Beat The Credit Crunch feed - This is Business Staffordshire

Bargain hunters leave shops feeling the pinch

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:00:00 GMT

CITY centre retailers say they are feeling pressured into dropping prices to maintain interest from shoppers.

Many customers are choosing discount stores and the bargains they offer over quality goods as the recession continues to bite.

Michelle Sanger, the joint owner of skate shop Dazed Retailing, in Brunswick Street, Hanley, said: "We've definitely seen a drop in the number of people coming into the store.

"At the moment it's very random. We used to be able to forecast Monday as a good shopping day, but now it can be any day of the week.

"Being based in the Cultural Quarter, we are also more susceptible to the effects of the credit crunch than retailers in the Potteries Shopping Centre for example.

"If it's raining, people don't want to venture outside after they've parked up at the centre, and this can affect stores like ours.

"Many people are looking for bargains and don't expect to pay full price for items any more. But in order to come out of the recession, we all need to spend money.

"It's important not to think of the immediate price tag on things, but to also consider the long-term future of what you're buying."

"Quality is often better than quantity, and the public also needs to support the independent stores as well as the cheaper ones like Primark so the whole economy can improve."

Sue Goodwin, a partner at family business Goodwins Jewellers, of Hope Street, Hanley, confirmed that shoppers were increasingly looking for value.

She said: "Even if the recession wasn't having a direct effect on people they felt they needed to tighten their belts.

"But for us, since January our sales have actually been up on last year.

"Our premises are out of the main shopping area and our overheads are low, so we work on much lower margins than the high street stores.

"People are shopping around more and have realised our prices are good.

"If people can afford to spend their money, then I agree it would be good for the economy if they did that.

"Savers are getting such small amounts of interest from banks and building societies that they might as well.

"If people do rein back it has a bad effect on us all. Shoppers are not necessarily looking for bargains, but they do want good value.

"And some expect retailers to lower their prices because they think we are desperate for customers."

Richard Day is spokesman for the City Centre Partnership, an organisation made up of representatives from the public sector and Hanley businesses.

He confirmed retailers were having to work harder to persuade shoppers to part with their cash.

He said: "The recession and job uncertainty is causing people to think about how they spend their money and what they should be spending it on.

"That uncertainty means they are not going to go out and spend vast amounts, and retailers are trying to respond and help where possible.

"But retailers must be able to make a living. They need to be able to make a profit to survive – and to be able to afford to go out themselves and spend as part of the money circle.

"People are still coming into the city centre to shop, which is very pleasing. But what they are then doing is working out what they can afford to buy before making a purchase.

"Discount stores are obviously doing well because they are offering goods at more affordable prices. The recession is basically making people more aware of the value of money."

How is your business bringing in more sales? Email us at businessdesk@thesentinel.co.uk

Why there's hope on horizon in jobs hunt

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

FORTUNATELY, the advice available to redundant workers is slightly more sophisticated than the "get on your bike and find it" approach that emerged during the downturn of the 1980s.

The area's workforce has already been hit hard, and it will undoubtedly be hit harder still in the year to come.

Even after the economy starts to recover, jobless figures are likely to continue rising.

But now experts are imploring both employers and employee to act before jobs are lost, rather than after they have gone.

Jobcentre Plus is notified when any company in the area intends to make 20 or more redundancies and, with the employer's agreement, the Rapid Response Scheme is put into action.

In conjunction with trade unions, advisers are sent in and anyone at risk of losing their job is given help.

High street casualty Woolworths and administrators at Wedgwood are among the high profile businesses which have opened their doors to the programme.

Phil Wright, pictured below, external relations manager for Jobcentre Plus in Staffordshire, said: "We go in and provide pre-redundancy support. We can help update CVs, we can give people jobseeking advice, advice on how to claim benefits and we can identify which of their skills would be transferable to another type of employer.

"Even before someone has left employment we can fund training for them. We have secured someone a taxi licence before they left work, right the way up to an HGV licence before they even became unemployed."

Some employers decide not to allow Jobcentre Plus in, while for every thousand jobs lost at household names like JCB and Wedgwood, many more go unreported – and the same services are available to workers who walk into their local Jobcentre Plus without having the benefit of pre-redundancy support.

The statistics, though, are stark, with unemployment rising across North Staffordshire and vacancies falling.

Mr Wright said: "We know that the total number of employed people across the Stoke-on-Trent travel-to-work area has gone up by 50 per cent.

"This time last year there were just over 7,000 people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. Last month there were 13,500.

