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

24^th April 2010 Issue No.: 

1. Petrol

East Kent readers who drive a car and buyers who watch company fuel prices will have noticed a sharp rise in petrol costs in recent months. At the time of writing, one litre of unleaded petrol at Asda Canterbury, Lakeside Service Station, Asda Tilbury and Shell Northfleet costs 117.9p. By contrast, a litre of unleaded from the pumps of Tesco Extra in Broadstairs costs 121.9p. Thus anyone filling a tank with 70 litres of fuel will find that it costs £2.80 more at Tesco Extra Broadstairs than at some of its competitors. In fairness to the “Every little helps” supermarket chain, enquiries by the Chamber reveal that the retailer receives very little of the selling price. The figures we have received show that a selling price of 119.9p a litre is divided as follows: duty 57.19p, product 39.85p, VAT 17.86p, retailer & delivery 5p. In case you are wondering, we have checked the addition twice and it did add up to 119.9p. Three times would have been tempting fate. It follows that if the 5p margin is raised to 7p, it produces a 40% increase to the retailer.  On such small margins, it must be tempting to the petrol stations without a close competitor nearby to increase the retail price by a few extra pence. The cheapest petrol we have found in Thanet is at Ramsgate Service Station which asks for 119.9p for a litre of unleaded. At the risk of hearing readers mumur to themselves ‘grandmother’ and ‘suck eggs’, it clearly does not make sense to travel a long distance to fill up with fuel, but it probably does pay to refuel when you are going past one of the cheaper outlets.



2. News From Dover

Plans are moving ahead for the Cable Car linking Dover Seafront with Dover Castle. Following some positive meetings with the English Heritage Advisory Site Committee, the project has reached an advanced stage with the promise of significant benefits for retailers in the town. Dover District Council and Dover Town Council enjoy excellent relations with our sister Chamber at the Dover District Chamber of Commerce. Recent initiatives include the establishment of a Dover Business Support office in the town centre, plans for a Saturday market and support to inward investors. Both Dover District Council and Dover Town Council provide a first-class example of how local councils can work with the established Chamber of Commerce.



3. Blue Flags

Among the glories of Thanet are the beaches which stand comparison with any in the UK. Seven beaches received the Blue Flag in 2009, Minnis Bay, St. Mildred’s Bay Westgate, West Bay Westgate, Walpole Bay Margate, Botany Bay Broadstairs, Joss Bay Broadstairs and Ramsgate Main Sands. The Blue Flag system is administered in England by Keep Britain Tidy and in Europe by the Foundation for Environmental Education. It provides a powerful incentive to beach managers and councils. It is officially described as “a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world”. A Blue Flag is given to “coastal destinations which have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.” The 2010 winners are expected to be announced in May this year. The Thanet & East Kent Insider will keep readers informed of the results.



4. Reducing Costs

The Thanet & East Kent Chamber focuses much of our efforts on reducing operating costs for members. Sometimes this consists of helping to secure grants for new machinery, offering representation to minimize business rates or simply assisting members with cash flow issues such as unpaid invoices. We are always pleased to welcome initiatives that decrease expense and increase revenue. With this in mind, we welcome Auditel into our membership. This company offers a business health check using the resources of the largest cost management consultancy in the country. Manager, Jeremy Bailey, is keen not just to cut costs as to produce a single cash input to your business, but to manage those costs in the long term. As he put it in a recent email to the Chamber, “I review their costs, profile their spending patterns against similar sized companies in the same verticals and provide them with a detailed report against which they can make informed decisions about how they can get the best value for money. All without any upfront costs. We work purely on a contingency basis and ask only to share in any savings that we actually deliver.” Seems too good to be true? Give Jeremy a call and see what he can do for you. Details from Jeremy Bailey, Auditel, Cost Management Consultant tel: 01843 588776  or 07990 561616.



5. Quex Adding Value

The Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens are home to some thriving local businesses including, Jungle Jims Family Entertainment Centre and the Hannah Dining Suite. Around 3000 tons of potatoes are grown on the estate and supplied to a local supermarket chain with obvious benefits in terms of cost and freshness. Quex is also now producing its own bottled rapeseed oil. Managing Director Anthony Curwen is particularly keen to serve the local market with home grown produce. Key to the growth of Quex’s food products is the relationship with Thanet College catering department which has elected to use Quex Rapeseed Oil in its restaurants and in projects with students. This is another example of Thanet College using its international expertise for the benefit of local companies, justifying Quex Park’s Karen Botha’s claim of Thanet College as “a perfect partner”.  We need hardly add that both organisations are members of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber and maintain close ties with the East Kent coastal business community.



