buryflyer_june09

The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer 2009. Views and opinions mentioned are not necessarily those of the editor or proprietor and no responsibility will be taken for the accuracyof information contained herein. For further information on advertising in the Flyer, please call 0845 310 2448 email:[email protected] -

Typesetting: Jonathan Trotter & Phil Grove, Proprietor: Richard Livall. All advert layouts & design are property of The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer - Typesetting, design & print The Flyer Press Ltd (01394) 283371. The standard charge for unauthorised reproduction is £250

Bringing you the very best in local business, to advertise call 0845 310 2448

ISSUE 2 - JUNE 09

Welcome to the Flyer magazine

serving the Bury St Edmunds area with news, features, traders and much more

The County Upper Basketball AcademyComing to the end of their pilot year the County Upper Basketball Academy hasproved a huge success winning 14 games and losing 7 while at the same timeseeing a huge progression in development by the players under head coach,Darren Johnson's guidance.The Academy is the East of England U19 Elite Academies Champions and in theirfirst year they have been a dominant team at home finishing the season undefeated in the County UpperSports Barn. The highlight of the year has been the participation in the Istanbul International BasketballTournament in Turkey in late March.

See inside on 3 for further details and lots more local coverage.

buryflyer_june09.qxp 13/05/2009 16:42 Page 1

Local Matters - views from our MP and Local Councillor

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David Ruffley MP2020 Vision - Heritage in the next decade

Bury St Edmunds is the jewel in Suffolk'scrown with its wonderful historic buildings,open spaces and artefacts. We are veryfortunate to have such a rich heritagepassed down to us over hundreds ofyears. It is now down to us to ensure thatit is passed on in the best possible condition to our successors.

I firmly believe that everyone shouldhave the opportunity to express their view on the future ofBury's heritage assets. I am, therefore, organising a meetingto launch a debate within the town about Bury's heritage inthe next decade.

This meeting, which I will chair, will be in Bury on the eveningof Friday 12 June. I have invited representatives of StEdmundsbury Borough Council, Bury St Edmunds TownCouncil and the Bury St Edmunds Society to be on the panel.

I want this meeting to represent all areas, age groups andinterests throughout the town - not just groups that have adirect interest in heritage or residents of the historic core. I amparticularly keen to include people who are not normally consulted on heritage issues.

Places at the meeting will be allocated on a first come, firstserved basis, so it is essential to register in advance. If you

would like your organisation to be represented, or you wouldlike to attend as an individual, please email Virginia Tuck on:[email protected]. Full details will then be sent to you.

I look forward to a lively debate!

Cllr Mark Ereira-GuyerUnsustainable development in Thetford

Whilst the economic downturn is cur-rently reducing house building locallycouncillors like myself are still very per-turbed, as is St Edmundsbury BoroughCouncil itself, with the plans for majorhousing development in the neighbour-ing town of Thetford (just 12 miles up theroad). Their plans for even more vasthousing developments which will have amajor detrimental impact on Bury StEdmunds, which is where all the localfacilities like schools, the hospital, collegeand shopping are based.

And, it is a big numbers game. The scale of growth is mind-boggling. In Thetford they are looking for another 8,000 hous-es over the next 15 years and increasing the population tomatch that of Bury St Edmunds. And, this needs to be addedto the 10,000 new houses planned for our own local authorityarea - 10,000 houses equates to about 3.5 more MoretonHalls.

Sadly, like Bury St Edmunds the Norfolk town of Thetford hasbeen earmarked as a 'Key Centre for Development &Change in the East of England Region Plan'. Potentiallydooming both market towns to unbridled over-developmentand continual change. But, the big question remains unan-swered: can our local infrastructure take such massiveincreases in traffic, people and the resulting pressures on ourpublic services.

The environmental threat to the Breckland landscape is direwith its beauty and biodiversity under real threat. StEdmundsbury Borough Council has already registered manyof these fears in relation to Thetford not properly planning forthe facilities that are needed to accompany such a largepopulation increase. In a recent report it was highlighted thatthe local council for Thetford (called Breckland) had not pro-duced measures to address our council's concerns with nostrategic transport assessment even planned. Just think of allthose extra cars thundering down the A134 into Bury StEdmunds; putting even more pressure on the roads andstretched public services.

