Business news extra

LOCAL employers are being urged to get ready for next week’s introduction of the fit note.

From April 6, the fit note replaces the traditional sick note to cut the cost of sick leave for employers.

The Department for Work and Pensions says this will benefit the UK economy by an estimated £240 million over the next 10 years.

Under the new system, GPs will be able to advise if a patient “may be fit for work” and will offer advice on the effects of their health condition.

Doctors will be able to suggest if their patient would be able to work, if the employer agrees, using temporary changes such as reduced working hours or amended duties.

Mary Boughton, health and safety chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Encouraging employees to do what they can within their jobs while they are not 100 per cent fit is good for business and the wider community.

“The FSB has been calling for its introduction for years. Small firms now need to check the fit-note guidance to make themselves aware of what it means for them.”

The occupational health advice line for small business will be extended nationwide on Thursday to provide professional support to companies with fewer than 250 employees.

Guidance explaining what the fit note means for business can be found at www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote  


RWA scoops church contract

Oldham consulting engineers Robert Whetham Associates (RWA) has landed a contract on Wirral as part of a new Lottery-funded community centre project on a landmark site in Higher Bebington.

The existing church hall, built just after the war, will be replaced by a new energy-efficient, low maintenance, fully accessible community centre offering a range of facilities.

The £1.1 million project has secured a £500,000 grant from the Big Lottery with the balance coming from church members, fund-raising activities, interest-free loans and other grants.

RWA, based at Castle Hill House, Mill Brow, Chadderton, was selected by Christ Church following industry recommendation.

It will work alongside Liverpool architects Weigh-tman and Bullen to design and implement all mechanical and electrical services. The project is due for completion by the end of 2010.

The firm said energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources, ease of operation and cost-effectiveness are some of the aims driving the design.


Business hit by slow-pay customers

More than a third of businesses are finding customers taking longer to pay invoices than a year ago, according to a new report today.

A survey of 300 business owners by Bibby Financial Services showed that manufacturing and construction firms are having to wait the longest.

One in five companies said they are chasing some invoices at least three times.

Edward Rimmer, Bibby Financial Services’ UK chief executive, said: “Across this nation, businesses are fighting for survival, with sustaining a healthy cashflow one of the biggest challenges.

“We need to support one another and do everything possible not to succumb to the easy route of late payment as it can become a vicious circle which halts the purchasing cycle and ultimately can disrupt the supply chain, not to mention the impact on the goodwill and trust of other customers and suppliers.”


Pelican land goats milk account

Foodies and health-conscious consumers are being encouraged to switch to goats milk as part of a major new PR campaign being launched by Pelican Public Relations for St Helen’s Farm.

The Uppermill agency won the contract to act for the UK’s leading producer of goats’ milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt following a three-way pitch. St Helen’s Farm supplies Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose stores.

Pelican managing director Michael Bennett said: “The popularity of goats milk and goats milk products has been growing consistently for several years, but are still seen as a specialist dietary product by many consumers.

“Our campaign is designed to demonstrate that goat dairy products are delicious and worth buying on their own merits.

“Food and drink is one of our four specialisms so it’s great to be starting 2010 with a new account that’s right up our street.”

Mike Hind, sales and marketing manager of St Helen’s Farm, said: “Pelican’s campaign will support a wider marketing push designed to raise the profile of goats milk among UK consumers.”

Founded in 1986 by Angus and Kathleen Wielkopolski, St Helen’s Farm operates from a 550-acre farm in the Vale of York, which is home to more than 3,500 goats and 45 employees.

Pelican PR was established in 1998 and specialises in sports and leisure, sustainability and environment and food and packaging sectors.


Virtual Construction

We have been asked to point out that Virtual Construction, winners of the Knowledge Exchange Partnership Award at the One Oldham Business Awards, are a Failsworth web design company which also mentors and tutors university students, but the students are not a part of the company.

EU regulation
More than two–thirds of the cost of British regulation is laid at the EU's door in a new report from Open Europe, a think–tank campaigning for EU reform. The total regulatory burden on the national economy has been £176 billion since 1998.