6. Events Summary

Booking is essential for the following Chamber events which have all been designed to help members increase turnover, reduce costs and provide friendly business-to-business networking opportunities :

7. Slogans

Item 1 on petrol prices does raise the question of the value of slogans. In an article for the BBC a few years ago, Cobra Beer’s Marketing Director, Simon Edwards, described Tesco’s catchy phrase “Every little helps” as “It includes a promise but also gets across what the company is about and gives an indication of its character". Tesco may not be helping East Kent motorists much, but the City and shareholders have no reason to complain. Yesterday’s share price of £4.51 shows a rise of 94p from this time last year when it stood at £3.57. 



8. More About Catch Phrases

Where would Bruce Forsyth be without “Nice to see you, to see you nice”, “Give us a twirl”, “good game, good game” and more recently “You’re my favourites”. The comforting familiarity of brand recognition is a key factor in marketing and one that has been fully exploited by Carlsberg’s “Probably the best .... in the world” slogan created by Saatchi and Saatchi in 1973. Does your business have a catch phrase? Some have embedded themselves in our national consciousness such as the British Army’s “Be The Best” from 1994. McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” was launched in Germany in 2003 by Heye & Partner as “Ich Liebe Es” with a song added later for the UK version featuring Justin Timberlake. Some companies have succumbed to public pressure to change their slogans. In 2004, L’Oréal famously ditched “Because I’m worth it” for a less materialistic “Because you’re worth it”, neither of which seems to carry any great message for saving the planet. Lovelys Gallery in Cliftonville, tel 01843 292757, reminds visitors to its shop and website that it has won the award of “Art Retailer of the Year”, a prestigious accolade that puts this quality establishment  ahead of all its competitors which will be no surprise to any customers to its premises in Northdown Road. Silent Gliss, tel: 01843 863571, a truly world-class manufacturer in Broadstairs, introduced its unique system of panel glides earlier this year as “New Inspirations” and “Effortless Movement” which sum up its classy approach as the leading global supplier of motorised and manual curtain and blind systems to the high end market. Twin Towers Trading, tel: 01843 232346, knows a thing or two about the power of slogans to promote a product. With a worldwide client base, this company markets The World’s Sharpest Knife, The Great Wok of China and, intriguingly, The Euro Chopper which is currently not available in New Zealand and nor should it be; western Europe is underpopulated as it is. Twin Towers trading has a remarkable range of skincare products jewellery and useful gadgets for the kitchen. Sometimes a simple descriptive phrase is enough. WW Martin, tel: 01843 591 584, is one of the South East’s most successful construction companies. With an order book that includes a £1 million contract to build offices and welfare units for Thanet Offshore Windfarm, WW Martin has hundreds of satisfied customers throughout the private and public sectors which more than justifies its claim to be “Working in close partnership with clients to ensure high quality buildings on time and within budget”.  Doing what you promise to do is of course, the best advertisement there is, or as Ronseal first put it in 1994, “It does exactly what it says on the tin”. Even Bruce Forsyth couldn’t beat that one.



9. Fanatic

Next Wednesday’s Hotel & Restaurants Forum will include a briefing on the opportunities for businesses arising from the Open Championship in July 2011. One Chamber member has contacted the Thanet & East Kent Insider with his own account of the fanatical devotion that some sports inspire. According to Mr X of Lakeside Business Park, a colleague of his was once stranded for eight years on a remote Pacific island with just sufficient food and water to sustain life: well, that’s the way he tells it, anyway. No television, no family, no general election and no Bruce Forsyth. While strolling along the beach one morning, our latter-day Robinson Crusoe was surprised by an astoundingly beautiful woman emerging from the surf in a full wetsuit. As she removed her face mask, her lovely blond hair tumbled onto her rubber-clad shoulders. In a soft voice she said, “How long is it since you had a real drink?” “Eight years”, our friend mumbled. The vision in black unzipped a pocket on the right of her wet suit and handed over a bottle of single malt whisky which he immediately opened and took a long gulp with supreme satisfaction. “And how long, is it”, she continued, “since you had a good smoke?”. “Eight years”, our friend blurted out, almost completely mesmerised. The angel from the deep unzipped a pocket on the left of her wet suit and took out a perfectly preserved Cohiba Siglo VI Havanna cigar from Hunters & Frankau which the island’s sole resident accepted with grateful thanks. Then, with one hand on the zip that ran down the centre of her wet suit, the blond lovely said, “And have you had any fun at all on the island?” Our man could not contain himself any longer and shouted, “My God. I can’t believe it. Don’t tell me you’ve got some golf clubs in there as well?”