Councillor Mark Ereira-GuyerGreen Party - St Olaves Ward, Bury St [email protected]

Also see Cllr Paul Farmer's editorial under the LocalCommunity News section on Page 6

Paul has provided a very interesting article on Planningand Licensing Issues.

David Ruffley MP

Garden Services

Other Services

Motoring Services

Plastering

Plumbers / Gas

Wardrobe Fitters

Cllr MarkEreira-Guyer

Property Lettings

Stone Memorials

Tattoo Studio

Window Cleaners

Pest Control


Editors Note - Contents

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The Flyer June 2009

Page 2 Local Matters - viewsfrom our MP and local councillor

Editors Note - Contents

Page 5 Local Authority News -Bury St Edmunds Town Council

Page 6 Local Community News -Planning & Licensing

Page 8 Local Business News

Page 9 Local Business News

Page 10 Pub and Restaurant ofthe Month - Old Cannon Brewery

Page 11 Entertainment News -BurySOUND09

Page 12 Health News

Page 13 Sports News - CountyUpper School Basketball Academy

Page 14 Traders Guide / SmallBusiness of the Month

Page 15 Traders Guide

"Consult the professionals,

choose the Flyer"Print - Marketing

Distribution

Comments from the Editor, Richard LivallThe Changing Business Landscape

Over the last few weeks I have been out and about promoting the Flyer magazineto businesses and employers within the town centre of Bury St Edmunds, the industri-al estates and general employment areas around the town and at the same timethe surrounding villages and even some of the outlying rural areas.

It is very striking seeing the changes that have and are still taking place in our localbusiness economy. The major developments of arc Bury St Edmunds and WestSuffolk House have been well publicised but there are some more subtle changesin particular the farm diversification projects such as the superb new offices at HallFarm, Fornham St Martin. This innovative scheme is now known as FornhamBusiness Court.

However, I am deeply concerned about the loss of post offices, shops and smallbusinesses in the rural areas. At a time of recession some closures are inevitablebut there are now such deep-rooted changes in rural communities which are likelyto permanently damage the social fabric of those residing in local villages.

Many more people are spending part of their employment time working fromhome. This is obviously a good thing from a commuting viewpoint and the reduc-tion of our carbon footprints but it does raise real issues of rural isolation - working athome with just the dog for company, like myself. Then when the working day endsand you quickly want to get your mail out we now face a 3 or 4 mile drive to thenearest post office. How I lament the closure of my local post office that was lessthan 100 yards down the road! How I lament the loss of my local shop! At least Ihave a local pub a few yards away but for how much longer?

Urban employment areas also are showing dramatic changes. Most of us will havenoticed the huge changes along Western Way with the new Asda developmentand Public Service Village now known as West Suffolk House. But how many peoplehave looked across the Holywater Meadows at the former Hardwick Industrial Estate,which had its roots in the old Hardwick Laundry buildings?

When I first came to Bury St Edmunds over 20 years ago the Hardwick IndustrialEstate was a vibrant low rental industrial estate serving more than 60 businesses. Itwas the sort of slightly run-down employment area that most towns have and theyare excellent for nurturing small businesses.

However, with brownfield site planning philosophy came the excuse to redevelopsuch areas for housing, in this case the Abbots Gate residential development. Nowonly Mike Moody Motors remains on the Estate - it is the only occupied unit in aderelict remnant. A bastion to remind us of those small businesses forced to moveon to Thetford, Shepherd's Grove (Stanton) and who knows where.

I can be contacted on 0845 310 2448 (local rates apply) or by email [email protected].

Richard Livall - Editor

The Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer - Est 2009Proprietor & Founder: Richard LivallWell Cottage, The Street, Lawshall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP29 4QA

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Book your adverttoday in the Traders

Guide for just £25 a month.

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Bury St Edmunds FlyerNumber 1 for Local Traders

Small Business of the Month - Pet PortraitsAn Initiative of Dorothy Bayer

My husband David, Charlie (Labradoodle) and I live in Beyton.Though I trained to be anEnglish/French teacher and taughtfor over thirty years, along the way Itook courses in printmaking, lifedrawing, pet portraiture and more. Iparticularly enjoy pet portraiturebecause I love animals, and I try toportray the personality and characterof each animal. Much of the work I

produce is in pastels oncoloured paper, but Ialso work in pencil (bestfor black dogs), andacrylics. Prices start at£50.00 for an unframedpencil drawing, £70.00for an unframed pastel.I require a £15 deposit.This is for a 12in X 9in sur-face. I can have thework framed for you(bespoke), at approximately £25-£30.

