Enter the 2019 New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards 

10 different categories this year - one for all businesses big and small! 

The New Forest Business Partnership 2019 "Brilliance in Business” Awards were officially opened this Tuesday morning at Carey's Manor Hotel and local businesspeople are very much encouraged to enter their own businesses and nominate other businesses too, for one or more of the ten awards on offer.

Since 2006 the New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards have celebrated the achievements of business in the area and highlighted best practice. Each year the award scheme has grown and last year saw a record number of entries and an outstanding quality of short-listees.

Enter your own business, and nominate businesses you admire too

If you've never entered nor considered entering for one of these Awards before, do it this year!  There has to be a category - or more than one - in which your business would stand a great chance. In addition, if you particularly admire a certain business please nominate it, too.

Please do also share this article widely via your social media! See right hand panel...

Brilliant opportunity to publicise your business

If you're a finalist or better still the winner in your category, you'll get a great big boost of publicity for your business!  Last year's winners below will certainly endorse that aspect.

But even the process of entering in itself will be good for your business because it encourages you to focus on what you do, who you do it for, who your customers are and how you keep them happy, who your target markets are and how you make your business appealing to them, how you look after and train your staff and so on. Just take a look at all the categories now and we are sure there will be one for which your business could enter. What's not to like!

Go on, do it, enter!

The organisers would really like to see the numbers of entries grow significantly this year, and give the judges some tough decisions to make! You can do the whole thing online so it will only take a few minutes.

So start now by looking through the list of categories and determining which would be suitable for your own business to enter, and fill in the relevant online form. The categories are listed below or you can go straight to the entry details on the NFBP website here.

Equally, if the awards listed make you think of another business which merits consideration in that category – please do spend those few minutes and make a nomination. If you don’t do it, chances are they won’t get nominated. But on the other hand if you do, and others nominate the same person or business, that will give the organisers a good clue!

Entries by 12 noon on Tuesday 1 October: Start thinking about your entry now!

The categories for 2019 are: 

The New Forest District Council Award for Outstanding Customer Care
The ExxonMobil Award for Innovation
The 49 Award for Entrepreneurship
The New Forest Enterprise Centre Award for the Best New Business
The Hampshire County Council Award for Contribution to the New Forest Community
The New Forest National Park Authority Award for Contribution to the National Park
The Totton College Award for Training and Development
The Eric Robinson Award for Young Person in Business
The New Forest Marque Award for Food and Drink
The Go New Forest Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Visitor Economy

You can read full details of each of the categories before deciding which to enter.

Just go to the main Awards page on the NFBP website and then click the relevant link from there.  

NFBP Business of the Year Award sponsored by Solent Local Enterprise Partnership

The New Forest Business of the year will be selected from the winners of the ten individual categories. Criteria will include recognition of successful companies which show high levels of achievement within their core business and in a number of specialist areas including investment in the workforce, enterprise and innovation, entrepreneurship, development of technologies and green policies.

Awards Presentation Evening

The Awards will be presented at the Annual Presentation Evening on Thursday 28 November, this year for the first time at Beaulieu Motor Museum. Tickets are now onsale.

All entries must be made by 12 noon on Tuesday 01 October - good luck!

And spread the word via your channels:  #nfbizawards

For more details go to:

http://www.nfbp.org.uk/awards/?utm_source=Sign-Up.to&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=21805-120067-NFBP+BIBA+2015 

Article added:  11 September 2015

Hampshire Food Industry: locally grown and farmed produce 

Business report on a significant ‘cottage industry’ in the New Forest

This report was researched and written by J King, London based business journalist and it ties in as well with the initiatives going on all around us to reduce our carbon footprint and ultimately to save our planet so we've picked this week to publish it. 

Lymington Seafood Festival - an immersive "local" experience! 

Also timely, the Lymington Seafood Festival coming up next month 10-11 August is a fabulous opportunity to sample lots of local produce in a brilliant atmosphere (photo credit and thanks for this image to Harry Smith Photography)

Sign up for our Weekly What's On to read more about local business 

If you haven't already subscribed to receive our FREE Weekly What's On newsletter, emailed every Friday morning and full of the latest New Forest events, news and information, subscribe here: 

Locally produced farm fare

‘One of the key industries for Hampshire and the New Forest area is fresh, locally produced farm fare. This is such an important sector that it is self-regulated by not one but two local bodies, Hampshire Fare and the New Forest Marque which awards its standard to those companies meeting the level of quality one would expect from smaller producers. 

