Welcome to our September edition of the Chamber enews.

August is usually a quieter month for many businesses so the shock of the recent disturbances was heightened by so many people not being around and caught off guard. I was overseas at the time and kept up to date with the excellent coverage on the local Guardian website.

The Chamber team launched into action, liaising with the Police and Merton Council to relay early warnings as well as providing updates to businesses on what was happening and, subsequently, the help available. We are following on from that work by holding business forums in every town centre in September and October.

We are also holding a business continuity workshop to support businesses in planning for the variety of challenges faced, including snow, riots and transport disruption during the Olympics. This month the Merton Business Awards will celebrate business talent and performance and we kick off the Autumn season with a full programme of activity to support your business, whether large or small, with a focus on finance for your business in early October. Take a look at our website www.mertonchamber.co.uk

 

 
 
 

 
Creating a Website Workshop  8th September
This workshop is designed for new or established businesses who are in need of a website and don’t know where to start, or who have a website that is not working for them as it should.

What's the worst that could happen to your business? 12th September
None of us could have seen the recent disturbances coming, and many were caught out in the snow last winter. So, is your business prepared and able to operate in a crisis?
 
Thinking of Starting a Business: Business Basics  13th September
This workshop will provide you with expert and practical advice on starting a business

Colliers Wood Town Centre Business Forum 13th September
Business centred forum, focussing on the issues you are currently facing.

Wimbledon Business Forum - Back the BID  14th September
Network over coffee with other local business and learn about the plans for Wimbledon to become a Business Improvement District (BID) - Love Wimbledon, Back the BID (also running October 11th and October 20th)
 
Networking Lunch and Learn   22nd September
Come and meet likeminded people, potential clients or mentors through our regular networking events.

Save money and Go Green 27th September
Go green Richmond, Go Green Plus and MCC Business Solutions are supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact. We are now able to offer a toolkit, enabling businesses to take control of their carbon monitoring.
 
Fire Warden/Marshal Training  28th September
Required for those employees within the Workplace who have a key role to play within the management of Fire Safety in the Workplace.

Mitcham Town Centre Business Forum 27th September
Join us at our first Mitcham Town Centre business forum when we will focus on the issues you are currently facing and you will have the opportunity to network with other Mitcham businesses.

Morden Town Centre Business Forum 28th September.
Join us at our first Morden Town Centre business forum when we will focus on the issues you are currently facing and you will have the opportunity to network with other Morden businesses.

Helping Businesses Get it Right 29th September
The workshop will look at the different ways of trading and the different Tax and NIC implications for small businesses.

Emergency First Aid At Work 12th October
This course is ideal for smaller workplaces that present few health and safety risks.

 
Our programme of events, workshops and training are designed to meet the needs of new, developing and larger businesses. With a mixture of workshops, socials, networking and training....there is something for everyone!
 

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


 
   
 

 

host of environmental actions saves construction firm money

Tackling energy efficiency, recycling and using more fuel efficient vehicles are just some of the ways Westoz Construction has reduced its carbon footprint and generated significant savings over the past 18 months.

Mike Lees, Westoz Construction proprietor and building manager, said he would certainly recommend other businesses follow suit. “There’s not a huge amount of work involved, it’s more about being aware of what you can do,” he said.

The work is not stopping there and the company is looking at environmentally sustainable materials and products and other ways to reduce its environmental impact. Read the full story >>>

For more information on Go Green Plus or to organise a visit from a Greening Business Adviser email:gogreen@mccbusinesssolutions.co.uk, call 020 8947 0055 or visit us at www.mccbusinesssolutions.co.uk/greening.

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

 
   
 

Looking for office space? The Generator Business Centre can help. Offering a variety of flexible, affordable offices starting from just £250 per month with office space for 2 to 30 people.

The Generator has a range of office suites available to suit your business whether you are starting up or an established business, with flexible and ‘easy-in easy-out’ licenses. The Centre also offers superb, well appointed conference, meeting and training facilities at competitive rates.

The Generator Business Centre currently has 2 Office Suites and 2 Light Industrial Units to let- to find out more, visit our website.

For more information on meeting rooms, office space, training facilities and more please call us on
020 8619 0700 or email generator@mertonchamber.co.uk


Merton Means Business, including The Generator Business Centre, is a Merton Council service managed by Merton Chamber of Commerce.
 
   
 


Finance Awareness Week - 3-7th October

We have a bumper week of finance events during Finance Awareness Week. There will be 1-1 appointments available with our business advisers throughout the week. Our workshops include Cash Flow Forecasting, Introduction to Raising Finance and a Networking Lunch & Learn when we will be joined by Ian Noble, Senior Manager Commercial from Lloyds TSB.
    
Visit our website for more details on our Finance Brokerage service or call our helpline 020 8619 0700 to get started.

 
 
   
 


Let's raise our game - back the BID

Love Wimbledon has been set up by Wimbledon businesses to promote and improve Wimbledon town centre, ensuring it fulfils its potential and capitalises on opportunities available. Our aim is to do this by creating the Love Wimbledon Business Improvement District (BID). We are seeking your views and your support to enable us to make a real, sustainable difference to the town centre which will benefit all Wimbledon businesses.

We appreciate that different times of the day suit different businesses to attend events such as these, so 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.
To book your place visit www.mertonchamber.co.uk/events or email tracy@lovewimbledon.org

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

 
   


   
   
 


...we are working with Merton Council to organise a series of town centre business forums in the borough and we'd love to get your views to help us shape them. Please complete this very short survey - thank you.

...DONUT is proving to be a huge success with over 1000 people visiting the sties so far! If you want to know what they've all been looking at, check out the Marketing Donut, the Start-Up Donut and the IT Donut.

...congratulations to Chamber Member Lifestyle Marketing who is our weblink winner this month! A bottle of wine is on its way to you.

...Wimbledon Bookfest starts for 2011 on October 1st running until 9th. Many events are now sold out. www.wimbledonbookfest.org

...Merton Chamber will be launching sector forums in the autumn in retail, creative industries, hospitality, tourism and leisure and green technologies.

...The Mayor of London is hosting the "Make 2012 work for you" event on Thursday 22 September 2011, 8 - 11am at the BT Centre and invites CEOs and Chairs of businesses, or their representatives, to come along and learn how to plan for a successful 2012 Games and minimise the impact of any potential disruption. Please RSVP to 2012businessevent@london.gov.uk. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

...look out for the Food Lover's Market returning to The Piazza, Wimbledon 23-25th September.
 
   
 
 
Membership
With annual membership starting from as little as £130, it’s affordable for even the smallest of budgets. In return, you will benefit in many ways. Refer a friend, business acquaintance or client and receive on of these fabulous 'thank you' gifts - afternoon tea at Cannizaro House, two tickets to a New Wimbledon Theatre show or a home game of AFC Wimbledon, or a £50 voucher at Essente hair. To find out more, 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

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