"Having said that, although we're month-on-month seeing a steady increase in people coming in to Jobcentre Plus, last month we saw the highest number of people coming off Jobseeker's Allowance for many, many years.

"Each day, on average, Jobcentre Plus receives about 10,000 new jobs on its website. The number of vacancies is certainly down, and the jobs market is not buoyant, but it's holding up."

This month's Budget allocated more funding to Jobcentres, and in Staffordshire there is a push to build links with employers to make life easier for job hunters and providers.

More advisers are being taken on to cope with demand, help for unemployed professionals is being improved and businesses are being signed up to Local Employment Partnerships.

Under these agreements, a hiring company outlines the skills they are looking for, Jobcentre Plus provides specific training for potential candidates and everyone who attends the training gets an interview.

It is an approach which is bearing fruit - Festival Park fashion outlet New Look recruited 35 new starters in this way.

Another policy, which is becoming popular with employers since it was introduced in April, is the Recruitment Subsidy.

Any employer who hires someone who has been out of work for more than six months receives £1,000.

"It's as simple as that," said Mr Wright.

"The candidate takes a voucher along with him telling the employer what he is entitled to and we make the process as straightforward as possible.

"If you want to take on several people over the coming twelve months we will also set up a simple direct billing system."

Mr Wright understands many North Staffordshire residents are concerned about the future.

In one way or another, almost every company has been affected – from huge multi-nationals to the mechanic operating out of a lock-up.

Either directly or indirectly, everyone knows someone affected by a recession which could be the worst in decades. They may have lost a job themselves, they may know someone who has lost a job, they may feel insecure, their pay may have been frozen or they may be working a four-day week.

But Mr Wright is convinced the light at the end of the tunnel will be a lot closer for people who make the most of what is on offer.

He said: "We have got extra staff, extra advisers and there are jobs coming in.

"People need to remain positive and not get downhearted. I know that might sound a bit glib but there is a wealth of support and advice out there."

£20m scheme to harness skills of redundant staff

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

The Better West Midlands project is helping thousands of North Staffordshire employees find new jobs – even before they have been made redundant.

The scheme, run by a consortium of trade unions has a £20 million contract with the Learning and Skills Council to deliver pre-redundancy support.

Better West Midlands evolved from a successful programme developed by the Unity union in Stoke-on-Trent to help out pottery workers about to lose their jobs.

Project manager Lyndon Peach, pictured above, said: "The model we have developed has been recognised as something that really works.

"It's available to anyone who is under notice of redundancy or any group which is under notice.

"We go in to the workplace and everyone receives individual advice and an action plan is drawn up that takes into account what they see themselves doing, how realistic that is, what skills they have and what skills they need.

"After that, if training is needed, then the appropriate courses are sourced and it is paid for by the project.

"It's all focussed on getting them back to work as quickly as possible.

"One of the advantages is that it's run by a consortium of trade unions so we have already built up that trust with them and they see us as a friendly face rather than an institution.

"The other advantage of being unions is we often have early knowledge if there are going to be redundancies even before notices go out. That means we can be very flexible and reactive.

"Very often, though, if there are only a small number of redundancies we don't get to hear about them and it's these people we really want to find.

"As long as they have been given notice of redundancy we want them to contact the project.

"These are the people who often slip through the net."

Cake decorating business is a success for former tile maker

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

PETE Dissington has gone from tile maker to cake baker with help from Business Initiative and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The 57-year-old, pictured, who lives in Porthill, near Newcastle, set up his own cake decorating business after being made redundant from H & R Johnson.

His talents have been officially recognised at the LSC's Stars For Skills Awards, where he was named the Best Re-Trainer in the West Midlands.

The award scheme was set up to honour people who have overcome barriers and achieved success after signing up for European Social Fund-supported programmes.

The programme Pete completed was organised through Festival Park-based Business Initiative, and he stumbled across it when he saw an advert in The Sentinel. The free training covered the ins and outs of starting up a business.

Pete said: "Some cakes I can do in a day and others can take up to a week.

"It depends on the finer details.

"Most people come to me with an idea for what they want and ask if I can do it.

"Some of the designs are a challenge, but it's good fun."

Pete makes cakes for any occasion, including birthdays, weddings and christenings, and he receives orders through word of mouth and online at his petescakes.com website.

College advisers offer motivational tips for job-seekers

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

STOKE-ON-TRENT College can also provide support for people seeking employment through Hanley Training Centre, in Trinity Street.

Staff aim to support and motivate people back into employment and the centre includes training rooms, a computer suite and access to the latest vacancies.

One man who has benefited from the support available at Hanley Training Centre is Russell Mayer, of Meir Park.