Unlike large industrial farms which use pesticides and artificial preservatives before long-haul journeys, an ‘organic’ product is typical from small farms and this ‘cottage industry’ comprises a major part of the Hampshire economy.

Retail, hospitality and smaller production companies can also apply for membership of these trade bodies, thereby gaining access to a much wider catchment area for their sale conversion ‘funnel’.  By listing their offerings on a site with a high level of authority on regional goods and services, they also benefit from local advertising support.  

Hampshire Fare and the New Forest Marque are the resident authorities on what to do and where to buy in the region and provide .

A family affair - and the benefits 

Compliance costs can be expensive for SMEs, and it is fortunate that regulatory standards in this instance come with free advertising.  While the Food Standards Agency has nationwide oversight of hygiene and product integrity, in Hampshire the industry standards are rather more exacting because there is this self-contained element.

To earn the New Forest marque, livestock need to be 50% raised in the scheme area and processed foods must contain 25% locally sourced products. The standard for goods cultivated under the scheme is still higher, and they must be 75% cultivated in the scheme area. As well as getting a fresher, naturally ‘organic’ deal, those who buy into the scheme are lending financial support to local industry, which feeds back into the local economy.

There are numerous locally based catering companies which appreciate the quality of locally grown and produced fare, support local suppliers and source their ingredients and other supplies locally - and have also sought the coveted New Forest Marque.

Claire Lee, operations manager at the New Forest Marque, stresses that "the Marque is above all a mark of provenance and location; by its nature an artisan produced or handcrafted product is often a quality product as well. The role of the New Forest Marque is  to unite local artisans and to build a strong network between primary and secondary producers. Local producers working together is better for the local economy.”

Local taste which travels too – Hampshire fare “afield”

Produce reared and cultivated in Hampshire is in such demand that it had its own showcase in London the weekend of the 7^th and 8^th June, where it held an exhibit in the landmark venue of Borough Market. Unique artisan goods had been cherry-picked to appeal to discriminating London tastes, for example Winchester distillery delivered its Twisted Nose gin, made with Hampshire watercress. Smoked fish, wasabi and independently brewed beer and cider are the order of the day, and the full roster of exhibitors included: Beau Farm, Chalk Stream Foods, Raimes Sparkling Wine, The Watercress Company, Lyburn, Stag and Bull Biltong, the Wasabi Company, Meon Valley Cider and Wild Island. Chalk Stream is particularly in vogue at the moment, and its products are on the menus at Wimbledon, Ascot and The Chelsea Flower Show 2019.

All of these companies are certified members of industry body Hampshire Fare. Its PR executive Nancy Judge explained that “Borough Market led the selection process of the traders able to attend the Hampshire Food Fare. The idea was to reflect the heritage and uniqueness of Hampshire’s offering.”

Sales, according to Hampshire Fare PR exec Judge, were strong and many visitors took website details to order in the future; and she added that “lots of people were eager to find out how to travel to Hampshire for various events.”

Hampshire Fare said in a statement of the event: “Hampshire has definitely been the buzz word here at Borough Market. It has been brilliant to talk to food lovers from all

over the world about the quality of Hampshire produce.”

Unique and very special locally grown – and an experience too

Experiences are packaged and sold as determinedly as actual produce. At the rural idyll that is Goodall’s Farm families can come and pick their own strawberries. Another experiential company markets ‘rustic picnics’ which are delivered on site and on demand.

You can even have an individualised experience by buying locally. Those are all the rage in sales and marketing. The spicy herb Wasabi is unique to Hampshire as it is the only place in the UK where Wasabi is grown.

Meanwhile products like honey which are unique to the local area are actively better for you, because they give you localised immunity as well as protecting against hay fever; your immune system’s aggressively disproportionate reaction to local pollen. Like with homeopathic remedies, the pollen is assimilated in small doses – by eating locally produced honey - to increase your tolerance for it.

