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GeneralPlastic Checkout BagsThe amount of petrol used to make one plastic bag would drive a car 115 metres. Credit Card FraudCHIP and Pin has helped with credit card fraud with the amount lost dropping to 13% but the card not present crime rose by 21% __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Obstacle to growthTwenty years ago, 8% of small businesses judged red tape as their biggest obstacle to growth and sucess. In 2005 this figure had grown to 19%. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Divorce SettlementsA high profile divorce settlement has sent a warning to all small business owners, even if the spouse has never set foot in the business. Assisted Areas for Regional AidThe Government has published a draft map of assisted areas in which companies will be eligible for regional aid during 2007-2013. Workplace Healthwww.workplacehealthconnect.co.uk gives small/ medium sized businesses guidance on common health problems such as stress and back problems. British DirectorsWomen make up 23% of Britain's 3.9 million directors - a slight increase on the 2005 figure. Small Business OwnersThis group of people spend 60% longer at work than the average employee. Online Retail Sales10% of all retail sales are now conducted online with £30bn consumer spending __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Employer's IT SystemsA report indicates that nearly a quatrter of UK employees hack, illegally, into their employer's IT systems to access sensitive business information. Government ContractsIn a bid to remove barriers faced by small businesses trying to break into public sector contracts, the Government have created a website. Fuel CardsThere have been instances where the entries on fuel card invoives are higher in value than the relevant receipts. Those using fuel cards should be made aware of this possibility and check them at regular intervals. Shoplifting700,000 shoplifters were asked which the softest retail targets were - the majority said independent stores. Car seats for childrenFrom September 2006 all children up to the age of 12 wll need to be carried in a suitable restraint. Till Roll InvoicesRetailers need to be alert to companies who telephone and, acting as if they were a tried and trusted supplier, ask whoever answers the phone if they want any "till rolls" this week. Staff need to be instructed to refer such calls to someone in authority as there is at least one company operating in an unprofessional way and threatening action against retailers _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Waste Not — Want NotDon’t throw away old shop uniforms. Donate them to Health Help International. Call Ron Prosser on 01633 274565 for more details of this charity _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Proceeds of Crime ActShortly, auditors will be brought into the scope of this Act. It will be a criminal offence for any auditor not to report any knowledge or suspicion of money laundering, which will include shoplifting and staff theft. Auditors will now be required to report each and every instance, regardless of the value of the item. The cost implications could be substantial and the benefits are difficult to establish. Certain organisation are co-operating with the Home Secretary to find a way to make sure the Act fulfils its aim but does not impact on business operating costs _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Help with Energy BillsThe Government is introducing a £10 million Energy Loans initiative. To maximise energy savings, interest free loans of £5k-£50k are available to companies throughout England and Wales. For details and practical energy saving advice phone free on 0800 585794 or visit www.actionenergy.org.uk _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bogus Directory InvoicesInvoices are being received disguised as a request to update non-existent directory entries. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Retail CrimePublications entitled Guides for Retailers are available form the Home Office covering preventing burglary, robbery and violence to staff plus customer theft and fraud. For copies tel: 020 7273 2066 or fax: 020 7272 2568 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Office of Fair TradingA website is available which makes it easier to access information on returning goods etc _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ATM MachinesIf the card gets stuck, beware of stickers that recommend re-entering the PIN three times as a thief may be using the ‘Lebanese Loop’ to secure the card while observing your PIN. If you leave the card and go, the thief will remove the false slot, retrieve the card and use the PIN to withdraw cash _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Recycling AdviceA FREE phone service is available to offer practical advice and guidance for businesses to buy or sell more recycled products — tel: 0800 100 2040 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Land Registration Act (2002)The new Act will bring some changes. For short term leases, any granted (more than 7 years) must be registered. An assignment of an existing lease with more than 7 years left to run must be registered. There is a new category of registerable lease "Reversionary leases" Details are available on http://www.landreg.gov.uk/ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disposal of IT Equipment89% of businesses are unaware that the new regulations will dictate how they dispose of their IT equipment. The European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) will come into force in August 2005 The Regulations have now been released and give guidance on how the UK expects to implement the regulations. There is flexibility for retailers to offer either in-store take back on a like for like basis or join a retail compliance scheme. On the other hand, producers are expected to register either direct with the National Clearing House or via a producer compliance scheme _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ministers Support Retailers Challenge To The Government’s Policy On CrimeThe Chair and Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Retail Industry Group, Nigel Evans MP and Barbara Follett MP, formed a strong coalition to challenge the Government’s policy on crime against shopkeepers in small shops. The Home Office Minister, Bob Ainsworth MP, applauded the organisation of crime partnerships and called for no tolerance of violence against shop workers and that ‘shoplifting is not a victimless crime because it destroys the profitability of businesses and their very existence in many circumstances. Sunday TradingLarge stores no longer have to contact their local authority to advise them of the hours they intend to trade on Sunday. Sale of Methylated SpiritsThe ban on selling methylated spirits on a Sunday has been lifted. E-mail: ritablackburnchamber.co.uk. |
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Last update: 24 Oct 2007, 12:00:55 |
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