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Hobkirk Sewing Machines Limited
Hobkirk Sewing Machines Limited

The North West's largest independent sewing machine specialists.
Hobkirk's have been in the sewing machine business for over 100 years, with retail outlets within the UK at Blackburn and Bury, and as a result can boast first class knowledge and service in the sewing machine industry.

Founded in 1903 by Mr William Hobkirk, Wm Hobkirk & Son began trading from Salford, Blackburn (Not Manchester). William was joined by his son Edgar Hobkirk then in the 60's by Edgar's son and William's grandson Peter Hobkirk.

The company then expanded having another retail shop on Darwen Street on the opposite side of Blackburn's town centre which to this day is the company's head office.

During the 70's and 80's it was Peter Hobkirk who expanded the chain of domestic shops into Blackpool, Accrington, Preston, Burnley, Bury and Rochdale.

The 1980s also saw the introduction of industrial sewing machines to the companies already vast range of sewing products, along with the appointment of Mr Brian Buttress as Industrial Technical Director.

2001 saw the opening of 'Hobby's Art and Craft Store' which has gone from strength to strength and more recently has doubled in size to expand the range of products on offer.

Mark Hobkirk joined the company in 1993 and in June of 2005 became Sales Director, with Peter Hobkirk as Company Chairman.

The company continues to trade from their head office on Darwen Street, Blackburn with a satellite branch still operating from Bury.
Carpets from Counsell and Woan
Carpets from Counsell and Woan Carpets from Counsell and Woan
ASHTON HOYLE LIMITED
ASHTON HOYLE LIMITED

Financial advice is not just about protection, retirement planning, investments, saving tax, etc…it’s also about providing a quality ongoing service.

Ashton Hoyle Independent Financial Advisers provides bespoke investment management, tax saving and financial planning advice and solutions for private and corporate clients.

Our relationship with clients is very close and conscientious, allowing us to be the first choice for entrepreneurs, business owners and high net worth individuals in Lancashire. Via Ashton Hoyle Trustees Ltd, we also offer bespoke pension planning solutions via the Ashton Hoyle SIPP including the opportunity to invest in, or purchase, commercial property. The success of the firm has recently been recognised at the annual Chamber of Commerce President’s Awards.

Latest news

 

Meeting to be held for Executive and Members on

MONDAY 9 JANUARY 2012

Commencing at 6.00pm

The Mall Training Office

next to The Mall Car Park Management Office

at Astley Gate entrance to car park

AGENDA

1/1    Apologies:
 
2/1    Minutes of the last meeting 12 December 2012
          - any matters arising
          - proposer & seconder of minutes

3/1    Ideas from chamber for BwDBC to bring shoppers to Blackbur in 2012
          and especially during any building work

 4/1    Any update on Railway Road possible closure

 5/1    Reports from meetings attended

 6/1    A.O.B

          a) Set date for chamber Golf Competition in 2012, Thursday 5 July
          b) Set date for chamber D’dance in 2012, Saturday 17 November

 Date of next meeting 13 FEBRUARY 2012 @ The Mall Training Room

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Postage costs will increase from APRIL 2011

First class stamps for a standard letter go up 5p to 46p

Second class stamps for a standard letter go up 4p to 36p

First class for larger letters of some Christmas Cards and Birthday Cards go up to 75p

Special Delivery, business post and heavy parcels will also be more expensive

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES

with effect from 1 OCTOBER 2010

From October 2010, National Minimum Wage rates will increase from:

  • £5.80 to £5.93 an hour for workers aged 21 and over
  • £4.83 to £4.92 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20
  • £3.57 to £3.64 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17

The rise is around the two per cent mark in each category. As promised, the government has extended the adult minimum wage rate to 21-year-olds from October 2010. Previously the qualifying age for the National Minimum Wage was 22.

Apprentice minimum wage - £2.50 per hour

The government also accepted a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour.

The new rate will apply to:

  • apprentices under 19
  • apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship

LPC Chairman David Norgrove said: "We are pleased that the government has again accepted the Commission’s recommendations. The introduction of an apprentice rate marks an important extension to minimum wage protection across the UK."

Need advice on the minimum wage?

The Pay and Work Rights Helpline number is

0800 917 2368, or 0800 121 4042 for textphones.

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Pensions Reform

While the full proposals include reforming the State Pension to make it simpler and more generous, and extending people’s working lives, the key reforms for employers relate to the Government’s ideas for making it easier for more people to save for retirement. The Government estimates that about seven million people are currently under saving for retirement. As a result, it is putting the onus on employers to help encourage more people to save: You’ll be required to automatically enrol employees into a Personal Account, a simple, low-cost pension scheme being introduced by the Government, or your own Company Scheme if it meets certain criteria. You’ll be required to contribute a minimum of 3% of each employee’s eligible earnings which is intended to incentivise them to join. They will add their own contributions to this to meet a minimum 8% contribution rate. The Government recognises that these reforms continue to place employers at the heart of pension provision and that they can be successful only with your support. It is therefore proposing key measures designed to minimise the burdens on you: Compulsory employer and employee contributions will be phased in. Simple delivery model for Personal Accounts. Simple, straightforward, qualifying criteria for existing Company Schemes, meaning many existing schemes may continue to be offered, rather than Personal Accounts or setting up new schemes. Deferral periods for existing ‘high-quality’ Company Schemes. A ‘light-touch’ but effective compliance regime for new employer duties such as automatic enrolment. Read on for full details of these changes, and what they mean for you.
16th December 2009, 17:45
Copyright © 2012 by Blackburn Chamber of Trade. All rights reserved.
http://www.blackburnchamber.co.uk/news/latest-news.html 		Last update: 04 Jan 2012, 16:21:33
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