August update on the Uckfield business scene
Dragon Signs is going from strength to strength based on a business philosophy which states: "We always treat our customers as we would wish to be treated ourselves”.
The business offers signs and promotional material for a wide range of uses including: commercial and retail, boats, vehicles, flags and banners, personal clothing and promotional items, windows and frosted glass and “other items” – just ask, writes Paul Watson.
Hugh Potter, who runs the business, said they pride themselves for being known for supplying signage people want, when they want it and at a price that suits the budget.
“We will always offer the highest quality materials to suit your budgets, no matter how large or small the job, quality and workmanship are never compromised at any price,” he said.
Dragon Signs offers a full in-house design service, from original concept to the finished article.
Mr Potter was born and brought up in Uckfield and his parents still live in the town. He is closely connected with the town’s rugby club.
The photographs show rugby shirts and signs at Holy Cross School, Uckfield.
Pension options
Employers need to look at all pension options and not just grab the first one that comes into view. That’s the advice from Horlock Holdcroft Financial Consultants Ltd which held a seminar on work-place pension reforms at the civic centre last month.
The aim was to give employers more information about a law which comes into effect this October requiring them to provide a pension scheme and make contributions on behalf of their staff.
Jeremy Hallett, a financial adviser at Horlock Holdcroft, said the seminar went well and helped make employers aware that they should look at all pension options “rather than just signing up when something comes through the post or a salesman from one of the pension schemes makes contact with them”.
He added: “We are trying to instil this idea of making sure you get options reviewed with all financial planning, because otherwise you are relying on luck that the one put in front of you is any good, and also right for you personally.”
New payroll rules
Chartered Accountants Swindells is warning employers to be ready for “significant changes” to the way payroll information has to be submitted to HM Revenue and Customs.
The new system of Real Time Information is mandatory and is to be implemented from April 2013.
Development worries
Concerns about the effect of the new planning rules designed to protect the Ashdown Forest continue to grow in Uckfield.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce challenged the Wealden District Council cabinet member for planning and development at a meeting.
Cllr Roy Galley was told the new regulation was stifling economic development in the town.
He was urged to do more to get the planning inspector’s ruling reversed.
Full story here
Childminder vacancies
Ofsted-registered childminder Sharon Wall has vacancies for local children if anybody is looking for child care.
She is based in the Ridgewood area and looks to provide a happy, homely environment engaging in a wide variety of activities. You can read more about Sharon here
Diary to printers
Sue Edwards, who runs Virtual Assistant Sussex, reports her first wedding diary has gone to print. We reported on the project in the June Business Scene
Firms set to merge
Two long established Sussex website design companies are planning a merger. Blue Planet, which started out in Uckfield and celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, and Jupiter Colour, which is based in Heathfield and has been designing websites for 15 years, hope to have completed the merger by the end of this year. Read more here
Jobless total declines
Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, has welcomed news that unemployment figures in the district have continued to decrease. Jobseekers Allowance claims have fallen by 100 since March, with more people finding employment. These figures are repeated across the whole of the South-East, with 13,000 fewer claimants in June then there were in March.
Mr Hendry said: “In these strained economic times, it is encouraging to see that jobs are still being created, and that people are able to find employment.
“The figures also show a steady decline in the number of young people unemployed since the beginning of the year. This shows that most of those who are looking for employment for the first time are still able to find it, despite the growing competition from graduates, and more experienced workers.”
Mr Hendry added that the figures showed “our local economy remains strong”. “I hope that the new measures the Government is introducing to encourage banks to lend more to business will lead to further falls in the numbers unemployed over the coming months, together with new work opportunities for both the young and old, through apprenticeships, and back to work schemes.”
There was also a bright business story when Mr Hendry met Uckfield area businessmen at a meeting organised and hosted by TR Fastenings, based at the Bellbrook Business Park, Uckfield, where it also has a trade counter. Read more about the meeting here
Key time for farmers
The NFU is urging motorists to be patient when driving behind slow moving farm machinery.
NFU South East senior policy adviser Sandra Nichols said: “We must all remember that farmers are producing our food and they need to gather in perishable crops in optimum conditions. Please be understanding if you find yourself delayed a little when driving behind a tractor or a combine harvester.
“Farmers are working around the clock, from dawn until dusk, to deliver our daily bread and to ensure their animals will be fed this coming winter.”
Business help
Need IT support? It's worth calling Phormium IT Solutions
For telecoms advice call Abtec Communications
Time to update your online business strategy? Blue Planet Internet Solutions can help.
Did you see?
Our new Fabulous Food column.
See also:
Car parks in Uckfield “inadequate”
Uckfield seeks share of homes money
The Picture House owner seeks help with questionnaire
(Added to site Wednesday, August 1st, 2012)
