Thame.net

Category: Business News

  • Invitation to ‘Late Breakfast’ in Thame

    THIS month’s ‘The Late Breakfast’ business networking meeting in Thame, will be on April 21, at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Cornmarket, Thame.

    The Late Breakfast - Monthly networking
    The Late Breakfast – Monthly networking

    The theme for this month’s presentation will be Creating a compelling value proposition – why should I buy from you instead of someone else?

    Steve Gunn, of Steve Gunn & Associated Limited, will discuss how to develop a value proposition that is more than just a slogan or superlative-laden description of your products or services. In this session, Steve will outline a method that will help you develop a compelling value proposition.

  • Invitation to the late breakfast

    The Late Breakfast - Monthly networking
    The Late Breakfast – Monthly networking

    THIS month’s The Late Breakfast business networking event will be on March 17, at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Cornmarket, Thame, at 8.45 am.

    This month’s will be an interactive session looking at all aspects of business networking. This session will cover areas such as how to network effectively, what type of events work best for you and your business and what you should expect from networking. Experienced networkers welcomed to share information and experiences.

    Book now: LINK

  • Small firms will struggle with quarterly tax returns, says FSB

    THE Thames Valley region of Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is concerned about proposals being considered by the Government that would require all small businesses and the self-employed to move from annual tax returns to mandatory quarterly Digital Tax Reporting by 2020.

    Nicky Goringe Larkin
    Nicky Goringe Larkin

    So concerned is the FSB that on Monday (Feb 29), it sent out a letter to all of the 21 MPs that cover the region urging them to take action. The FSB has said that its research has shown that on average, businesses already pay £3,600 a year to ensure they are compliant with their tax obligations; this is likely to increase if every one of its members is compelled to report in the proposed new way.

    The FSB has said that while some businesses will prefer a digital tax model, others will struggle and that it is extremely concerned about the impact that mandating the use of digital tax returns will have on small business owners. HM Treasury and HMRC are working on the details of the proposals, but FSB believe that they have not yet fully assessed the potential impact this might have on businesses, or the economy – and in particular on those who lack the capability to complete their taxes in this way.

    Commenting on the plans, Nicky Goringe Larkin, Thames Valley regional chairman at FSB, said: “The UK’s self-employed will particularly struggle with this change. We therefore want to see proper consultation with business groups and professional bodies, a clear statement of benefits to the business community and a package of support to help offset this new burden on business. Our key asks to government are:

    1) No mandation should apply to smaller businesses

    2) HMRC should a) publish the impact assessment and b) consult on the impact this measure will have on smaller businesses before taking forward any proposals into law

    3) A consultation should be launched with the advice of trained accountants to explain tax options to available smaller businesses that are new to quarterly tax reporting.”

  • Thame business support is in the can!

    THE pace of planning is picking up for Thame Tidy Day and Moreton Muck-Out 2016, supporting Clean For The Queen, a national event to help celebrate her Majesty’s 90th Birthday this year. Already local businesses are coming forward to lend their support to a top, annual community event in Thame, and in our neighbouring village in the parish, Moreton.

    tidy_day2016_poster (356x400)

    Spokesperson for the group organising Thame Tidy Day, Chris Lindop, of Mobalpa Kitchens in thame, said: “It’s great that the town is pulling together to make a difference to Thame. We are grateful to UniCarriers UK who are paying for our skips, and M P Printers and Block 9 Display for the posters. We have support from Thame Fire and Rescue Service who will be helping us to move large, fly tipped items and ASM Auto Recycling who will also be helping to transport bags of debris to the skips.”

    Look out for the posters in local shops, and sign up to take part by emailing admin@thame4me.co.uk. If you are not available on the Thame Tidy weekend, March 5 and 6, 10am – 2pm, why not litter pick the area immediately around your home, and get together with the neighbours for half an hour?

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1Sue Martin Downhill, Chair of 21st Century Thame, says “If everyone does just a little bit then we can make our town and the village of Moreton, more pleasant places to live, and keep them both ‘Clean for the Queen’, for our residents and for our visitors.”

    For further information, see the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thametidy or call Rosemary on 07731 452180.

  • Sponsor needed for Thame Tidy Day


    BUSINESSES in Thame, who would like to be involved in Thame’s big tidy up over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6, are being invited to become a sponsor for the event.

    tidy_day2016_poster (356x400)

    The organisers particularly would love to hear from a local business willing to sponsor the advertising of the event, through the facebook page: Thame Tidy 2016 – https://www.facebook.com/thametidy/

  • Invitation – Meeting the skills needs of Oxfordshire

    ADRIAN Lockwood, Chair of the Oxfordshire Skills Board, will speak to businesses in Thame about the skills strategy for Oxfordshire, at a meeting to be held at Lord Williams’s Upper School, at 8am on Monday, March 7.

