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Kirklees, St Helens and Suffolk Councils have been selected to take part in a groundbreaking new project – the i-team

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce is organising a series of workshops to give Suffolk businesses a winning edge in the race to secure London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games contracts, and public sector contracts in general.

An accountant of my acquaintance has had the most depressing three months business that he can ever recall, though he has never been so busy.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide bill, which takes effect on April 6th, reinforces the duty of care employer's have to their employees and extends it to the vehicle as part of the workplace. The Act affects all companies and organisations regardless of size and the penalties for infringement are severe.

If the British economy slows down so that unemployment rises sharply, the chances of a sharp fall in house prices increases dramatically. People who can no longer afford to pay their mortgages have to sell or, worse still, their bank repossesses the property and sells it. This glut of forced sales knocks the stuffing out of the market and prices plunge. There are reasons to believe this will not happen in the coming slow down but home owners still have cause forconcern.

A new business "dating agency" will help companies across the UK compete for London 2012 business opportunities

People in Hadleigh felt poorly treated when Babergh District Council decided to sell East House. Was it not at least in part bought by the people of Hadleigh? Or was it bequethed to the town, part of our inheritance? What right did our councillors have to sell our community facility, so much needed in the town and so greatly missed when it was closed to huge public outcry.

The latest President of Hadleigh Chamber of Commerce is a newcomer to Hadleigh now working with a global finance company.

In what has become more like a charge of the kitchen brigade than a slow march, Adnams has opened its eigth Cellar and Kitchen Store in the high street, within weeks of opening in Stamford, Lincolnshire and Saffron Walden, Essex.

Mixing its eclectic and all too buyable range of kitchenware with its carefully crafted wine store it has turned an unattractive empty store into a vibrant and busy premises, with the promise of shop-based wine tastings.

You could even get yourself a little seasonal mystery. Four times a year, for a variety of prices, the company will send you a mystery case of the buyer's selections, complete with tasting notes

And you won't have to heave your wine purchases around as they do deliver to your door - so much easier to get carried away when there's no lifting and carrying. Already the holders of the East of England Wine Merchant of the Year, and the national Large Independent Merchant of the Year, Adnams is proud of its stock of "truly individual" wines found by buyers "driven by passion".

Whatever drives them, Hadleigh high street is so much more attractive now they're here and the Chamber of Commerce is delighted they are keen to get involved with the town.

In a bid to reduce crime and limit anti-social behavior this Christmas, Babergh has asked all high street licensees to join in a scheme to "Get a Licensed Lift Home".

Partridges Farm Shop re-opens in Ipswich with a second shop at 11 The Walk bringing its range of locally grown fruit, vegetables and produce to a wider clientelle.

If you own or use a mobile and drive this applies to you:

On the 27th February 2007 the ‘Road Safety Act’ introduced new tougher legislation and penalties for people who use a mobile phone while driving. Using a mobile while driving now has the same stigma as drink driving by the general public and now the police will have the teeth to tackle this issue.

Be aware of a new car-jacking plan that is being used in Glasgow and Manchester and making its way across the country!!!!!!!!

Research shows that one of the major factors in a successful business is a skilled and motivated workforce.  And also that cost is the most frequently quoted reason for not carrying out training.

The good news is that financial help is available.  The bad news is that it can be a time consuming and confusing exercise to find out exactly what's on offer.  Which is why Suffolk College are pleased to provide a service for Hadleigh Chamber members to guide you through the bureaucratic jungle.

We'll come and talk to you about your business, advise you on your training needs and look for funding to support your aims.

Contact Tracy Mayhew at tracymayhew@suffolk.ac.uk or on 01473 343626

There has recently been a gentleman from outside the area who has been in touch with a number of local traders, local government and your Chamber, stating that there is a planning application already filed at Babergh District Council Planning Offices and that the Council are imminently ruling on the application.

We can absolutely confirm that there is no such application with Babergh Council.  You Chamber is in direct contact with Babergh and rest assured this would be one of the first sources of accurate information for all our members.  If you have any concerns please call any of the officers whose numbers are here.

Want to pay less tax, but ISAs seem confusing? This article explains how ISAs work

Tesco Poland is interested in finding UK sources of new world wines, beef steaks, lamb, sauces, dips, cheese and ready-made dishes to sell at their 35 Tesco hypermarkets and 32 Savia supermarkets.

Funded by Babergh District Council, the South Suffolk Leisure Trust (SSLT) has taken over the running of both the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Sudbury and the Hadleigh Swimming Pool.

As Hadleigh traders wait for the next stage in the Tesco saga, a group of MPs has warned that consumers and local shopkeepers will suffer if supermarket chains expand unchecked.  Once they have saturated the high street and wiped out small local shops, they'll push up the prices, says the Parliamentary Small Shops Group.

Private, voluntary or community sector companies in Suffolk can access part-funded management training.

The new Hadleigh Chamber of Commerce is a product of just the sort of collaboration the Chamber aims to bring. The "next generation" software solution gives us total control over our own site, and enewsletter broadcasts, and gives members control over their own listing pages and, in the future, much much more.

The community bus is continuing to improve its services in Hadleigh and the surrounding area.