February 2015

Issue: 32

Telephone: Telephone: (01978) 292092(01978) 292092

Email: Email: [email protected]@wrexham.gov.uk

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by Wrexham County Borough Councilby Wrexham County Borough Council. .

www.wrexham.gov.uk/businessline

N ews let t e rN ews let t e r Febr uaryFebr uary 20152015

Businessline update

Virtual Wrexham is coming!

Virtual Wrexham; an online shopping destination will launch in April 2015, raising awareness of Wrexham based businesses that have their own e-commerce website or sell via eBay, Amazon of Folksy shops.

Wrexham is home to a wide variety of retailers, ranging from skilled arts and crafts makers, fashion designers, health and beauty producers, bakers and much more, with many individuals taking the brave step to launch their own business, trading via a retail outlet, crafts fairs, outdoor events and exhibitions.

Many of these businesses also sell online, however it’s not always easy to identify local producers / retailers trading via the internet and to discover, for example, the unique, home-made and original range of gifts and products which are made or sold in Wrexham. In a bid to support local online retailers, Businessline are delighted to be launching “Virtual Wrexham”.

The online high street will allow you to discover a variety of products produced or sold from within the Wrexham area. Many of which would make excellent presents or alternatively a wonderful treat for yourself. Purchasing from local businesses you’ll also be helping to grow and strengthen the local economy, which could result in businesses raising enough finances to open a physical shop in Wrexham and the creation of new jobs.

If you run or know of a business based in the Wrexham area making original products for instance that sells online, please feel free to sign-up / pass details on, a form is available via the following link. Alternatively if you would like to discover local online retailers please feel free to follow Virtual Wrexham on Facebook and Twitter and we’ll keep you up-to-date with developments:

www.virtual-wrexham.co.uk

www.wrexham.gov.uk/360-networking

NEXT MEETING

5:00pm - 6:45pm Gresford Memorial Centre

Book your place to attend

www.wrexham.gov.uk/360-attend

FEBRUARYFEBRUARY

1010 Meet and form relationships with local business professionals

Promote your products and services

Presentation by Shaun Roberts of Creative Catalysts - Social Media

www.wrexham.gov.uk/businessline

http://bit.ly/business-discounts-Wrexham

Business-to-Business Discounts

Please click the link above for details of all

the discounts currently available through

Businesslines business-to-business discount

scheme.

Entries invited for the NatWest Everywoman

Awards

Employers’ National Insurance contributions for under 21s

From 6 April 2015 employers will no longer have to pay Class 1 secondary National Insurance

contributions on earnings up to the Upper Secondary Threshold (UST) for employees under 21 years.

The Abolition of employer National Insurance contributions for under 21s section of

GOV.UK has been updated and now includes more detailed guidance for employers,

plus detail on the new category letters and rates:

http://bit.ly/Under21Contributions

Wrexham Hour on Twitter

Wrexham hour takes place every Wednesday from 8pm - 9pm on Twitter and provides an excellent opportunity to:

Network with local businesses Raise the profile of your business Find out about and discuss local business

topics

Feel free to follow Wrexham Hour via the following link:

https://twitter.com/WrexhamHour

To participate simply include #WrexhamHour within your tweet.

New resource for business training and skills information

Welsh businesses looking to upskill their workforce can find out about the advice and support available through a new online and telephone Skills Gateway service. You will be able to identify and address gaps in the skills of your workforce by completing the Gateway's Skills Assessment Tool, which will provide you with a personalised company skills profile. You can then work with the dedicated skills helpline team to find out more about support and advice to help you train and develop your staff. Access the Skills Gateway for Businesses here: http://business.wales.gov.uk/skillsgateway/

Robert Ellis Ellis + Co

Telephone: 01978 664367

Website: www.ellis-uk.com

Is the small business flat rate VAT scheme for you?

Flat rate VAT. You’re intrigued already aren’t you?

OK, it may not set your world alight but bear with us. The reason we are telling you about it is because it

might make your life easier. The scheme exists to make VAT accounting simpler for eligible businesses so a

couple of minutes reading now may mean less headaches and admin in a few months’ time.

Could flat rate VAT apply to you?

So let’s cover the basics. You can join the flat rate scheme if you’re a VAT-registered business and you

expect your VAT turnover to be less than £150,000 (excluding VAT) in the next 12 months. Once you’ve

joined the scheme, your business can remain in it until turnover exceeds £230,000 (including VAT).