    Adrian Lockwood - image courtesy of www.banburyinbusiness.co.uk
    Adrian Lockwood – image courtesy of www.banburyinbusiness.co.uk

    The role of the Oxfordshire Skills Board is to bring together public and private employers, secondary, further and higher education skills providers and stakeholder groups and works closely with the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The Board aims to achieve improvements in the skills available to Oxfordshire’s employers, and the learning opportunities available to students, residents and the workforce.

    If you are interested to learn more about the wider picture of economic growth in Oxfordshire, the plans for skills development and how this might impact on Thame, then this event is for you.

    Nicky Stallwood, Personal Development Curriculum Manager at Lord Williams’s School, who runs a Business Breakfast meeting three times a year, invited Adrian Lockwood to go to the March meeting, and has extended the invitation to anyone in Thame who has any involvment in meeting the skills needs of the local economy.

    Anyone who would like to attend is invited to contact Nicky by February 29, via n.stallwood@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk, to confirm a place.

  • Invitation to businesses to be ‘body aware’

    THE special guest at the next Late Breakfast meeting in Thame, will  be Alexander Technique teacher Cathie Kidger, who’s talk Body Aware will help business leaders become aware of harmful patterns of tension in their everyday movements and reactions, that may lead to pain and poor posture.

    The Late Breakfast - Monthly networking
    The Late Breakfast – Monthly networking

    This will be an interactive presentation, showing how a greater self-awareness can help prevent physical wear and tear and improve freedom and balance in our everyday lives.

    The meeting will be at The Spread Eagle hotel in Thame, on February 18. More details and how to book can be found HERE

     

  • The legal perils of the office Christmas party

    christmas-party (400x267)

    A Thame solicitor is warning businesses of the legal perils that may arise from the Christmas office party.

    “It is easy at this time of year for us lawyers (just before we leave for our own firm’s Christmas Party) to pen articles soberly warning of the risk that abundant alcohol and end-of-year high spirits at these events will lead to employers being sued for sexual harassment, employees sacked for assault and sensationalised press reports of the ensuing Tribunal cases attracting embarrassing publicity for both,” writes Tim Preston of Lightfoots Solicitors in Thame.

    “Fortunately,” says Tim, “most company Christmas parties do take place without any lasting damage being done.

    “However, we have heard, for example, on good authority, of one man who consulted a solicitor as to whether he had a legal remedy after he was dismissed for alleged misbehaviour at a company Christmas party. When asked if the allegations were true, he admitted ‘I don’t know. I must have drunk so much I don’t have any memory of what happened’, which did not make it easy for the solicitor to advise him.”

    You can read the complete version of Tim Preston’s article, including his advise on limiting problems arising from the office party,  on Lightfoots’ website HERE

  • Thinking about recruiting an apprentice?

    THEN drop in at the Oxfordshire apprentice surgery for businesses being held at Rumseys, in Thame, on December 1,  2pm-4pm

    apprenticer

    Need to know more information? Oxfordshire Apprenticeships can help you access the information and support you need to set up and recruit apprentices.

    For more information, contact Melanie Ringer on 01865 816214 or 07880 042658 – email: melanie.ringer@oxfordshire.gov.uk

    More information here: http://www.oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk/

  • Invitation to a special day for small businesses in Thame

    SBS_logo

    SMALL businesses in Thame (up to a £10 million turnover) are being offered the opportunity to meet and exchange information with other small businesses in the area, and for those thinking of starting a new business, to be inspired.

    Nationally, Small Business Saturday 2015, is on Saturday, December 5, and throughout the day in Thame, tailor-made events and workshops, drop-in business surgeries, high street displays, and networking opportunities will be taking place.

    rising_star_sticker (400x352)

    The Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon and Thame’s MP, John Howell, will be at a special reception from 12 midday to toast Thame’s award as a Rising Star in the Great British High Streets competition 2015, including the cutting of a special celebration cake.

    Many of the independent retailers in the town are getting behind Small Business Saturday with special activities going on in their shops throughout the day. What’s Cooking in Cornmarket will have a festive stall outside the shop with mulled cider, Christmas tastings, Gift inspiration, with examples of their bespoke gift hampers, Christmas cheeseboard ideas with top tips from ourtheir cheese expert (10am to 3pm) and hot soup.

    My Sweet Art Creations in Swan Walk will be hosting a raffle from 10am, to win a sweetie Christmas hamper worth over £100. The winning ticket will be drawn at 3pm sharp. Tickets can be purchased in the shop and all proceeds will be going to Helen and Douglas House charity. Workshops and drop in sessions will be running thoughout the day. Booking not essential but for parties of four or more, do pop in to check availability.

    Fitch and Fellows in East Street, Thame, (opposite the Cross Keys pub) will be making customised leather dog collars all day and demonstrating leatherwork.

    For more information about the programme of events for this special day for small businesses, visit the Small Business Saturday Thame facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Thame.Smallbiz2015/

    To book Workshops etc use the booking form attached SBSBookingForm21stNov2015