Based in Lymington, Busy Bees, a company which proudly holds the New Forest Marque for quality, is a source of a variety of honey-based and beeswax products including cosmetics such as lip balm, natural soap and skin cream as well as household products like scented candles and furniture polish.  Another stockist, Burton Bees, which runs 200 hives across Sussex Hampshire and Surrey, is careful to ensure customers are guaranteed it is locally sourced, claiming,

“All our honey is harvested individually from each apiary and sold with the location on the labelling enabling our customers to buy a honey that really is local to them.” They are also careful to ensure sustainability, stating, “We will only harvest honey which is surplus to the bees' requirements.”  

July 2019

Cube FBS will take care of your finances whilst you grow your business!

Accounting, Bookkeeping and Payroll Services for Lymington and New Forest businesses

Lymington based Cube FBS (Financial Business Solutions) provides professional accounting assistance for limited companies, partnerships and sole traders. A reliable, friendly and proactive team, Cube FBS will work alongside you to help you succeed and grow your business. 

Liza Tillett FCCA and Noony Prosser AAT each have over 15 years experience working with businesses in many different sectors, from sole traders to mid-sized SMEs. Many of their clients are small family businesses who need the burden of financial paperwork taken away from them so that they can concentrate on building their business.

Professional and friendly expertise with a personal touch

Together, the Cube FBS team of professionals can help you through the many complexities that face businesses today. They will take time to understand what is important to you and will tailor their services to your needs. In establishing a one-to-one relationship with each client, Cube FBS are able to offer timely, individual advice on how to improve your business finances.

Well respected by their clients, the Cube FBS team guides businesses to be well organised and actively encourages meetings throughout the financial year in order for the business to ensure any potential issues are resolved well before the year end when it would be too late to implement changes. This also provides clients with the opportunity to regularly review their financial and business plans.

Accounting, bookkeeping, payroll and tax services 

The Chartered Certified Accountant and Association of Accounting Technician qualified team can provide your business with the full range of financial business solutions.

Accounting services include limited company accounts, sole trader accounts, property letting accounts, corporation tax, company formations and advice on different company structures. The team can also provide company forecasts and management accounts.

Book-keeping services include general monthly/quarterly bookkeeping, VAT registrations and MTD compliant VAT returns. The team can advise on accounting and bookkeeping software packages to ease your administrative burden and provide valuable, timely and accurate information on which to make decisions. They can work with Sage, Quick books, Xero and cloud packages - and can provide training to your team as well as regular bookkeeping and accounts. 

The team can also undertake all payroll functions for your business, including RTI administration, the preparation of monthly payslips, auto-enrolment, pension contributions and P60 / P11D year end forms.

Free no-obligation discussion about your requirements 

Whether you are an individual sole trader, an SME, or a larger company or partnership looking for book-keeping, payroll, accountancy or tax services, Cube FBS will work with you to support the financial side of your business so that you can focus on growing your business.

Contact Cube FBS today for a free, no-obligation discussion about your business's accounting needs, either by telephone or in person. The team can work flexible hours and will happily visit you at your business premises, at times to suit your working schedule - including evenings and weekends by appointment.

Find more information about Cube FBS Ltd

Photographs which capture your spirit and create your unique style

Exciting new business RAW Photography Gallery for Lymington and the New Forest

Calling New Forest musicians, writers, models or new businesses of all kinds if you want to promote yourselves and/or your products and services.

RAW Photography Gallery is an exciting new Lymington and New Forest business which specialises in capturing imaginations and creating a bespoke photographic style for individuals and businesses.

Create an individual, personal, unique style for your career or business

Lucie Nice and Jules Vincent have formed a brand new team combining their extensive photographic, artistic and business talents, to create photography with the edge to set you apart!

Jules and Lucie will work with you to develop and implement the photographic image and style for your work which suit you best.

How it began - in a bar!

As Jules and Lucie explain, it all started in a small bar in their home town of Lymington where they took some pictures of a young girl playing acoustic guitar who needed some photographs to help her kick start her career.  Carley Varley was the young girl's name and in 2018 she won the Dorset Musical Talent Award from the Venus Awards,  was an Open Mic UK Finalist 2018 and has performed at the The 02 London,The Ritz and The Waldorf Hotel in London - and her first EP which is  now out too!   Here she is in action!

