Welcome to our April edition of the Chamber enews.

As we all enjoy the warmer weather and look ahead to the Easter and bank holiday breaks coming up, do have a look at the events we've got coming up and the services we offer. Our special Olympic event on 18th May for business leaders has been one of our fastest selling events ever, so find out why and don't miss out.

We regularly introduce new workshops and training events into our programme to reflect the needs of the businesses we work with, from pre-starts to long established businesses. New for Spring are PR On A Shoe String and The Art of Effective Selling which are coming up very soon.

Thanks to new members for coming to our special event last week - our membership is growing every month and we welcome our newest members below. If you haven't joined us yet, give us a call and find out what we can do to help your business wherever you are on your business journey.

 


 
 

 

Thinking of Starting a Business: Business Basics - 12th April - SOLD OUT

Emergency First Aid at Work - 13th April - SOLD OUT

PR on a Shoestring - 19th April
Build enthusiasm for your business, and in successfully doing so, create widespread awareness and drive sales.

The Art of Effective Selling - 5th May
To help you gain an insight into the dynamic and fundamental business area of Sales.

Thinking of Starting a Business: Business Basics - 10th May
Obtain expert practical advice including legal structures, finance and business planning.

Wimbledon Business Forum - 11th May
Come and shape our Business Improvement District (BID) for Wimbledon?

The Olympics - The Oportunity Countdown Networking Breakfast and Tour - 18th May
This business breakfast is for all South London businesses to plan and prepare for 2012

Networking Lunch & Learn - 19th May
Meet likeminded people, potential clients or mentors through our regular networking events

Thinking of Starting a Business: Business Basics - 24th May
Obtain expert practical advice including legal structures, finance and business planning.

Go Green Toolkit - 24th May
For all GoGreen Plus businesses we are now able to offer a toolkit enabling businesses to take control of their carbon monitoring.

Chamber AGM & Networking Event - 14th July
Make valuable new contacts and Business to Business opportunities and hear about the inaugural Merton Business Awards. Includes welcome drinks reception, hear from Lloyds TSB plc on the Countdown to the Olympics and their involvement with the Games and enjoy a delicious summer buffet with wine on the terrace overlooking Cannizaro Park.


To book on any of these events click on the event title above or visit us at www.mertonchamber.co.uk/events or call Caroline on 020 8944 5501 or email caroline@mertonchamber.co.uk


 

 

 

 
 
   
 

Landfill tax is a tax on waste that is disposed of at a permitted landfill site. As a business, you can save money by finding alternatives to landfill, such as reducing, reusing, recycling or recovering the waste you produce.

There are two rates for landfill tax:

- Standard Rate at £49 per tonne - this will increase by £8 pa until April 2013
- Lower rate for inactive waste, such as rocks and soil, £2.50 per tonne.

This means that if you have to send waste to ladfill, you may be able to save money by separating your different types of waste first.

If you need help or advice on how to go green and save your business money...then contact us on 020 8947 0055 to speak to a member of the Go Green Plus Team.

This service is provided free of charge to businesses as it is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
 
 

 
   
 


Over the last 12 months the Merton Means Business service has helped 50 pre-start businesses to set up and start trading, which is a great achievement that shows that there is a healthy approach to entrepreneurship in the borough. One company, Cay Moore Associates illustrates the point. After being forced into redundancy, Cay decided to grasp the opportunity to start not one, but two businesses, so she contacted Merton Chamber of Commerce for help, support and advice!

Cay said, “I would encourage any start-up and indeed existing business owners to tap into these services, they are invaluable. The team at Merton Chamber of Commerce are so helpful and you get the sense that they are rooting for you. It does not matter how small or big your business idea is...they all want you to succeed”.

We are ready to take your call, whatever your question! We can help with advice, information or pointing you in the right direction...so why not give us a call on 0208 619 0700 or visit www.mertonchamber.co.uk/mmb

Merton Means Business is a Merton Council service managed by Merton Chamber of Commerce.
 
   
 


Is your business struggling to develop and grow because you can't raise the finance you need to take your business forward? If so, we can provide 12 hours FREE one to one support to help produce a viable finance proposal that a funder will be interested in.

Our team of advisers are very experienced in getting a business ‘finance ready’, helping you put together the relevant information in a concise way and can also introduce you to potential funders. Your nominated adviser can also support you at meetings with a funder to support your case.

Make the most use of our established connections with banks and other financial institutions. Visit our website for more details or call our helpline 020 8619 0700 to get started.

*to be eligible for the free support your business needs to be based in South West London, been trading for over 6 months and employ less than 250 people.

This service is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
 
   
 


The Olympics - The Oportunity Countdown Networking Breakfast and Tour

This is a business leaders event in association with Go South Go.

As the venue for the Olympic tennis tournament in 2012 this business breakfast is for all South London businesses to plan and prepare for 2012.

With Paul Deighton the CEO of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and Ian Ritchie the CEO of The All England Lawn Tennis Club as guest speakers, the event is destined to be one of the highlights of the 2011 networking calendar.

Alongside the opportunity to network with fellow attendees, there will be an Olympic business corner where you can meet businesses that have taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the Olympics. UK Trade and Industry will also be attending offering trade and investment advice.

A guided tour of The All England Lawn Tennis Club is available after the networking event from 10-11am,

An exciting Olympic legacy project - THE WIMBLEDON WAY - will also be launched at this event.

 

Keep up to date with Wimbledon Town Centre by FOLLOWING US!!

 
   
 


...if you are a business based in Wimbledon, we are seeking your views on how you would like to see the area develop over the next five years. Please complete our short online survey and make sure your views are heard.

...Chamber Member weblink winner this month is darling magazine - congratulations Karine, a bottle is on its way to you.

...Morrisons supermarket and Admiral Scaffolding are the kind sponsors of this years Foodfest 2011, scheduled for June 16-19th on The Piazza, Wimbledon. Details out soon.

...follow Merton Chamber of Commerce on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and LINKEDIN - a great way for you to connect with other businesses, find out what's going on at the Chamber and receive free business advice!

...join our FREE online business directory. With over 2200 businesses that have opted into the Business Directory, there's no better and free way of promoting your business!

...we had a great evening last week at Piccolino's Restaurant in Wimbledon Village where we welcomed new members to the Chamber, as well as introducing the Chamber and our range of services to potential New Members.


 
   
 

 

Joining Merton Chamber of Commerce will bring your business benefits that, in no time at all, will far outweigh the costs of joining. With annual membership starting from as little as £125, it’s affordable for even the smallest of budgets. In return, members benefit in many ways – here are a few below...
 
• online business directory with live website link
• we can introduce you to the “movers and shakers” within Merton
• exclusive low-cost member advertising in our monthly e-newsletter
• special member discounts for events and member only events.
• instant contact with over 2500 businesses in the region through our networks
• access to over 1000 fact sheets to help your business develop and grow
 
Please contact our Membership Team directly on 020 8944 5501 if you would like more information
Or, join online today at www.mertonchamber.co.uk/join


A big welcome to our many new members this month - we look forward to working with you.....

Douglas Barons
Winkworth Estate Agents
Connect Business Solutions
MFS Independent Financial Advisers
Prisma Consulting Ltd
Mpire Support Services Ltd

Are you going to appear in that list next month? You too can enjoy a host of benefits by becoming a Member of Merton Chamber of Commerce...

We represent the business voice, let us represent yours

www.mertonchamber.co.uk

Call us on 020 8944 5501

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN

Visit our sister sites - www.southlondon.biz - www.wimbledontowncentre.co.uk - www.wimbledongoingforgold.co.uk

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