Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

12^th November 2011 Issue No.: 174

1. Queen and Duke of Edinburgh

Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited Thanet yesterday, putting a new focus on two development projects which can now claim royal patronage. The Turner Contemporary received the ultimate blessing when our sovereign unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit. Spirited  applause and smiles from the audience must have warmed the hearts of Cllr Mike Hill, Cllr Paul Carter, Turner Chairman John Kampfner and gallery Director Victoria Pomeroy who saw all their hard work crowned with success as the royal couple followed in the footsteps of over 300,000 others who have visited the gallery since its opening last April. Chamber member Hartsdown Technology College fell under the appreciative royal gaze in the Clore Learning studio. The royal party had landed at Kent International Airport proving again that Manston is at the centre of developments in East Kent.

2. Remembrance In Kent

It is calculated that at the 11^th minute of the 11^th hour of the 11^th month of this year 2011, the royal party was flying over Dover, which is a fitting tribute to this country’s premier passenger port as the White Cliffs of Dover provided the final vista for many soldiers departing for the trenches in WW1 and was at the front line in WW2. A young Princess Elizabeth trained as a driver and mechanic in the ATS in the final year of the last war. Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and served throughout the conflict with great distinction before ending his career as a Commander in 1952.

3. Department For Transport

The Thanet & East Kent Chamber in liaison with our sister body in Dover accepted an invitation from the Department of Transport to brief the government on the local economy in the East Kent coastal business community. The Chamber Chief Executive spent just under two hours last Thursday at the DfT Headquarters at Great Minster House in London in discussions with the Director and Deputy Director of Maritime Commerce and Infrastructure. The views of Chamber members were communicated in detail together with an outline of proposed reforms to boost East Kent businesses.

4. Managing Our Ports

We are continuing to receive excellent reports of our Business Networking breakfast at the Fayreness Hotel which featured the genial Chief Executive of the New York-based Global Institute of Logistics, Kieran Ring. Delays at our ports add cost and reduce the competitiveness of British companies seeking to take advantage of currency advantages and buoyant niche markets overseas. The Chamber Chairman, Dr Bill Moses, advises that sometimes we overcomplicate the management strategies required to ensure that our ports are efficient and reflect best practice. He advises that there are three key factors in port operations which should remain central to all management decisions: Speed, Cost-effectiveness and Safety. Isn’t that the truth? Or as Aleksandr Orlov the Russian meerkat might say: “Simples”.

5. More On Margate

There is more to Margate than sand, sea and the Turner Contemporary. The Embroidered & Printed Clothing Company continues to lead the way as one of the country’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of promotional clothing and workwear. Over the last twelve years, the company has refined its production and upgraded its technology to the point where it can compete with domestic producers throughout the UK and Europe. If you are looking to give your employees an edge in the marketplace or are considering some seasonal gifts to reward your employees, follow the example of happy customers Vodafone, VW, Coca Cola and Jaguar and make that call to the The Embroidered & Printed Clothing Company sales team; tel: 0845 180 1008. A full range of products can be viewed on-line at www.embroidered-printed clothing.co.uk .

6. My Big Kent Weekend

My Big Kent Weekend is planned for 17^th and 18^th March 2012. Delphine Houlton of Chamber Member Maxim PR informs us that destinations and event organisers taking part in the weekend are asked to offer a number of free tickets for local people to visit their venue over the weekend. Visit Kent’s dynamic Managing Director, Sandra Matthews Marsh, notes that the programme has become an important element in the local tourism industry that contributes over £3.2 billion to the Kent economy. Sandra said “Six years ago we launched the Kent Big Day Out and it has exceeded all our expectations. This year we took the event over two days and received more than 51,000 applications for tickets during the month that the website was open. On average people spent nine minutes browsing 25 pages of the site, and there were more than 812,000 page views during the ticket application period. It is a tremendous showcase for all the attractions and experiences Kent has to offer going far beyond our iconic castles, cathedrals and historic houses to include many hidden gems such as art galleries, theatres, museums, sporting venues, creative experiences, hospitality venues and even the whole centre of a village. This year we were able to give away 18,000 free tickets to 120 different venues and I am optimistic that in 2012 more businesses will be able to take part and share in the fun and the long term marketing benefits that this event offers. Our research shows more than 85 per cent of attractions taking part in 2011 thought it was an excellent event for them and, in total, participating attractions received more than £150,000 in secondary spend.” Perhaps the biggest accolade the My Kent Big Weekend Out can claim is that 80% of local residents with free tickets said they would visit the attraction again and 98% said they would recommend it to their friends and family. For more details, telephone Kelly Sharp at Visit Kent, tel: 01227 812912 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

7. New Salon In Broadstairs

The Chamber Co-president, Laura Sandys MP, Broadstairs Mayor Cllr David Saunders, accompanied by his charming wife Cllr Mave Sanders, and the Chamber Chief Executive were all guests of the Indulgence Health & Beauty Salon last Friday evening to celebrate its grand opening at 135 High Street, Broadstairs. Salon Manager Stacy Shearer and her team have transformed these premises to a high standard for clients who wish to be “relaxed on the inside and radiant on the outside”. Responding to a growing market in and around Thanet, the salon is offering a “Pre-Christmas Pamper” where the cheaper of two treatments is offered free of charge. The Indulgence Health & Beauty Salon is open from Monday to Friday from 0900 hrs to 1900 hrs and on Saturdays from 0900 hrs to 1730 hrs. If a waxing, manicure or pedicure is your fancy or you want to know what is meant by “a Hollywood eyelash extension and a minx and trendy wrap”, give Stacy a call, tel: 01843 586236.  As a qualified beauty therapist for 13 years, she knows how to “relax, restore and revive” you.  So far as we know, Stacy has not been invited to the current discussions over the Euro. We suspect her skills could be very useful in reviving the spirits of the Greeks or in sharpening the nails of the Germans.

8. Supplier to Vattenfall

Chamber members seeking to access the £15 million pound budget of Vattenfall earmarked for local suppliers to the Kentish Flats Extension off the coast of Whitstable are advised to complete and return the attached Expression of Interest Form, if they have not already done so. Chamber member Vattenfall is serious about using local suppliers. Please ensure that you state your ‘Business Category’ with the exact wording of one of the categories listed below. Return the completed form to the email address indicated on the form using the subject line “EoI Form Kentish Flats TEKC”.

9. Vattenfall Supplier Categories

The following categories are recognised by Vattenfall for its supplier list: Accommodation Business and Personnel (Hotels and B&Bs); Building and onshore site maintenance; Car/bus hire; Cable installation companies. Cable joint suppliers; Cable Jointers; Caterers; Cleaners; Composite material suppliers; Condition monitoring systems; Couplings and fasteners; Courier services; Cranes; Divers; electric/fibre optic cables; Electrical equipment suppliers; Environmental response service and materials; Equipment /tool hire; Equipment hoists and lifting gear; fall arrest system services; Facilities management; Fire and ; security protection systems; Fork lift truck suppliers and maintainers; Handtool suppliers (For rigging etc); Hazardous waste collection; Health and Safety equipment – onshore, offshore; equipment and lifting equipment; Helicopter Services; HSE training providers; HV and LV electrical engineers; Hydraulic equipment suppliers; Industrial rope access suppliers; Jointing systems incl specialist adhesives; Lift servicing; maintenance and inspection; Lifting equipment suppliers; logistics/haulage; Lubricant suppliers; Marine Engine Workshops; Marine facilities - harbour; bunkering; general supplies; Marine logistics and consultants; Marine operations and management; Marketing/PR agencies; Materials and tool suppliers; Mooring and navigation system suppliers and installers; Noise monitoring specialists; Office supplies including communication; Paint and protection systems; Portside logistic support and haulage; Printers; Recruitment- office admin; general and offshore operatives; Recycling collection; Safety equipment suppliers and workwear; Scaffolding; Security Services; Shackles and lifting tackle; Sign makers; Slings; Standby generator suppliers; Steel suppliers; Tools (general); Training-  offshore; first aid and health and safety; Transport - airport transfers and local area; Vessels; workboats and barges; Waste management services; Welders; Workwear suppliers; Workwear Laundry services.

