Fireworks on the sea front signal the start of the main holiday season. Hotels fully booked, restaurants buzzing, lots of visitors to our shores.

All the major indicators are showing slow improvements, but that is fine. We know this is going to take a long time, steady growth without a winter dip would be preferred. Hope you got your business rates and tax credits sorted before 1 August – the door is now closed.

Lots of training available via our office on Oldmixon Crescent – Advertising & Promotion, bookkeeping, business start up courses to name but a few.

North Somerset Business Club – one of the most cost effective networking groups in the region. Get your tickets for the Charity Ball on 2 October – being held on the new Grand Pier. Come and look around and support local business and local charities.

Remember to visit the money saver before any big purchase – I would be surprised if Martin Lewis cannot save you money on most of your shopping, including holidays and flights.

Look for new opportunities at all times, but never forget your regular customers – look after them first.

Quote of the week:

“Be careful of reading health books – you may die of a misprint”

Well, more figures show the recession is over! Which is good news – they are even predicting a slight run on the Stock Market.

Good news shows some support to SME’s for Research and Development. Tax credits could help small businesses to carry out R & D spending.

Hero’s welcome in the UK. We are asking all of our businesses in North Somerset to consider displaying the logo on the shop door and to offer a value added service eg small discount on products or services. Plus Armed Forces day 26 June is an event that has grown. There is no charge for this and will be of interest to children and adults. Lots of events across the town – look out for the publicity and get involved – show your support to our armed forces.

On 1st January a number of measures were introduced that will affect almost all businesses and organisations that supply or receive services from overseas – VAT complications.

And finally:

As legislation is increasing in every section, will I need to join the Magic Circle – as I helped a farmer turn a cow into a field on Sunday!

Terry Gilbert is Business Support Manager for the North Somerset Enterprise Agency www.northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk as well as being the director for the Weston Town Centre Partnership and Chair for Weston 200 and Weston Arts Social Enterprise.

Tax codes are a changing – HM Revenue has recently introduced a new National Insurance and PAYE system and is using it to issue notices of tax coding for the first time. This should lead to a more accurate result. If you are concerned your code is wrong, ring 0845 3000 627. It needs to be correct for 6 April 2010.

New rates are still filtering through. Some surprises have been experienced which may need help to rectify. However, some businesses may experience a reduction ie workshops and factories.

There is a lot of reasonably priced and subsidised training to be had across North Somerset – call 01934 418118 for details and dates.

BUY LOCAL – We are being urged to support our local shops. Buying on line is a novelty, but when all the shops are shut down it will be too late to support them, so think about them now, give them your support – use your STAR card for discounts.

Banks are opening up a bit – good business plans and budgets will get a fair hearing on loans and overdrafts, which is progress and good news.

“A problem shared etc” is just as important now as it ever was and proprietors should consider talking to the Enterprise Agency, their bank manager or their accountant.

For the business people who like to gamble – take a look at Penny Sleuth – Google will find it. Some of the shares floated there make 300% profit in two months – of course, some also make big losses.

Lots of good causes coming up:

RNLI Charity Auction and Dinner. To be held on Friday 5 March at The Cove Restaurant, Weston-super-Mare. Tickets £30 per head to include 3-course dinner

Charity Football match for the Children’s Hospice South West. To be held on Sunday 21 March at Clevedon’s Hand Stadium

New business directory being released through North Somerset Council next month. Also business support link on the Council website coming up soon

And finally:

Senior Citizens are officially the nations leading carriers of AIDS:

Hearing aids
Band aids
Walking aids
Medical aids
And finally – monetary aids to their kids!!

Terry Gilbert is Business Support Manager for the North Somerset Enterprise Agency www.northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk as well as being the director for the Weston Town Centre Partnership and Chair for Weston 200 and Weston Arts Social Enterprise.

They say the shops turned over £4 billion this weekend alone – who stayed up and counted it all?! I am pleased that expenditure has increased and people are spending today, but they will cut back in January and February – a good time to tighten the belt, but also a good time to network and market your business.

Weston-super-Mare Chamber of Trade are very pro-active, linking with lots of local organisations, including Star Radio.

A slow recovery is now predicted and the recession is over!! That is a general statement, and while I think it is true, this is not the case for all businesses. Some still have to take stock. I will say however, if you grab the nettle you could speed up the recovery by 50%. Plan to grow now.

And finally:

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, but more than that we wish you a healthy New Year. Remember your business is like a trumpet – if you don’t put anything in, you won’t get anything out!!!

Terry Gilbert is Business Support Manager for the North Somerset Enterprise Agency www.northsomersetenterpriseagency.co.uk as well as being the director for the Weston Town Centre Partnership and Chair for Weston 200 and Weston Arts Social Enterprise