Monthly ArchiveMarch 2008
general 06 Mar 2008 02:09 pm
Successful March Networking Meeting
Thursday 6th March 2008
The Prince of Wales Hotel Lord Street
Southport
Sponsored by: Dune FM
www.dunefm.co.uk
A record for our meetings at the Prince of Wales Hotel Southport, 97 business people and guests attended our March Networking Meeting.
Dune FM introduced some new members of their staff team, including Phil the new programme controller. They showed a video regarding their audience and key strands of activity in the music mix, news and advertising.
Then a collection of different adverts which demonstrated the wide creativity in establishing “theatre of the mind”.
Ruth Smith, Operations Manager for Asset Training & Consultancy was interviewed by the meeting host in the first of our meeting “focal points”.
These have been introduced for two reasons:
Businesses who are interested in communicating to fellow Chamber Members about their services and products and who cannot wait for the next available meeting sponsorship. (we have sponsors until January 2009!).
Secondly, any business which would prefer an informal discussion about their business with prompted questions from the meeting host and not to have to do a full blown presentation.
To have the opportunity of doing a “Focal Point” simply put your business card in the ice-bucket on the way out of each Networking Meeting.
Steve Swann of “Ninethirty” did just this and will be interviewed at our Meeting on 10th April at the Park Hotel Netherton.
March’s music track to finish the meeting was “have a nice day” by the stereophonics as everyone was in high spirits with a positive month planned ahead.
general 11 Mar 2008 10:41 am
How to Avoid Being Branded as an Energy Waster
Owners of public and commercial buildings should go on a carbon cutting diet now if they don’t want to be named and shamed once energy performance certification becomes compulsory this year.
“No building owner wants to carry the public embarrassment of an abysmal rating for their building’s energy performance”, said Liam McDonagh, Operations Manager for Utility Auditing, which provides the Chamber Utilities™ service.
Liam, who is a Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) qualified Low Carbon Consultant, added: “If they want to avoid being labelled as an energy waster, they need to take urgent steps to improve their energy efficiency now. Buildings are likely to be rated from A-G and so for the first time, there will be real transparency of a building’s energy performance. Certification will affect property values, with the more efficient buildings attracting a market premium, so there is a powerful business case to start preparing immediately.”
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires owners of public buildings over 1,000m2 to have a display energy certificate (DEC) by 1 October 2008. The DEC will have to be displayed in a prominent place to enable the public to easily interpret how well the building performs. Other non-domestic buildings that are constructed, sold or rented will need to have an energy performance certificate (EPC), which are being phased in by building size:
- 6 April 2008 Buildings with floor areas greater than 10,000m2
- 1 July 2008 Buildings with floor areas greater than 2,500m2
- 1 October 2008 All remaining non-domestic buildings
“The good news is that businesses can use the Chamber Utilities™ service to take some quick and simple, low cost steps to reduce their carbon emissions, while cutting their gas and electricity bills at the same time” added Liam.
He continued: “Building owners can take advantage of professional support available through Chamber Utilities™, including funded Carbon Trust surveys for eligible organisations, which will identify the waste within your business and make fully costed recommendations for improving efficiency and saving money. The Carbon Trust also offers interest free loans to offset the cost of investing in energy efficiency”.
Energy use in buildings accounts for 47% of total UK energy consumption. Government research has shown that organisations can reduce energy consumption by up to 20% by applying cost effective measures.
For help and advice in preparing for energy performance certification, or for access to Carbon Trust services contact Chamber Utilities™ 0845 120 2423, www.chamberutilities.co.uk
general & Events 11 Mar 2008 01:32 pm
April Networking Meeting

Sponsored By: Smart Storage
www.smart-storage.co.uk
Around 70 Members and guests gathered at the Park Hotel Netherton for the April Networking Meeting. Following an extended networking session, Kevin Griffiths from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gave a brief overview of the tender alert service covering the Merseyside area.
Supply Mersey is a tender alert service operated by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. The aim is to simplify the way that small businesses access information on tendering - from finding actual opportunities to being in a position to tender by having the right skills and company policies in place. Small businesses throughout the UK often have difficulty accessing tendering opportunities, particularly from the public sector.
All Sefton Chamber members will be able to register for the system within one month, exclusive logon details are being generated and will be distributed to you soon.
Following lunch Andy Mantova of Smart Storage gave a presentation on the services offered by his company at their various locations across Merseyside.
Smart Storage are one of the North West’s premier self-storage companies, they provide clean, dry & secure self storage rooms with free & flexible access. They have rooms of various sizes, from a ‘broom cupboard’ to 1,000 square feet. When you need to de-clutter & make space, protect your documents & possessions, store your surplus stock, or house your furniture, you need Smart Storage. Visit the website for full details of the services offered.

The meeting was rounded off promptly at 2PM with our Significant Song - a track of music chosen to close the meeting. These have been played at the conclusion of each meeting in 2008. The Song was “Do it Again” by Steely Dan. The significance being if you have good processes in your business… effective sales or marketing promotions that have proven to work in the past then do more of what you are good at! …. and DO IT AGAIN


