Financial ‘carrot’ for businesses predicted

SECRET MILLIONAIRE star Gill Fielding has predicted an announcement on financial help for small businesses in the Government’s Autumn Statement.
Gill Fielding at the Worthing and Adur AGM. Picture by Maria ScardGill Fielding at the Worthing and Adur AGM. Picture by Maria Scard
Gill Fielding at the Worthing and Adur AGM. Picture by Maria Scard

The entrepreneur and former Government adviser made the claim at the annual general meeting of Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce at the Dome last Wednesday.

She believes the Government will be keen to ensure the vote of the small and medium-sized business owner in the run up to the general election in 2015.

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She said: “The challenge of having a lack of money is still there. Solutions like crowd funding have to be the way to go because it is about having responsibility.

“The view is there will be an announcement of funding for small businesses as the Government is totally away of the issue.

“There will be a carrot because there is an election and they want your votes.”

The AGM also heard from chief executive at Adur and Worthing councils Alex Bailey, who spoke briefly about the Catching the Wave project and how the council was focussed on an ‘open for business’ message.

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He also introduced new director for the economy Scott Marshall, who takes up his new post in June.

Mr Bailey said: “When I saw the advert for the job as chief executive, what struck me was the ambition, not just of the council, but also the number of people and the businesses I spoke to who shared the level of ambition.

“It was very exciting.”

Before the guest speakers, president Peter Bennett led the AGM proceedings, with a large audience reinstating him and the rest of the executive committee into their respective roles.

But Mr Bennett also announced that ETI managing director Peter Webb would be joining the committee, after impressing with his support for the peer to peer mentoring programme.

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Mr Webb, whose company recently broke the £1 million turnover in a month barrier for the first time said: “From my point of view I want to be the face of the medium to large business. I’ve got plenty of experience to bring and hope I can be of good service to you guys.”

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