Business News Headlines - Brighton area

18th Novemeber The Brighton & Hove Business Show launch their special "Business Days Spring 2012" 
 
After a very successful show last month, October 2011, with businesses reporting 50% increase in ‘quality’ leads and generated more sales than ever,  Brighton & Hove Business are staging a new, and regular, monthly, Spring Business Day from January through to  April 2012 leading to the build-up of the London 2012.

The UK’s leading coastal town/city Show adds more than 20 million pounds back into the local economy, each year, through sales, generated through, two, one-day, events. 26 January 2012 will see a move to The Holiday Inn, Seafront, Brighton, celebrating the hotels involvement in sponsoring London 2012 being the accommodation provider to the Olympic and Paralympics’ Games 2012 in this important and memorable year. We are further delighted that LOCOG – The huge organising body behind the Olympic Games – will be returning and offering presentations as to how businesses can still get involved in this multi-billion pound event including The Relay Torch, Jobs and The Legacy. Exhibitor stand space prices are lower than ever – reflecting our continued support to our local businesses or with the option to ‘block book’ 4 Business Days with mega huge discounts. More exhibitor details here  http://www.brightonandhovebusinessshow.co.uk/exhibit/

Visitors are welcome to register to attend now using this link http://www.brightonandhovebusinessshow.co.uk/visitor-registration/

Please call 07864971662 for further information   www.brightonandhovebusiness.co.uk 

 

13th October event announcement - a Walkie Talkie Tour event!

 ‘Christmas in Sussex in the 1920’s’.

 

Working in partnership Deans Business Club and City Business Club are giving their members a night of networking to remember!

On the evening of the 8th December 2011 (6pm till late) we are combining forces with City Business Club to bring about an event never before seen within the local community. The event will also host the members of Hove Business Association.
The evening will immerse attendees in the 1920’s, with use of a period venue, a pianist playing period music and freshly prepared 1920’s recipes. Local business owners will be able to enjoy the perfect format in which to promote their businesses whilst tipping a wink to the festive season. Find out more on our meetings page

 

29th September 3 years and going strong into our 4th!

Several members and a few new besides gathered to celebrate the 3rd birthday of the club in style! The champagne was flowing and a stunning buffet was laid on for us to enjoy, topped off by some scrummy chocolate cake.  Several pictures can be seen on the Gallery page and throughout the site.

key items of information were given to all those present to help their businesses. This also included a sneak preview of our plans for 2012. Suffice to say that we will have a new name, new style and new home!  Keep an eye on this page for more details as we release them.

20th August 2011 - A High tide of attendance was caused by relocation to Brighton Seafront venue & the attraction of John Keenan, Business Editor  for the Argus.

On Friday 19th August 39 local businesses from Brighton & beyond enjoyed a productive, friendly and relaxed atmosphere during the meeting. The event was operated by guest compere Simon Nelms, Sales Manager of the Thistle Hotel with John Keenan giving an informative presentation on how to get your press releases, released! John opened with some very direct and powerful questions, relating to what information he is looking for. It isn’t always bad news!  For those of you that attended, what was the picture he used, and what did he say about the pictures to send?

Founder member Paul Yates-Smith of Sussex Business Bureau said “I am very pleased to see so many new (10), regular & returning members come the meeting today. This is vindication of the repeated requests that I have received to bring our group to central Brighton, especially with such a high attendance in mid August!” He also added “Comments about the Thistle Hotel were very very complimentary during the open networking session as we enjoyed lunch on the Library terrace.”

Attendees were asked to use the Contact us page of the website to leave testimonials about the important work the club carries out for its membership. These messages of support are important in demonstrating to the Brighton & Hove Council what we are achieving for the local business community.

Please do take a moment to send us your testimonial not only for the club but also for other members here!

10th August - Is it Good Bye or Au Revoir for the Deans Business Club? 
Over the last 3 years we have regularly met in the Deans area of Brighton. After all that is the area of the City we were set up to support! So will it be a case of Good Bye, Au Revoir or HELLO when we meet in a central Brighton location this month. This move is in part a response to the multitude of requests that have been received to meet in Brighton & due to our venue closing down.  Whilst this move is intended only to be short term , I have a sense that our numbers may well significantly increase. This in terms of our original mandate and the future of the club must be taken into consideration.

What would you like to see us do & what is your priority need from the Club? Please feel free to use our contact us page to send a response.

2^nd August – Normal service is resumed, well almost.
Following an unexpected cycle accident 4 weeks ago Paul Yates-Smith has returned to work and attending to the smooth running of the club.

