the proposed merger of Babergh and Mid-Suffolk District Councils, particularly because the outcome is likely to affect the level of community charge.

Anyone with any feedback or comments for future activities and issues they feel the Chamber should be involved in should contact Peter:

peter.avoca@talktalk.net

Dates for your diary

Breakfast meetings coming. Venues vary so make sure you turn up at the right place:

June 17 Rugby Club

July 15 Golf Club

Next Meeting:

June 17 Rugby Club

 phone: 01449 770965

e-mail: mailto:secretary@stowmarketchamber.org.uk

website:

www.suffolkchamber.co.uk/stowmarket_district_chamber_of_commerce