Accountants Electricians

Dorothy Bayer - 01359 270336Vine Cottage, The Green, Beyton


OsoLean Powder Sports News - County Upper School Basketball Academy

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The County Upper BasketballAcademy

Academy ExperienceComing to the end of their pilot year the County UpperBasketball Academy has proved a huge success winning 14games and losing 7 while at the same time seeing a hugeprogression in development by the players under theircoach's guidance.

The Academy is the East of England U19 Elite AcademiesChampions and in their first year they have been a dominantteam at home finishing the season undefeated in the CountyUpper Sports Barn. In a basketball jamboree at Lakenheaththey won seven and lost one game.

However, the highlight of the year has been the participationin the Istanbul International Basketball Tournament in Turkey inlate March. CU opened the two-day event against I-B-B (U18)Basketball Club in the first round game. A three pointer by BillyBeddow (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) with 5.4 seconds leftwas not enough as I.B.B edged County Upper 73-70.

CU then met Besiktas U18's in the Tournament consolation finalagain going down by three points, this time 59-56. Ali

McCann (Southend, Essex) scored 11 points to lead CountyUpper. Austin Wright (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) added 9points, Grant Bangs (Chelmsford, Essex) added another 8points, while Ben Warden (Shenfield, Essex) chipped in with 7points.

In the current squad there are 2 players from Suffolk, 2 fromNorfolk, 3 from Cambridgeshire and 5 from Essex. TheAcademy is seeking to develop players in the East of Englandand applicants are invited for next season. Another benefitthat the Academy has brought is the development of basket-ball in the lower years at County Upper.

Unique OpportunityCounty Upper Basketball Academy offers a unique opportuni-ty to all student-athletes who want to achieve in the classroom and on the basketball court. We offer talented basket-ball players from all over the Eastern region the opportunity ofcombining an excellent academic programme with an elitelevel of basketball coaching. We are also the only BasketballAcademy in the East of England which offers all Academyplayers a high performance athlete support service.

Students that are interested in transferring from Yr 12 to theschool's Basketball Academy should contact the headcoach, Darren Johnson, for more information on 01284-754857 or e-mail at [email protected].

Top Class CoachingHead Coach, Darren Johnson arrived at County Upper after aone year stint assisting the head coach at the London Schoolof Economics. Johnson help guide the Beavers to a 9-1record, and the BUSA Eastern D1 conference crown.

Prior to that, Johnson spent the 2006-07 season at theUniversity of Texas-Pan American as a Graduate Assistantcoach, and the previous three seasons at the University ofSouth Dakota, where he served as Student/Graduate AssistantCoach under Coach Boots who is one of the most respectedcoaches in NCAA DII. Johnson also spent two seasons as anassistant coach with the London Towers from 2001-03.

Throughout Johnson's time as a basketball coach he hascoached against current NBA players plus some of the topNCAA D1 and European club teams. This experience hasproved priceless in helping develop the players at CountyUpper.

County Upper Basketball Academy Squad 2008-09


suitable land adjacent to the Cotton Lane allotments on aleasehold basis, for allotment use only, with a provision thatthe Town Council be required to surrender the land, in part oras a whole, in the event of its being required for future devel-opment.

This was considered appropriate because the LocalDevelopment Plan provided for the possible residential devel-opment of land at Ram Meadow in the medium term. Thiswould possibly necessitate the construction of an accessroad over the undeveloped land off Cotton Lane through toCompiegne Way. Although no route had been identified itwould probably need to link to a roundabout on CompiegneWay opposite Etna Road.

Website of the Month

As part of Suffolk's commitment to reduce congestion andpollution, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Chamber ofCommerce and Suffolk ACRE are working in partnership inassociation with liftshare to set up www.suffolkcarshare.com.which is managed by Suffolk ACRE.

This website aims to promote all forms of transport and inte-grate both public and private transport modes. It's aboutmaximising people's travel options whilst also reducing thenumber of cars on the roads, cutting pollution, saving moneyand protecting the environment.