Meanwhile Jules and Lucie realised that with their combined backgrounds of photography and commerce, they had the beginnings of a business which they could build together.

And they have!  Take a look at some of their photographs and see what they mean.

Jules encapsulates the story:

“Having worked in the photography industry for over 15 years, building an extensive portfolio of creative and commercial art, RAW Photography Gallery was born in a cosy, local bar on a sleepy Sunday afternoon. Combining the unique talents of photographer and artist Lucie Nice with the business acumen of myself as partner and family friend Emily Graham, RAW was built on the foundation of capturing imagination and producing the best of our clients’ vision."

Lucie has worked with artists across the US and the UK, including Brooke Shaden, Lindsay Adler and Joel Grimes. In doing so, she has developed her approach to her work and honed her skills as an original and professional artist.

Commercial, product and fine art photography

RAW specialises in commercial, product and fine art photography and to add further strings to their bow, model portfolios, conceptual and creative art.

So whether you are a new business looking to promote your products, or you're starting out in the modelling or entertainment industry, Jules and Lucie promise to work closely with you, to ensure that your ideals are reflected in finely-tuned imagery that reflects your own style and character.

There's lots more lowdown about RAW Photography Gallery on their website and you can contact Jules on 07710184091 or by email for an initial chat about your needs  - Jules and Lucie are looking forward to hearing from you!

More images also in the RAW gallery on their Lymington.com webpage 

Tilefield Equestrian - fantastic venue for meetings, classes and training

Introducing a new, modern training and meeting centre in the heart of the New Forest, Hampshire

Tilefield Equestrian is a new, purpose-built equestrian training centre in Brockenhurst in the heart of the New Forest National Park. Ticking all the boxes for equestrian coaching - complete with stables and outdoor arena, the Tilefield indoor facility is also the perfect venue for peaceful business meetings, training courses and classes.

The venue comprises a large, airy reception area, a separate meeting room for up to 50 people, kitchen area, WCs and 8 stables. Although developed to provide a centre for the very best in equestrian coaching and learning, the centre welcomes businesses and organisations looking for a relaxing location where they can hold conferences, meetings, courses and classes.

The perfect venue for business meetings, training courses and small conferences in the New Forest!

The indoor facilities at Tilefield Equestrian, perfect for meetings, training courses and small conferences, have an enticingly relaxing view of neighbouring paddocks and New Forest. Both the 60m² meeting room and the 50m² reception room offer flexible seating arrangements, with or without tables, enabling you to organise the facility for your precise requirements. The rooms have wi-fi and heating throughout, there is a screen and HDMI connection, flip chart and white board. Caterers can be organised as required.

For team away-days and strategy sessions, the location just a short stroll from the open Forest offers potential for walks and outdoor time for a breath of fresh air!

A peaceful space for clubs, classes and committee meetings

The meeting room at Tilefield Equestrian is equally perfect for a wide range of daytime and evening classes, courses and committee meetings. Whether you are seeking a good sized room for your exercise class, training facilities for your first aid course, a warm room for your meditation session, an inspirational hideaway for your art class or a space to meet for your organisation, you'll find everything you need in the clean, new and welcoming environment at Tilefield. 

Upcoming events at Tilefield Equestrian include Tasty Yoga with Nova on Friday 28 June: wind down for the weekend with a Friday evening Yoga session followed by a tasty healthy snacks and gin and tonic! Sounds divine! Click here to book at place at Tasty Yoga.

Regular equestrian clinics, coaching and talks for horse owners

Amanda Barton runs regular clinics at Tilefield Equestrian; fun, friendly, bespoke training for riders of all standards who want to bring their own horse and improve their skills and knowledge. Amanda's goal is to help riders establish a deep, calm connection with their horses and to learn to communicate effectively with them.

As well as Amanda's regular courses in equestrian excellence, the centre welcomes clinics, coaching, workshops and talks by other equestrian experts. Upcoming equestrian events at Tilefield Equestrian include: 

• 17 June 2019 - Movement Workship with movement analyst Claire Pier (more information here)
• 22 June 2019 - Equiculture Pasture - talk with Stuart and Jane Myers (more information here)
• 6 July 2019 - The Confident Horse Clinic - one hour sessions with a focus on desensitisation, despooking, young horses (more information here)
• 15 July 2019 - An Integrated Approach to treating the Whole Horse - Equine Bodywork, Hoof care, Groundwork and Coaching (more information here)
• 20-22 August 2019 - Tilefield Summer Camp - 3 days of fun! Tailor your days to whatever you want: sessions on dressage and gymnastic exercises, jumping, ground work, quadrille, mounted games, dismounted sessions (more information here)

Holiday stabling: bring your horse with you on holiday to the New Forest!