How does it work?

You make no changes to the way you invoice clients and customers. You continue to add standard VAT to all

invoices. The flat rate calculations only apply to you. If you’re eligible, it lets you pay your VAT at a fixed

percentage of your turnover rather than on a more admin heavy transaction by transaction basis. The

downside (you knew there’d be one). You can’t reclaim VAT paid on purchases as this is already factored

into the percentage. Having said that, a one-off capital purchase of £2,000 (including VAT) or more is

allowed, subject to some restrictions.

What rate will you pay?

The ‘flat rate’ ranges from 4% to 14.5% of your gross turnover depending on your business sector. (And in

the first year of VAT registration, you get the added benefit of a 1% reduction off the rate.) You identify

which trade classification fits best when you apply for the scheme. But do be careful when you’re selecting

your flat rate category as you must be able to justify your reasons for selecting it over another similar

category with a higher flat rate percentage. If you have two different activities which fall into different

classifications, you must use the flat rate that applies to the activities which form the larger part of your

turnover. That could make the flat rate a brilliant business move – or a really poor choice.

So is it for you?

Whether you’d be better or worse off depends to a great extent on the purchases your business makes. If

you make a lot of purchases or VAT-exempt sales, you’re probably better off on the standard scheme. The

businesses likely to benefit most are those with small overheads or who buy few goods for resale or

stock. So you’ll need to do some calculations to see if it suits you.

Peter Way-Rider, our Tax Manager, advises “The flat rate VAT scheme is there to make VAT accounting

simpler for eligible businesses. It is however important to ensure you select the correct category for your

line of business and can justify the reasons behind your choice.”

Business Companion Website

Free, impartial legal guidance for businesses that sell goods and/or supply services to consumers.

Business Companion provides information for businesses and individuals that need to know about trading standards and consumer protection legislation

Trading standards and consumer protection laws look at three broad factors: What and where you sell or trade For example, a plumber supplies goods and services off-premises. A licensed corner shop sells age-restricted products on-premises. An accountant may supply services that are sold online. How you treat your customers All consumer-facing businesses must comply with rules on unfair trading, pricing and contracts, including when you must give a refund, or offer a repair or replacement. Specific business activities Trading standards legislation also covers topics such as product safety, food composition and hygiene, animal welfare and feeding stuffs as well as certain aspects of running your business. There may be rules you are not aware of, so make sure you explore the site thoroughly. You'll find signpost links in each guide, highlighting important topics or related items that you may need to know about.

The basics Unsure of the law on trading standards or whether the rules apply to you? Find out how the law sees businesses that sell to consumers Get started: http://www.businesscompanion.info/en/get-started

Concise guidance Want answers right now? Quick Guides are arranged by what, where and how you sell to help you find the information you need Quick guides: http://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides

Detailed information Know what you're looking for, or want to browse a list of specific guidance arranged by category? In-depth Guides deliver the detail In-depth guides: http://www.businesscompanion.info/en/in-depth-guides

* Please ensure that you set your location as Wales using the drop-down box available at the top of the web-pages listed above.

Businessline Library:

The Go-to Expert: How to Grow Your Reputation, Differentiate Yourself from the Competition and Win New Business

Enhanced with handy action points, chapter summaries and online worksheets, The Go-To Expert provides you with all the tools you need to grow your reputation and your business.

“Differentiating yourself from your peers is the challenge that every professional faces. This book gives you the clarity, process and confidence to make yourself stand out in a crowded market place.”

Toni Hunter, Partner, George Hay Chartered Accountants

“This easy-to-read book shows you how to build a firm foundation to win business regularly from your network. Highly recommended for any corporate professional or small business owner.”