Russell was made redundant from digger-maker JCB in December after three-and-a-half years' employment there.

The 48-year-old, who has three children, was a regular visitor at the centre for the three months he was out of work.

He said: "It was quite frightening as I have a mortgage to pay, so I put a lot of effort into finding a new job.

"The staff at the centre helped me to look for work, and I also took advantage of the computer training on offer.

"I applied for about eight jobs, and one of them was in guest services at Alton Towers, which I got.

"It felt absolutely amazing to be back in work again."

New Look recruitment drive offers chance of a new start

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

THIRTY-FIVE people, including single mothers and former Woolworths workers, are celebrating after landing jobs at New Look at Festival Park, Hanley.

The fashion retailer recruited them through a Local Employment Partnership (LEP) with Jobcentre Plus.

A LEP is a commitment to offer positions to jobseekers who are finding it difficult to return to work, including lone parents and the long-term unemployed.

Jo Baskeyfield, New Look store manager, said: "We have been very impressed by the standard of applicants that Jobcentre Plus put forward for the jobs advertised.

"We filled all our supervisory and speciality posts from those who attended the assessment day."

Irene Howarth found her job as a support worker with Heathcote Care Home through Longton Jobcentre Plus.

The 48-year-old Longton resident said: "I felt that employers would think I was too old.

"Joanne, my Jobcentre Plus adviser, has been great, encouraging me by showing me I had transferable skills to offer employers.

"I was very nervous at first when I started my work trial, but my manager and my mentor were very supportive.

"I was lucky my employer saw the potential in me."

'Seek advice if you are facing trouble'

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

Households across the region are struggling to deal with redundancy, debt problems and rising prices, but there is support available to help families balance their budget. Business reporter Louise Psyllides spoke to Simon Harris, chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent's Citizens Advice Bureau.

IT COMES as no surprise that inquiries from worried North Staffordshire residents about debt, employment and benefits have shot up at Hanley's Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

Simon Harris, the agency's chief executive, says staff have seen an extra 1,000 people come through the doors during the first three months of the year.

And the number of people seeking help for employment and debt-related problems has doubled.

Mr Harris, pictured below, said: "It's a bit difficult to make a straight comparison because we've changed the way we analyse things, but if you compare what was our first quarter last year, from April to June, to our first quarter this year, which was January to March, we've had an extra 1,000 people coming in to see us.

"That's an increase of about 15 per cent. During that time we've also seen the number of debt queries virtually doubling to more than 5,000.

"We've seen a similar increase for employment problems to about 500 in the first quarter, and employment benefits queries have risen by about 25 per cent.

"What we can say now is that more than one in three queries are to do with debt, and questions about benefits represent about one in four."

The CAB has taken on extra staff in recent months to deal with the increased demand, but Mr Harris admits the service is still being stretched.

He said: "The demand for debt advice has been so great that we have been struggling to deal with it, so we are prioritising those who have reached crisis point."

But he added there are many things people can do for themselves before reaching that stage.

He said: "We would say to people, if you are having problems seek advice as soon as you can. Certainly with debt problems it's easier to try to sort them out early on rather than leaving them to escalate.

"People can do things themselves – you can look through your budget and see if there is any expenditure that isn't essential.

"If you're struggling with your mortgage payments, talk to your lender and see what options are available.

"Lenders are being encouraged very strongly by the Government to avoid repossessing people where at all possible.

"People may be able to benefit from schemes such as a mortgage holiday, although that will rely on you being able to convince your lender that you will be able to pick up the payments again.

"If you have credit card debt, the simplest thing to do is to stop using them. Cut them up and send them back – companies are more likely to freeze the interest if they know you're not going to be using the card any more."

Mr Harris said taking time to sit down and prioritise outgoings can help.

He said: "The priorities are the things that have the most serious consequences if you don't pay – obviously things like your rent or mortgage where you could lose your home.

"With your gas and electric bills, you could be disconnected, and if you don't pay your Council Tax you risk the bailiffs coming round.

"If you have a fine from the magistrates' courts you are paying in installments, that's also a priority – again there's a risk of the bailiffs turning up – and in extreme cases you could be sent to prison.

"A TV licence is something people often forget about but if you don't have one you could be fined.

"If you need a car for work, make sure it's insured and taxed. House insurance is also important – there are a lot of people on lower incomes who don't have building or contents insurance.

"It could be that you default on your mortgage if you don't have it in place, and there is also the risk of being a victim of fire or burglary – especially because in a recession there is generally an increase in burglaries."