An essential element of many of the equestrian clinics run at Tilefield Equestrian, the facility's stables also provide excellent holiday stabling for up to 8 horses. The perfect solution when you are visiting the New Forest with your horse - whether on a long weekend, on holiday or visiting locals shows (the upcoming New Forest Show just 5 minutes up the road).

Simply book your horse into Tilefield Equestrian's stables and then you can focus on finding somewhere for the humans amongst the plentiful accommodation in nearby Brockenhurst (find acommodation inspiration here!)

Click here to find out more about Holiday Stabling.

Find out more about Tilefield Equestrian here

Evening of champions as Colten Care celebrates team successes

Proud colleagues celebrate trophy wins following a glittering black-tie awards ceremony with TV presenter Dr Hilary Jones.

Colten Care’s second annual in-house awards attracted more than 1,000 nominations - double the number in 2018 - with a big increase in entries submitted by residents and relatives. Categories reflected all aspects of the care mix including clinical excellence, teamwork, customer service, dementia care and the dining experience.

TV presenter Dr Hilary Jones hosted the evening at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel.

On arrival, nominees enjoyed a red-carpet, champagne reception before stepping into a specially decorated ballroom for the dinner, ceremony and dancing to local band The Volatile Agents.

Colten Care residents were represented for the second time by Honorary Guest Tom Storey, who lives in Canford Chase, one of Colten’s Outstanding homes. He was on stage to present Healthcare Assistant Abner Saclayan, who works at the Poole home, with the award for Resident Engagement.

Tom said: “It was lovely to be able to return and I was surprised and delighted that staff and guests from other homes recognised me, especially considering all the different people they must have seen over the last 12 months. Everyone was friendly and made me feel very welcome. On my return to the home, I was greeted warmly by the night staff, and we sat up and chatted about it all over a nice cup of tea, which was a perfect end to a perfect evening.”

Abner said: “I feel so honoured and grateful to be recognised for what we do for our residents and it was very sweet to receive the award from Tom who I can honestly call a good friend.”

The Founders’ Award, decided by Colten Care directors and co-founders John Colwell and Adrian Otten, was presented to Fergus Davitt, Hotel Services Manager, for his ‘long-standing and unswerving commitment to the business’.

Fergus said: “When they read out my name it was a complete surprise. I had no idea it was going to be me. I feel grateful and humbled as I have a lot of respect for them. The fact that they chose me is a real compliment.”

Colten Care Chief Executive Mark Aitchison said: “Our awards evening is a brilliant way to celebrate all the fantastic work that our team do on behalf of our residents every single day. It really is a tremendous privilege to be among colleagues who truly embody our core values and consistently go above and beyond. Colten Champions showcases so many amazing examples of our team supporting and caring for residents in ways that are so much more than ‘just a job’. Their pride and passion for putting the resident at the heart of all they do really stands out. I thank everyone who put in a nomination and of course congratulate all the winners, finalists and nominees.”

Praising the evening, Dr Hilary said: “This was a happy, memorable occasion that truly reflected the importance of quality delivered consistently by a team working together for the benefit of residents. Everyone was pleased to take part and found it genuinely rewarding to be there.”

Colten Care has more than 1,000 residents across the 21 care homes it owns and runs in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex. Four of its homes are rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission while the 16 others to be inspected are officially Good. Colten’s 21st home, Bourne View in Poole, opened in March this year and has yet to be inspected.

Find out more about Colten Care's New Forest homes

Colten Care operates six residential nursing and care homes in the local area, including three in Lymington: Belmore Lodge, Court Lodge and dementia specialist Linden House. There are also homes in Brockenhurst (Woodpecker's), New Milton (Kingfisher's) and Mudeford (Avon Reach). Click on the links to find out more about each home...

