Chambers News

Business crime figures hit record high in 2024

Businesses across the UK experienced an alarming surge in robberies last year, with an average of 33 incidents occurring daily. Data from the Office for National Statistics. A study by Usdaw, the union representing shop workers, also found that one in five retail employees faced violent assaults in the past year.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wishing all our past, present and future members Seasons Greetings and a prosperous New Year. 

Dorchester Chamber enters it’s 109th year in 2025, celebrate at our January Breakast being held at The Kings Arms, Hotel on Tuesday 114 Jan 0745-0900.

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Self Employed Gov logo Dorchester Chamber

New Government support for small business

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) launched a new interactive online tool and guidance for people working for themselves and individuals considering self-employment. Aimed at supporting new and existing ‘sole traders’ to better understand their responsibilities

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Dorset Council – working together, ambitious for Dorset

Dorset Council councillors have voted to adopt a new Council Plan. The Council Plan 2024-29 sets out the vision for the future Dorset the council wants to see. While the council will continue to deliver these essential services, the Council Plan also sets out the 4 key areas where significant improvement will be made over the next 5 years.

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Chief Executive Matt Prosser to leave Dorset Council

The Chief Executive of Dorset Council Matt Prosser has announced that he will be leaving the council in spring 2025 for a new role as Chief Executive of Wellington City Council in New Zealand.

Matt has led Dorset Council for the six years since he was appointed to the role in October 2018, ahead of the council’s formation in 2019

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Scams warning as Self Assessment deadline loom

HMRC is reminding Self Assessment customers to be alert to potential scams and fraudsters ahead of the filing deadline on 31 January 2025. Concerned customers reported nearly 150,000 scam referrals to HMRC in the last year, as Self Assessment filers are warned to be alert to fraudsters.

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Almost half of small businesses employ family members

Research has found that 41% of small business owners and sole traders employ family members, with 27% employing their partner.
The research also found that 17% of business owners and sole traders plan to pass their business on to a family member when they retire. However, 7% believed that their family wouldn’t want to run their business.

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New round of grant funding set to benefit Dorset businesses

Following the success of the first two rounds of Dorset Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grants, the final round is now open. Businesses can apply for grants between £2,000 – £20,000, with eligible Start-ups able to apply for grants from £1,000 – £5,000.

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