He added: "It's a case of making sure you can deal with those priorities and then cutting out any unnecessary spending. Make sure you have enough left over to pay for food and basic travel to work and school, then if you've got any money left you can look at trying to deal with any unsecured debt.

"Contact your creditors, tell them your situation and see what they say.

"If your creditors don't agree to help you out, then it's time to seek advice from us and other agencies."

As the recession has taken hold, thousands of people in North Staffordshire have lost their jobs as the axe fell at the likes of JCB, Wedgwood and Woolworths.

Mr Harris added: "For people whose income has dropped, it's well worth checking out what tax credits and benefits you may be entitled to.

"It will depend on your circumstances but you can contact us or the Department for Work and Pensions direct. If your employer goes bust getting hold of pay owed and redundancy pay can be more difficult, but you shouldn't assume the money has gone – you should seek help in trying to get it."

'By just buying what you need you can halve your bills'

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

SENIOR business broker Adele Cope lives in Madeley with her husband Jonathan, aged 36, a Phd student, and their sons Solomon, aged seven, and four-year-old Levin.

The 35-year-old said: "I spend most of my income on food because I've got two boys and a six-foot-five husband and they've got large appetites.

"Our shopping bill used to be at least £150 per week. I used to do it all at Sainsbury's, but now I do a combination of online shopping from supermarkets, and buying from local stores.

"Buying online is good because it saves my travel time and costs. If you buy at certain times of the day, the delivery charge is lower. And online I can get a full costing before I pay.

"This helps me to budget – if I can't afford the total I take out the things that are not necessities.

"You can supplement local purchasing with items you can only get from supermarkets, but by combining online and local shopping you're not tempted to buy anything else. And by doing this I have managed to cut the cost of my weekly shop down to £60. I never exceed £90 a fortnight from supermarkets, and buy additional stuff from the local stores."

Adele and her family are also very keen to grow their own vegetables, and are looking into getting an allotment or developing a vegetable patch in their garden.

She added: "This is because of the credit crunch, but it's also a lifestyle choice. I want to be more involved in the production of the food, and lowering my travel miles.

"I don't care what my vegetables look like or what size and shape they are, but by growing my own I'd know they are not full of chemicals.

"It's also very important to make food go as far as possible. I'm very good at meal planning, and there is no food waste in our house.

"By just buying what you need for the week you can halve your bills.

"We've never used packet meals, and we compost all our vegetables. And the food we cannot eat just goes to our dog, Sammy.

"It's a matter of keeping a track of what you purchase, having a choice of where to buy from and looking around to find the best deals, and thinking sensibly about what to eat. Also, we've always bought certain products like rice and pasta in large bulk. We buy the massive bags because you can make so many different meals out of these staple foods, and it lasts for ages. It's much cheaper this way."

Adele is also keen to encourage people to take packed lunches to work and school, instead of buying a meal each day.

She said: "There was some research done which said people who buy out every day add £2,000 a year to their food bills.

"I do sometimes buy lunch instead of making it, but a lot of the time I take a packed meal to work, or I heat up some soup and have it with some bread. I often share a loaf with a colleague, which makes it cheaper, and the bread doesn't go off before you can use it up.

"Another money-saving tip is about substituting. When making a fish pie for example, instead of buying cod or salmon, which are quite expensive, we buy mackerel.

"Four salmon steaks can cost £6 or £7, but you can pick up two nice, big mackerel for only £1.50.

"These are just small ways to make quite a difference."

Credit union offers families an escape from dodgy lenders

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

FAMILIES struggling to manage their finances will soon be able to borrow from a credit union rather than resorting to loan sharks.

Staffordshire Credit Union, based at the Dudson Centre in Hanley, is expected to start lending in June.

The not-for-profit organisation launched in January and is currently signing up savers.

Savings accounts are open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Staffordshire, and members can save up to £10,000, with the possibility of gaining a return on their investment in the form of a dividend.

Chief executive Kevin Waters said: "At the moment we are taking deposits so we can build up a large foundation, so eventually we can offer loans to people in Staffordshire who require financial support.

"You will save with us for 12 weeks before you can apply for a loan, because if you can't afford to save you can't afford to borrow.

"After June we will be able to offer small loans, and allow people to build up a credit history. We run as a co-operative and we want to offer help to anyone who requires it.

"We have got approaching 200 people saving with us at the moment, so things are going extremely well."

Because the credit union is supported by its members as a co-operative, it can only use money from its members' deposits to finance loans to other members.

