Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers says small businesses should consider using the new Pokémon Go phenomenon to boost their business this summer.

Since being launched in the Apple App Store, it has turned areas of the region into Pokémon hotspots, attracting hundreds of people Pokémon hunting with the app.
Part of the game involves walking to ‘Pokéstops’ – checkpoints that correlate with real life places and businesses that give in-game items and where in-app purchases can be used to buy and use items known as ‘lures’ that attract rarer Pokémon.

Laura Pain, Head of Small Business at Mitchells explained: “Our offices are based in the centre of Chesterfield and we see people every day walking up and down Saltergate hunting for Pokémon. There’s a great opportunity for small businesses to use the Pokémon Go phenomenon to their benefit.

“Shops, cafes and restaurants in Chesterfield can offer discounts and incentives for players to walk into their premises, while other businesses can use their social media accounts to join in the online conversation. It’s a great opportunity for small businesses to engage with customers during the quieter summer months.”

For businesses that want to get make the most of Pokémon Go, Laura offers the following tips:

1. Use Lures – In Pokémon Go, there are things called lures. These can be obtained through levelling up or buying them through the online store and can be used at the millions of ‘Pokéstops’ around the world to bring more Pokémon to the area. Businesses have already been using these to attract people to cafés and stores and, sure enough, it’s working. A restaurant in London tried the method and ended up increasing revenues by 26%.

2. Talk about it on social media – We all know what a powerful tool social media can be, so use it to interact with your customers on a slightly more personal level than usual. Ask them what different types of Pokémon they’ve caught and get conversation flowing, it could lead to a visit into the store. Another idea that has been working well is to simply ask for a picture of a Pokémon being caught in your restaurant, café, or shop in order to receive a discount on the next purchase.

3. Talk to your staff about it – It is always good to build relationships with staff and discussing the current trends can be a great way to do so. Just asking your staff about what Pokémon they caught at the weekend can lead to a surprisingly lengthy conversation and you will soon find yourself getting to know your colleagues a lot better.

A new website has been launched to help businesses find their way through the maze of finance issues and funding opportunities available.

Business Banking Insight, a collaboration between HM Treasury, British Chambers of Commerce and the FSB (National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses) uses peer reviews to give first-hand knowledge of the performance of various finance and business support providers.

Online reviews include credit cards, asset finance, general business support, commercial mortgages, foreign currency services, insurance, interest rate management, deposit or investment accounts, international trade finance and support, loans, merchant services and payment and transaction services.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber*, said: “There is a lot of uncertainty around at the moment, particularly around Brexit, and it is absolutely essential that businesses have confidence when making financial decisions.

“What better way is there to give businesses that confidence than to provide them with quick and easy access to reviews from peers who have already used the services they might be considering?

“The Business Banking Insight website will help to drive improvements and stimulate competition in customer services to business.”

The website can be found at www.businessbankinginsight.co.uk

Ashgate Hospicecare has been nominated for ‘Fundraising Team of the Year: with an income under £5 million’ at this year’s Charity Time Awards.

The hospice, which has been nominated for its continuing specialised development and its outstanding professionalism under the category of fundraising, has been shortlisted to attend the awards on the 28th of September at the Park Plaza in London.

Lucy Nickson, CEO of Ashgate Hospicecare, said, “It is a huge honour that our fundraising team has been nominated for such a prestigious award.

The fundraising department is such a fundamental part of Ashgate Hospicecare’s team. We rely heavily on fundraising to keep our services running and without them, we wouldn’t be able to keep giving the incredible care that we do to people in North Derbyshire year after year.”

“As the demand for our services grow, so does the need for funding. The team were set very ambitious targets last year to raise the money required so we could increase the number of people we care for. They have worked so hard and to have over-achieved in some areas of fundraising at the levels they have done is worthy of recognition.”

Esther Preston, Director of Fundraising and Marketing, said, “I am immensely proud that my team have been shortlisted for this national award. I know what an amazing job they do and it is wonderful for them to receive such recognition.”

Esther added, “Fundraising can be very challenging, but it’s nothing compared to what our patients and families go through and I know this drives my team every day to be the best they can be. Working for a vital local charity is very rewarding in itself, so to be short listed for this award is really the icing on the cake.”

