Member News

Responding to news that the US plans to introduce fresh 10% tariffs on UK goods, from next month, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

Wealden District Council’s leader has urged the government to go ahead with County Council elections this May despite a request from East Sussex County Council to cancel them.

Seven of the UK’s major business groups have written an open letter to the government to support its commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). 

Reacting to the announcement on Northern Powerhouse Rail, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

A new innovation centre that helps ambitious entrepreneurs grow their businesses has opened in Manor Royal Business District in Crawley, West Sussex, and is now inviting Sussex businesses to take a look at their unique offering.

After another fast-paced year, it’s time for our much-anticipated office design trends 2026 article.

The Adelphi Group of Companies has raised £2,110 for St Peter & St James Hospice, which provides compassionate hospice care in the heart of Sussex. Headquartered in Haywards Heath, Adelphi is an award-winning, family-owned UK manufacturer and supplier of packaging machinery and equipment, and a pharmaceutical distribution company. Adelphi chose the hospice as its Charity of the Year 2025 and over the last 12 months has run a wide range of staff-led fundraising activities.

In the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q4 2025, a third of firms (34%) said they are worried about business rates. This is the highest level since the BCC started asking the question in the Q2 QES of 2017. 

If you’re looking to make some changes this year to support your health and wellbeing, look no further than West Sussex Wellbeing!  

StarBox, the leading specialist accountants and business advisers in the content creator and influencer space, has recently advised client The Fellas Studio on its sale to Global, a significant deal in the creator economy. This is the first UK creator-led podcast studio to achieve a deal of this scale, and StarBox’s deep understanding of the booming content creator sector was a driver of the success of the deal.

Welcoming Andrew Nash as Business Development Manager for the Mid Sussex Area.

What are you thinking about your business for 2026? If I’m honest about what I’m thinking about this year, it isn’t “brand archetypes” or the latest trendy acronym. It’s leads. It’s pipeline. It’s whether the enquiries coming in are the kind you can actually turn into revenue, without your team spending half their week answering the wrong questions from the wrong people.

Mark Armstrong will be back in the New Year as the face (and cartoon) of our brand-new monthly webinar series!

Reacting to news that the Employment Rights Bill has received Royal Assent, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: 

Industrial and Warehouse Unit (9,761 SQ FT) TO LET in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

Reacting to the latest trade data for October from the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

Artemis Marketing, a long-standing West Sussex digital agency specialising in SEO and growth support for SMEs, has transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) after 21 years in business.

Become a confident designer with expert training in Adobe Creative Suite

Master the skills companies are hiring for — marketing, SEO, analytics & campaign strategy

The University of Sussex is delighted to invite both new and returning organisations to express interest in receiving financial support to employ a Sussex undergraduate for a 6-week, full-time summer internship (225 hours).

Horsham District Council are seeking to find out how businesses can be supported to employ more local people through local Jobs Fairs.

Win locally, regionally and nationally!

Rising material costs were labelled the biggest issue facing the construction industry in a survey of 500 construction industry professionals, with 27% citing it as the number one problem.

Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

Chancellor’s Budget Brings Mixed Impact for Businesses.

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: 

Adelphi Masterfil Limited has invested in Karmelle Limited, the Huddersfield-based specialist in liquid filling, capping and labelling.

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) acts as a strategic partner, and delivers services like cybersecurity, cloud support, 24/7 monitoring, and long-term IT planning to help your business run more efficiently.

Sussex Cancer Fund is delighted to announce that our film Not Just a Story has been entered into the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2026, the world’s leading platform celebrating films created for social good. We are now calling on the public to cast their vote and help shine a light on the importance of local cancer support across Sussex.

Businesses leaders and individuals are invited by accountancy firm Carpenter Box, part of the Sumer Group to an Autumn Budget debrief breakfast event from 8am on Thursday 4 December at the Sussex Cricket Ground in Hove.

Responding to the launch of a Critical Minerals Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: 

Theft and vandalism are growing problems in the construction sector, with almost two-thirds of industry professionals saying they are more of a threat than five years ago.

Responding to news of the Government’s plan to widen customs charges to low value goods entering the UK, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has appointed Kate Shoesmith as its new Director of Policy and Insights. She will take up the position at the start of December and lead a 10-strong team of policy and research experts.