New General Manager appointed at Careys Manor in the New Forest

Award-winning country house hotel and spa, with three excellent restaurants, welcomes new general manager.

Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa has welcomed a new general manager. Steve Woodrow, 44, has over 25 years’ experience in the hotel industry, having worked for premier 4* and 5* hotels both in the UK and abroad.

Steve comes to Careys Manor from the Solent Hotel and Spa in Fareham, where he was general manager for five years, overseeing a 117-bedroom hotel, 13 meeting rooms, and a 1 rosette restaurant and bar and spa. Steve also opened a new £5m 54-bedroom Lodge expansion at the Thwaites-owned hotel, which won AA Hotel Group of the year 2017-18.

Steve, who takes over from Sunil Kanjanghat, said: “I am delighted to be part of the team at Careys Manor. This is a fabulous hotel, with a rich history and in a stunning location. In my few weeks at the property I already know we have a fantastic group of committed and hardworking people.

“I have had some amazing experiences in my years in hotels, working with many talented and super people. I know that if you have good people around you, who enjoy what they do and thrive on giving our guests a fabulous experience whilst working together as a team, we will achieve great things.

“It’s a very competitive market place but we have a real edge here in the New Forest where you can combine a luxury relaxing spa break within a beautiful country manor house retreat.

“My leadership style can bring different strengths to what we already have here, and I see lots of opportunities ahead. I am very excited to be involved with Careys Manor as we move forward.”

Steve, who lives near Winchester with his wife and two children, is delighted to be working in the New Forest, where he already spends a lot of his leisure time.

“The New Forest is such a wonderful place. I was married 13 years ago in Brockenhurst, so to be back here again is pretty special and I find myself driving to work every day with a smile on my face!”

James Hiley-Jones, Managing Director of Greenclose Hotels, which runs both Careys Manor and its sister hotel The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu, said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to Careys Manor.

“Steve is a motivated and astute general manager with a wide range of experience and skills and a fantastic track record.

“He has a clear vision for developing the team here at Careys Manor and I know there are exciting times ahead.”

Careys Manor is a former royal hunting lodge with an award-winning Thai spa, seamlessly blending an impressive sense of history with a luxurious modern twist. The 18th century manor house has 77 luxury bedrooms and three restaurants. Guests at the luxury SenSpa can enjoy a world-class hydrotherapy pool, mood showers, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and gym.

Find out more about Careys Manor Hotel and SenSpa.

2018 Brilliance in Business Awards

The excitement mounts for this year’s finalists in the #nfbizawards

The New Forest Business Partnership Brilliance in Business Awards winners will be announced at the annual awards evening on 6 December at Careys Manor Hotel in Brockenhurst.

As Chairman Matthew Lawson explains: "NFBP aims to create an environment in the New Forest which offers opportunities for young people, poses an attractive option for business investment and delivers a culture in which indigenous businesses can thrive."

It's all about doing everything we can to make the New Forest an ever better place for  businesses of all sizes to prosper and grow!

Stiff competition against strict criteria in each category

The annual Brilliance in Business Awards showcase the best of New Forest businesses old and new across a range of categories - for example demonstrating exemplary customer service, excellence in training and development, making a contribution to the National Park, the New Forest Community and the New Forest Visitor Economy. 

There are also awards for innovation and entreneurship and a very special one sponsored by Eric Robinson for  “Young Person in Business” - an individual aged under 30 years who has made a significant contribution to a business in the position of owner, employee or trainee/apprentice.

Competition was stiff and the finalists have all done exceptionally well against strict criteria set by the judges in each category.

All the finalists are listed on the NFBP website

This link will take you to the web page detailing all the finalists across all the categories with links to each of their websites and from there to their social media pages.  Whilst searching  #nfbizawards in Twitter or Instagram will bring you to all the latest news on social media.

Championing just a few of the finalists here...

As regular champions of local businesses we thought it would be appropriate to highlight some of the businesses you may not already know about.  Behind each of the business names is a link to either the website or a page on Lymington.com. 

We're starting with the finalists in the category “Best New Business” sponsored by the New Forest Enterprise Centre – that’s for either “innovation in terms of a new business idea, or demonstration of exceptional skills in the establishment and development of a business started within the previous 2 years”.

