Welcome to the October issue of the Chamber enews

By the end of next week I will have met Mayor Boris Johnson twice in 3 weeksI The first time was earlier this month when he paid a surprise visit, and the next will be next week in Kingston at the Green Bootcamp launch - why not join us?

It's been the season for awards and many of the businesses we work with have come out winning at this year's Merton Business Awards and Wandsworth's Green Business Awards.

Our Business Continuity Workshop has moved to October 18th so if you thought you'd missed it, you're in luck - just a few days away so book now.

There's just one place remaining on our First Aid at Work (October 12th) workshop, part of our compliance programme, and if you need help promoting your business, you can learn all about business social media on October 12th and PR On A Shoestring October 20th.

 
 

Events

Thinking of Starting a Business – Business Basics Tuesday 11 October
Obtain expert, practical advice including legal structures, finance and business planning.

Wimbledon Business Forum - Love Wimbledon, Back the BID
Tuesday 11 October & Thursday 20 October
Learn about the BID for Wimbledon at one of the two remaining networking forums.

Business Social Media for Beginners - Wednesday 12 October
Heard of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube and want to learn how to use them effectively for your business?

Emergency First Aid at Work - Wednesday 12 October
Ideal for smaller workplaces that present few H&S risks.

Introduction to Cutting Your Costs through Carbon Management
Wednesday 12 October

What is the worst thing that could happen to your business?
Tuesday 18 October
Is your business prepared and able to operate in a crisis?

Raynes Park Business Breakfast - Wednesday 19 October
Raynes Park Business Breakfast has played host to many businesses, Councillors, the local MP and Council officers and will continue to seek views from businesses in the area.

PR on a Shoestring - Thursday 20 October
This workshop will show you how to be in control and conduct your own successful PR campaigns.

Green Technologies - Sustainable Energy in Action
Friday 21 October
The first Green Technology Sector forum. Come and find out what is happening locally for all things green.

Tax, National Insurance and VAT  - Thursday 27 October
The workshop will look at the different ways of trading and the different Tax and NIC implications for small businesses.

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
 


 
 
   
 

News bites

  • Estate agents and Chamber members Eddisonwhite have just opened a new flagship branch at 85 The Broadway - welcome to Wimbledon!
  • Good news! We will be producing a new edition of the Wimbledon Guide. We’ve done 4 so far and they have been a huge success. Advertising opportunities are available! Find out more online or call Sophie for more information 020 8944 5501.
  • Looking for Office Space in Mitcham? Office suites are now available at The Generator Business Centre - call 020 8619 0700
  • Programme of Events...Make sure you pick up our latest programme of events at one of our workshops or at the information desk in Centre Court Shopping Centre, Wimbledon.
  • Save our shops and write a punchy slogan and you could win an ad worth £85 in the next Darling magazine’s winter issue.
  • Our party is your party! - we're hosting our own Christmas Party this year, December 1st at Wimbledon Rugby Club - make our party your party and join us! Details coming soon.
  • Chamber Christmas Lunch - date for your diaries, December 15th, details out soon.
 
   
 


A surprise visit by Mayor Boris Johnson

Mayor Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to a Young Enterprise Sutton and Merton meeting last week. Speaking to Diana Sterck, who is a Board member, Mayor Boris commented how impressed he was with the work of Young Enterprise and was particularly interested in speaking with the students present.

Diana said "It was a welcome surprise to see the Mayor at our meeting with teachers, mentors and students. He was interested in the model we use in Merton and Sutton, where the Chamber of Commerce helps link business mentors with the companies set up in school by 6th form students".

Mayor Boris Johnson is coming back! Don't miss him at the launch of the new Green Bootcamp workshop on October 13th.

 
 

 

  
   
 

A victorious evening for our members at the 2011 Merton Business Awards

We were so delighted that so many of our members were shortlisted and went on to win at this year’s Merton Business Awards. It was a wonderful evening, and pleasing to hear the success stories from a wide variety of businesses across the borough. Congratulations to all.

See all the winners, pictured here (courtesy of South London Business) with host Paul Ross, at the awards website.
 
   
 

Welcome to new Chamber Members

Joining the Chamber this month:

Dakota Print & Copy | Krane Property Services | Wimbledon College of Art | Peel2Save
Lifestyle Marketing Communications | Advantage Media | BMAKA | Wimbledon Rugby Club
The MODE Partnership | B4C Ltd

If you would like to become a member please contact Caroline on 020 8944 5501 or caroline@mertonchamber.co.uk and find out how membership can benefit your business.

 
   
 

New forums for town centres in Merton

We have been asked by Merton Council to organise a series of business forums in , Colliers Wood, Mitcham and Morden in addition to our existing Town Centre Forum for Raynes Park which has run for the last 18 months.. Over the last two weeks we held the first forum for each town centre.

In light of recent events, the aim of each forum is to be business centred, focussing on the issues you and your business are currently facing.We’d love to get your views so please could you help us shape the forums by completing this very short survey.

If you’d like more information on the next Town Centre Forum in your local area then please call us on 020 8944 5501.

 
   
 

Go Green Plus clients win again

Congratulations to The Cheese Cellar, Delphis Eco, Melvita, Independent Mindbodysoul, Osteria, Putney Wharf, What on Earth and Hotel Rafayel, who were all winners at this year’s Wandsworth Green Business Awards.

Helen Clark Bell, Operations Manager at Go Green Plus said, “We were delighted to see so many businesses in Wandsworth being recognised for reducing their envirnomental impact and we would particularly like to congratulate Hotel Rafayel as overall winner of the Wandsworth Green Business Awards.”

These businesses have been supported through the GoGreen Plus programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. To find out more go to www.mccbusinesssolutions.co.uk/greening
 
   
 

Are you ready for the digital switchover?

Television is now part of our working lives and virtually every workplace has at least one TV set. When London switches to digital TV on 4 and 18 April 2012 you may have to retune or add a digital box to your set to keep watching. 

What you need to do at switchover depends on the type of TV set you have.  

Visit the Digital UK website at www.digitaluk.co.uk to find out more.
 
   
 

Winter Wonderland 2011 - 24th November - 5pm-8pm

Be a part of Wimbledon town centre's biggest event of the year. Join in the parade, book a stall, become a sponsor and most importantly, make sure you come to watch! Fireworks display, parade, AFC Wimbledon and Father Christmas with street entertainment, hot food, roasted chestnuts,

Our celebrity guests from NWT's Dick Whittington, Sam Attwater and Anna Williamson will be counting down to the fireworks, followed by a celebrity signing at the information desk inside Centre Court Shopping Centre..

Visit www.wimbledontowncentre.co.uk or
contact Tracy on 020 8337 8098 - tracy@wimbledontowncentre.co.uk

 
   
 


Let's raise our game - back the BID

The Love Wimbledon BID is gathering apace and now has a dedicated website - www.lovewimbledon.org

We are running a series of three events: Love Wimbledon – morning, noon and night– to give you an opportunity to learn what BIDs are about and what the Love Wimbledon BID could mean to your business.
Event Dates: Tuesday 11th October & Thursday 20th October

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

 
   


   
     
 

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Visit our sister sites - www.mccbusinesssolutions.co.uk - www.wimbledontowncentre.co.uk

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