Latest news with #Chichester
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Specialist Hospitality Sector Accountants, James Todd & Co, Share Advice for Businesses Hit By Revenue Uncertainty
05/29/2025, Chichester PO20 2EW // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // James Todd & Co, a respected accountancy group with experts focused on the hospitality sector, has offered some guidance for businesses in the industry, following a tumultuous few months where revenues have fluctuated considerably, and in contrast to the general GDP trends. The latest UK GDP figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provided long-awaited relief reflecting a small margin of growth of 0.2% in March 2025, which compares to 0.5% in February and a contraction of 0.1% in January. While improvements in services spending have played an important role, the firm notes that the levels of apprehension currently present require agility and robust financial planning. Why Hospitality Sector Businesses Are Struggling With Uncertainties Over the Future Last year was a significant challenge for many hospitality businesses. Sharp rises in operating costs, high inflation levels, and consumer caution meant that a large proportion of organisations found it challenging to remain profitable. A reported 42% of consumers indicated last year that they intended to reduce spending on dining out, which increased to 46% for 2025. While interest rates have now stabilised to some extent, the 8.5% increase in staffing overheads introduced in the Autumn Budget has painted an uneasy picture for the months ahead. Given the sector's dependency on discretionary spending, record-high utility prices and dips in consumer confidence have had a greater direct impact on the hospitality sector than in many other areas. This culminated in a 2.4% fall in trade in January, far underperforming against overall GDP, which shrank by 0.1%. Although the most recent data shows a more positive outlook, with modest GDP growth largely attributed to services industries, concerns remain. These are particularly relevant following a year when like-for-like sales only occasionally reached above inflation levels and when thousands of hospitality companies closed their doors in just the last quarter—a closure rate of eight businesses or venues a day. In this climate, James Todd & Co has advised that in-built contingency planning, accurate short and long-term forecasting, and continual oversight of cost pressures, profitability, and reserves are crucial. This gives hospitality sector clients the flexibility to adapt and respond to changes while focusing on commercial sustainability. Targeted Guidance for Hospitality Business Owners in 2025 Michelle Buzzard, FCA, Partner at James Todd & Co said, ' There's no doubt that it's been a tough couple of years for most hospitality businesses, and we've seen particular difficulties within economy-focused providers, as opposed to luxury services, who have been hit hardest by drops in consumer spending. It's also no surprise that the measures introduced in the Autumn Budget and Spring Statement seem to compound the challenge, with many owners already struggling to balance their books and looking for better ways to remain buoyant and liquid while dealing with higher costs and lower incomes. Our key advice for any company in this situation or with concerns over the viability of its trade over the year ahead is to seek expert advice sooner rather than later – which means they do not end up in a situation where the stress of uncertainty makes it all but impossible to focus on innovation and efficiency. Hospitality companies are no strangers to volatility, and most already manage seasonality. Many owners already know they need oversight of overheads and cash flows, to account for periods with typically lower incomes and ensure that reserves are allocated to cover outgoings between peak trading seasons. However, we've seen an increasing number of companies reach the point of crisis, where detailed, diligent financial planning, cost control measures, and budgeting before this point could have highlighted opportunities to restructure, introduce cash flow management strategies, or potentially source financing or capital investment.' Proactive Financial Management Recommendations for the Hospitality Sector Michelle goes on to say, ' Professional accounting isn't just about preparing retrospective accounts, but about giving our clients the tools and resources they need to effectively plan ahead and see barriers to growth before they arrive. We ensure businesses have the support necessary to create contingencies or look at changes to their trading models to adapt to fluctuating consumer trends. Ignoring an issue or hoping for the best is never advisable. We suggest that hospitality businesses with concerns or a lack of forecasting for the summer trading period contact our accountancy teams directly or arrange a convenient time to meet at our Chichester or Fareham offices.' James Todd & Co offers a comprehensive range of hospitality accounting and financial management services, including bookkeeping services, tax planning, VAT reporting, and general accounting expertise. The company also offers bespoke coaching services through its Goals to Growth programme. Read more about James Todd & Co - Accomplished Charity Accountants at James Todd & Co Comment on Calls for New Exemptions and Allowances About James Todd & Co James Todd & Co have been providing accounting services for more than 30 years across Chichester, Fareham, and Portsmouth for businesses across the South East. Their clients trust them to provide bookkeeping, financial auditing and compliance, management accounting and financial advisory services. Media Contact: Oliver Read James Todd & Co 01243 776938