SuffolkCarShare.com is absolutely free to use and has beenbuilt and designed for every possible user. Whether you are adriver/passenger or if you would simply be interested in find-ing an alternative to getting about and beating some of thedaily parking and congestion problems that many of us face,then this is the site for you.

Registration is required in order that liftshare runs the schemeas safely as possible but this will only take a few minutes. lift-share guarantees that none of the details used in this processwill be passed on to a third party without your consent.

Statistics There are 1292 registered members ofSuffolkCarShare.com, currently saving an average £784.42each.

Local Authority News - Bury St Edmunds Town CouncilHealth News - Tai Chi


Allotments - what is happening?

One of the responsibilities of the Bury St Edmunds TownCouncil is the provision of allotments for hire to residents ofBury St Edmunds. Current plots exist at Cotton Lane, BarnLane, The Vinefields, Nowton Road and Sicklesmere Road.

In 2006 when the Town Council took on the management ofthe town's allotments they inherited a waiting list of about 30people. This has since grown to around 125 for a variety ofreasons, in particular the social and health benefits of allot-ment gardens have become more widely publicised and thelevel of interest has been raised.

The Town Council report that "the limited land we have forallotments and the length of time that tenants occupy plotsmeans that we have not been able to keep pace with thedemand. For some time we have been trying to acquireadditional land and we are currently in negotiations on this.However, even if we provide more land, additional allotmentswill not be available overnight and there will still be a waitinglist. But it will be a major step forward."

"Our staff now regularly visits the allotments and this has result-ed in letters being sent to those who have not maintainedtheir plots. Generally allotment holders take great pride inwhat they do."

John Saunders the Town Clerk emphasises that allotments willalways present issues for Councillors and staff including: "Howmuch will it cost to buy and clear the land? Where will themoney come from? What about the supply of water, main-taining trees, fences, hedges? How much time and effort isneeded to effectively manage a site? Where does this fit withother services of the Council? None of these is insurmountablebut by trying to get clarity now and putting our plans intoeffect I am certain that the future will be fairer and better."

The Town Council have now approached St EdmundsburyBorough Council to see if there are any suitable sites availableto create more allotments. The Borough Council have identi-fied vacant land that they own adjacent to the Cotton Laneallotments and consider that some of this may be suitable foruse as allotments.

The Cabinet has resolved that the Town Council be offered

This month we look at the amazing health benefits of theancient art of tai chi and offer you a free Introductory Class!

"Tai Chi for improving mind / body control...the ultimate retirement benefit."

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system ofslowly flowing movements and shifts ofbalance that strengthens the legs whileconditioning the tendons and ligaments

of the ankles, knees, and hips, increasing their range ofmotion and making them more resilient, less prone to injury.The constant weight shifts train balance and body awareness,leading to confident ease of movement within the form andin everyday life. Tai Chi is a physical exercise that focuses themind, while conditioning the body. Practicing twenty minutesa day dissipates stress and reduces stress-related debilities,increases stamina, and strengthens the body and will.

Western Science recognizes the following benefits of practic-ing Tai Chi: increased oxygen uptake and utilization (moreefficient breathing), reduced blood pressure, slower declinesin cardiovascular power, increased bone density, increasedstrength and range of motion of joints, greater leg strength,knee strength, and flexibility, reduced levels of stress hor-mones during and after practice, improved immune func-tion, and heightened mood states.

Science and Tai Chi In the U.S., studies have shown that even people in their 70'sand 80's can learn a simplified series of Tai Chi forms, andbenefit tremendously: Study subjects show a markeddecrease in injurious falls, reductions in blood pressure, and

improved measures of balance and confidence. If Tai Chican do this for elderly beginners, think of what it can do forsomeone who starts a few decades sooner, and stays with it!!

COME AND TRY A FREE INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI CLASS ONFRIDAYS BETWEEN 6PM AND 7PM - BRING THIS ARTICLE

ALONG TO BOOK AT RECEPTION (VALUE £5)

The Introduction to Tai Chi runs in 4 week blocks and yourvoucher entitles you to the first lesson free of charge, you willthen be asked to book the other 3 lessons and pay £15 forthose.

Carole Baker - Director: The Self Centre.

The remedies suggested in this article are the personal opinion of the author.Please also inform your GP if you are planning to take any natural remedies or

start a new exercise regime and you are already on long term prescribed drugs.Always consult a qualified Complementary Practitioner, never self medicate.