The objectives of the awards aim towards raising the standards of charity management and aims to provide recognition for those who are providing effective support to the sector.

Jean Horton, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “What a tremendous achievement to be nominated for this award. This accolade rightly acknowledges the excellent work done by our fundraising department who are all skilled individuals who work so effectively as a team under the leadership of an outstanding Director.

“This award recognises their dedication to Ashgate Hospicecare and their continued commitment to fundraising for our patients. The team members are under a great deal of pressure to raise considerable amounts of money, but always rise to the challenge and deliver the goods. Their aim is not only to ensure we have the finances to support the quality services Ashgate delivers but to be ready to fund future initiatives and patient needs.

“This nomination is a huge endorsement of the quality work of the fundraising team. Everyone at Ashgate is immensely proud of them and we wish them well for the Award’s evening.”

The awards ceremony, which is run by Charity Times Magazine, was attended by more than 600 guests last year and it’s hoped this year will beat all expectations.

Brexit negotiations must focus on getting the best possible deal for UK business, according to bosses.

In the five weeks since the historic vote, East Midlands Chamber and British Chambers of Commerce have canvassed opinions from company owners, directors and managers about what they want to see from Britain’s exit strategy.

The principles that businesses say must guide the negotiations can be broken down into five headings:

Trade

• Businesses want to be consulted throughout the process to ensure the interests of smaller firms get the same recognition as the multinationals and to ensure the final agreement is bespoke to UK needs.
• Business leaders want Government to make sure it works with non-EU countries to ensure transitional arrangements exist for immediately after the UK’s exit and that they are clearly communicated.
• They also want a revitalised and expanded trade mission programme, with generous Government support, to boost exporter confidence and build links with key partners.

Labour

• Businesses want immediate clarification on the post-exit residency rights of workers from other EU countries, clarity on the rules governing recruitment from other EU countries during exit negotiations and beyond and a future immigration policy that will allow businesses to continue to recruit from the EU with minimal bureaucracy, cost or barriers.

EU Funding

• Maintaining UK access to the European Investment Bank is described as critical for major infrastructure and utilities projects, business maintain.
• They also want immediate Treasury guarantees for all projects currently in hand but co-funded by the EU to 2020.

Regulation

• EU regulation continues to be a bugbear of business but leaders have said they are keen to keep in place, at least in the short-term post-exit, any rules and regulation in which they have already invested time and money.
• They are also calling for possible full incorporation into UK law of EU regulations – up to an agreed date – to avoid a piecemeal repeal which could lead to mass uncertainty.

Taxation and Custom

• Business wants a clear transition period for complex indirect tax issues and say, for stability, it would be better to retain existing arrangements in the short-term and that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs must remain engaged in all EU-level policy discussions until the UK leaves the EU.
• Businesses also want assurances that any changes to customs and border procedures will receive “top ministerial attention” with a particular focus on the potential impact on firms and consumers.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“It is essential that, whatever the timetable, Government consults closely with business throughout the exit process to ensure that confidence is maintained at all times and UK plc is not compromised by its withdrawal from the EU.

“East Midlands Chamber is ready to work with British Chambers of Commerce and Government, to ensure the fullest possible consultation and to make sure the voice of business is not just heard but also leads on all matters during exit negotiations. Together, we can shape a great future for British business.”

The Derbyshire Times Business Awards return to Chesterfield this November 10. Nominations are now being taken for the awards, which aim to recognise and celebrate the very best in local business and commerce.

Entries can be submitted for any business within Chesterfield and the surrounding areas, across all sectors from both small and larger organisations. The awards span across a range of categories from Small Business of the Year to Customer Service Award, Retailer of the Year to the most sought after 2016 Business of the Year Award

Winners from last years awards include Custom Solar, Spire Recruitment, Banner Jones, Franke Sissons and Northern Tea Merchants who were crowned 2015 Business of the Year.

The high profile awards, sponsored by a range of Chesterfield business including BHP Chartered Accountants, The University of Derby, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Learning Unlimited and Mitchells Chartered Accountants, offer organisations a platform to celebrate their success whilst providing an opportunity raise their profile and enhance their reputation.

More information and entry forms can be found by clicking here. Final entries must be made by September 12 and those shortlisted will be announced on October 27.