On the morning of 3^rd July whilst enjoying an early morning cycle, a sudden mechanical failure landed Paul in hospital after a short (& very painful) attempt to fly followed by an ambulance ride to A&E. The result was a badly broken rib and a punctured lung.

Paul said “There I was totally immersed in the moment, headphones on, minding my own business, enjoying the sunshine. I was just accelerating on the cycle path at Roedean when my crank snapped! It was very much a case of clunk click every trip! If I could buy the people who stopped to help me a pint I would, I owe them a big thank you! I didn't even get a name, but whoever they were I appreciate it."
"I hope everyone enjoyed the peace & quiet whilst I have been at home! I am well on the way to a full recovery and even with impaired lung capacity I am itching to get back to helping all of the members! I would also like to thank everyone that sent messages and especially those that made me laugh, it hurt thank you so much!”

 

27th June - SALTDEAN.     One for any owners of "works" type vehicles, there has been 4 theft from motor vehicles in the last two day's taking works tools and equipment.  All have taken place over night and at this time there has been no reports of any activity that we are able to tie in with the thefts.As you can see I have put Saltdean, but please be on your guard across the Wards.

Regards Chris

Christopher Kingswood, Police Community Support Officer. Brighton and Hove East. Neighbourhood Police Team
Tel: 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 19365 Mobile: 07766997863

23rd June - Be careful not to get distracted by work! I thought you might like to have a small insight to the work that goes into making this club and our next club venture possible!  The below highlights how we can all get totally immersed in our work, enjoy.

Dear Paul,
It’s your fault!, as usual I woke up early thinking about the various things I had to do in the day, but particularly the late night conversation we had regarding your new website, in my head I was planning, look, branding, layout, content, etc, as usual filled the big watering can and went to water the plants, cigarette in one hand, can in the other and coffee on the table. I was going around all the small plants ensuring that each received enough water, after half an hour, I had planned the content visualised the images to match and re-filled the watering can, went back to watering and then realised that I was watering the small garden lights for the second time!, I had even given them some fertiliser!. I wonder if that is taking environmentalism too far? Or if these little lights made of aluminium and glass will get bigger?,

Regards,

Chris.

20th June - Two jailed for million pound mortgage fraud
Saghir Ahmed Afzal and Ian McGarry have been sentenced to a total of 20 years imprisonment after admitting their role in a £50 million deception committed against mortgage lenders. 

At Southwark Crown Court 49-year oldf Saghir Ahmed Afzal from Birmingham was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. He pleaded guilty on 17 January 2011 to two counts of conspiracy to obtain money transfers by deception and four counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception, contrary to section 15A of the Theft Act 1968.

Ian McGarry, 42, a chartered surveyor from Hertfordshire was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. He pleaded guilty on 24 September 2010 to two counts of conspiracy to obtain money transfers by deception and four counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception,.

Saghir Afzal and Ian McGarry were charged in 2009 together with six others. Afzal and McGarry pleaded guilty to all six counts on the indictment prior to the trial, which commenced in January 2011.

In sentencing yesterday afternoon, HHJ Beddoe described how Saghir Afzal was the head of the team that operated a "massive and carefully orchestrated confidence trick" over two years that duped banks and buildings societies of almost £50 million, very little of which has been recovered. The Judge said that the value of the fraud meant that the case was off the scale in terms of the sentencing guidelines for fraud cases.

The full article by Yuan Phoon can be found here 

7th June - Deans Business Club is proud to announce its support and involvement with the  - International and National Business Awards Evening – Brighton, Hove, Sussex UK

One of the most cost effective business evenings that can make your firm potentially thousands £££ more

taking place at The Holiday Inn, Brighton, 16 June 2011, 5.30pm

Preparation is key and there’s time now to find out more from those who have successfully won awards.

We’ve asked some of our top City business partners to come and tell us how they secured National and International status for their businesses, how it’s helped them gain further business, and enhanced projection of their firms’ image.

This evening is aimed at various business sectors, SME’s, no matter how small or large, to hear how these firms have all won major awards and how you can too. All businesses are most welcome.

Booking information is available at www.brightonandhovebusiness.co.uk

The Olympic torch relay making its way to London, is coming to Brighton & Hove, 16 July 2012.

This is just one of a number of great and unique events planned next year, to take place in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex.

•Has your business thought about how it can take profitable advantage of this incredible and historic event?

•Has your business thought about this and other events the city hosts in your marketing plan for 2012 ?

•Has your business thought about how you can increase your firms image and possibly profits?

•Has your business ever considered entering International or National Awards as part of that plan?

