Your September 2020 Update

A note from your Chamber

I hope that you all had a good August and have been able to start to return to the workplace safely as we continue to recover from Covid-19 together.

NEW OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS
We want to ensure the voice of businesses across Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield is as strong as possible, which is why we’re delighted to be able to offer more firms the chance to become members, growing our influence – and yours.

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are funding a scheme which will allow us to offer even more support to our existing members, so if you know of any businesses or colleagues who you think might benefit from Chamber membership, please pass on this information.

The scheme is open from today until 31 December on a first come, first served basis, and offers significantly discounted annual Mid Yorkshire Chamber membership to any organisations in the Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield districts with fewer than 50 employees. Joining fees start from as little as £55 – up to 75% discount – for a 12-month membership.

Membership applications can be made here.

QES
The Quarterly Economic Survey is now open for quarter three; I urge all businesses to take part and have your voice heard. It is now more crucial than ever that we work together and listen to the needs of our business communities in Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield to ensure we get the support needed to flourish as we head into the final quarter of 2020.

LATEST SUPPORT
The Government has recently made further financial support available for those who are unable to work. Please see below the latest updates:

What to do if you are unable to work
What to do if you are self-employed
How to return to work safely

Please do get in touch with us if you feel your business and employees require further support in your Covid-19 recovery.

EXPORT UPDATE
As you will most likely be aware, trading arrangements between the UK, EU, and Northern Ireland are set to change 1 January 2021. More information on the changes can be found below as well as the latest advice. If you have any queries or need additional support in preparing for the changes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the MY Export Hub team via export@mycci.co.uk.

CHAMBER NEWS
I am delighted to formally introduce to you our newest team members, (L-R) Emma, Onita, Clementine, and Keeley. Please join me in saying a big welcome. All four are already getting stuck in, helping to connect, support, and represent our members.

LEP QUESTION TIME
Do you want to know more about the LEP and how it can help support your business? If you’ve got a question for the LEP, today is your last chance to submit questions which will be answered at its annual meeting this Thursday.

Questions can be submitted via:

Social media: use the hashtag #AsktheLEP
Email: send questions to yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Online: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/questiontime2020

Please find further updates and information below, including business support, virtual networking and the latest news from our members and Patrons. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about how we can help support you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 01484 483 660 or emailing getconnected@mycci.co.uk.

Martin Hathaway
Managing Director
Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is now more important than ever. This is your chance to have your say on the issues facing your business and influence the decisions of both local and national policy makers. The survey will close on Monday 14th September. By completing this survey, you are helping us to make the case for policies that promote local business growth and support our region's economy in this Covid-19 recovery.

Complete the Survey now >>

News from our members...

Digital marketing agency welcomes new account manager
Sophie Bebb joins Social Progress as Social Media Account Manager and is already getting stuck in, helping the team in its charity efforts.

Read more >>

Yorkshire law firm makes shortlist for national awards
Chadwick Lawrence has been shortlisted in the Large Firm Probate Provider of the Year category in this year’s British Wills and Probate Awards.
Read more >>

Pharmaceutical manufacturer expands UK senior team
Craig Fletcher joins Thornton & Ross as Regional Supply Chain Director, completing a trio of recent senior appointments.

Read more >>

Communications agency appoints digital marketing apprentice
KC Communications welcomes digital marketing apprentice, Chloe Kerfoot, as the firm ends its financial year with revenues increasing by 25%.

Read more >>

News from our Patrons...

Arts Drop campaign receives Parliamentary endorsement
YPO partners with nationally recognised Arts Drop to supply a range of its creative materials to be delivered to vulnerable children in Calderdale.

Read more >>

Live music returns to Halifax with new line-up
The Piece Hall prepares to welcome live music acts back to the venue with the launch of a new events series featuring The Cribs.

Read more >>

Whether you're interested in export, finance, marketing, or fancy some networking, check out our virtual events calendar, there's something for everyone!

We're always happy to receive your feedback, so if there's something you would like to see more of, or if you would like to partner with us on an event, please get in touch via getconnected@mycci.co.uk.

All upcoming events >>

From Lockdown to Locked Out
Thursday 3rd September
Join Indeed and the British Chambers of Commerce for an interactive webinar all about getting people back to work post-Covid. The webinar will include information from Indeed's latest report, 'From Lockdown to Locked Out'.

AD:VENTURE Business Workshop- LinkedIn
Tuesday 15th September
Learn how to make LinkedIn work for your business and generate new clients! Led by digital strategist Jonny Ross, this masterclass gives an overview of the platform, how to optimise your profile, and how to turn connections into clients.

MY Network
Wednesday 16th September
Join us for another virtual MY Network session this September. Simply log into Zoom and take advantage of this great opportunity to make new connections in a relaxed setting, with chance to get to know people better with our new breakout rooms.

In a recent letter to businesses trading between the UK, EU, and Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Michael Gove advised that the following steps be taken to prepare for the new trading arrangements to come into force on 1^st January 2021:

Speak to your local chamber of commerce
Register for an EORI
Check the terms and conditions of existing contracts
Plan how to deal with customers declarations
Appoint a customs broker/intermediary
Look into customs guarantees and simplified procedures
Identify staff that can be trained in customs and apply for funding
Use the guidance available at www.gov.uk/transition

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert MY Export Hub team, they can be contacted via email on export@mycci.co.uk.

Visit MY Export Hub >>

Member offer of the month:

In September Chamber members can access a free 21-day trial of Justo Software’s social media application for sole-traders and small businesses.

Socialsendr is the first and only social media app that creates, schedules, and posts content and images so you don’t have to!

Chamber members will also receive a 15-minute Zoom training session to ensure success and optimise their use of the app!

MY Chamber >>

Welcome to our new members!

Keep in touch with your Chamber