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Chamber of Commerce


Contact: Chris Brewerton T: 0845 6036650


Sutton Coldfield Chamber Patrons


Sutton Coldfield Charity of the Year


Criticism as chancellor scraps JRB scheme


A leading businessman from Sutton Coldfield has criticised the chancellor for scrapping the Job Retention Bonus (JRB) because it leaves a gap in his cash flow. Rishi Sunak announced a range of economic


measures to support business through the winter, but also declared that the JRB scheme would end. The scheme would have provided businesses


with a £1,000 bonus for every furloughed employee it retained in January 2021. Nigel Waldron (pictured), managing director of


Power Minerals and former president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, said that


the Chancellor's decision to end the scheme has now left a gap in his business’ cash flow. He said: “My company brought all of its


furloughed staff back at the beginning of September and the Job Retention award was one of the reasons we chose to do this. “The £10,000 we are not getting leaves a gap


in our cash flow and I am struggling to see how we are going to make up the difference when the economy has still not got back on its feet. “The mental effect of furloughing people seems


to be ignored and although it’s a tough pill to take I will not take any further part in the scheme even


though its an easy option.” Mr Waldron


added the Chancellor did not go far enough with the furlough scheme, and said more targeted measures should have been put in place. He said: “It should have been targeted at the


retail, leisure and hospitality industry - businesses that really need the support. “The blanket approach will tempt companies to use the scheme when they really don’t need to.”


Wellbeing hub to tackle fatigue and exhaustion


Supporting small business: Jason and Mark A home for local products


A new store showcasing small independent businesses has opened in Sutton Coldfield’s Gracechurch Centre. Bert & Gert’s was officially opened by


Councillor Jane Mosson, the mayor of Sutton Coldfield. Located next to Patisserie Valerie and TSB


bank in The Gracechurch Centre, customers can expect goods from a host of local producers. Founded by brothers Mark and Jason Wilkes,


Bert & Gert’s are well known for their arts and crafts markets and events across the country and weekly market on Sutton Coldfield Parade. Mark and Jason said: “Our aim is to support


and promote small local businesses. The products we sell include items we have designed, made or sourced ourselves. Shopping with Bert & Gert’s will always be a unique experience.”


A businesswoman who suffered the long- lasting effects of fatigue has launched a new wellbeing hub. The Salus Foundation’s Fatigue Wellbeing


Hub allows firms to give employees access to blogs, expert advice from health practitioners and video content to improve their health and wellbeing. The Sutton Coldfield charity was founded


by Linda Jones, who has lived with fatigue and exhaustion and wanted to help those suffering with similar symptoms. Since its launch a decade ago, Salus has


supported more than 15,000 people. Linda said: “Fatigue as a symptom is very


often dismissed as psychological or self induced or an ‘overreaction to tiredness’ by doctors and peers. “This is exactly what led me to fight for the


cause of those living with burnout, exhaustion and constant tiredness, and provide a platform for them to address, understand and manage their symptoms.


School forges African links


A Sutton Coldfield school is aiming to forge links with Africa after a member of staff jetted off to lead a secondary school in Botswana. Phil Fergus joined the team at John Willmott


School as design and technology technician after a long career in teaching. But now Mr Fergus, 60, has swapped Birmingham for Botswana, returning to an African nation where he spent 15 years working for the British Council at a number of schools, eventually spending five years as a head teacher.


Mr Fergus departed for Botswana in


December to take the reins of a new school. “Having spoken to Tracey Peters, head of John


Willmott School, we have pledged to keep in touch and explore opportunities for our students to exchange correspondence and communicate class to class via the Internet,” he said. “The possibilities of cultural exchange visits


would be very exciting and, of course, this is what we would like to see once international visits are once again deemed safe.”


December 2020/January 2021 CHAMBERLINK 49 “For me personally, I lost six years of my life


and a further 10 years to recover. I remember bits, but not most of it - I lost my career, home and marriage. “I felt exhausted as I never had before, so


much so that I couldn’t walk, talk and bed bound on my worst days. This can happen to anyone at any time – you cannot sustain working 24/7 and living under constant pressure.” The hub is a 90-day course broken down


into 13 core modules, which are released week by week to encourage those involved to make lifestyle choices that can be realistically maintained. The first month is free, followed by a £10


monthly subscription, as a donation to the charity. Discounts are also available for bulk company subscriptions.


For more information contact Linda Jones on linda@salus.org.uk or call 07894 205155.


Brum to Botswana: Phil Fergus


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