10. Changes at Pfizer

The latest developments at the Discovery Park, the former Pfizer site, were examined in some detail in the BBC Inside Out South East programme broadcast on 7^th November 2011. It featured the Chairman of the Sandwich Economic Development Task Force, Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter, who promoted the opportunities available for inward investors. He was joined by a somewhat geeky academic, Dr Tim Leunig, who gave a rather brutal assessment stating that “jobs are basically ugly” and that Kent must choose between being “beautiful and bucolic” or sacrifice the countryside “in order to provide lots of industrial premises”. The academic rather ignores the extensive brownfield sites currently available in Kent. He is perhaps not as well researched as he might be. Paul Carter emphasised the hi-tech facilities in Sandwich and pointed to the success of the former ICI site at Runcorn where there are now more people employed than when ICI was in residence. Dr Leunig disagreed, but when asked the question: “Have you been to Runcorn, Tim?” had to admit “I have not been to Runcorn for many years”. This suggests that the academic is perhaps not as well researched as he might be. The programme continued in a similar vein covering Enterprise Zones, intellectual capital, Regional Growth Fund, Infrastructure and Manston Airport. When the discussion turned to education and skills, Dr Leunig informed the audience that he had attended Oxford University but many children in Kent schools from poor families underperform. On green technology and wind farms, he suggested that the case for job creation is weak, perhaps not realising, as Paul Carter pointed out, that Kent has “the longest coastline regions of any county in the country”. The academic is perhaps not as well researched as he might be. See for yourself at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016yvj1/Inside_Out_South_East_07_11_2011///www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016yvj1/Inside_Out_South_East_07_11_2011/

11. News From Dover

Plans for a National War Memorial on Dover’s Western Heights received a boost this month with the launch of a website at www.nationalwarmemorial.co.uk and a film posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiInhoAmFfE. Older Chamber members will have noticed increased respect in the last thirty years for those who died in the two largest conflicts of the twentieth century. The objective of the National War Memorial is to provide a permanent physical reminder of the names of the 1.7 million people who died in the service of our country in WW1 and WW2. The proposed white granite walls sitting on the White Cliffs opposite Dover Castle total 1.7 kms in length. Thus, each pace of one metre will represent 1,000 deaths. As visitors pass by seeking their own surnames, there will be an increasing realization of the losses sustained by Britain and the Commonwealth. If we are to demonstrate to young people the human cost of war, then a trip to the National War Memorial could provide a much needed reality check to a generation raised on computer simulations of war games and the hero-worshipping of X-factor contestants. As one Lieutenant-Colonel, a veteran of Northern Island and the Falklands, said last week when visiting the Chamber: “War is not glorious”.

12. Kent For Business

Last Wednesday, Locate in Kent organised a seminar at Darwin College Conference Centre at the University of Kent on the theme “Kent as Business Location”. Delegates were asked to consider what attracts investors to Kent and what might deter them. The general conclusion was that Kent is indeed attractive to companies. Being at once close to London and at the same time benefiting from its proximity to EU, which despite its currency problems, represents the largest market in the world, Kent has many advantages over its competitors elsewhere in the UK. Although Dr Tim Leunig might not agree, see item x above, Kent schools are generally perceived as providing a good education preparing students well for with a wide range of choices in Further and Higher Education. As so much of our exports and imports pass through Kent, this Chamber proposed a slogan “Kent Is Crucial”. We also suggested that unlike the crowded cities elsewhere in England, there are plenty of brownfield sites available where expansion can be accommodated much more easily than in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester or Glasgow. With wage costs at a reasonable level in the East Kent coastal business community, we also suggested “Fashion Your Future In Kent”.  Copywriters will know that the word ‘Kent’ is delightfully short and lends itself to alliteration in phrases such as “Kent Can Do”.

13. More On Manston

Whatever the linguistic niceties, ambitious companies looking at East Kent will take account of the infrastructure developments in our road, rail and air connectivity. The future of Manston Airport will play a large part in these considerations. The night-time flying policy proposed by Manston recommends a limited number of flights between 2300 hrs and 0700 hrs; fewer than two flights per night on average during the restricted period. This level of activity would represent less than 3% of the arrivals and departures during the year and must represent a reasonable offer that might safeguard the airport’s future and the 150 jobs currently directly dependant on its operations. Of the 110 staff employed at the airport, two-thirds live In Thanet and receive the majority of the £2.2 million annual salary bill. If the Airport is to reach its target of over 2 million passengers a year by 2018, it will need to attract an international airline. An enlightened response by Thanet District Council to the night-flying proposals could be of significant value in stimulating the economy and encouraging firms to locate in East Kent. The full text of the proposals can be seen at http://www.manstonairport.com/userfiles/files/Night-flight-policy/Night-time-Flying-Policy-Submission-271011.pdf

14. Energy

A mild October following a warm September has produced an equitable balance of supply and demand for energy. Lower prices for gas have contributed to lower electricity costs and a more encouraging outlook for companies heavily dependent on power. Uncertainties over European economies may drive down prices further, although prices for oil continue to rise in the short and long term. The year on year price increases for all the main power sources are having a negative effect on trading margins and must remain a key source of concern in efforts to reduce both the CPI and RPI indices of inflation. We are again grateful to Martyn Young of Atlantic Business Resources for supplying the latest Market Report from E.ON which is summarized below. Now that October is behind us, the new annualized prices are based on April 2012 start dates.

15. Commercial Energy Costs

16. Yet More About Manston

The Chamber is delighted that an international Airline is taking a close interest in establishing links with Kent International Airport at Manston. The success of the recent Open Golf Championships and the publicity surrounding the 2012 London Olympics have put a new focus on Manston's prime location near London. Easy access to the Channel ports and the  award of Enterprise Zone status to the Discovery Park at Sandwich have confirmed Manston’s status as a viable alternative to the overburdened points of entry at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. The encouraging visitor figures at the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate and the promise of additional attractions opening in the next few years should produce a sustained increase in incoming tourists. Business traffic will benefit from the turnover growth at Hornby, Cummins, Fujifilm Sericol and Silent Gliss. Better access to more international destinations will encourage companies to locate in this part of the UK where logistical advantages for exporters to the continent complement a currency advantage against the Euro which has grown by over 20% since 2007.

17. Care Home of the Year

We are grateful to Cllr Clive Hart for drawing our attention to the Key Retirement Solutions’ Your Caring Stars of the Year Awards. The winner of the Care Home of the Year for 2011 is Yoakley House in Margate. Michael Yoakley was a Quaker businessman from Margate who made his name and fortune trading with the newly discovered America. The charity in his name was established in 1709 with the proceeds from the kindly man’s will. Executive manager of Yoakley House and the 46 surrounding almshouses is Julie Wickenden who said: “We treat all the residents as if they were members of our own family.” Clive adds: “It really is a wonderful place, an oasis of peace and tranquillity right next to the QEQM that most people wouldn't even know was there. Lovely homes surround beautiful gardens where elderly residents can live securely and in peace and quiet. Good news for Margate!” Good news indeed and another feather in the cap of Margate which has been uncommonly blessed in the past few weeks.

18. Pensions

As stated in previous editions of the Thanet & East Kent Insider, legislation concerning compulsory pension arrangements will come into force in October 2012. Initially targeted at large companies, the full provisions will be introduced over the following few years. Penalties for non-compliance are severe ranging from up to £50 per day for companies with 1 – 4 employees to £10,000 per day for firms with 500 or more workers. The Chamber will be organising briefings on the new arrangements with a view to keeping members  fully informed of their obligations and the options available.