10. 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.

Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

10^th April 2010 Issue No.: 

1. Thanet Switches On

It began at 10 seconds before midday at the Marlowe Academy. The assembled group of directors, supporters and technicians was crowded into the hi-tech Studio I as the countdown began. At exactly 1200 hrs on 6th April 2010, station manager Pete Willson came on air for the launch of 107.8 Academy FM. In an uncharacteristically emotional voice, Pete welcomed listeners to Thanet’s community radio station; the ultimate professional understandably betraying his relief and joy at finally coming on air. Since director David Atkey sketched out the first plans some six years previously, turning a good idea into a fully functioning reality has not been easy. There must have been times when the former BBC producer might have wished he was back behind the scenes at Live Aid coaxing performances out of Paul McCartney, Queen and Bob Geldof as the forces of officialdom almost strangled the station at birth. Difficulties in securing the right wavelength and recent delays in reaching agreement with authorities in France and Belgium were mercifully put aside as David reviewed the best wishes pouring into the studio from across East Kent. The first on-air telephone call to Pete Willson came from the Principal of the Marlowe Academy, Ian Johnson, who had interrupted his Easter holidays to join in the celebrations. Ian was quick to point out that 107.8 Academy FM was conceived as a community resource from which all residents and students in the area can benefit. As well as staff at the Marlowe Academy, former Thanet College Chairman of Governors, Paul Trumble, and parliamentary candidate Laura Sandys have contributed considerable time and advice. Many public and private individuals have also joined East Kent’s greatest benefactor, Roger De Haan, to ensure that the station has the funds to operate until the end of the year.  The Thanet & East Kent Chamber is working closely with 107.8 Academy FM on a sustainable future for Thanet’s newest media outlet and looks forward to representing the voice of business on its airways.



2. Who Will Listen to 107.8 Academy FM?

In the successful application to Ofcom of 14 November 2008, the mission statement of Academy FM was defined as aiming to “unite, support, involve and serve the Thanet community, to promote social gain and broaden listener choice”. Later in the application we learn that “radio is a one to one medium, where we talk to our listeners, not at them” which might be news to Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand, but seems sensible enough to the rest of us. A lively mix of music, news, sport, phone-ins, discussions and ‘in the armchair’ interviews should ensure that locals receive an attractive blend of information and entertainment to keep them interested around the clock. Sure to tune in are the signatories to the original application. Joining the Thanet & East Chamber and the aforementioned supporters in 2008 were names familiar to the East Kent coastal business community including  Cllr Steve Ward of Ramsgate,  Barry Coppock of Wantsum Savers, Keith Morris of Thanet Community Development Trust, Richard Samuel of Thanet District Council,  Chief Inspector Mark Nottage and Sergeant Sue Groombridge of the local police, Penny Dadds of Margate Jobcentre, Roger Gale MP, Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, Sue Buss of Thanet College, Cllr  Margaret Sheldrick of Birchington, Bernadette Whitlock of Thanet District Citizens Advice Bureau,  Jan Askew of East Kent Coastal NHS,  Frances Rehal of SureStart, Susan Priest of SEEDA and Andy Somers of Hartsdown College.



3. Hotels, Restaurants and The Open 2011

The Chamber Hotels & Restaurants Forum scheduled to take place on Wednesday 28th April 2010 at 1500 hrs at the Chamber HQ at the Kent Innovation Centre, Broadstairs will feature a short presentation from our associates at Dover District Council (DCC) on the opportunities for boosting business when the Open Championship returns to Sandwich in 2011. DDC has acquired an enviable reputation for supporting retailers in the district and its officers are keen to maximise the income for East Kent businesses from the moneyed visitors expected in July next year. Hotels and restaurants in the East Kent coastal business community can get ahead of the game by joining this informal gathering of like-minded professionals interested in sharing best practice and promoting business-to-business exchanges. Delegates will also be encouraged to promote business-to-business exchanges and find useful links to support their sales and marketing campaigns. Of interest to anyone with management responsibility in the hospitality sector, the forum is open to registered members of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber and the Dover District Chamber of Commerce and their associates. There is a nominal charge of £5.00 for Chamber members and £15.00 for non-members payable on arrival which covers room hire, tea, coffee, biscuits and administration. To register, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Chamber Hotel & Restaurants Form”.



