Shop Doctors & Business Hub Event Network Meeting will be held at Congleton Town Hall, Congleton on Wednesday 15th September, as detailed above.
Retail business specialist; Bill Smith will meet up with 12 retailers to offer individual advice covering areas that include:
· Increasing Customer Spend
· Enhancing Visual Impact
· Maximizing Display Space
· Improving Profit
After this Bill will give a presentation to summaries the key points, issues and solutions identified within businesses.
Cheshire East’s Recovery Task Group and partner agencies will also be there to provide assistance on accessing available grants and to provide further information and support for business needs.

Appointments with Bill Smith are available on a first-come, first-served basis so to avoid disappointment book early by contacting Jacqueline Wilson, Business Engagement Co-ordinator at Cheshire East Council, Email:jacqueline.Wilson@cheshireeast.gov.uk or Tel: 01270 685911

If you would like to book onto the Business Event, please Email:
Kayleigh.jones@eastcheeshirechamber.co.uk or Tel: 01260 540570 for a booking form.
This is a FREE OF CHARGE EVENT.

We look forward to seeing you on 15th September.

Yours sincerely

David Watson
Chamber Director

Work pressures during the recession have caused a rise in stress-related conditions, a new study suggests.

According to leading mental health charity Mind, as many as one in 11 British workers have been to the GP for stress and anxiety related to the financial squeeze.

One in five admitted that work stress had made them physically ill, and one in four had been reduced to tears at work because of unmanageable pressure.

Mind is calling on companies to improve the atmosphere in workplaces and show more understanding about mental health problems. “Working conditions have been incredibly tough for the last couple of years,” said Mind's Chief Executive, Paul Farmer.

“It’s more important than ever that businesses look at how they can manage stress levels and improve the working environment for all their employees.”

It is believed that some companies may have cut back on the support they offer workers due to the difficult financial environment, but there is now growing recognition that this could be a false economy.

Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan is available to all members of East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce. The plan includes an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), now considered an essential part of an employer’s risk management package.

The EAP provides employees with access to a 24-hour freephone counselling and advice line and up to six face-to-face counselling sessions. Fully qualified telephone counsellors are available day or night and can advise on issues such as stress, anxiety, money management, depression or problems at work.

For more information about the Chamber Primary Health Plan, please visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber or call 0845 6021629, available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Steve Nicholls of Profile Solutions Ltd said “After attending many different networking events over the years, I considered the choice of members venue, mix of businesses and running of the event was ideal and found it easy to get round to talk to a wide range of business owners. The ability to follow-up with members that I didn’t have time to talk to is a real help. Looking forward to the next event.” 

Verity Deaville of Deaville & Co said “A big thank you for the spotlight opportunity – already had one room booking.”  

Andrew Trowell of Call-Sense UK Ltd said “Thank you for your welcome at the Chamber network meeting. The hospitality from the Burns team was excellent. Whilst Call-Sense has been a member for some time this was my first attendance. I found the meeting very valuable and made 6 sound contacts which are all being followed up.”

Paul Armitt of Greenfield Environmental Services said “Just to say thanks for the introductions at the Chamber network .... a useful day of which I’m sure we’ll attend many more.”  

Robert Burns, proprietor of Burns Garages gave a short presentation about the history of Burns Garages and advised attendees of the services they offer, not only new and used car sales, but also first class vehicle servicing, accident management programmes and much more.

i2i (Imagination 2 Image) are the official photographers for “The Ford RS Owners Club”. Based locally i2i provide photographic cover for all the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce network events and the chamber awards. Under their other company name “Interschnapz Action Photography” they have provided official photography for the Ford RS Owners Club and started working with them on their very first National Day held at Donington Park motor racing circuit back in 1991. Initially, they photographed the member’s cars (on film then!!) going round the circuit during tracktime sessions. Over the years, it is developed into covering the club’s PR photograph through to printing images on the day and creating a valuable library from all the events.

The RSOC is one of the oldest car clubs in the UK with a very large loyal following. The events are always well attended and make a great day out for all the family. Further details on future events can be found on the RSOC club web site or contact i2i on 01270 886289 or info@imagination2image.co.uk.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and their networking meetings should contact them on 01260 540 570 or e-mail chris.whitehead@eastcheshirechamber.co.uk or just call in at their offices at Riverside, Mountbatten Way, Congleton.

VENUE: Riverside, Congleton

TIME: 9.30am – 4pm

COST: £85 + VAT (Chamber members)

           £105 + VAT (non members)

Price includes refreshments

First-aid can save lives and could prevent minor injuries becoming major ones. If someone suffered an epileptic fit or heart attack at your workplace, would you know what to do? If you had a heart attack would one of your colleagues know what to do?  The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require all employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to enable first aid to be given to their employees if they are injured or become ill at work.