19. The Venerable Elvis & The Euro Crisis

In times of trouble, the Thanet community turns to the one person whose advice has guided successive generations throughout the isle. When the fate of Britain was in the balance through inadequate funding for Wellington’s forces during the Napoleonic Wars, it is reported that it was the Venerable Elvis who directed the government towards the Rothschild brothers whose loan financed the campaign that ultimately defeated the French and preserved our freedom to drink beer in pints and drive on the left. With the financial stability of Europe currently in question, we turn our attention again towards Thanet’s celebrated hermit who lives in a secret dwelling between the disused power station at Richborough and the abandoned limestone quarry at Manston; his whereabouts known only to the Thanet & East Kent Insider. Thus being careful to ensure he was not being followed, our staff member braved the early morning mists last week to make his way to the cave where the great man lives and ponders. The source of the Venerable Elvis’s remarkable knowledge of modern business and current affairs has always been a mystery, but his words continue to inspire leaders in every field. Mindful of Bloomberg’s comment this week that: “Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis stirred political turmoil across the region” and The Guardian’s headline: “Osborne describes situation in Europe as ‘dangerous’”, our reporter asked the Venerable Elvis for his thoughts on where a local businessman could find development capital in these troubled times. After stroking his long grey beard in silent contemplation, Thanet’s spiritual leader finally commented in his thin, aged voice: “Always borrow from a pessimist, he isn’t expecting to be repaid”. We are indeed blessed to have such a sage in our midst.

© David Foley, November 2011

Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

26^th March 2010 Issue No.:

 1. How Are We Doing?

Last week’s edition of the Thanet & East Kent Insider suggested that an optimist invented the aeroplane and a pessimist the parachute. As we look at the recently released unemployment figures, we conclude that the parachute makers are still in the ascendency but aircraft builders have some cause for satisfaction. We have commented before that monthly statistics do not provide a meaningful guide. It is the year-on-year figures on which we might base investment decisions and all those critical judgments on the state of our economy. Thanet remains burdened with the highest rate of unemployment in Kent at 6.2% against a mere 2.2% in Tunbridge Wells; but, we take heart from learning that the annual rate of decline in Thanet has fallen from the 28.1% listed in last month’s data to 18% in the most recent calculation. Similar falls in the annual rates of decline are noted in Kent, down from 37.6% to 15.4%, and the South East, now 35.7% against last month’s 13.4%. We are also beginning to see genuine rises in annual employment rates in certain wards. In Thanet, more people are in jobs now than a year ago in Bradstowe, Nethercourt and the Thanet Villages. In the Canterbury District, Barham Downs, Chartham & Stone Street, Seasalter and Sturry North all record annual rises, as do 13 wards in the Ashford District, 5 wards in the Dover District, 7 wards in the Maidstone area, 6 wards in Shepway and 5 wards in Swale. As with all such statistics, caution is necessary when looking at individual data items. For instance, the largest increase in Kent in annual employment is 50% in Weald East in the Ashford District, but this equates to just 13 more people with jobs than at the same time last year; lucky 13 if you are one of them but not indicative of a general trend. Overall, the figures tell us that the slide into unemployment is getting less steep, but employment has not started to rise.  



2. Give Us The Hard Facts, Please

3. Be Prepared

It was Robert Baden-Powell who gave the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides their motto of “Be Prepared”. In Scouting For Boys he explained that a good scout is ready, “having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.” How often have you faced a situation in business which you have not considered, for which you have not prepared and on which you have to spend considerable sums to escape?  Chamber member The Fire Strategy Company at Manston has been supplying business continuity advice to UK and Irish companies since 2004. To mark the launch of International Business Continuity Week, 22nd – 26th March 2010, our local experts are offering a unique Business Resilience Pack of coordinated business continuity consultancy services. The strategy and action plans are equally applicable to single site locations or part of an overall corporate approach covering several sites. The team of advisors, trainers and coaches include lead auditors for BS:25999 Business Continuity, IT resilience experts and experienced crisis management specialists. With the availability of year-long support, there has never been a better time to be ready for the unexpected so that when it happens your company survives and flourishes while your competitors may not. Be Prepared with The Fire Strategy Company. For details, telephone 01843 826282 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Be Prepared Business Continuity”.



4. Au Revoir, Matt

Matt Clarke, outgoing Managing Director of Kent International Airport, left his post last Friday with the good wishes all those business colleagues and associates who have worked with him and supported the successful expansion of the airport and its activities. The Thanet & East Kent Chamber Chief Executive and the Marketing & Membership Officer visited Matt in his office on his last morning to pay their respects and to thank him for the close cooperation with this Chamber. We also learned of the ambitious plans to add further destinations to the route to Edinburgh, due to begin on 27th May this year, and will keep readers informed of developments. Matt will continue as a board member at Manston, more a question of au revoir than goodbye, and we look forward to seeing him from time to time in East Kent on his visits from Wellington, New Zealand. 



5. Business Rates

Regular readers will know of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber’s long standing campaign against the iniquitous empty rates legislation and our continuing efforts to reduce the extra costs loaded on to our members through ever-increasing legislation and its associated expense. Members will recall the business breakfast of 22nd September last year, see Thanet & East Kent Insider of 25 September 2009, when with our associates at the Dover District Chamber of Commerce we welcomed the key decision-maker at the Valuation Office Agency who is responsible for setting business rates in East Kent. His announcement of an overall reduction of 5% in the average charge for business rates to East Kent companies from April 2010 was about the best result we could have expected. A rise of 10% for London businesses did not give rise to anxiety for the vast majority of our members. Businesses in East Kent should have now received their business rates advice for charges from 1 April 2010. If you are still unsure about how your charges have been assessed, Chamber members may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Business Rates Info” and we will send you the latest official advice together with guidance on what to do if you think you are paying too much. Please take note that whatever rate is set for you this year will be your base rate for the next five years. In fairness to the VOA, we must record that in the “Review of the Valuation Office Agency 2009” published on 10 June 2009, the VOA was roundly praised for its operations and a satisfaction score of 93% was noted for 2008/9. There was a particular tribute for the integrity of the Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rating list, a sharp contrast to the data management history of some other government departments. One of the few quibbles was that “More commercial awareness could benefit both the Agency and its customers”. As the largest business support agency in the area, this is where the Thanet & East Kent Chamber packs a punch in making representations to government departments and securing the best deal for our members.



6. What Are The Facts On Business Rates?

Send for our information pack as listed above and we will tell you. But, in general terms, the rateable value of East Kent business premises will increase and will be based on rental values in April 2008. The ‘multiplier’ will decrease from 48.5p to 41.1p. Any company with a rateable value from 1 April 2010 of below £18,000 may qualify for small business rate relief.



7. Medway and Water

The Thanet & East Kent Chamber was invited to Medway last Thursday evening to hear the transport plans for the next twenty years from Medway Council. In a fluent presentation, Senior Transport Planner, Mark Johnson, gave a fulsome account of Medway’s Transport Plan 3 (TP3) which aims to define the main transport routes which will inform all subsequent development in the area. This has important implications for all East Kent companies. Currently, the Kent County Council proposal for a third Thames crossing to link the A2/M2 with the M11 does not feature prominently in the main Medway strategy which is focussed mainly on reducing current and forecast bottlenecks based on current development plans.  Mark was given a hard time by some erudite fans of shipping routes who stated that insufficient attention is given to river and coastal traffic. The word river was apparently mentioned only once in TP2. Their detailed research included a list of the wharves that had been closed on the River Medway and the opportunities for moving non-urgent goods in an environmentally friendly way that have been lost as a result. The growing influence of groups such as Freight By Water, see www.freightbywater.organd South East Marine Association, see http://www.seama.org, suggest that Tim Lowry, Peter Ward, Bill Moses, Roy Brooks and other local UK shipping experts are going to have a much bigger influence on government policy in the future than has hitherto been the case.



8. Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

Dave Woodward, Social Care Commissioner for Mental Health at Kent County Council, has written to the Thanet & East Kent Chamber as follows, “I love the Thanet & East Kent Insider and appreciate the emphasis on well-being and emotional health. Your readers might be interested in our website at www.liveitwell.org.uk.” We are indeed, Dave, and there are some most useful tips for all employers interested in looking after their staff and getting the best performance as a result. Individuals will also welcome the guidance on healthy eating. We learn that according to research from the University of London, we spent ten times longer preparing our food 60 years ago than we do today.



9. Diary Dates

Dreamland Wakes Up business networking breakfast 24 March 2010, Dover Business Exhibition 10 June 2010, Thanet Business Exhibition, 11 June 2010, Chamber Golf Day at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club 8 October 2010. For details, email manager @tekc.co.uk or contact Graham Rayner, tel: 07899 873535.



10. Man’s Best Friend

We receive many stories from Chamber members. Unable to reveal their hand to their staff and with families none too enthusiastic to share the burden of corporate responsibility, the Chamber is often asked to assist, comment or sometimes just listen. Of course, we welcome such discussions which are always treated as completely confidential. From time to time, we hear anecdotes from members which they are happy for us to relate and this is the case with a trader from East Kent who took his lethargic cocker spaniel to the veterinary surgeon.  Concerned that his beloved Oscar was over-eating, he rested in absolute silence as the white-coated professional held Oscar in his arms and examined his teeth and throat. After a dramatic wait of nearly two minutes, the vet announced portentously “I’m sorry. I’m going to have to put him down”. “Oh, no”, said the devastated owner, “Is it his heart or what?”. “No” said the vet, ”it’s because he’s very heavy.”



11. Our Sponsors

The Thanet & East Kent Insider is grateful for the support and sponsorship provided by Girlings, Express By Holiday Inn and Adecco. Girlings Solicitors has been managing the managing the legal affairs of commercial and private clients for over a century. Twenty-six partners and one hundred and twenty members of staff ensure a comprehensive range of services from the local offices in Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone, Herne Bay and Margate. Offices in France and Spain complement specialist departments for charities, individuals and companies. For details, telephone 01843 220274. Express By Holiday took on the daunting task of restoring the former Prospect Inn at Minster. The result is a spectacular hotel that combines the best of Oliver Hill’s 1930s design with ultra modern facilities and technological support. Conveniently located for business guests and holiday makers in East Kent, the meeting rooms and 105 bedrooms are available at competitive prices throughout the year. For details, telephone 01843 820250. Adecco is the world’ s largest HR solutions company offering a comprehensive service of temporary and contract staffing, permanent recruitment, outsourcing, outplacement, career services, training and consulting. Officially designated as a 2009 British Superbrand, Adecco is represented in Thanet and Dover by its Broadstairs office, tel: 01843 609292.

© David Foley 20^th March 2010

Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

1^st May 2010 Issue No.:

1. Art & Business

As most readers of this weekly bulletin will be aware, the main objectives of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber are to boost turnover and reduce costs for our members. Maintaining or increasing margins is essential if companies are to meet the rising tax burden and fulfil their obligations to employees and shareholders. Being the cheapest in the market place may be the overriding aim of national companies with outlets across the UK, but local traders can achieve an advantage from exceptional service and more attention to quality. The Arts Festival highlighted in the attached file features Chamber members, Caroline Lovely of Lovelys Gallery and Joanna Hunt of Cloudberry who undoubtedly bring a quality approach to all aspects of their operations in Thanet. If you have some free time on Saturday 15th May, please do come along to the festival. You will note that a delegation from France will be part of the activities. One of the top wine-growers in Beaujolais will be presenting his wines which will be of interest to anyone wanting to stock up for the summer.  We are especially keen to attract more overseas visitors to East Kent to benefit from the advantageous exchange rates. For more details, see http://www.doverartsfestival.org.uk/



2. The Open Money Box

The Open Championship scheduled to take place at the Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich next year was the central focus of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber’s Hotels and Restaurants Forum last Wednesday. We know from data produced by Comperio Research, a division of IMG, that the 2007 Open at Carnoustie contributed £14 million to the local economy and £26 million to Scotland. The 2005 event at St Andrews brought in £23.1 million of new money to Fife with a contribution to Scotland of over £70 million. We learned yesterday that France, yet to produce a major winner, is eager to take advantage of the golf premium and has submitted a bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup. KPMG reports optimism returning to the golf industry generally following a difficult two years. For a copy of the KPMG Report “Golf and the Economic Downturn”, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “KPMG Golf Report”. Whichever way you look at it, any business in or near Sandwich in July 2011 that can offer a product or service of interest to the visitors and suppliers could reap a rich harvest.  The 2003 Open Championship in Sandwich attracted 183,000 visitors.



3. What About Renting Out My House?

Chamber members at the Hotels & Restaurants Forum heard a detailed account of the accommodation bonanza in prospect for July 2011. In a beautifully measured and apposite presentation, Gillian Gayton, Major Projects Manager at Dover District Council (DDC), recounted that one enterprising home owner whose property skirts the Royal St George’s links course will receive £34,000 for letting his house for two weeks. Even quite modest accommodation within 20 minutes of the links course can expect tenants to pay a rental in thousands for the privilege of being close to the action. Gillian advised members at the Forum wishing to release their houses or apartments to go through official channels to ensure the best and safest return. Colebrook Sturrock is the official agent for property lettings over the period of the Open. DDC’s Open Golf Office will charge a £60 registration fee for a range of services and inclusion on the Open Golf website. The fee includes costs of an assessment visit and administration. More information is available direct from DDC by telephone to 01304 240477 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..



4. What are Hotels and Restaurants Going To Do?

It was evident from the delegates at the Forum that the owners of large hotels in the area were evenly divided between those who were fully booked almost immediately after the Sandwich venue was announced and those who were cannily refusing bookings for the period in order to assess the best deals that could be made. Members were all agreed that excessively high prices would damage long-term tourism interests and could dissuade the Royal & Ancient Golf Club from selecting Sandwich in the future. There was keen interest in corporate events bookings and measures to extend the brief season beyond the immediate practice and playing days. Although the championship itself is limited to just four days, Thursday 11th July to Sunday 15th July 2011, official practice begins on Sunday 11th July and many media organisations will want to have their crew in place well before the big name players arrive.



5. What’s It Got to Do With Dover?

The Royal St George’s Golf Club is located within the area administered by the Dover District Council. DDC has acquired an excellent reputation for understanding and supporting local businesses. Although originally planned for 2013, Tim Ingleton at DDC and Cllrs Paul Watkins and Nigel Collor were determined to bring the event forward so that it could showcase East Kent prior to the 2012 Olympics rather than suffer in the shadow of a post Olympics analysis. It was no surprise to hear delegates to the Forum praising the excellent organisation and traffic management in 2003, the last time the Open Championship was in Sandwich.  As Phil Thorley of Thorley Taverns, tel: 01843 602010, put it , “The parking was understandably some distance from Royal St. George’s, but it was very well arranged and we didn’t mind walking a way to the course. There were no traffic hold-ups to worry too much about and it was just very well done.” With twenty-five pubs, hotels and restaurants in Thanet, Phil knows what he is talking about. Matt Collins of the Bell Hotel, tel: 01304 613388, the only major accommodation outlet in Sandwich, is looking to impress his guests so that they return in the future. Express By Holiday Inn at Manston, tel: 01843 820250, has received strong interest for the Open Championships and is looking to develop long-term repeat business. Suzannah Chapman of Stonelees Golf Centre, tel: 01843 823133, expects a boost in membership numbers and an increase in bookings for the new facilities about to open at the Stonelees Clubhouse. Even Cloudberry, tel: 07980 920370 makers of fine patisserie, is looking forward to a surge in demand for its cakes and delicacies. Other delegates expressed their thanks to the Chamber for organising the Forum and are looking forward to being kept up to date on additional measures designed to increase turnover as a result of the Open Championship in Sandwich.   