4. Thanet Business Exhibition

Businesses of all sizes are invited to attend the Thanet Business Exhibition on 11 June 2010 at G Casino Westwood Cross. Stands are available at prices from £160.00. Companies looking to boost their sales in East Kent are invited to contact organiser, Graham Rayner, tel: 078998 73535 for details. For booking forms email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Thanet Business Exhibition”.



5. Port Privatisation Lunch

As noted in previous editions, the Port of Dover has presented privatisation proposals to the Secretary of State for Transport with a view to securing £400m of investment to build a new cruise terminal, a £30m marina and improvements to access roads. Around 14m passengers pass through the port each year as well as 100,000 coaches and 2.3m HGVs. The inadequacies of the road infrastructure bring misery to East Kent businesses and local residents every time severe weather or industrial action blocks the port. Operation Stack means No Operations for many businesses and unacceptable delays for all of us. With our associates at the Dover District Chamber of Commerce we are working with the Port of Dover to find a solution, see page 13 of “Our Plan for the Next Generation; Ferry Terminal 2” at http://www.doverport.co.uk/?page=PortDevelopment    We make no comment on the political aspects of privatisation, but we do agree that all serious traffic projections forecast increases in vehicles at the port and a remedy must be found. Keen to work with the two main business support organisations in the East Kent coastal business community, the Dover Harbour Board Chief Executive, Dr Bob Goldfield will be giving a briefing exclusively to Chamber members at lunchtime on Friday 30th April 2010. For details, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Dover Port Lunch”. For a free copy of this Chamber’s three-page submission to the Secretary of State, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Dover Privatisation Submission”.



6. Turner Contemporary Business Breakfast

Oh yes it has. Oh no it hasn’t. The pantomime approach may have been a feature once of the Turner Contemporary gallery as locals wondered if this project was ever going to start. Understandably, a certain scepticism greeted the news that the funding had been secured and a world-class gallery was going to be built on terra firma in Margate, better known for its amusement arcades, Dreamland (see the Thanet & East Kent Insider of 27 March 2010) and tasty seafood at the end of the Harbour Arm. As Frankie Howerd used to say, ‘Titter ye not”. Not only is the David Chipperfield designed building a reality, but the builders are already securing the roof. Gross Max Landscape Architects and David Chipperfield Architects are now turning their attention to the design of the external landscape. The project is on course to open to the public in Spring 2011. On 11 May 2010, Paul Gray, the charismatic Head of Operations and Resources Operations at the Turner Contemporary, will be presenting the latest developments at a business breakfast arranged exclusively for the Thanet & East Kent Chamber but open to all. Of interest to every local business, Paul’s talk will outline the role of this iconic building in helping the East Kent coastal business community grow and flourish; he should know as he used to work at Kew Gardens.



7. Chamber Golf Day

The East Kent coastal business community’s biggest golf tournament will take place at the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club on 8 October 2010. Originally featuring a team contest between the Thanet & East Kent Chamber and the Dover District Chambers of Commerce, the tournament has now grown to include eight competitions and is attracting interest from overseas companies. Tournament director, Justin Bishop, is confident that the growth of recent years will continue. Prizes on offer include a new car. Bookings are already ahead of last year and any companies wishing to enter a team of four players are asked to email as soon as possible our events team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  with the subject line “Chamber Golf Day”.