The minimum requirements for first aid for any workplace are:

•  A suitably stocked first aid container
•  A person appointed to take charge of first aid arrangements
• Information for all employees on first aid arrangements

The 1 day Emergency First Aid at Work workshop covers:

• legal framework / record keeping
• managing an emergency
• use of equipment / first aid box
• managing a casualty who is unconscious and/or in seizure (basic life support)
• personal hygiene procedures
• managing a bleeding casualty
• manage a casualty suffering from choking or shock
• manage a casualty suffering from minor injuries

The tutor will provide ongoing assessment throughout the course and the certificate achieved is valid for 3 years.

If you would like to book on a course or require any further information, please contact Janthea Maddocks on 01260 290682 or <mailto:janthea@chambertraining.co.uk> . Alternatively, please complete a booking form and return it to us along with your payment.

Click here to download a booking form

VENUE: Riverside, Congleton

TIME: 9.30am – 4.30pm

COST: £105 + VAT (Chamber members) 

            £125 + VAT (non members)

Price includes refreshments and lunch

• Topics covered include:
• The International Supply Chain
• INCOTERMS
• Risk and Responsibility of the Exporter
• Payment Methods
• Export Credit Insurance
• Commercial Documents
• Shipping & Transport Documents
• Documentary Compliance
• Freight Insurance
• International Logistics
• Use of Freight Agents
• Use of Shipping Lines
• Load Lists and Cargo Manifests
• Origin Requirements
• Certificates of Origin
• Movement Certificates
• The Export Tariff
• Commodity Codes
• Customs Procedures
• The NES Export Declaration
• Compliances
• INTRASTAT
• Record-keeping
• Electronic Records

If you would like to book on a course or require any further information, please contact Janthea Maddocks on 01260 290682 or mailto:janthea@chambertraining.co.uk . Alternatively, please complete a booking form and return it to us along with your payment.

Click here to download a booking form

Chamber Business Network Meeting

12.00 – 14.00 hrs   Wednesday 14th July 2010
Burns Garages, Canal Street, Congleton, CW12 3AA

The next Chamber Business Network meeting will be held at Burns Garages, Congleton on Wednesday, 14^th July, as detailed above.

Burns Garages have kindly offered to hold the network meeting at their premises in Canal Road and as well as the opportunity to network with other members and develop new contacts and relationships, there will also be the added bonus of seeing first hand the showroom and its facilities including:

•  A quick presentation on economic driving and the environment using the Ford Range
• A tour of their workshop and practical demonstration of a routine maintenance
• The opportunity to look at the entire Ford range – a special offer on top of the already discounted prices for attendees who purchase following the meeting
• £100 discount on insurance excess on becoming members to the Accident Management Group

Please note, that there is limited parking on site and the maximum number of cars that will be able to park there will be 20 which will be located at the top entrance above the showroom. Public parking is available on Chapel Street.

We always urge our members to bring along any promotional material they may have. However, on this occasion, unfortunately there will not be sufficient space to accommodate any free standing advertising modules.

If you would like to book onto the event, please telephone 01260 540570 for a booking form.  Cheques should be made payable to “East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce”

We look forward to seeing you on 14th July.

Yours sincerely

David Watson
Chamber Manager

Coach & Horses
Chamber Golf Champions 2010

Wychwood Park Golf Club, Crewe was again the excellent venue for the Annual East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Golf Day on a glorious sunny June day, 19 teams negotiated the undulating fairways and quick greens of the Championship course but with a score of 90 points Coach & Horses’ team of Jon Cann, Rob Hendry, Paul Woodbine and Trevor Brennand claimed the winner’s trophies. Plastosac finished runners-up with an impressive 89 points and Provoke Marketing who claimed third place with 87 points.

Kate Green (Hampton Dean Construction Ltd) won the best individual lady’s score. Matt Westrup (Genesys International Ltd) claimed the longest drive trophy on the 4^th with Mark Taylor (One for Instrumentation) taking the nearest the pin trophy on the 11^th. As preparation to the main event a putting competition was held with Matty McCartney (Plastosac) beating Ian Micklewright (Auto Legal Protection Services) in a playoff to take the price. On the day a new BMW Mini Cooper S Convertible was also offered by Blue Bell BMW Crewe for a hole in one on the 17^th but despite all efforts from the competitors no one managed to hole out, maybe next year.

Following an excellent meal of Roast Beef, David Watson, Managing Director of East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce gave a short speech thanking all of the sponsors for supporting the day and the ground staff at Wychwood Park for presenting the course in such excellent condition.

On the day £1,146.00 was raised for Leonard Cheshire Disability and £325.00 for Franklyn Financial Management Ltd chosen charity (St James’s Place Foundation), following a prize raffle and auction hosted by Bernard Rooney of Blue Bell BMW Crewe. We would also like to thank the events sponsors Blue Bell BMW Crewe, Fisher German Chartered Surveyors, Dane Mill Business Centre, Franklyn Financial Management Ltd, Mitten Clarke Chartered Accountants, DP Sportswear, Hampton Dean Construction Ltd, Nat West and Business Link.