6. How Are We Doing?

Unemployment figures for Kent are beginning to show definite signs of a recovery. As mentioned before in these columns, month-to-month changes offer little indication of trends. When the year-on-year results start to show gains, it is time to breathe a sign of relief and perhaps even think of booking that holiday you have been promising yourself for the last two years. Nine of the twenty-three wards in Thanet show an increase in employment. The annual Thanet increase of 9.2% compares favourably with the 83% recorded in May last year. Shepway and Maidstone record a percentage annual rise of 12.1% with Dartford bringing up the rear in Kent with 14%. The ever excellent Research & Intelligence department at Kent County Council also informs us that the biggest annual fall in unemployment in Kent is in the Tunbridge Wells district, closely followed by Tonbridge and Malling. Prawn sandwich makers and that splendid shop just outside Tunbridge Wells that hires hats for Henley, Epson and Wimbledon can once again count their blessings.



7. Give Us The Facts

Well, you did ask. Here are the bare facts, not seasonally adjusted.

8. Superstar Patronage

Chamber Member Sarah Thorne Theatre Club in Broadstairs has announced its first patron. The gasp from the arts establishment can probably be heard in John O’Groats. Director Michael Wheatley-Ward has achieved the astonishing coup of securing the patronage of Judi Dench. Arguably one of the greatest actresses ever, Dame Judith Olivia Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA is undoubtedly the leading female performer in British film and theatre today. She must also have the biggest mantelpiece. With ten BAFTAs to her credit, seven Laurence Olivier Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, a Tony Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, she has come a long way since her first tentative steps in the York Mystery Plays of 1957. The Sarah Thorne Theatre Club is offering an attractive summer programme that includes the works of Alan Ayckbourn and George Bernard Shaw as well as musical offerings from Cole Porter and the classics. On 13th June 2010, the programme features a Murder Mystery evening with the audience challenged to find the culprit. It’s probably too much to hope that Dame Judi Dench will appear on stage in one of her best known roles as “M” from the James Bond films” and say “You think I'm an accountant, a bean counter, more interested in my numbers than your instincts” but there’s only one way to find out. To book your tickets, telephone 0845 2626263 from 1000 hrs to 1400 hrs from Monday to Friday.  



9. That’s My Cruise

As the name suggests, Chamber member That’s My Cruise specialises in cruise ship holidays. An expanding order book means that proprietors Vincent and Sandra Gudynas will be moving to new premises in Ramsgate shortly. Anyone booking a cruise through That’s My Cruise in their opening week from 10th May 2010 will be offered a complimentary private transfer from any home in Kent to Dover. That’s My Cruise is also offering Chamber members a free lunch on board Holland America Lines newest ship, Eurodam, which will be in port in Dover on Wednesday 8th June.  There are 8 places available on a ‘first come first served’ basis. If you are interested in a splendid lunch or a holiday with a difference, give Vincent or Sandra a call, tel: 0800 0289754.



10. Thanet College

The new principal of Thanet College, Graham Razey, visited Thanet & East Kent Chamber last week accompanied by the Deputy Principal, Anne Leese and Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Karen Pilgrim. After just six days in office, Graham’s timetable was understandably full. However, demonstrating yet again that Thanet College is fully committed to working closely with the East Kent coastal business community, there were discussions extending over three hours on the training needs of local companies, the prospects for inward investment, the relatively low skills available to employers at NVQ level 3 and the challenges to the public sector from the reduced funds available to Further Education. Also on the agenda were the property needs of Thanet College which are currently under review. Following the cancellation of the relocation project, the College is looking at upgrading its existing facilities and possibly offering a strictly limited number of local centres. The Thanet & East Kent Chamber is keen for members to compete to supply the College. We expect to host a suppliers’ workshop in the near future when Thanet College will outline its purchasing policies with a view to including more local companies on its purchase ledger. A keen sportsman with a sharp eye for business opportunities, Graham Razier brings a fresh approach to our local FE College and we wish him every success.



11. Thanet Male Voice Choir

Thanet Male Voice Choir will be celebrating its Harmony in Europe weekend on 7th – 9th May 2010 at the Winter Gardens, Margate. Singers from Italy, France and Germany will be joining our very own Thanet Male Voice Choir for a concert at 1930 hrs on the evening of Saturday, 8th May 2010. Harmony Ladies Choir, Männerquartet Frohsinn, Coro Monte Pizzo and Chorale Crescendo will all be singing sweetly. Now, which choir do you think is from Germany? Tickets are priced at a modest £6.00 and are available from the Winter Gardens box office, tel 01843 296111 or book via the website at http://www.margatewintergardens.co.uk/box_office/book.asp



12. Turner Contemporary

Booking is essential for the Turner Contemporary business networking breakfast scheduled for 11th May 2010 at Quex House, Museum and Gardens. Paul Gray, Head of Operations and Research, will give the latest news on the construction of the gallery and will outline the advantages to local businesses having a world-class facility in Margate. For more details or to book, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Turner Contemporary Breakfast”. 

13. Our Sponsors

Girlings Solicitors has been managing the managing the legal affairs of commercial and private clients for over a century. Twenty-six partners and one hundred and twenty members of staff ensure a comprehensive range of services from the local offices in Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone, Herne Bay and Margate. Offices in France and Spain complement specialist departments for charities, individuals and companies. For details, telephone 01843 220274. Express By Holiday Inn took on the daunting task of restoring the former Prospect Inn at Minster. The result is a spectacular hotel that combines the best of Oliver Hill’s 1930s design with ultra modern facilities and technological support. Conveniently located for business guests and holiday makers in East Kent, the meeting rooms and 105 bedrooms are available at competitive prices throughout the year. For details, telephone 01843 820250. Adecco is the world’ s largest HR solutions company offering a comprehensive service of temporary and contract staffing, permanent recruitment, outsourcing, outplacement, career services, training and consulting. Officially designated as a 2009 British Superbrand, Adecco is represented in Thanet and Dover by its Broadstairs office, tel: 01843 609292.CARISS design, install and support education and business computing systems as East Kent’s leading specialist company in Open Source Software.  To lower your carbon footprint, reduce your power consumption and adopt a thin client system, call CARISS, tel: 01843 823724. Mach Associates are the high-fliers in providing Internet technologies and specialist software solutions with a particular expertise in servicing the travel industry. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and with ISO9001 accreditation, Mach Associates also offers reduces telecom operating cost through VOIP/PBX phone systems. tel: 0870 321 9986. Sota Connect offers a comprehensive IT service covering best-value voice, data and Internet services for companies of all sizes as well as public sector organisations. The company operates two state-of-the-art data centres of over 10,000sq ft. Sota Connect owns and operates a unique 200km fibre network from London to Ramsgate with high bandwidth Internet access giving superfast Internet connections, tel: 0800 072 2420.

Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

15^th May 2010 Issue No.:

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.