Mr Waters said it was easy for people to fall victim to loan sharks without realising the interest they will have to pay. He said: "The money-lender will say they can pay it back at, say, £5 a week, but don't say how long it'll take to pay back. They are lulled into a false sense of security because it sounds affordable. Their recovery of debt doesn't follow rules and it's usually followed up with violence, or threats of violence.

"Women can be coerced into prostitution to get the money back. It's a horrible way to exist.

"Loan sharks are out there in Stoke-on-Trent, but there's no way to quantify how many because they're only known to borrowers. They are in the shadows preying on the vulnerable."

People who have become victims of loan sharks or know anything about their activities are encouraged to contact the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222. Based in Birmingham and funded by the Government, it covers a wide area including Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

For more information on the Staffordshire Credit Union call 0845 224 1215.

How to steer clear of debt in the recession

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

Follow these golden rules for steering clear of debt:

Don't ignore the problem. The longer you leave it the worse it gets.

Don't borrow money to pay off your debts without thinking carefully, especially if the loan is to be secured against your home.

Check your credit agreement to see if you have payment protection insurance, which may cover you in the event of being out of work.

Check that you are claiming all the benefits and tax credits you can.

Work out your household budget and show it to your creditors.

Make sure you tackle your priority debts first, for example, debts which could mean you lose your home, or have essential services cut off.

Get in touch with your creditors straight away and explain your difficulties.

Work out a reasonable offer to repay the money owed. Creditors prefer you to pay a small amount regularly than one you cannot keep to.

Don't give up trying to reach an agreement even if creditors are difficult.

Fill in the reply forms to court papers and let the court have all the facts. You can attach a copy of your budget sheet. Always follow the instructions on the court papers, especially about where to return them.

Always attend court hearings. Take a copy of your budget sheet with you. Don't think that going to the county court makes you a criminal – it's not that kind of court.

Always keep copies of any letters you send or receive, and make a record of telephone conversations in a diary.

Supplied by National Debtline

Help at hand to steer firms out of trouble

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

ONE of North Staffordshire's regeneration leaders has said: We know what you're going through and we're here to help.

And he says if hard-hit individuals and businesses take advantage of the "unprecedented" range of help that has been put together, the area can emerge stronger and more vibrant – home to a healthy economy with better-paid jobs.

Hardial Bhogal, director of housing improvement agency Renew North Staffordshire, said: "I am genuinely really sorry to read about and hear about the terrible difficulties that individuals and firms are experiencing in this global crisis.

"But I am absolutely delighted with the partnership shown by key agencies.

"In this city we are prepared to come together and put in significant resources to minimise the effects of the credit crunch.

"People need to come forward and take advantage of these opportunities because they are unprecedented."

Mr Bhogal is under no illusions as to the scale of the difficulties faced by North Staffordshire as the recession continues.

Unemployment is rising, vacancies are falling and companies including Steelite, Michelin, and JCB have introduced short-time working.

But he is adamant the help pulled together from the Government and the public sector nationally and locally – and a spirit of co-operation and support from councils – can cushion the blow for companies and workers alike.

He said: "Unemployment in North Staffordshire has increased a lot, and 90 per cent of that has been in the city. Just like the Black Country, it has been disproportionately affected and very badly hit because of its reliance on traditional industries.

"But agencies like regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the Learning and Skills Council are treating North Staffordshire as an absolute priority.

"Then planners are saying: 'Let's see how we can help you' and making it as easy as possible to get applications through.

"Councils are saying to businesses: 'We will give you a holiday on your payments or we'll relax them to help you with your cash flow.'

"And they are paying their suppliers very quickly.

"These things are critical for businesses to thrive.

"The banks may not be flexible at the moment, but the public sector certainly is."

Mr Bhogal said ambitious regeneration plans such as the Central Business District to the south of the city centre, and the University Quarter must still be a priority.

He accepts timescales may have to be flexible, with public sector cash being used to pave the way for private sector investment from developers wary of the shortage of credit.

But he believes the approach being taken to the improvement of North Staffordshire is the right one.

He said: "Developers are finding it very difficult to shift newly-built properties, when until fairly recently they were flying off the shelf.

"We have gone in with Government aid to free that up and move it along.

"We have got to hold our nerve with the business plan and the direction of travel.

"We are pressing ahead with the University Quarter and the Central Business District and these will bring in the jobs.

"People are becoming unemployed – that's the real world out there.

"All forward planning goes out of the window.

"People don't know if they are going to have a job so they don't spend any money and the whole economy suffers as a result.

"There has to be support for the unemployed and support for people to be able to stay in their own homes.

"This support is actually in place and happening now.

"People need to come forward and take these opportunities because they are unprecedented.