 

24th May - police Warn of Bogus callers in the Deans and Peacehaven Area.  Submitted by Chris Kingswood. Please be vigilant, keep an eye on out and report any suspicious actvity! Two incidents recents, in Peacehaven & woodingdean.

INF = Informant 

 

INF HAD A MALE WHO HAS COME TO HER PROPERTY. THE MALE TOLD INF THAT HE WAS FROM THE GAS CO - HE TOLD INF THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GAS EXPLOSION? THE MALE TOLD INF THAT HE HAD TO RUN HER TAP IN THE KITCHEN AS THE WATER HAS BEEN CONTAMINATED THE MALE THEN ASKED INF IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER TAPS - INF TOLD THE MALE THERE WAS ONE UPSTAIRS. THE MALE WENT UPSTAIRS AND LEFT INFS FRONT DOOR OPEN - WHEN INF CAME DOWN ALL OF HER KITCHEN CUPBOARDS WERE OPEN.

W/M APPX 30. 5Foot 6 inches, SLIM BUILD, BLACK SHORT HAIR. SMART CLOTHING, BROWN WAISTCOAST. WHITE SHIRT, WHITE SOCKS. APPEARS NOTHING STOLEN THOUGH SEARCHES HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT

IT IS BELIEVED THAT 2 PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED, THE MALE DESCRIBED TOOK INFM UPSTAIRS LEAVING THE FRONT DOOR OPEN. A SECOND PERSON CAME IN AND SEARCH THE DOWNSTAIRS WHILST OFFENDER 1 AND AGGVED WERE UPSTAIRS. MALE DESCRIBED RAN AWAY WHEN HE AND AGGVED CAME DOWNSTAIRS AND AGGVED NOTICED THAT DRAWERS HAD BEEN OPENED.

 

10th May - After a much needed rest the organiser of Deans Business Club returns to launch:  
New TRI-WEEKLY meeting cycle, Guest Speakers and Community support to help the membership promote their businesses

19th April - Joint Business Breakfast with City Business Club was a true success..

More than 50 businesses responded to the joint event and attended. A good result for both groups and now we hope that  the members from each group can get to know each other better thriough future events. 

 

11th April - Joint Business Breakfast with City Business Club officiall Press Release by the club organisers
The organisers of City Business Club and Deans Business Club have joined forces to bring you a tour de force in Business Breakfasting.  Focused on bringing two of the most vibrant groups in the city together attendees are assured they will meet new business contacts and will benefit from a revealing presentation by Mathew Pudney entitled: Public Relations: Dark Arts, Rough Trade, or Common Sense.

 

After nearly four decades in the PR business, as a consultant and in-house,  creating and directing strategies for organisations great and small, Matthew Pudney gives a very personal inside view of PR, what value it can add to a business or cause, what works and what doesn’t, and what questions to ask if you really think you need it.

Naomi Nunan from City Business Skills at City College Brighton & Hove said "We are really excited to be joining forces with Deans Business Club it gives the members of both groups a chance to meet new people at one of our friendly relaxed breakfasts. We expect this event to be extremely popular, places are limited so do book early!"

“I am delighted to be working closely with the City Business Club in what I believe will be the first of many collaborative events for the Deans Business Club. For sometime our members have requested breakfast meetings and I could not think of a better way to oblige them” said Paul Yates-Smith, founder of the Deans Business club.

Full details can be found at  http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/employers/business-club  

Venue: Sussex County Cricket Ground

When: 19^th April 7.30 – 10.00 am

Guest Speaker: Mathew Pudney

Price: £12 to include a delicious full English breakfast

Call 01273 667756 (option 4) to book or visit http://www.ccb.ac.uk/public/employers/business-club

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15th March Police in Ovingdean are advising that you keep an eye our for a white ford Transit seen acting SUS in the area of Ainsworth Ave and surround on Sunday 13^th at 17:30hrs. INDEX: R590 UJB two males seen in the vehicle, looking at property, particularly those having building work carried out. The vehicle is registered to Waterloovile in Berkshire so a long way from home??

Please Inform Christopher Kingswood Police Community Support Officer, Brighton and Hove East, Neighbourhood Police Team
Tel: 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 19365 Mobile: 07766997863

15th March - JOB VACANCIES Mr Cycles is growing! They have two full-time vacancies, Store Manager and Workshop Manager, at their bike shop in Seaford. Sales & repair experience essential. Job descriptions are at www.MrCycles.co.uk. Send your CV and a covering letter Mrs M. Lambert, Mr Cycles Ltd. 26 Clinton Place, Seaford, BN25 1NP. Closing date: 2nd April 2011.