2. What Has Art Got To Do With Business?

A fair question that deserves an answer. There is a direct comparison with the Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) in South Carolina. We know from a recent economic impact study of 2008 by Millo Gallo & Associates that the CMA directly and indirectly supports more than 370 jobs in the Columbia area and generates more than USD 23, 000,000 in economic activity annually. It is estimated that the City of Columbia, Richland County and the surrounding area receive a more than a sixteen-fold return on their combined USD 1,426,000 investment in the museum through increased tourism, retail sales, support of the local labour force and accommodation and hospitality tax revenues. Events and outreach programmes touch an average of 10,700 people per month. Overnight visitors spend USD 8.2 million per year in Columbia directly on lodging, retail and restaurant/bar expenditures. CMA’s arts education programs reach over 28,000 local children per year. The South Carolina Arts Commission commissioned a survey which indicated that “99% of CEO’s state that the availability of cultural activities is an important consideration when choosing a new location”. The study was completed before CMA’s record-breaking exhibition in 2009 entitled interestingly, “From Turner to Cézanne”. Now there’s an idea.

3. Manston

This is the final call for delegates interested in the business opportunities resulting from the expansion of Kent International Airport at Manston. Daily Manston – Edinburgh flights begin on 27^th May 2010. A business networking breakfast is scheduled at the airport on Thursday 20^th May 2010 from 0730 hrs to 0900 hrs. Speakers include senior decision-makers from the airport owner, Infratil, and the UK’s busiest domestic airline, Flybe. Booking is essential. Reserve your place by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Airport Business Breakfast”. Price: members £12.00, non-members £15.00.

4. Not Quite A Million Exclusive

Chamber member The Fire Strategy Company was established by Russ Timpson in 2004. Building on his experience as Group Fire Safety Manager at BAA and operating from a base at Manston on the fringe of Kent International Airport, Russ quickly established a reputation for providing high quality bespoke fire engineering solutions. Additional services were soon added to the product list that now includes business continuity planning. Steady growth ensured a solid client base that includes well-known names such as Bulmers, Cuisine de France and Mitsui Sumitomo. Official confidence in the company’s expertise can be measured by the patronage of public sector bodies The Palace of Westminster, HM Treasury and Imperial College London. A recent addition to the portfolio is a New Heritage Salvage Course which offers training in the recovery of highly valuable artifacts, paintings, books and furniture at times of flood, fire or other high risk events. The coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats released on 12^th May 2010 promised to block new runways at Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow. This increases the value of Kent International Airport at Manston. Any company supplying services to our local airport is in a favoured position. We do not know if this was uppermost in the minds of Zeta Compliance Group Ltd, but we are sure that on that same day Zeta announced that it had bought The Fire Strategy Company in a deal that will net the owners a possible £945,000. Russ Timpson remains as the Managing Director of The Fire Strategy Company. In an exclusive interview with the Thanet & East Kent Insider, Russ said that he is looking forward to taking full advantage of the new opportunities presented by the increased resources available from Zeta. He also emphasized the contribution made by his staff and expressed his full confidence in the new owners. East Kent should also stand gain from the deal as the company enlarges its list of local suppliers. Zeta has a published policy to support the area around their operational bases, “We strive to help and improve the communities where we work and live” For full details of The Fire Strategy Company’s services, telephone 01843 826282.

5. Silly Article

Noted for its trenchant support of business, the high quality of its prose and the occasional dramatic scoop, the Daily Telegraph does sometimes stray from the straight and narrow. At least, this appears to be the case in a recent article on Lydd Airport by Clive Aslet, whose main job is as the Editor-At-Large of Country Life magazine. Although the latest edition of Country Life has the headline, “What have the Romans done for us?”, it would be completely wrong to dismiss this publication as backward-looking as it has championed the cause of rural living with distinction since its very first edition in 1897. However, both the Telegraph and the magazine may have cause to reflect on the article of 1 May 2010 which states, “The county already has the proudly named Kent International Airport at Manston, outside Ramsgate, which lurches from crisis to crisis, its commercial future invariably on life support. Why should Lydd fare any better? It is quite likely, say local campaigners, to do worse. Manston not only has an extra-long runway, bequeathed by the Americans who wanted to land B52 bombers, but good road links.” Clive is right about the road links but woefully wrong about the crisis. He is rightly rebuked by one informed commentator; see comments at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/7657908/Romney-Marsh-and-keeping-the-Lydd-on-aviation-pressures.html Thanet & East Kent Chamber will continue to promote the interests of our corner of East Kent however misinformed remote critics may be. We look forward to working with our elected representatives in parliament and local government to ensure that our members in urban and rural communities are represented fairly and positively in the media.

6. Arts Festival

Earlier today, Thanet & East Kent Chamber joined with our associates at the Dover District Chamber of Commerce to present an Arts Festival at Dover College featuring Chamber members Cloudberry Ltd and Lovelys Gallery. The previous day, Allain Renoux, the famous French artist, had conducted Master Classes for local school children. Renoux was undoubtedly one of the stars at the festival which took place in the 12^th century refectory of Dover College. Cloudberry reported strong sales until just before 3.00 pm when fans of Portsmouth and Chelsea were understandably distracted by the afternoon’s FA Cup Final. The music on offer was of the highest order with distinguished performances from a tenor, a mezzo-soprano, a piano soloist and the intriguingly named, Zen Bicycle Band. The visiting contingent from France supplied the duo Les Bellejolaises who offered an original set of lively songs in English and French. Busy all day was the French wine grower, Jean-Luc Longère, who sold his wine by the glass and by the case. Centre stage were the artists. Graham Clarke, an official Kent Ambassador, was fully occupied signing his books and prints to eager purchasers as well as entertaining the whole hall with an impromptu spirited performance on his concertina. Kent artist Martin Aynscombe-Harris took delight in explaining where he found the inspiration for his celebrated paintings. Aynscombe-Harris will be travelling to France next month to participate in our sister festival at the Biennale D’Art Figuratif. The works of Kent’s own Cheryl Culver and Judith Gardner were also roundly praised. Visitors were treated to a preview of the designs for a National War Memorial on Dover’s Western Heights by John Pegg of Craft:Pegg Architects. The memorial is intended to celebrate the 1.7 million servicemen, women and civilians who gave their lives in the first and second world wars. The whole festival was filmed for television. A DVD will also be produced in the next few weeks. BBC Radio Kent featured a report on their Saturday show which can be heard for the next seven days on the BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p007rt4v by fast forwarding to 2.18.30. The festival website with links to the exhibitors and sponsors can be found at www.doverartsfestival.org.uk.

7. Risk-free Profit Growth Proposal

Alchemy is the ancient science of turning base metal into gold leading to wisdom, wealth and longevity. This must one of the reasons behind the choice of name for the Alchemy-Network programmes offered by Chamber member, Edward McCann. Marketing and business development are the main features of the services on offer to business owners together with an undertaking that payment is by results. As Edward McCann puts it, “All payment for the service comes as a small percentage of the extra income generated by the Alchemy-Network programme.” Qualifying companies must be in the bracket of 8 – 249 employees and have an annual turnover between £400,000 and £2,000,000. To avoid any conflict of interest, a strict ethical policy dictates that no two companies from the same sector are accepted as clients. Too good to be true? Find out by giving Edward McCann a call, tel: 01843 596 708 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

8. Nick Ewbank

Anyone who is familiar with the magnificent support to East Kent’s by its number one benefactor, Roger De Haan, will be aware of the contribution made to the operations of The Creative Foundation by Nick Ewbank. His work in cultural regeneration in East Kent is unique. Since arriving in Folkestone in 2001, Nick has worked with business and the public sector to bring positive social change. Nick has announced his departure as Artistic Director of The Creative Foundation, prompting Roger De Haan, Chairman of the Trustees, to write, “His innovative approach, energy and vision have been key ingredients in moving this project forward from tiny beginnings to the major initiative that is now recognized nationally. We have been extremely fortunate to have him here”. Praise is also recorded from Professor Michael Wright, Chairman of the Governors of Thanet College and outgoing Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University who notes what Nick has brought to education as “an innovative and committed contributor”. Similar fine words from the South East Director of the Arts Council, Sally Adams, confirm that “Nick's energy and vision will be greatly missed”. The Thanet & East Kent Insider wishes Nick every success with his new independent company and looks forward to working with him on future initiatives to stimulate the economy of East Kent.