Local Community News - Planning and Licensing Entertainment News - BurySOUND09

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Delight as Bury Skate Park re-opensYoung people have welcomed the re-opening of the skatepark in Olding Road, Bury St Edmunds after a £20,000 makeover. The well used facility, opened by St EdmundsburyBorough Council in 2000, has been greatly improved by hav-ing the all the surfaces replaced and new handle railsinstalled. A re-paint is also due to be carried out on the site inthe next couple of weeks.

Cllr Lynsey Alexander, St Edmundsbury Borough CouncilCabinet member for Culture and Sport said: "I am pleasedthat the improved skate park is open for young people toenjoy again, especially during the holidays and the longerevenings. It is a very important facility for young people.”

The Launch ofBurySOUND 09

BurySOUND is back in style for a twelfth year, bigger and bet-ter than ever. Entry to the competition is open between 8May and 31 July 2009 to young bands that have at least onemember living in West Suffolk and with a majority of the bandunder 23 years of age.

The line-up will be announced in early September and ticketswill be available in mid September. The three heats arescheduled for 9 October, 23 October and 6 November withthe final at the Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds on 20November. Last year saw a capacity crowd and peoplequeuing for tickets.

The competition gives twelve up-and-coming West Suffolkbands the opportunity to play in a prestigious venue with pro-fessional set-up and gain valuable performance experienceand kudos. Although the event has an overall winner, the aimof the competition is to develop the talent of musically-talent-ed young people within St Edmundsbury. To say nothing ofthe enthusiastic and dedicated attitude of the crowds thatare attracted to the competition.

BurySOUND is kindly sponsored by Soundsplus, West SuffolkCollege, The Shrubbery Studios and The Rehearsal Rooms,with support from Hardcore Hobbies.

BurySOUND 2009 is an alcohol, drug and smoke free eventfor young people 13 years and over.

Planning and Licensing Matters!

By Paul Farmer, Borough and TownCouncillor for Abbeygate Ward inthe heart of Bury St Edmunds.

Local councillors spend much oftheir time on planning and licensingissues. Whilst some of these makethe news (such as applications toerect mobile phone masts or for aclub's late night extension) most gounnoticed - except by the one ortwo households affected. I am regu-

larly contacted by people worried about their neighbour'sproposed extension or a change of use for a nearby building.To the person concerned these are very important, but theyare often not reported by the local media.

A planning application for anything up to three new dwellingscan be decided by a Borough planning officer, via 'delegat-ed authority'; but if one or more people object, then the offi-cer must consult local councillors before approving it. If thelocal member does not agree, it is then decided by the fullplanning (or 'development control') committee. Applicationsfor more than three dwellings automatically go to commit-tee.

The committee sits in public to discuss the application, givingthe applicant, objector and ward councillors a three minutehearing each. Meetings are usually held at 10am on the firstThursday of the month in West Suffolk House.

If you are worried about a planning application that mightaffect you, contact your local Borough councillor, who shouldbe able to help.

The procedure for licensing premises for the sale of alcohol(or for music, dancing, etc) is very different for the localmember, who has no automatic right to object to an appli-cation in his or her ward, either in writing or in person at thelicensing hearing. The issuing of these licences is controlledby the Borough Council, but is governed by the 2003Licensing Act, and I and my colleagues continue to be frus-trated by its procedures!The only people who can 'make a relevant representation'

following an application are those who live or work 'in thevicinity' of the proposed licensed premises, together withstatutory bodies such as the Police and Town Council. Whatthe 'vicinity' is has not been defined in law, but is meant tocover those most likely to be affected. However, unless acouncillor happens to live close to an application he or she ispowerless to help local people except by alerting them towhat is happening and by giving informal advice. It can bevery frustrating!

As soon as a valid representation has been made, officershave to call a licensing sub-committee meeting of threecouncillors to determine the application - but again the localmember cannot preside over his or her own area So I candecide what happens in Haverhill and a Haverhill councillorcan decide what happens in Bury!

Despite the above, if you are worried about a new licensingapplication in your area, it is still well worth contacting yourlocal Borough councillor - if only for advice and moral sup-port.