"Through no fault of our own we are in serious trouble here. Individuals are being made unemployed and developments are stopping because of the global credit crunch.

"Rather than wallowing in self pity, though, we have got together a whole lot of support schemes and I would urge people and firms to take advantage."

Investments will help our economy recover stronger

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

Message from Councillor Mohammed Pervez, Stoke-on-Trent deputy elected mayor and chair of the North Staffordshire Economic Response Unit

North Staffordshire has been hit hard by the credit crunch, but we are fighting back.

The councils, regeneration agencies, Jobcentre Plus, training providers and local business are determined to help in every way they can.

We already have experience over several years of retraining and helping people back into work who lost their jobs in the pottery industry.

That meant that all the key partners already had a contingency plan to deal with the major job losses that happened earlier this year.

Since then we have put that plan into place and worked hard to find extra ways of supporting businesses and local people.

We as a council are offering improved loan terms, quicker payments and greater flexibility with businesses, individuals and our tenants.

People are being helped into new jobs through support from Jobcentre Plus and training funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

In addition, our partners Advantage West Midlands and the Homes and Communities Agency are continuing to make major investment into North Staffordshire's regeneration.

That investment is in itself creating jobs and helping North Staffordshire to become a place where businesses will want to invest, raise skills and create more jobs.

It is vital that we stay focused on our long term regeneration plans – creating new, more skilled and better paid jobs, raising education standards and providing the homes, transport and thriving communities people need.

By working together in this way we are preparing for the upturn and ensuring North Staffordshire emerges economically stronger than it was before.

Surge in OAPs seeking advice

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

THE RECESSION sparked a 10 per cent increase in inquiries to a charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people last year.

Age Concern North Staffordshire was contacted by 13,000 worried pensioners between April 2008 and March 2009 – up by more than 1,000 on the previous 12 months.

Philip Mann, pictured below, service development manager for the North Staffordshire branch of the charity, believes this increase is a result of added pressure on people's finances brought about by the recession.

He said: "We run an information and advice service for older people who have concerns or queries, and the number of inquiries we received during the last financial year was 10 per cent up on the previous year.

"There are three main areas of concern that older people have.

"The first is regarding benefits, and whether people are getting all they are entitled to.

"The welfare system is very complex, and millions of pounds go unclaimed every year because people find the process too difficult, or they don't know what they should be getting.

"This especially affects things like council tax and housing benefits, and pension credit. We ask every older person who contacts us if we can do a welfare benefits check for them, and we do sometimes make a massive difference to their income and quality of life just by helping them to access one or two benefits they weren't previously claiming.

"The second area is people who have been made redundant as a result of the closure of Wedgwood or the problems at JCB for example.

"This affects people in the aged 50 to 65 bracket, who come to us for advice on how they can manage their situation.

"Finally, and perhaps the most significantly for older people, is the reduction in interest rates for savings. A lot of people rely on that interest as a form of income.

"It is difficult to advise people about this because all we can do is wait for the interest rates to rise.

"But some support we can provide is to ensure they are getting the benefits they are entitled to."

Age Concern has branches in Hanley, Newcastle, Leek and Biddulph.

£400m bridges gap for stalled work

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

The credit crunch and global recession have touched almost every company in North Staffordshire. But, as business editor David Johnson finds out, there is help available – including advice, grants, loans and cash to kickstart new developments

NORTH Staffordshire is in pole position for a slice of a £400 million cashpot aimed at re-starting building projects.

Regeneration leaders believe the money will create jobs in the construction sector and see the diggers roll on to developments which have stalled because of a lack of cash or confidence.

The Kickstart fund was announced in April's Budget, and it will be co-ordinated by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Paul Spooner, the HCA's director for the West Midlands, believes North Staffordshire is in line for a welcome financial shot in the arm.

He said: "The Government is very keen to get developments underway, so the priority is those which already have planning permission, which fit best with regional priorities and which offer value for money.

"In the West Midlands, North Staffordshire is one of the very top priorities for both central government and for us.

"We know that sites already have planning permission and that they can proceed straight away.

"I am very optimistic that there will be several sites in North Staffordshire that will benefit – and that is in addition to the £40 million we have already allocated to the area.

"We can do a lot with our existing finance, but with the Kickstart money we will be able to do more."

Even without Kickstart cash, the HCA is negotiating with developers in the Knutton/Cross Heath area of Newcastle to reboot regeneration projects which are in danger of grinding to a halt because private sector money and confidence is scarce.

