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PRO NEWS
JANUARY 2017 PRO INSTALLER
www . proinstaller . co . uk
Flood insurance relief for small firms
Thousands of small businesses are set to benefit from a new flood insurance package announced by the British Insurance Brokers ’ Association ( BIBA ).
The new BIBA flood insurance scheme should help small businesses who struggle to access affordable flood insurance . Up to now , a small but significant minority of high risk businesses have either been refused insurance or faced unaffordable premiums or excesses – a situation that will be worsened by the proposed 12 % tax hike on insurance premiums . The news was welcomed by the Federation of Small Businesses ( FSB ) which has campaigned hard for a fairer deal for small businesses at risk of flooding , and has also been working with BIBA to address flood insurance and resilience challenges faced by SMEs . Simon Edmondson , regional chairman for the Greater Manchester region which has recently been badly affected by floods , said : “ For the thousands of small businesses in our region that currently struggle to secure affordable flood insurance , this is a welcome first
FIT Show 2017 will be biggest yet
Window , door and conservatory fitters are now invited to enter the 2017 Master Fitter Challenge at The FIT Show - due to be held this year at its new venue at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre ( NEC ). The finals of the Master Fitter Challenge will take place on a brand new pavilion where six finalists will compete live during The FIT Show installing windows , doors and roofs , and including for the first time , aluminium frames . £ 10,000 in prize money is on offer with a first prize of £ 5,000 . Entrants can also enjoy the moneymaking kudos of winning what is described as the UK ’ s most important skills event for window , door and conservatory professionals . The Master Fitter Challenge will be sponsored by FENSA .
step . We are particularly pleased this scheme will recognise and reward small businesses who invest in flood resilience measures . “ We all know how bad the floods were in Greater Manchester in 2016 alone , but our research shows around two thirds of small businesses have been affected by severe weather in recent years . It ’ s a problem that ’ s not going away . Small businesses are at the heart
The FIT Show organisers say there is lots to look forward to at the event from 23rd to 25th May , 2017 . There will be more onsite hotels , more parking spaces , and better connections with motorways , trains and airports .
Organisers are expecting the show to be the biggest yet with more than 300 exhibitors from the glass and glazing sector compared to 180 in 2016 . New sectors such as housebuilding are being of our local community and economy , and they need to be able to get back on their feet as soon as possible after flooding .” Any business having difficulty accessing affordable flood insurance should contact BIBA ’ s Find A Broker service on 0370 950 1790 .
FSB members can contact FSB Insurance on 0345 76 26 158 , or visit www . fsb . org . uk
brought into the mix to increase diversity and broaden the offering for visitors , and hundreds of new products and services will be on show for the first time . Visitors can also enjoy The FIT Show seminar programme developed by industry experts . It focuses on key issues affecting window , door and conservatory businesses . The objective of every seminar is that delegates will leave armed with knowledge and information they can put to work the minute they leave the theatre . The seminars are free to attend and cover subjects like regulations , finance , market conditions , business advice , sales tips and installation advice .
To find out more or to enter the Master Fitter Challenge visit www . fitshow . co . uk
FROM HEARTS TO HOLLYOAKS
Community activities ranging from a football match with the cast of Hollyoaks to buying heart monitors for children has won an award for Frames Conservatories Direct .
A Network VEKA member , the business received a Contribution to the Community Award for charitable work and altruism throughout its Suffolk hometown of Bury St Edmunds . The accolade , presented annually as part of local newspaper the Bury Free Press ’ Business Awards , recognises a businessperson or company that works selflessly to benefit the local community and / or charitable organisations , outside of its everyday business . Frames Conservatories Direct is no stranger to conscientious effort , recently attaining Trading Standards ’ Approved status for the quality of its service , financial stability and industrial credentials . The endorsement echoes many of the criteria that earned it membership of Network VEKA – the UK ’ s window installer network – with the company named Best Newcomer in 2014 and Overall Winner in the two subsequent years at its annual awards dinner . Network VEKA is part of the world ’ s largest window systems company , The VEKA Group . Adrian Lewis , owner and managing director at Frames Conservatories Direct commented : “ We endeavour to make our business the best it can be in all respects , and while that starts with the quality of our work and customer service , we ’ ve always looked for worthwhile ways to give something to back to the community that has supported us for more than 15 years . “ We ’ ve done all sorts over the years , such as sporting events including marathons , international bike rides , scaling mountains , golf days - even a football match with the cast of Hollyoaks ! We ’ re proud to have supported our local sports teams too , and have ongoing sponsorship deals with both Bury Rugby Club and Bury Town Football Club that have lasted 10 years .” The causes that Frames Conservatories Direct has championed have varied , but mainly focus on local organisations , from schools to charities , and even the Bury in Bloom scheme , dedicated to a greener , cleaner and more beautiful town ( another relationship that has endured for more than ten years ). The latest fundraising efforts generated over £ 13,000 for the West Suffolk Hospital Children ’ s Rainbow Ward - enough to buy nine heart monitors . To learn more about Frames Conservatories Direct and its involvement in the Bury St Edmunds community , visit www . fcdhomeimprovements . co . uk
The new Network VEKA website , with dedicated areas for trade and consumer visitors is now live at www . networkveka . co . uk