 

If you know of any suitably experienced/qualified folk who might be interested, please let them know.

 

28th February -  Police are Looking for a RED MERCEDES VAN P384 FVR in the Saltdean area, the owner is know to us for taking metal, that would be without the owners permission, they are from an out of town location and would have no reason to be down here on the coast.  As normal if you see it acting sus then call the 0845 number on the left of this page, Christopher Kingswood will see that report when next in or it will get sent via radio to him. Submitted by Christopher kingswood.

27th February - Plans are announced for our 50th Meeting including online booking, 50:50 offers and a Commemorative Brochure. Full details here.

15th February - Bookings now being taken for the Speed Networking events at the Brighton & Hove Business Show 7th April 2011. Book Now

3 sessions will be provided during the show the first of which will be exclusively for Women In Business. For the first time session partners are supporting the event. Read More on the Sussex Business Bureau website.

10th February - The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) remit is being extended to cover marketing on websites from 1 March 2011. Read more Here.

From 1 March, marketing communications on companies’ own websites and in other third party space under their control, such as Facebook and Twitter, will have to adhere to the non-broadcast advertising rules as set out in the CAP Code.

 

You can download Pdfs on each section of the code here.

The Data Protection ACT might be closer to you than you think! There are only three exempt activities where you do not need to notify, what are they?

Social media and data theft advice for your children  here.

Do you need to notify the Information Commisioners Office (ICO)?
Do you hold client data?
Do you share client Data?
Take the quick online test here.

Did you know that Public authorities have a legal obligation to provide information about the environment? 

The Regulations apply to most public authorities that are covered by the Freedom of Information Act, but they can also apply to any organisation or person carrying out a public administration function, and any organisation or person that is under the control of a public authority and has environmental responsibilities.

The definition of public authority for the purposes of the Regulations is given in Regulation 2

Read here.

 

 

24th January -The Argus Appeal

Chooses Deans Business Club to host the online pages for its 2011 Cycle Challenges. “I am delighted to be able to help The Argus Appeal by setting up these pages. This is a great arrangement for all concerned and I hope we can raise the £1500 target we have set to support them too” said Club founder Paul Yates-Smith. For more information visit The Argus Appeal Page.

 

21st January - Headlines.
More than 40 attend the 1st meeting of 2011 including 20 first time visitors!
Shock Tactics used, attendees were caught unawares when an argument broke out during the meeting. Read the what happened.
First Deans Business Club Sales Training course announced. The Art of Business Converstations is designed to help members.... Whats is it all about?
Park and Ride organised by members Sussex Business Bureau for the Brighton and Hove Business Show.

18th January -  Speed Networking Events prove popular in Sussex. Our Club administrators Sussex Business Bureau have added an event on the 19th May due to the popularity of their LOCK OUT system.You can find out more on their website under Speed Networking.

12th January - Warning of an Invoicing Fraud Scam. Member Geoff Atkinson asked that we share this as follows. There is a scam from a group calling themselves 'Fresh Publishing'. They are sending out invoices claiming you have chosen to place an advert into a children's magazine. The amount they ask for is £199. The invoice is on green paper, roughly printed out and accompanied with addressed envelope(no stamp). I have informed trading standards. Please tell members not to get confused and pay it.
11th January - The FSA has fined Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest £2.8m for responding inadequately to more than half the complaints reviewed by the FSA. The FSA’s investigation found there was an unacceptably high risk that..... Read the full article by Natalie Holt on this page.
7th January - Offices re-open after festive break. Prep commenced on 1st event in 2011 on January 21st. Emails will be going out on Tuesday 11th Jan, social media started today. More business news will follow as we get back into the swing of it!
8th December - Detectives investigating an attempted robbery at Domino's Pizza in Peacehaven are appealing for witnesses.

Officers were called after a man entered the fast food restaurant in South Coast Road at about 10.40pm on Tuesday 14 December and threatened a male member of staff with what has been described as a pistol shaped gun. No money was handed over and the man escaped on foot towards Sunview Avenue.

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area around Sunview Avenue and South Coast Road. Detectives are particularly interested in hearing from the rider of a black moped seen on the South Coast Road just after the incident as he or she may have vital information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting serial 1624 14/12/10.
10th December - Our 2010 final meeting was enjoyed by more than 30 buinesses including 5 first time attendees. Keeping our record breaking run of new faces at every meet since April 2009, some 21 months. Several key points were announced and full information will be published in January.

 

3rd December - Sea seen Steaming, as if it was on fire! check out our Gallery page to see what it looked like.

 

2nd December - No choice but to postpone our 3rd December Meeting.