It is doing the same at the City Waterside development in the Lichfield Street area of Hanley, and it has already bankrolled infrastructure there, such as a road and a new bridge.

The bridge was officially opened in April by Emma Bridgewater, the entrepreneur behind the nearby Emma Bridgewater pottery.

That has paved the way for builders to press on with a scheme to deliver more than 1,000 homes.

Mr Spooner said: "We have already been working closely with developers in places like City Waterside and Knutton Cross Heath.

"At City Waterside we have got the possibility of around 1,300 new homes in total. The infrastructure has gone in, the new bridge has gone in and of those 1,300 almost 220 have been completed and sold.

"Some parts of that site are owned by private developers and we will try to use Kickstart money where planning consent is in place. We will also be using our other funds as well so we can get as many of these sites moving as possible.

"They came to a halt because of market difficulties. We would be able to step in with gap funding or possibly an equity agreement or maybe we could guarantee a buyer for the affordable housing elements of mixed developments.

"We might be able to fund infrastructure projects and we or the local authority would consider buying plots from developers if necessary."

He added: "If developers have got sites that are stuck and they are in a priority area like North Staffordshire then we want them to come and talk to us.

"We will then talk to the local authority and work to find a tailor-made package."

Help to survive and thrive during the recession is not limited to the construction sector.

And Bryan Carnes, chief executive of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is calling on companies of all sizes to look into the support offered by the schemes listed in The Sentinel's Beat The Credit Crunch supplement.

Mr Carnes said: "The chamber has got a formidable team to help companies find overseas markets.

"That is particularly pertinent at the moment when exchange rates make British products and services more attractive in overseas markets.

"Through our enterprise agency Business Initiative we provide free help to people who want to transform their business ideas into reality.

"We help them prepare business plans, raise funding, find premises and so on.

"There is a whole raft of help out there from the chamber itself, through to Business Link, the local authorities, the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the universities, and of course companies can get advice from their accountants, their bankers and their solicitors.

"There are lots of sources of help out there, the key is for companies to know about it and to use it."

A point in the right direction...

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

Business Link West Midlands

The complete business advice and support resource funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands. Guidance available on improving every aspect of your company.

Information on the complete range of finance packages and grants available, from Government schemes to grants aimed at specific geographic areas or business sectors.

Website: www.businesslinkwm.co.uk

Telephone: 0845 1131234

North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

A membership organisation representing more than 1,000 North Staffordshire businesses. It provides business training and advice and it runs an online network where members can find suppliers and customers.

Website: www.nscci.co.uk

Telephone: 01782 202222

Business Initiative

A not-for-profit organisation offering free help to people who want to start up on their own and to small firms who are experiencing problems.

Website: www.business.org.uk

Telephone: 01782 202222

British Ceramic Confederation

The trade association for the UK ceramics industry. Members receive access to expert advice and support on best practice, economic issues and new legislation. Many seminars and events, such as Made In Staffordshire, are open to non-members

Website: www.ceramfed.co.uk

Telephone: 01782 744631

Made In Staffordshire

An annual event backed by the British Ceramic Federation and Build Up North Staffordshire. It is aimed at bringing local suppliers and manufacturers together.

Website: www.made-in-staffordshire.org.uk

Telephone: Ann Steele on 01782 224403

Build Up North Staffordshire

A partnership of public and private sector organisations led by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. It administers a database aimed at helping the construction sector and suppliers to that sector. Suppliers and smaller contractors register free and are eligible for business advice. Buyers are put in touch with suppliers.

Website: www.buildup-ns.org.uk

Telephone: 01782 224414

Michelin Development Fund

Unsecured, low-cost loans from £5,000 for businesses with up to 250 employees. Qualifying companies also receive free mentoring.

Website: michelindevelopment.co.uk

Telephone: 0800 0562007

North Staffordshire Risk Capital Fund

Offers unsecured loans from £10,000 to £50,000 in return for a share of the business.

Access to expert advice, mentoring and other financial help.

Website: www.nsrcf.co.uk

Telephone: 01782 266408

Homes and Communities Agency

The national housing and regeneration agency for England.

Distributes government funding for affordable housing, brings land back into use and aims to improve quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment.

Website: www.homesandcommunities .co.uk

Telephone: 0121 352 5212

Manufactory Advisory Service (West Midlands)

A complete business advice and support resource for the manufacturing industry.

Their experts can offer advice, reviews, and best practice workshops covering topics including manufacturing, purchasing and international marketing. Project support to resolve complex manufacturing issues.

It is backed by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.