The Sett in Brockenhurst  sounds like just the place to take winter refuge for a tasty sweet or savoury snack, home-made and locally sourced – joint owner Maisy studied at River Cottage!  From Lymington we can even leave the car at home and just jump on the train! 

Whilst Will’s Fudge Kitchen with its astonishing range of artisan fudge flavours definitely sounds worth a little jaunt over to Lepe!

And Wyldfire Signage  offers “dynamic, real-time digital signage tailored to amplify your events and enhance the audience experience” – think we’ll have to find out more!

Then...

New Forest Tartan is still quite a well kept secret but here’s Shyla modelling a collar which demonstrates how perfectly it captures the beautiful colours of the

New Forest - the greens of oak and holly, the silvery grey of silver birch, purple heather and russet red for deer and bracken!  You can buy the collars along with other temptingly gorgeous products from the website! 

Along with the brilliant New Forest Aromatics with their divine smelling candles, soaps, lotions and potions and much more and also Sally Fear Photography  who "gets in where other people don't" to capture the gritty and stunning realism of life in the heart of the New Forest, they're a finalist in the category "Outstanding Contribution to the National Park".

The New Forest District Council Award for Outstanding Customer Care is for businesses which “recognise the importance of the customer in developing their business and can demonstrate how analysis and response to customers needs have assisted in developing a growing business”. And since we all appreciate outstanding customer care we thought we’d feature all of these as well!

The finalists include The Forest Foot and Health Clinic which for 20 years has been providing excellent podiatry and foot care, osteopathy, physiotherapy and sports massage in Cadnam

Whilst Sandra’s Florist in Holbury is another long established business with a reputation for providing a breathtaking range of high quality fresh flowers and personal service.

And Shorefield Holidays  a name with which you’re sure to be familiar have been providing family holidays since 1958!  They offer everything from luxury weekend self-catering breaks to camping & touring with a range of holiday parks across the New Forest, Hampshire and Dorset.

Finally we’re delighted that two more business members of Lymington.com are finalists in the category of the Go New Forest Award for Contribution to the New Forest Visitor Economy. 

These are the enterprising - and also environmental champions - The New Forest Paddlesport Company along with the wonderful Countryside Education Trust which does so much to foster a love and appreciation of the countryside and to share knowledge and skills with both adults and children.

As above do read about all the finalists on this NFBP web page - and best of luck to all the finalists not just for whoever wins next week but for all their businesses in the year to come!

New Forest business news

New Forest Business Partnership and New Forest District Council provide business lifelines with support, events and grants 

In ongoing challenging times for businesses struggling with the logistics of managing funding, furlough and staff mental health issues for starters, it can be comforting just to share concerns (a problem shared is a problem halved) and benefit from others' experience and skills. If you join in their various friendly support forums you'll find yourself offering your own expertise too.

There are two main lines of support for New Forest businesses and in case you're not already hearing from them here's a brief introduction to both. Sign up now below to their respective weekly e-newsletters which will keep you in the loop! 

New Forest Business Partnership

New Forest Business Partnership, now a fully-fledged Community Interest Company (CIC), supports businesses of all shapes and sizes however tiny and indeed its weekly support hour on a Wednesday at 3pm on Zoom has been a lifeline through the past few months for many business owners struggling to survive these challenging times not just financially but in their heads too. 

The weekly support hour is completely free to attend you simply register on the NFBP website and will receive login details in advance of the meeting. Upcoming sessions include just nice friendly networking, and informative important subjects like power of attorney for your business ie what happens to it if you are incapacitated - similiarly to power of attorney in life, it's possible to set up in business.

There is also a range of business briefings, charged at a very low rate and offering tremendous value.

Take a look at the range of events at https://www.nfbp.org.uk/events/

To get in this loop simply sign up for the weekly e-newsletter here: https://www.nfbp.org.uk/newsletter/

New Forest District Council

New Forest District Council’s Economic Development Team works directly alongside government and key business support organisations to ensure your business is connected to the support which is so critical at this time.

The team provides a weekly business update by email with the latest information and updates on support available from NFDC, Government and relevant local partners. It covers a variety of topics in a clearly laid out format to make it easy to find the information of interest to you. It's simple to sign up to receive at newforest.gov.uk/businessnewsletter. Updates are also provided by the team's Twitter Feed @NFDCBizUpdates. 