To learn more about Cllr Paul Farmer's work go towww.PaulFarmer.com

Cllr Paul Farmer

To advertise...To advertise in the Bury St Edmunds & District Flyer

magazine, please contact the Editor, Richard Livallon 0845 310 2448 or email

[email protected]


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The Old Cannon Brewery is one of Bury's very special placesto go. Whether you are looking for real ale or real food - pos-sibly both - this is the place for you! The bar features two

stunning stainless steel ves-sels, where most of the beerconsumed on the premises isbrewed a couple of times aweek. The brasserie menu(Cannon Fodder) is designedto complement the pub'sfine ales, Suffolk cider andlager and regional Englishwines with delicious local andseasonal delicacies and tra-ditional recipes.

This unique brew pub is ashort walk from the towncentre down Cannon Street

(just a few yards up from The Barber Shop) and is openlunchtimes and evenings. Monday - Saturday lunch is served12 - 2pm and on Sunday from 12 - 3pm. In the Summermonths the beer garden makes a nice, peaceful oasis toenjoy a freshly filled baguette,or a drink after work, and we'renow open all day on Saturdaysand Sundays. In the winter ourcustomers can enjoy theirWinter seasonal ale beside aroaring fire.

Theatre suppers are possiblewith food served in theevenings from 6pm Tuesday toSaturday. The kitchen is closedSunday and Monday eveningsbut the bar is open for drinksand various group gatherings.The first Tuesday of the monthis Thai night, when our Thai-born deputy chef is given free

Abbots BridgePub and Restaurant of the Month - Old Cannon Brewery

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rein for her natural talent and adelicious set banquet is served -this has become so popular youhave to book to avoid disap-pointment!

The original brewhouse, adja-cent to the Brewery, is a com-fortable and convenient bed &breakfast. Weekend breaks withor without dinner are available.And guests enjoy a specialSuffolk breakfast. Small-scalebrewery tours can be arrangedwith Joe, our head brewer. Beeris also available to take away infirkins, pins, mini-casks and carrykegs.For further information onopening hours, menus, parkingand directions - even a virtualtour - please visit us on-line:www.oldcannonbrewery.co.uk,

e-mail us at: [email protected] or, better still, justcome on down Cannon Street and see for yourselves!

Special offers and discount vouchers can be found on ourLocal Secrets webpage:

www.localsecrets/oldcannonbrewery

The Old Cannon Brewery premises

A unique gastro brewery

The bar with two stunningstainless steel vessels

Mini-casks to take away

The Old Cannon Brewery, Cannon Street


Local Business News Local Business News


Accountancy MattersThe Rent A Room Scheme

Q: Due to the current economic climate I am looking forways to raise money. I have a spare room in my house andboth my wife and I have considered letting this out. I'venoticed that an annual rent of less than £4,250 is taxexempt. Is this correct?

A: The £4,250 tax freeamount is available if youare using the "Rent A Room"scheme, under which a tax-payer can be exempt fromincome tax on profitsreceived from renting part oftheir only or main home if thegross receipts (that is, beforeexpenses) are £4,250 or less.

If the receipts exceed the£4,250 exemption limit, youcan choose to be taxed onthe gross receipts above theexemption as an alternativeto preparing the standardprofit and loss account. Thismay in some case be more

favourable if the rents only slightly exceed the exemption limitto save on administration costs of preparing the accounts.

As you own the property equally with your wife, the limit isreduced to £2,125 for each of you.

The "Rent A Room" scheme only applies to ordinary lettings ofliving accommodation in the taxpayer's own home. You can-not apply it where the rooms(s) are let as an office or forother business purposes.

You should ensure that when claiming "Rent A Room", youcalculate that this is more beneficial than establishing your

profit after expenses, as you have the a choice of whichmethod to use.

The VAT Flat Rate Scheme

Q: I have exceeded the VAT threshold and will be register-ing for VAT at the end of the current month. I am not greatwith administration aspects of my business and accountingfor VAT is going to take a lot of time that I don't currentlyhave. Are there any schemes which will make accountingfor VAT easier?

A: Yes there are. HM Revenue & Customs have three simpli-fied accounting schemes for small businesses, one of whichis the "Flat Rate" scheme. If your business has a taxableturnover (excluding VAT) up to £150,000 you may be eligible.You are also able to join the scheme if you expect your totalbusiness income (including VAT) to be below £187,500.