8. Travel & Leisure Show

On Sunday 28th March the third KOS Media Travel & Leisure Show took place at Dover Cruise Terminal and attracted a steady stream of trade and private visitors. The recent boom in cruise holidays was reflected in the interest shown in cruise ships calling at Dover. The last annual report of the Port of Dover revealed a 9.1% increase in cruise ships but a 28.9% rise in revenue; a staggering increase in a recessionary trading environment.  Retailers throughout East Kent would clearly benefit from attracting more independent cruise ship passengers to their sales counters. Visitors to the Travel & Leisure Show had to pass a beautifully presented brand new coach belonging to Carol Peters Travel which offers extended leg room and full facilities. Managing Director, Peter Howe, is keen to build on recent successes and, like many Thanet & East Kent Chamber members, has full confidence in the economic future of East Kent. Tight cost control and a heavy emphasis on customer service allow this company to compete on price and still invest nearly £250,000 in each new coach. An enterprising approach was also the order of the day from the Powell Cotton Museum, Quex House & Gardens, tel: 1843 842168, which provided a presentation featuring characters in full Victorian dress distributing own-brand potato crisps and an inspiring talk from a reincarnation of Major Percy Horace Gordon Powell-Cotton (1866-1940).   The museum has a first-class reputation overseas and yet mysteriously there are still residents of East Kent who have never been there.  Feeling guilty? Telephone 01843 842168 for details. Kent International Airport at Manston had one of the busiest stands as visitors queued for information on the new low cost Flybe flights to Edinburgh starting on 27 May this year. Booking well in advance at www.Flybe.com secures the best prices.  In summary, Liz Hare and her team at KOS Media made a great success of the third Travel & Leisure show which has now become a firm feature in the travel sector’s marketing calendar. If you have a crush on a cruise, give a call to Chamber member “That’s My Cruise”, tel: 0800 028 9754. Vincent or Sandra will be pleased to help.



9. Chamber Diary Dates

It’s happening now, it’s happening in Thanet & East Kent.



10. We are Wonderful …Yuk

The Thanet & East Kent Chamber receives many unsolicited corporate magazines from national companies in London and the big cities anxious to inform us how wonderful they are. Perhaps some of them are, but the text is often obscure and the images even more so. Pictures of one inebriated member of staff in evening dress at a Manchester hotel presenting another member of staff with an award does not make for the most riveting story nor necessarily inspire the reader to purchase the products or services being promoted. There is a threshold of acceptability regarding self-promotion which ends at the first line of text that states ‘We are wonderful’ or similar. Also, equanimity and metal health are not enhanced by a constant stream of advertising telling us that we are too fat, too unfashionable and do not smell right. How much more enlightening it is then for others to blow your trumpet so that you can just sit back and enjoy the music. Excessive modesty and an overriding duty to promote the corporate interests of our members prevents the Thanet & East Kent Chamber from singing its own praises, but we are happy for others to comment, as the selection of unsolicited correspondence at item 11 below shows.



11. Voice of Readers

‘As ever a great newsletter’ Thanet District Council; ‘Fantastic weekly newsletter’ Royal Harbour Hotel; ‘Class as ever!’ Ramsgate Estates; ‘Always a good read’ Barclays Corporate; ‘Great newsletter as always. Not being a local yokel myself I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Elvis yet – I don’t think!’ Big Solutions Ltd; ‘I always read with interest as I find them so informative of what is going on in Thanet and, as in this case, the UK’ Harrington Associates; ‘We have become avid readers of the TEKC updates, we must congratulate you on such a well written and informative newsletter. I read very little unless I have to, so this is a true accolade!’ Lavender Blue Media Ltd. ‘Excellent news. Really good!’ KM Group; ‘Excellent work’ CARISS; ‘An excellent mix of valuable information and amusing chat. Very readable. Well done and best wishes to you and your team.’ Start Anywhere; ‘Just a quick thank you for these informative - and often entertaining! – newsletters’ Canterbury Christ Church University; ‘First off, I just wanted to say how enjoyable I find your newsletter.  I receive a number of Chamber newsletters around the Kent area weekly and monthly and by far, yours is the most informative, well-written and entertaining.  The small snippets are easy to digest, to the point, and often make me chuckle and it is the only one I read in its entirety every week.’ 5 Star Computer Systems Ltd; ‘It’s great to have someone making connections.’ Margate Harbour Arm; ‘Just to say how much I enjoyed the presentation yesterday. Really well organised- great speakers and a great opportunity for the people of Thanet to ‘grasp.’ Barclays Business Banking; ‘Congratulations on the Breakfast Meeting, I’m blown away by the quality of the last two Breakfast Meetings.” Mach Associates. The only official comment that the Chamber can make is that it is comforting to know that we are blessed with readers of such perspicacity and objective judgment.



