The Insider

1. Supporting Local Business With Laura Sandys MP

The Thanet & East Kent Chamber works in close cooperation with the Dover District Chamber of Commerce (established 1850) to drive down costs for our members and increase their turnover. As the main business support agencies in the East Kent coastal business community, the Thanet and Dover chambers also have a responsibility to support the local economy as a whole. We aim to keep companies informed of changes in national policies and publicise how they can benefit from amendments to existing laws, new legislation and other initiatives from government. “Supporting Local Business” is the title of a business networking breakfast on Friday 18th June 2010. The main speaker will be Laura Sandys, newly elected Member of Parliament for South Thanet and Sandwich. Laura began her political life at the earliest possible age; her pram was adorned with political campaign posters. She has owned and operated two small businesses herself and has a keen desire for Thanet SMEs to take full advantage of the ‘green collar work’ opportunitities that could follow from establishing an Eco-Economic Zone within our local borders. Fully aware that we should be making more of our natural and historic assets to generate high-margin non-seasonal visitors, Laura will comment on new government policies to stimulate growth and outline her “green and grand vision for Thanet”. Open to Chamber members and non-members alike, the business networking breakfast will take place in Ramsgate on 18th June from 0730 hrs. Tickets cost £12.00 for Chamber members and £15.00 for non-members. Booking is essential. To book your place or to find out more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject line “Supporting Local Business Breakfast”.

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1. Manston, KIA and Flybe

Delegates to the Chamber’s business breakfast last Thursday in Manston in the departure lounge of Kent International Airport heard a detailed report on the new daily flights linking Manston to Edinburgh which will begin exactly one week later on 27th May 2010. Delegates learned that passengers will fly in a Bombardier Dash 8-400 aircraft.  No-one in the East Kent coastal business community is in any doubt that the expansion of the airport will provide significant growth opportunities for local companies. Research by this Chamber suggests that the main worry for residents and some companies is the noise generated by aircraft flying over East Thanet. The authoritative work, “OMEGA Community Noise Study” of January 2009 by Southampton and Manchester Metropolitan Universities put this simply as, “Noise disturbance is often the most significant issue raised by local communities concerned about airport expansion and also accounts for the vast majority of complaints about airport operations.”  All of which explains one of the reasons why Flybe chose the Bombadier Dash 8-400 aircraft to service the route. It is known in the industry as the Q400 and the Q stands for quiet.

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1. Turner Contemporary

The Chamber business breakfast on 11^th May 2010 featured an inspiring presentation by Paul Hart, Head of Operations and Research at the Turner Contemporary gallery, Due to open in spring 2011 in time for next year’s tourist season, the gallery is expected to make a major contribution to the regeneration of Margate and the neighbouring coastal towns. Paul assured delegates that “There will always be at least one painting by Turner on display” as befits “arguably Britain’s greatest painter”. Paul envisages a programme of three major exhibitions a year but with an additional blockbuster exhibition in the first twelve months of the gallery’s existence. Keen students of art and business will appreciate the contribution to the local economy from a successful exhibition. The Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition at the British museum ran for six months from 30^th March 1972 and attracted 1.6 million visitors. Paul Gray expects the major attractions to be scheduled for the low season of January to March when tourist numbers are traditionally at their lowest. Kent County Council (KCC), the Arts Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) have provided the finance for the gallery which, supplemented by donations, has produce the £17.4 million finance needed to complete the construction. KCC will remain the freehold owner. Since 1^st April this year, the Turner Contemporary has been an independent trust and a tenant of KCC. An annual turnover of £2.2 million is targeted with a throughput of 150,000 visitors per year. Admission to the gallery is expected to be mostly free but it is anticipated that sales from the shop and café will contribute towards the running costs. The project is currently on time and on budget. A “big Emin show” will be offered in the first year, celebrating the work of Tracy Emin, who of course was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1999 following her My Bed exhibit at the Tate Gallery. Throughout the presentation, Paul Gray emphasized the world-class nature of the new gallery and the iconic status of its architect, David Chipperfield who, he concluded, “may be appreciated more overseas than he is at home”. The gallery is committed to working with local suppliers wherever possible and is currently looking for a caterer.

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1. Get a share of £80 Million

Companies in Scotland compete for a share of the £80 million dividend that results from the activities of Glasgow Prestwick Airport and that must be one of the ambitions of companies near Kent International Airport at Manston. To find out about the opportunities for your business, book a place at the business breakfast, “Kent International Airport; The Future” scheduled for 0730 hrs on 20th May 2010 in the departure lounge at Manston. Airport owners, Infratil will be joined by Flybe to give a briefing on the opportunities for local businesses and the projected rise in passengers and freight numbers. Flybe’s daily flights to Edinburgh begin exactly one week later. Booking is essential to secure your place at this popular event. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject line “Airport Networking Breakfast” Prices: £12.00 for members, £15.00 for non-members, includes breakfast with a vegetarian option.

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