Home - Southwark Chamber Of Commerce

In times of Crisis - Networks need to work together

AS THE year unfolds there are some serious challenges for all our businesses in Southwark, ranging from:-

* 40% cut backs in local government Spending, · reduced spending in the third sector, · Poor political leadership, · Decline in public standards, · The credit crunch where most if not all, major lenders have not heeded their own, advice they give to their customers in borrowing vast sums of money at high risk, · 30% drop in commercial property, prices and more to come, · Decline in residential prices, · Downturn in consumer confidence, · A freeze in major regeneration projects, · Rising unemployment but still a shortage of skilled labour even though millions has been spent in programmes, · An increase in violent crime, · Stagflation, · Major companies relocating outside the UK, · High and increasing cost of operating in London, · Introduction of new surveillance measures on every citizen all in the name of terrorism, · The highest figures of emigration of British nationals for over 50 years

These are difficult and challenging times and it is in these turbulent times that agencies like the Chamber of Commerce work to ensure survival of many businesses and their future sustainability by providing strength in numbers and using measures to ensure that your voice is heard.

Over the last year the Chamber, has been very active in representing member organisations ranging from business continuity, business support, local policing, culture, arts and regeneration.

The Chamber actively liaises with public bodies on the development and role out of public policy including Southwark Council, the London Development Agency, Dept of Business Enterprise and Reg Reform (BERR), and Government Office of London.

We have provided and will continue to provide a non-political platform for an exchange of views and networking, linking into activities of other organisations in and outside of Southwark, BIDS, Local Traders, South East London Chamber and the London Chamber. In spite of all of this Southwark continues to grow as the new modern face of London after many years of neglect, the future success of Southwark though, as a great place to do business in, and live in, should not be taken for granted. The full engagement and involvement of any business should be treated as more that just a box ticking exercise by the government machine.

The success of the City is party achieved because it operates on an inclusive basis, with business and organisational residents having their own democratic view, along with domestic residents. Representation is based on community need and not sidetracked by party political allegiances and bickering.

We believe, that if Southwark is to develop as a truly great place, it needs to copy the City in terms of its governance and not see local businesses and resident organisations as merely tax payers and job creators that enable government to meet often remotely set, nationally driven social and economic indicators. Southwark and other Central London boroughs provide large scale employment to commuters from outside the borough, it is a fact that these commuters and their employers have no direct say what is happening in Southwark to protect their jobs and thus ensuring business sustainability, but equally there will be the constant demand to pay this tax or that business rate without any true measurement of value for money for the demand being made.

The cry was once heard in the past of ''No Taxation without Representation'', nothing has much changed since that cry was ringing in the politician ears. In fact there is a growing trend of businesses being asked to pay twice for local services that have already been paid in their business rates, such as with the BIDS where businesses have to pay an extra 10% on their business rates in return for improved services.

The Chamber continues to make progress to create a sustainable and modern Chamber of Commerce that listens to its members and tailor services that they want. It has had the benefit of an £80,000 public grant funded by the LDA to help network all the myriad of business organisations in Southwark, the question should sometimes be asked why have so many fighting over limited resources, but that's for another day.

Currently the Chamber has some 260 members, with new members joining every month and sadly some members leaving as they have left the borough. In addition the Chamber has helped to raise several thousands of pounds in aid of the Damilola Taylor Trust though a successful Charity Auction golf day and have many more exciting social and networking events to run over this year.

As the Chair of the Chamber it is always appropriate to acknowledge those companies and individuals who are so supportive not only by words but by actual deeds, so a special thanks to:

Southwark Council, Job Centre Plus, Steward and Co, Anthony Gold, The Wilson Partnership Ltd, Business Extra, London Southbank University, London Knowledge Innovation Centre, Ken Hayes d Duncan Field, Travel London National Express, Southwark News, Goddard Delaney, HSBC, Vangent, Veolia, TKO Print, The Russia House SAVO, Amelia Rope Chocolates, Dulwich and Sydenham Golf Club, Kayes Consultancy and R Woodfall Ltd.

Some Ideas on How to beat the Economic Downturn

35 TIPS FOR MANAGING IN A DOWNTURN

By Jeremy Thorn , President QED Consulting

With the credit-crunch biting and economic uncertainty all around, Jeremy Thorn who has been here before looks at some of the key actions any business should consider.

Whether or not your business is facing a down-turn, or is even in one, managing in uncertain times takes special skills. But not everything need be bleak. Hard-earned experience from the past confirms that companies who can manage recession, depressed demand and even rising costs successfully, often emerge much stronger if they plan carefully.

Every business person knows that tight cash-management is vital. A company may often sustain losses for quite a long time, but can only run out of cash once. So planning for a down-turn in your business and knowing what action you may need to take is critical, without panicking.

Here are some essential tips you might like to consider.
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Southwark Chamber Golf Society Launch

Due to many requests by members and the hugely successful Charity Golf Event held on April 23rd, the Chamber will be launching its own Golf Society - SCCGS, our first planned outing will be on September 28th, and our home club will be based at Dulwich & Sydenham Golf Club, but it is planned that we will visit other courses over the year.

Our first outing will be over 18 holes followed by dinner, where we we will hold our first formal meeting to elect a Society President and Society Secretary, and plan the frequency of golf outings.

The purpose of the SCCGS is to provide an opportunity to not only exercise their passion for the game of golf but also to meet and network and discuss current issues and to build and develop mutual relationships.

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Here you can Join the Chamber

The Chamber is now in it's 75th year and the issues facing all businesses are as great as they are now as there were many years ago, if you wish to join then read on, and then contact our offices for an application form or download here
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