12. That’s Nothing

Item 10 refers to the perils of bragging to potential clients. There is always a risk in such instances that you expose your weaknesses so that a competitor will appear promoting a bigger, better, cheaper product. Of course, your competitor may not always be telling the truth. One Chamber member in the timber trade has sent us this anecdote. You must judge for yourself if it is entirely reliable. Three tree surgeons were sitting at a bar in Maidstone bragging about the prowess of their ancestors who had all been lumberjacks. One said, “My great grandfather lived in Sherwood Forest and could move an axe so fast that in one month he felled 250 trees.” “That’s nothing”, said his fellow professional on the next bar stool, “My great, great grandfather lived in the Canadian wilderness and was so strong that in one month he felled 250 trees, chopped them up into bundles of firewood and delivered them to the homes of needy pensioners throughout British Colombia. The third tree surgeon, a slim 75 year-old, had sat on his bar stool in dignified silence throughout this but finally volunteered, “My great, great, great ….. grandfather lived in the Sahara Forest and…” He got no further as he was interrupted with, “Surely you mean the Sahara Desert?” To which he replied, “Oh sure, it’s called the Sahara Desert now.”  



13. 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.

Your Business Bulletin from Thanet & East Kent Chamber

Thanet & East Kent Insider

27^th March 2010 Issue No.: 

1. Dreamland Has Woken Up

Last Wednesday, the Thanet & East Kent hosted a business breakfast at the Fayreness Hotel entitled “Dreamland Wakes Up”. Chamber members enjoyed an animated networking session and a cooked English breakfast served at table before the Chamber Chief Executive introduced to a full house the main speaker, Jonathan Bryant, Project Director.  Any lingering doubts about the viability of the world’s first Heritage Amusement Park were quickly put to rest as Jonathan outlined the funding received to date and the rigorous business plan being formulated to ensure that the venue will be able to generate the revenue to meet its future running costs. Tracing the origins of Dreamland to a restaurant and dance hall which opened in 1863, Jonathan gave a lively account of the colourful owners to date who have included ‘Lord’ George Sanger, John Henry Iles, Billy Butlin, the Benbom Brothers and local entrepreneur, Jimmy Godden. Jonathan paid a warm tribute to the Chairman and founder of the Dreamland Trust, Nick Laister, “He knows more about seaside amusement parks than anyone else in the UK” and confirmed that a full team will be in place shortly to ensure an opening in spring 2012. 



2. What Can Dreamland Do For Us?

Not much if you live in the Shetland Isles, but, an article in The Times on 3rd February 2003 noted, “One-fifth of all visitors to Thanet come for Dreamland”.  The decline in trade in Margate High Street owes much to the closure of Dreamland later that year. Margate may currently host the largest number of empty shops in the country and the end of Margate Harbour Arm may now be an unsightly building site, but the opening of the Turner Contemporary Gallery next year and the new Dreamland around twelve months later is going to bring serious trade to Margate retailers. There is no doubt that investors who have ignored Thanet’s coastal towns in the past are now showing a lively interest in the still relatively modest property prices. Suddenly the realisation that that cramped studio flat in Kensington could fund an office block in Margate and still leave enough left over for holiday flat and a lifetime membership of the local Golf Club does not look so dumb. As one local developer said in a telephone call to the Chamber, “There are a lot of personalised number plates driving around Margate at the weekends.”



3. Will the new Dreamland be like the old one?

The simple answer is ‘No’. The new amusement park will cover around half of the Dreamland site, the other half is scheduled for private sector development. The scenic railway is one of the prized treasures and will be restored to operations. The Dreamland Trust has already acquired many of the former attractions and has recently purchased a big wheel. Jonathan welcomes new ideas but he is keen for the new Dreamland to be attractive to families and tourists of all ages and not to be characterized as a museum of past attractions. Key to the right creative dynamism will be the design, colour schemes, concessions and catering available on site. Above all, Jonathan wants to ensure that “all visitors have a fun day out”. In questions afterwards, amusement was the order of the day when Jonathan said that he did not think a McDonald’s outlet would be appropriate for the site. The next question came from Paul Crocker, manager of five McDonald’s restaurants in Kent and a raging success at all of them.  Chamber member Paul has more reason than most to complain. In fact, like all retailers present, Paul is delighted at the resurgence of Margate’s premier tourist venue and is probably already ordering an increase in supplies in anticipation of increased business.  Given Paul’s long-standing support to the community and Jonathan’s keen interest in securing a sound commercial model, the Thanet & East Kent Insider suspects that cooperation is not impossible. After all, McDonald’s UK describes Paul as one of its most successful franchisees, “He does this by getting out into the community, and seizing every opportunity there is to sponsor events and distribute vouchers so that people have an incentive to visit.” See http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/about-us/franchise/case-study.shtml Well, Jonathan did ask for ideas.