Grants and award schemes currently available

Kickstart Scheme for New Forest Businesses

Click here to find out more about fully funded Kickstart placements for your business. Please return your application form to NFBP as soon as possible.

Restart & Recovery and Kickstarting Tourism Grants

Click here to find out more about these grants for New Forest businesses. The deadline is next Monday 23 November 2020.  Click here for a link to last Friday's webinar on 'Tips on Applying'.

Local Restrictions Support Grant Scheme

NFDC has opened grant applications for those businesses that are legally required to close from 5 November 2020 due to the national restrictions put in place to manage coronavirus. Click here to find out more.

Crowdfunder Scheme Re-launched

Solent LEP has relaunched their Crowdfunder Solent scheme, which offers match funding for micro and small businesses in the New Forest to help you trade through lockdown. Click here to find out more

The Solent Crowdfunder scheme supported a significant number of New Forest businesses during the spring and summer before lockdown restrictions were lifted. Innovative solutions were found by a wide range of businesses to ensure they were able to trade online, and increase cash flow with commitments of goods and services to customers at a later date.

There's up to £5,000 available for small businesses (fewer than 50 staff) and £2,000 for micro businesses (fewer than 10 staff) in the Solent area who are seeking support in challenging trading conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weekly What's On Lymington and New Forest:

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Christmas gifts to employees

Remember to consider the tax implications of any gifts to staff or clients this festive season

With the New Forest High Streets sparkling with enticing gifts for the festive season, here's the lowdown on Christmas gifts for staff and customers from a tax perspective by New Forest Tax Accountants.

Gifts to Staff

Christmas presents paid in cash to employees will always be taxable along with other earnings. The same treatment also extends to vouchers that can be spent in either one or a number of different shops of the employee's choice. The employee has to pay tax on the full value of the voucher. 

If employees are given a seasonal present, such as a turkey, an 'ordinary' bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, as long as the cost is reasonable, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) won't seek to tax it. 

Employers may find the following Revenue concession useful - we have copied the note directly from the HMRC handbook: "An employer may provide employees with a seasonal gift, such as a turkey, an ordinary bottle of wine or a box of chocolates at Christmas. All of these gifts are considered to be trivial and as such are not taxable. For an employer with a large number of employees the total cost of providing a gift to each employee may be considerable, but where the gift to each employee is a trivial benefit, this principle applies regardless of the total cost to the employer and the number of employees concerned." 

Unfortunately, HMRC will not tell us what monetary limit it considers as 'trivial' but in our experience, less than £50 a head is usually acceptable. If the value of the gift is more than this, it will be taxable and should be included on the employee's P11D, or on the PSA, as above. This concession also applies to seasonal flu jabs which are also considered trivial but your employees may not be quite so appreciative of the “gift”!

Christmas Bonus for staff

This will count as ordinary earnings and be subject to PAYE and NI as if it were additional salary.

‘Small' gifts from third parties

It is worth noting that gifts can also often be received by your employees from third parties due to contact they may have had with throughout the year as a result of their employment. As long as such gifts do not exceed £250 in cost, it won't be taxable for the employee.  

Gifts to customers

Gifts to customers are only allowable as a tax deduction if:

• the total cost of gifts to any one individual per annum does not exceed £50 and
• the gift bears a conspicuous advert for the business and
• the gift is not food, drink, tobacco or exchangeable vouchers.

However samples of a trader’s product are allowable even if they are food, drink or tobacco.

VAT

One final cautionary note regarding VAT and staff gifts; VAT is chargeable by the employer when an employee receives gifts totalling more than £50 in a year.

For more information and to organise your FREE Initial consultation, contact New Forest Tax Accountants on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01590 688838. To receive the latest in tax and business news and advice register online to receive their monthly eNewsletter at www.newforesttax.co.uk.

© New Forest Tax Accountants

Disclaimer: The information above does not constitute individual advice. New Forest Tax Accountants will not accept any responsibility decisions taken or not taken on the basis of the information above. Any reference to legislation and tax is based on our understanding of U.K. Law and HMRC practice at the date of publication of this Tax Guidance Note. Specific advice should always be obtained prior to taking or not taking any actions.

Find out about the Tax Deductible Christmas Party here!