Website: www.mas-wm.org

Telephone: 0845 245 0845

Advantage West Midlands

The regional development agency has re-opened the Advantage Transition Bridge Fund which lends between £50,000 and £250,000 to businesses with viable business plans but which have been unable to access some or all of the finance they need from mainstream sources.

Website: www.advantagebridgefund.com

Telephone: Karen Davis on 0121 200 8195

You can find a one-stop-shop featuring links to all the help available for businesses and people at www.supportwm.co.uk

'We refuse to give up on people and will make sure help is available'

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

Message from Ian Austin, Regional Minister for the West Midlands

I WANT to congratulate The Sentinel and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership on producing this supplement to show the real help being provided to get businesses and families through the recession.

This downturn started in America, it's affecting every country around the world but it's having a real impact here in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.

Businesses are under real pressure and families are being hit as jobs are lost and what they need is a Government that is on their side providing real help to get them back into work as quickly as possible.

I have been really impressed by the work being undertaken by organisations and companies in North Staffordshire. And I have been very encouraged to hear the many success stories – of people who have found jobs and the businesses who have continued to thrive – despite the challenging economic times. We will not give up on people and will do everything we can to make sure that if you become unemployed there is help available to get back to work as quickly as possible.

Jobcentre Plus can now offer immediate support for people from day one of unemployment, and extra help for jobseekers who have been unemployed for six months or more. There is also information on training and education that can be accessed through Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

It is harder financially for households in this climate but there is real help available for people. This supplement will signpost you to how to access this, including help with housing through Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Housing Advice Scheme and debt advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

There is also advice and guidance for companies. Business Link West Midlands operates an information service offering free independent advice on help with finance and cashflow, as well managing efficiency and costs. Information on the package of support for training is available from the Learning and Skills Council's Train To Gain, to help small and medium-sized employers address their skills needs.

We're getting all the local organisations like the councils and hospitals, college and universities to work together to boost employment and skills for local people.

All the organisations featured in this Beat The Credit Crunch supplement share the same strong commitment: working to help and support businesses, individuals and communities during the economic downturn. But also to help them plan, so that we can build a stronger economy, create jobs and boost prosperity in the future. And we've increased investment in local projects like the University Quarter – not just to help regenerate the area, but to ensure we've got the skills we'll need to make the most of the opportunities when the economy recovers.

Ceramics firm put on road to success thanks to fund set up by Michelin

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:20:00 GMT

CASH and advice from the Michelin Development Fund has been the difference between growth and going under for some firms.

Ceramics maker Caverswall China was on the verge of collapse before the fund backed a management buy-out.

Now the firm produces bespoke collections for customers including the Getty family, the Sultan of Brunei, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner and Michael Caine from its factory in Berryhill Road, Fenton.

In 2007, Caverswall became the first pottery manufacturer in a decade to be granted a new Royal Warrant to mark its status as an elite maker for Prince Charles.

Trevor Johnson, pictured, managing director of the firm, said: "If it were not for Michelin Development, I don't think our business would be here today.

"They were incredibly supportive during the management buy-out and have played a major role in our success."

Michelin Development business development manager Dave Smith said: "To go from being a company on the brink of shutting down and closing another chapter in the North Staffordshire manufacturing story, to achieving a Royal Warrant in two years, is a vindication of everything we set out to achieve."

The Michelin Development Fund provides loans of between £5,000 and £50,000 at Bank of England base rate to companies with up to 250 employees.

Successful applicants also receive free mentoring and advice.

Couple invest redundancy cash in own business

Tue, 05 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

WHEN Stone duo Denise Meadows and Dave Roberts lost their jobs, they used the experience as a springboard to change their lives for the better.

The pair, pictured, ploughed their redundancy pay and savings into launching laser-cutting firm X-Cel Profiles in Stone after attending a workshop held by Business Link West Midlands.

Denise said: "We were given half an hour's notice that our jobs had gone, and then the firm closed.

"I've had to re-adapt several times in my life so wallowing was not an option for me. My first thought was to start up a business of my own.

"I read about the redundancy workshops in the paper and we both went along because while we knew we wanted to start up a business, neither of us had worked for ourselves before.

"I didn't really know anything about the tax side of things, but after attending the course, I can confidently work in the office as well as the shop floor."

X-Cel now has a new laser cutting machine and the partners are confident the business will flourish.

Jill Levens, adviser at Business Link, said: "X-Cel is a great example of what can be achieved by remaining positive and, strange as it sounds, being made redundant can often be an opportunity to move on and improve your life."

Business Link offers support, advice and help accessing grants, loans and information. It provides training, access to quality assured suppliers and hands-on help to start a business.