4. Calling Hotels & Restaurants

Following the success of the previous Thanet & East Kent Chamber Forum meetings on Property, IT, Consultants, Grants and Training, the Chamber Hotels & Restaurants Forum will take place on Wednesday 28th April 2010 at 1500 hrs at the Chamber HQ at the Kent Innovation Centre, Broadstairs.  The forum will be an informal gathering of like-minded professionals interested in sharing best practice and promoting business-to-business exchanges. Beginning with a short presentation on measures to boost income and reduce costs, delegates will be encouraged to promote business-to-business exchanges and find useful links to support their sales and marketing campaigns. Of interest to anyone with a management responsibility in the hospitality sector, the forum is open to registered members of the Thanet & East Kent Chamber and their associates. There is a nominal charge of £5.00 for Chamber members and £15.00 for non-members payable on arrival which covers room hire, tea, coffee, biscuits and administration. To register, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Chamber Hotel & Restaurants Form”.



5. Easter By The Sea

The Thanet Coast Project is organizing a series of Easter events along the East Kent coast. These include the celebrated Roc Dock Walk from Kingsgate at 1100 hrs on Easter Monday, Surfing Lessons, Easter Egg Hunts, Storytelling Walks and Clean Up initiatives when children can get themselves dirty and parents are not allowed to complain. All the aforementioned are free. At cost is the Sea Safaris Easter Special for just £12.00;  landlubbers are taken by boat to the Kent’s largest National Nature Reserve at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay with a good chance of seeing seals and local wildlife.  A great programme for all the family. For details, contact Tony, Suzie or Rebecca at the Thanet Coast Project by telephone to 01843 577672 or 01843 577409 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As this Chamber is always saying, “It’s happening now, it’s happening in Thanet & East Kent”.



6. Campaign To Keep It Unique

Fresh from its brief encounter with Gary Lineker, Frank Lampard, Jenson Button Pamela Anderson, and Marco Pierre White, see the Thanet & East Kent Insider of 13th March 2010, Sandwich is already preparing itself for an influx of visitors for the world’s premier golf tournament due to take place from 15th July next year. Curiously, the website “Golfing in Kent” appears to have renamed The Open Championship as The British Open. The Thanet & East Kent Insider has always considered that one of the Unique Selling Points of our championship is that it was the first and is therefore entitled to be billed without a national epithet. The same distinction is enjoyed by our stamps which uniquely in the world do not state the country of origin. Will Golfing in Kent based in Rochester be campaigning with the Post Office to redesign our stamps? We should be told. See http://www.golfinginkent.co.uk/



7. Grab The Money Before Someone Else Does

It may come as a surprise to some readers of the Thanet & East Kent Insider that Scottish bank notes are not legal tender in England. In Scotland, English bank notes are not legal tender and, curiously, neither are Scottish bank notes. This is an anomaly that does not seem to worry most people unduly. After all, legal tender has a narrow technical meaning and parties to a transaction are free to agree to accept any form of payment. A debtor cannot be sued successfully for non-payment when paying into court in legal tender, but the exact amount should be offered as there is no requirement to give change. For the technically minded and those who like going to pub quizzes and never seem to win anything, here are the legal tender amounts in England and Wales.

If any Chamber member is considering refusing service to a customer paying with genuine Scottish bank notes, be advised that there is probably a competitor around the corner only too willing to accept them and who is at liberty to exchange them at full value at a bank or post office. If any readers feel they have problems with excessive amounts of Scottish bank notes, the Thanet & East Kent Chamber would be pleased to relieve them of the anxiety.



8. The More You Practise, The Luckier You Get

If you are one of those golfers, like the editor of these columns, who has no difficulty hitting the woods, the problem is getting the ball out of them, you will appreciate the value of regular practice at Stoneless Golf Centre, tel: 01843 823133. A new clubhouse due to open in the first week of April and a new function room to follow in July are evidence of the success of Stonelees in attracting new members to the club located in Ebbsfleet Lane, Ramsgate.  Suzannah and Rob Chapman are offering annual membership fees in three categories; Birdie at £460, Eagle at £500 and Albatross at £550. All of them allow playing on seven days a week on one or more of the three courses. Included in the fees are discounts on the driving range and simulator and a £25 voucher for the bar; a useful refuge where you can explain your excuses to your playing partners for spending so much time looking for your ball in the woods.