Charlie Lawson, National Director, BNI UK & Ireland

The Go-To Expert provides no-nonsense advice on managing your transition into a well-known and trusted name within your industry. Discover: Simple steps to build your profile How to market and sell yourself with ease and confidence Techniques to make your clients come to you

This book is available to loan from Businesslines business library, free of charge, for all members of Wrexham Library service. Please see the following link for further information on the range of business books available via Businessline: http://bit.ly/Businessline_library

Talking Business

Every Thursday 1:00pm - 2:00pm

5th February Emma Wilkins, The Welsh Business Shows 12th February Kim Patel, Ebb & Flow Counselling 19th February Richard Forde-Johnston, New Sales Ma- chine 26th February Business Question Time

01978 293393 [email protected] www.calonfm.com

submit a question

Feature as a guest on the Talking Business Show

New Rates Guidance for home-based Business

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has updated its guidelines to help people that are running a home-based business understand whether they will be liable to pay council tax only, or council tax and business rates. What if you are a home-based business? Generally if you run a home-based business you would not have to pay business rates if: You use a small part of your home for your business (for example you use a bedroom part of the

day as an office) You do not use it to sell goods or services to visiting clients or members of the public (as opposed

to selling by post) You do not employ other people to work at the premises You have not made alterations of a sort that would not usually be associated with a home (such as

converting a garage to a hairdressers or installing a hydraulic car lift). The updated guidelines are now available via:

http://bit.ly/HomeBasedBusinesses

Fit for work guidance published

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published guidance for employers about the new Fit for Work scheme.

The guidance encourages employers to update their sickness policies to reflect the availability of this new service. The advice line opened in December 2014 and health assessments are expected to be rolled out over the next couple of months.

What does ‘Fit for work’ mean for you? Free health and work advice through a website and telephone line to help with absence

prevention. Free referral for an occupational health assessment From 1st January 2015 the Government is also introducing a tax exemption of up to £500 (per

year, per employee) on medical treatments recommended to help their employees return to work. The guidance is available at the GOV.uk website: http://bit.ly/FitForWork

Business Wales marketing zone

The Business Wales Marketing Zone is packed with information, advice, and tips on how to get your business known – and drive up profits – through effective and exciting marketing. Please see the following link for further information:

http://business.wales.gov.uk/zones/marketing

Thinking of running a business event in Wrexham?

Businessline will be able to help you to: Identify a venue Raise awareness of your event Please see the following link for further information:

http://bit.ly/event-facilitation-service

Utilities Connections Management Limited Relocation

Utilities Connections Management Ltd (UCML), a leading independent utility infrastructure consultancy, has relocated to larger premises in Wrexham. Previously based in Redwither Tower, Wrexham Industrial Estate, UCML has recently moved to offices at the former Tetra Pak site on Bedwell Road, Wrexham which is now owned by the international Mainetti Group. The move is part of UCML’s strategy of planned business expansion and their commitment to their North Wales roots. Arwel Lloyd, Managing Director said: “The move to larger premises represents an exciting new chapter for UCML and reflects our success achieved through the expertise and professionalism of our team. The increase in space will enable UCML to recruit and provide additional resources in order to meet with our plan of continued improvement for our customers.” Last year UCML celebrated 10 years in business, seeing the business grow to be a successful UK SME. UCML provide consultancy and project management services to the construction industry to secure and procure all four utilities – water, gas, electricity and telecoms. UCML’s talented team work hard to investigate, negotiate, secure and manage connections on behalf of their clients. The unbiased and persistent focus on their client’s interests to provide best value, often results in considerable cost savings, reducing overheads and shorter project time frames. Website: www.ucml.co.uk Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01978 661800

Tips for building customer loyalty

Don't let customers forget you. A fatal error, after you have done all the hard work and built up a solid customer base, is to let them forget why they bought from you, or the extra value they can receive by continuing to buy from you in the future. Your loyalty-building strategy should look for continual ways to communicate with and educate your customers about the benefits of your service, for example, through competitions, special offers, newsletters and open days. A newsletter, especially by e-mail, is a very popular and cost-effective way of doing this. If you let people forget you are there or what you can offer them, they will eventually buy from someone else instead.

Reward customers with loyalty-building discounts and offers for repeat purchases. Or ask them, as one of your most valued customers, for their views and opinions about how they use your service and how you can improve it for them. If they feel appreciated, their loyalty and their trust in you and your service will almost certainly follow.

Every time your customer thinks about re-purchasing your product or service, your marketing proposition must make it as difficult as possible for them to say no to you. Make sure your USP expresses this value strongly. Think of the services that you repeatedly buy from your own suppliers. Why do you remain loyal to them? What is it that makes you want to keep on purchasing from them? If you can recognise what it is, you should aim

to replicate the same value in the service you provide to your own customers.