The flat rate scheme saves you time, by simplifying your VATaccounting into a single calculation. Under the scheme, youpay VAT as a percentage of your turnover instead of havingto work out and record the VAT on all your sales and purchas-es. There is also a 1% reduction on the rate if you are in thefirst year of VAT registration.

The percentage is determined by the type of business (that is,the kind of goods or services being traded) and this variesbetween 2 and 13%. It makes your life easier as there is noinput tax to account for (although a business can reclaim VATon capital items costing over £2,000).

You must leave the scheme when your turnover (excludingsales of capital assets) exceeds £225,000. You can howevervoluntarily leave the scheme at any time but you must let theHMRC know in writing, and if you do decide to leave, youcannot rejoin it for 12 months.

There are certain businesses excluded from using thescheme so you should contact TaxAssist accountants to dis-cuss registering for the Flat Rate scheme.

Chamber of Commerce News

Executive Committee welcomes five new members to theboard.

At the Annual General Meeting of Bury St Edmunds Chamberof Commerce held on 7th May 2009 five new memberswere elected to the Executive Committee. Serge Aucklandfrom Radio West Suffolk, Brian Cooper, Manager of Waitrose,John Porter of Business Improvements and John Riley CEO ofMENTA have brought a welcome injection of new blood tothe committee. Treasurer Robert Hitchcock has retired withMatthew Moss of Ensors taking over the financial reins.

Saturday, 13th & Sunday, 14th June - Patchwork, Jewelleryand Hand Embroidery Exhibition.

At the Quaker Meeting House, St John's Street, Bury StEdmunds. Free entry, disabled access. For further informationemail: [email protected]

Suffolk Business Exhibition

More than 1300 people attended the 2009 Suffolk BusinessExhibition, held at Trinity Park Conference Centre onWednesday (29th April), smashing all previous records.

With 122 stands, six seminar sessions and a programme ofone-to-one advice sessions, the event which is run annuallyby ISSBA (Ipswich & Suffolk Small Business Association) was it'smost ambitious yet.

For the first time it was run in conjunction with SuffolkChamber of Commerce and attracted headline sponsorshipfrom Suffolk County Council.

Kim Brown, chair of ISSBA, said, "The feedback, both on theday and afterwards, has been excellent. What is particularlypleasing is that we attracted such a large audience - anincrease of around 60 percent on previous years. For a smallnon-profit making organisation like ISSBA, which is run on anentirely voluntary basis, this was a huge achievement. Therewas lots of networking and business being done.

Ian Clarke of Pansophix, a business training organisation whowere showcasing their e-learning resources, said, "It's perhapstoo early to say whether or not the event was a success for usbut we have lots of leads to follow up on."

"We put the success down to a combination of factors - ourassociation with the Chamber of Commerce, support fromdozens of local organisations as sponsors, exhibitors or partici-pants. And, of course, the fine weather that we always seemto have for our exhibition helped too!" Kim added.

Professional David Brent impersonator, Tim Oliver, (from "TheOffice") added his own brand of entertainment to the after-noon, chatting and dancing with visitors and exhibitors.

Organisers are grateful to main sponsors Suffolk CountyCouncil and to all their supporters including: Archant Suffolk,BBC Suffolk, Scrutton Bland, Jackaman Smith & Mulley,Business Link, Ipswich Borough Council, CJV Digital, DummettCopp, LloydsTSB, React Computer Partnership, Fairview NewHomes and Hansa Hire.

"Our speakers were excellent too," added Kim. "All of them -

Malcolm Gallagher, Rachel Sloane, Karen Hester, DuncanBrodie, Margaret Fleming and Clive Hammond - did anexcellent job and we thank them for their time and input.They helped make the event the terrific success that it was."

A Local Success Story

“Amazing Cakes by Jean" wasawarded the 'Newcomer of the Year'prize at the annual exhibition of theIpswich and Small BusinessAssociation held at Trinity Park,Ipswich.

Jean Barker who is based in Elmswell stated that "As ever, myaim was to make my stand both attractive and interestingand I am delighted that the judges were impressed not onlywith my stand but, of course, with my cakes!"

A number of local companies from the Bury St Edmunds areaattended the event.

Devindra Mitchell

"Amazing Cakes by Jean" taste ISSBA award

To advertise...To advertise in the Bury St Edmunds & DistrictFlyer magazine, please contact the Editor,

Richard Livall on 0845 310 2448 or [email protected]


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