SPOTLIGHT ON CHIPPENHAM
MONAHANS - CHIPPENHAM FOCUS
Based at Forest Gate , Monahans has been providing accountancy and business advice to businesses across the area since the 1960s .
Working with a range of businesses , Monahans helps companies navigate the ever-changing intricacies of accounting and helping them stay ahead of the game .
One issue that is common across businesses of all sectors is Business Rates . However , businesses in the area can look forward to saving money this year as a result of a partnership between Chartered Accountants Monahans and Alder King to review levels of Business Rates ahead of the changes coming into force from this April .
April 2017 will see Business Rates undergo a revaluation and so businesses may face a significant increase , which will be in effect for the next five years . However it is still possible to appeal your current rate and potentially save thousands going forwards . Already across the region savings have reached figures of tens of thousands , with a warehouse with an initial rateable liability of £ 37,355 successfully reduced to £ 8,965 and an office with a rateable liability of £ 27,335 reduced to £ 7,359 .
Simon Cooper , a Partner at Monahans , said : “ Challenging your rateable liability can make a huge difference to your business outgoings , giving you a chance to start the 2017 financial year in a stronger position . We ’ re offering this service to all businesses in Chippenham on a ‘ no win no fee ’ basis as for some it could make a crucial difference to the future of a company in our town .
“ We ’ re passionate about supporting businesses and helping them make the most of their potential . We ’ re also great champions of highlighting and encouraging talent in the town and this year Monahans is sponsoring the Creative Business of the Year award at the Chippenham Business Awards , run in association with Chippenham BID . Our town has a wealth of great companies and we ’ re proud to be working with many of the best .”
Recognising that running a business often means you have to be an expert in a range of subjects , Monahans runs a monthly breakfast club at Chippenham Golf Course to keep business people up to date with big projects in the area and what they need to know . February ’ s topic is Wessex Water ’ s ground-breaking projects linked to the Chippenham and North Wiltshire area and later in the year the focus will include the importance of social housing in the UK and state of the art energy research being conducted locally .
Simon Cooper , Partner at Monahans
Businesses in the area will also be able to hear directly from the Bank of England on the quarterly inflation report at the first Monahans Bank of England breakfast being held at the Hilton Hotel in Swindon on 23 February .
For more information on Monahans and to book onto their events visit www . monahans . co . uk or call 01225 785520 .
Wiltshire Wood Recycling celebrates 10 years
2017 marks ten years of trading for Wiltshire Wood Recycling , a not-for-profit Community Interest Company , formed in early 2006 to offer environmental and social benefits to the community of Wiltshire .
The firm offers an environmental wood collection and recycling service , collecting wood from many sources including construction sites , schools , houses , industrial units and shops . They take all wood including pallets ( whole or broken ), chipboard , MDF and wood based materials .
Wiltshire Wood Recycling works with some big names in the construction industry such as Balfour Beatty , B & Q , Bloor Homes , Crest Nicholson , Beard and Kier .
Diverting the wood from landfill , it is used to make a range of products such as compost bins , planters , benches and other bespoke items .
Some of the wood is sold in lengths and is available at affordable prices to the trade and public .
Work opportunities are offered on a paid and voluntary basis to people who find it hard to enter / re-enter the job market . Currently employing ten staff , 2016 was a record year for Wiltshire Wood Recycling , expanding into a new geography with the launch of Gloucester Wood Recycling and reporting their highest turnover in the history of the firm .
Managing director Andy Barnett said : “ The future aim is to expand into new geographies where there isn ’ t an existing CIC in place . The idea is to encourage more communities into our way of working , increasing engagement and the amount of wood that is re-used and recycled .”
The firm is also looking to grow by diversification and has started recycling other products such as card , scrap and green waste to meet customer requirements .
Andy added :“ We are always able to offer opportunities to a range of volunteers , including those with a support worker , retired folk wanting an interesting way to pass the day and those seeking work experience . We have been fortunate to be able to offer apprenticeships and NVQ training to our volunteers and staff and we ’ ve been awarded for our continued commitment to adult learning .”
For more info : www . wiltshirewoodrecycling . org . uk
01249 783499 / 07436 535209
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