9. Maximum Support To Employers

Maximus Employment & Training UK is a welfare to work provider specialising in helping the disadvantaged in the labour market to gain employment. The Maximus group of companies operates throughout the UK, Europe, Australia, the United States, Canada and Israel. Ramsgate now hosts its own Maximus office in the Argyle Centre where Business Manager Lesley Game assisted by Chris Bishop, Kerry Jones, Nicky Charles and Sara Lawrie offers a free recruitment service. In an email to the Thanet & East Kent Insider, Chris Bishop writes that he is keen to work with local companies as “It is our objective to place the right people into the right jobs so naturally they will sustain”. To find out more, give Chris a call, tel: 01843 808410 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

10. Politics & Put Downs

Clement Atlee is the much respected Labour Prime Minister of the immediate post-war years who oversaw the creation of the NHS and is generally considered to have offered a praiseworthy example of consensual government. It was not always the case. He was famously described by Winston Churchill as “A modest man, but then he has so much to be modest about". Indeed after his death in 1967 aged 84, his estate was valued at £7,295, a modest sum indeed which is comfortably below the current estate duty threshold of £325.000 and somewhat more below what the children of modern Prime Ministers may fairly expect to inherit. Television occasionally gives us a classic put down moment. Some readers may recall Caroline Aherne’s remark on the Mrs Merton Show when interviewing Debbie McGee the young wife of an ageing magician, “So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?" Our traditionally adversarial political system specializes in witty but harsh personal criticism and has provided us with some memorable moments. David Cameron first came to the attention of many as a future Prime Minister when he introduced himself at Question Time with the following description of Tony Blair, “He was the future once”. The Conservative Party has a record of delivering its most damning verdicts on itself, as illustrated by Thanet’s erstwhile MP, Jonathan Aitken, who described his leader, Margaret Thatcher thus, “She probably thinks Sinai is the plural of sinus”. All jolly good stuff. The Labour Party has had some stars in its ranks nevertheless. Denis Healey’s remark on debating with Geoffrey Howe as “like being savaged by a dead sheep” has passed into contemporary folklore. Sweetness and light was not much in evidence between the Liberals and Tories in Victorian times, as evidenced by Disraeli’s indictment of Gladstone, “He has not a single redeeming defect”. Although the great Winston has been somewhat unfairly criticized for spending the best years of his life in preparing impromptu speeches, he remains the master of the English Language as his Nobel Prize for Literature rightly recognised. We leave the final comment to our greatest leader and parliamentary orator and his portrait of that most modest of Prime Ministers, Clement Atlee, as “A sheep in sheep’s clothing”. It doesn’t get much better than that.

11. Our Sponsors

Girlings Solicitors has been managing the managing the legal affairs of commercial and private clients for over a century. Twenty-six partners and one hundred and twenty members of staff ensure a comprehensive range of services from the local offices in Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone, Herne Bay and Margate. Offices in France and Spain complement specialist departments for charities, individuals and companies. For details, telephone 01843 220274. Express By Holiday Inn took on the daunting task of restoring the former Prospect Inn at Minster. The result is a spectacular hotel that combines the best of Oliver Hill’s 1930s design with ultra modern facilities and technological support. Conveniently located for business guests and holiday makers in East Kent, the meeting rooms and 105 bedrooms are available at competitive prices throughout the year. For details, telephone 01843 820250. Adecco is the world’ s largest HR solutions company offering a comprehensive service of temporary and contract staffing, permanent recruitment, outsourcing, outplacement, career services, training and consulting. Officially designated as a 2009 British Superbrand, Adecco is represented in Thanet and Dover by its Broadstairs office, tel: 01843 609292. CARISS design, install and support education and business computing systems as East Kent’s leading specialist company in Open Source Software.  To lower your carbon footprint, reduce your power consumption and adopt a thin client system, call CARISS, tel: 01843 823724. Mach Associates are the high-fliers in providing Internet technologies and specialist software solutions with a particular expertise in servicing the travel industry. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and with ISO9001 accreditation, Mach Associates also offers reduces telecom operating cost through VOIP/PBX phone systems. tel: 0870 321 9986. Sota Connect offers a comprehensive IT service covering best-value voice, data and Internet services for companies of all sizes as well as public sector organisations. The company operates two state-of-the-art data centres of over 10,000sq ft. Sota Connect owns and operates a unique 200km fibre network from London to Ramsgate with high bandwidth Internet access giving superfast Internet connections, tel: 0800 072 2420.

Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

17^th April 2010 Issue No.:

1. Great Opportunities for East Kent Businesses

As the Thanet & East Kent Insider reported in the edition of 14th August last year, Kent International airport at Manston is a “key driver for economic regeneration”. The study we quoted then concluded that “for every million passengers (workload units), European airports support around 2,950 jobs nationally, 2,000 jobs regionally, or 1,425 jobs sub regionally.”  To benefit to the maximum from the expansion at Manston, it is important to know just what the airport owner and the airline operators are planning. The Thanet & East Kent Chamber is pleased to report that it will be hosting a business breakfast on Thursday, 20th May 2010 featuring presentations from the key senior staff at Infratil and at Flybe. Regular readers of the Insider will know that Flybe is the airline that will be starting daily flights between Edinburgh and Manston on Thursday of the following week. Given that Flybe operates more UK flights than any other company and that Infratil is looking to expand its destinations to other UK cities, the opportunitites for companies in the East Kent coastal business community are significant. Further details and how to book your place will follow in next week’s edition.



2. Events Update

As we approach the tourist season, the Thanet & East Kent Chamber offers an intensive programme of networking events, all designed for members to increase turnover, reduce costs and provide friendly business-to-business networking opportunities. The events programme is summarised below. Booking for these popular events is essential.



3. Hotels & Restaurants Forum

To take place at the Thanet & East Kent Chamber on 28th April 2010 at 1500 hrs. Of interest to anyone with management responsibilities in the hospitality industry. The 75-minutes sesssion will begin with a short presentation by one of the managers reponsible for promoting the economic benefits to local companies of The Open Golf Championship in Sandwich in July 2011. For further details or to book your place,, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Chamber Hotel & Restaurants Forum”.



4. Dover Port Privatisation Lunch

To take place at the County Hotel, Dover at 1215 hrs. Dr Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover will outline the advantages to local businesses of his plans to privatise the port of Dover and how he intends to spend the £400m that is raised as a result. This event is exclusive to members of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber and the Dover Chambers of Commerce. Lunch included. For further details or to book your place, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Dover Port Privatisation”. If you would like a copy of the Chamber’s submission to the Secretary of State regarding the privatisation proposals and the effects on the East Kent coastal business community, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Dover Privatisation Submission”.



5. Turner Contemporary Breakfast

To take place at Quex Park, Musuem and Gardens at 07.30 hrs on 11th May 2010. Mr Paul Gray, Head of Operations and Resources at the Turner Contemporary, will explain how local companies can bathe in the reflected economic glory of what promises to be a world-class art gallery on Margate seafront which is due to be open for business at around this time next year. For further details or to book your place, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Turner Contemporary breakfast”. A full English breakfast will be served and all delegates will be invited to a guided tour of Quex museum.



6. Thanet Business Exhibition

To take place at G Casino on Friday 11th June 2010. Chamber members and their associates will have the opportunity to present their products and services in a convivial atmosphere. Stands are available to suit a variety of budgets and all exhibitors will receive a lunch pack and free publicity. For further details, contact Graham Rayner, tel: 07899 873535, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Thant Business Exhobition” for background papers.