9. London To Paris

Rob Evans of Boys & Maughan Solicitors is planning a sponsored bike ride from London to Paris. Go for it Rob. May you have good weather and a following wind. Raising awareness of testicular and prostate cancer can only be good, especially for cyclists. We hope that the terms and conditions of his ride from London to Paris also allow him to return. If not, we are sure that he knows a good lawyer. Rob will be passing by the site of the Battle of Crécy in 1346; widely viewed as the punch up with the French that represented the final flourish of classic chivalry, we trust that when he returns, he will still be as polite and good-mannered as before. If not, we will have to say to him “On yer bike”. We wish Rob all the best.



10. Dover Port Privatisation

As noted in some detail in the Thanet & East Kent Insider of 6 March 2010, the Port of Dover is giving serious consideration to changing its status from a trust port to a private company. This has significant implications for the Port of Ramsgate which is under public ownership and would benefit from new capital investment. In liaison with our associates at the Dover District Chamber of Commerce, we have forwarded a submission to the Secretary of State, Lord Adonis. The three-page commentary follows extensive consultations with companies in the East Kent coastal business community. We have also discussed the substantive issues with clubs, voluntary groups, democratically elected public bodies and our own Chamber Port Advisory Group. We have encouraged detailed representations that are SMART, i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. Readers might be interested to know that the scale of the development proposed requires a Harbour Revision Order that is decided by the Secretary of State and not the local planning authority. Thus we have an obligation to give particular attention to the infrastructure surrounding Dover and the effect on our roads and lay-bys throughout East Kent. Any interruptions in service at Dover Ferry Port produce unacceptable delays to domestic commercial vehicles on an already inadequate road network. Anyone who has had their journey interrupted through Operation Stack will also share the concern of East Kent local authorities and the Port of Dover itself that the 10,000 lorries per day that pass through Dover require adequate overnight parking facilities which currently do not exist. To receive your copy of the Chamber’s final submission, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Dover Privatisation Submission”.



11. Academy FM 107.8

With all the inward investment coming to Thanet from windfarms, the airport, the Turner Contemporary and a new Dreamland, you might think that Thanet deserves its own radio station.  You are quite right and now it has got one.  Academy FM will hit the airwaves with full force at 1200 hrs on Monday 5th April 2010. The driving force behind the non-profit making community station is David Atkey, Project and Operations Director and former BBC Radio One Executive Producer. David promises “an entertaining mix of music and discussion”. The Thanet & East Kent Chamber looks forward to providing the voice of business and will be taking a full part in supporting the Academy FM team both in their studios at the Marlowe Academy and in the outside broadcasts around the Isle of Thanet. Station Manager, Pete Willson, has enjoyed a stellar career at KMFM, Maidstone Radio and Invicta FM and will be bringing that local experience to bear as he hosts the 0700 – 1000 hrs Academy FM breakfast show. This will feature a guest for the “In the Armchair” interview as well as regular updates on travel, sport, local and national news. It’s happening now, it’s happening in Thanet and East Kent.



12. Easter News Break

As last year, the Thanet & East Kent Insider will be taking an Easter break next week. We will be returning on 10th April 2010 with more support for our sponsors and three additional new ones. We thank all correspondents for their input and especially the comment that “It is about time you improved the lay-out”. We agree and we will, but we will enjoy our Easter Eggs first.



13. Tiger Woods Returns

Regular readers will know that this Chamber is promoting links with Edinburgh in preparation for the launch of the Flybe flights from Kent International Airport at Manston. Our international contacts extend across the Atlantic, as the following golfing story from Georgia shows. In preparation for the Masters Championship and his rehabilitation into the public eye, Tiger Woods allegedly asked veteran golfer Arnold Palmer to accompany him on a round at the famous Augusta National Golf Club course where the great Arnie had won four times. When Tiger’s ball landed behind a 90 ft fir tree, he turned to Arnie and said, “Now what?” Arnie replied, “When this happened to me in 1964, I just blasted it over the tree and went on to win the tournament by six shots.” Tiger duly took out his favourite sand iron and hit the ball as high as he possibly could. The ball hit the tree smartly with a resounding THWACK and returned to land neatly at his feet. Disappointed beyond measure, Tiger turned to Arnie and said, “Look, how on earth did you manage to clear that tree?” “Easy”, said Arnie, “You see forty-six years ago that tree was only four foot high.”



14. 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.