7. Thanet & Dover Golf Day

To take place at the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club on Friday 8th October 2010. The East Kent Business community’s biggest golf tournament now features eight competitions at the course graced by Booby Locke, Jack Nicklaus and Sergio Garcia. Host to two Open Championships, this links course has a splendid clubhouse where golfers of all abilities can practise their excuses in complete comfort. For details, contact Graham Rayner, tel: 07899 873 535, or for backgriund papers email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Chamber Golf Day”.



8. New Sponsors

The Thanet & East Kent Insider welcomes three new sponsors. Cariss is a specialist in Open Source Software and is able to save companies considerable sums through thin client systems and reduced licensing fees, tel: 01843 823724. Mach Associates produces industry-leading software for the travel industry and offers large savings on telecommunications through Voice Over Internet (VOIP) packages, tel: 0870 321 9986. Sota Connect provides comprehensive IT services for companies of all sizes including data storage at its own facilities. The company also offers high speed broadband and is the owner of a unique fibre cable between Thanet and London, tel: 0800 072 2420.



9. Workforce Worries

In answer to the question, “How many people work in your company?” it is not uncommon to hear the reply, “About half of them.” A demotivated workforce produces depressing results. Targeted training can sometimes provide the uplift your workforce needs. When was the last time you reviewed your training programme? New chamber member TNG of Ramsgate offers a complete training and recruitment service “so you can focus on other demands of your business, saving both time and money.”  Jessica Berry promises to work with companies to produce a total package of support “designed to meet your needs and requirements and ultimately helping you to grow your business”. Jessica welcomes calls to her mobile, tel: 07872 503036. Other Chamber members offering recuitment and training advice include Canterbury Christ Church University tel:  01227 782196; Connexions Partnership Kent & Medway tel: 01622 607578; Engee Accountancy & Credit Management tel: 01843 599179; HRGO tel: 01843 591798; ILM tel: 01843 861616; Maximus Employment & Training UK  tel: 01843 808410: Morgan Jones Recruitment Consultants tel: 01843 604890; Profile Development & Training tel: 01843 869100: St John Ambulance tel: 01732 876417: Thanet College Business Services tel: 01843 605036; The Fire Strategy Company tel: 07809 412749: The Stegle Centre tel: 01843 830247 and Adecco tel: 01842 609292.



10. On The Spot

We do not know if she is a floating voter, but the views of Karen Simmons of Ramsgate Yacht Sales are always welcome; especially when her email begins, “I find the newsletter well written, informative and entertaining.” Proof indeed that she is a lady of impeccable judgment whose opinions should be respected. So when Karen mentions that she has on her books a property in Margate that deserves attention, we asked her for some details. Consisting of five offices, a kitchen and storage space, this corner property in Canterbury Road will soon be available on a one to three year lease at an annual rental of £10,000. Is this a bargain? Karen invites interested readers to contact her direct at her On The Spot Property Company, tel: 07809 73 6327.



11. Budget Or Bust

Martin White of Empowered Business has written to the Thanet & East Kent Chamber with the words, “How do you measure the profitability of your business?” Perhaps influenced by the current feverish political climate, like an experienced parliamentarian he then answers his own question. “If it is by the cash balance in your bank account, the chances are that you are not working to a business budget plan. If you were, you would be able to accurately forecast your monthly sales, the gross profit you will make on those sales, your monthly business overheads and therefore most importantly your monthly trading profit and cash flow.” Martin makes a very good point. For any company, cash flow is critical to sustainable business; poor cash flow being the single most critical factor in the failure of small and medium enterprises. Of course, it helps to have something to sell that customers want to buy; but even companies with a ready market and willing buyers have gone to the wall through the lack of attention to proper budgeting. Martin is offering employers the opportunity to craft a business budget plan that prevents financial black holes and will “show you how to measure your business performance every month against your budget plan objectives.” Given Martin’s big company experience in sales and marketing, this looks like a good buy at £130. For details, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give him a call, tel: 0776 826 7515.



12. Tried everything? Try This

This item is addressed at smokers who wish to give up and do not succeed no matter how much chewing gum they masticate, (yes it is written masticate and Mr Wrigley can testify that chewing gum does not make you go blind). Have you tried boiled sweets to no avail? Is hiding the lighter no longer an effective deterrent? The lady you should meet is Jean Murton of Chamber member, The Belmont Hypnotherapy Centre. As Jean puts it succinctly, “Those who smoke addictively, can become non-smokers”. Jean treats a wide variety of compulsions, addictions and anxieties and is credited with transforming the lives of many of those she has treated. If you find your colleagues stare at you, the lights at the crossroads are always red when you arrive, when you are offered a wine gum youir favourite red ones are already taken, the manager of your favourite football team refuses to take your advice or you just want to give up smoking, give Jean a call at her headquarters in Ramsgate, tel (01843) 587929 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. With Jean’s help, your favourite football team may still get relegated, but you might get promoted.



13. Newington Community

Dee Allen, Centre Manager at Newington Community Centre, has asked the Thanet & East Kent Insider to mention that the new IT Suite is now officially open It was launched on 5th April following support from Kent International Aiport, Thanet Lions, Thanet District Council, Ramsgate Trustees and Cariss. We wish Dee and her team every success.



14. Politically Correct Recruitment

We are grateful for one chamber member who sent us this account of his experiences as a manager recruiting for a junior post on his team. In line with the policy established by head office in London, our dutiful Chamber member asked the two candidates for the post of trainee salesman to take a short written test. He left them in the interview room returning fifteen minutes later to collect the papers and mark the answers. After a moment’s reflection he said to both candidates, I must congratulate you on your performance as you have both answered correctly 14 of the 15 questions on the paper. He turned to the candidate on his right and said, “However, I am inviting you to take the job”. The candidate on his left rose from his seat indignantly and said, “If we both got only one question wrong, why have you not chosen me?”  The manager explained, “The question you both got wrong was number 11. “And so?” said the failed candidate. The manager continued, “Jim here on the right wrote ‘I simply don’t know the answer’ and you wrote ‘Neither do I’” The question we ask readers is “Did our Chamber member chose the right candidate?“ Your thoughts are welcome at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..



15. Our Sponsors

Girlings Solicitors has been managing the managing the legal affairs of commercial and private clients for over a century. Twenty-six partners and one hundred and twenty members of staff ensure a comprehensive range of services from the local offices in Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone, Herne Bay and Margate. Offices in France and Spain complement specialist departments for charities, individuals and companies. For details, telephone 01843 220274. Express By Holiday Inn took on the daunting task of restoring the former Prospect Inn at Minster. The result is a spectacular hotel that combines the best of Oliver Hill’s 1930s design with ultra modern facilities and technological support. Conveniently located for business guests and holiday makers in East Kent, the meeting rooms and 105 bedrooms are available at competitive prices throughout the year. For details, telephone 01843 820250. Adecco is the world’ s largest HR solutions company offering a comprehensive service of temporary and contract staffing, permanent recruitment, outsourcing, outplacement, career services, training and consulting. Officially designated as a 2009 British Superbrand, Adecco is represented in Thanet and Dover by its Broadstairs office, tel: 01843 609292.CARISS design, install and support education and business computing systems as East Kent’s leading specialist company in Open Source Software.  To lower your carbon footprint, reduce your power consumption and adopt a thin client system, call CARISS, tel: 01843 823724. Mach Associates are the high-fliers in providing Internet technologies and specialist software solutions with a particular expertise in servicing the travel industry. A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and with ISO9001 accreditation, Mach Associates also offers reduces telecom operating cost through VOIP/PBX phone systems. tel: 0870 321 9986. Sota Connect offers a comprehensive IT service covering best-value voice, data and Internet services for companies of all sizes as well as public sector organisations. The company operates two state-of-the-art data centres of over 10,000sq ft. Sota Connect owns and operates a unique 200km fibre network from London to Ramsgate with high bandwidth Internet access giving superfast Internet connections, tel: 0800 072 2420.