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Permission sought to retain Lord Nelson statue in Chichester
Permission is being sought to keep a statue featuring Lord Nelson in place in a West Sussex city for another statue of the famous naval commander alongside his friend Sir George Murray was erected in 2020 outside Murray's former home in North Street in Chichester. Planning permission was given for five years and an extension is being sought from Chichester District Council while "allowing time to decide on, and arrange, a permanent placement for it".The statue, by sculptor Vincent Gray, was awarded a Public and Community Award by Sussex Heritage Trust in 2022. George Murray was born in Chichester in 1759 and joined the Royal Navy when he was 11, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. A plaque next to the sculpture reads: "He rose swiftly through the ranks and first served under Admiral Nelson in 1801 when the two men became close friends. Murray was Nelson's Captain of the Fleet but had to miss the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 as he was sorting out the estate of his late father-in-law."Had he been there, it was likely that he would have been at Nelson's side when he died, rather than Hardy," the plaque reads. George Murray became Mayor of Chichester in 1815, the year he was knighted, and died in the city in Nelson led the Royal Navy to one of its most famous victories at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October was killed during the battle aged 47 after being shot by a French sniper.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Teachers swap classrooms for railways to help students
Teachers swapped their classrooms for the railway to help students plan for the future. The teachers from St Anthony's School, in Chichester, and St John's College, in Brighton, took part in a one-day work experience with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). This was part of the teacher encounters programme, run by the West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Careers Hub in partnership with Pathway CTM. The programme aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by placing teachers directly into workplaces that can offer further education opportunities for their students. The teachers were given a behind-the-scenes look at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) on May 14. They were introduced to a wide range of career opportunities within the rail industry, from operations and customer experience to engineering. The day also included a trip to London Blackfriars, where the teachers took part in networking and got to try out GTR's train driver simulator. They also took part in an interactive question and answer session to learn more about the company's structure, culture, and career progression.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Warning as 'healthy' 20 year-old is killed by vegetarian ready meal: 'Within 10 minutes she was struggling to breathe'
A grieving mother has warned parents of children with allergies to always be prepared for a deadly reaction—after her 'beautiful' daughter died days after eating a contaminated ready meal. Jess North, 20, from West Sussex, died on 14 May 2021, five days after suffering a lethal reaction to peanuts that were in a ready meal that she had safely eaten before without problems. Within 10 minutes of consuming 'a few mouthfuls' of the sweet potato dish, and having left the house to visit friends, Jess called her mother to tell her she was having difficulty breathing. She attempted to use her Epipen—an autoinjector of adrenaline that relieves extreme allergic reactions—the dose was too low to achieve the desired effect. The keen athlete had never had to use the emergency treatment before, which meant her prescription had not been updated since she was a child, when the required amount was far lower. Despite efforts to attempt to save her by doctors at St Richards hospital in Chichester, she died five days later after scans showed no brain activity. Now her mother Maxine, 59, has vowed to raise awareness of the dangers of severe allergies, and will be attempting physical challenges to generate funds for The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Recalling the day of the fatal reaction, when her world 'fell apart', she told The Argus: 'I was 20 minutes from dishing up the Sunday roast when Jess decided that she didn't want the meat that was on the menu. 'The kitchen was a hive of activity, so I asked her to look in the freezer to see if there was something that she could have in its place. 'She pulled out a pre-made shop bought sweet potato dish saying that she had it before.' While she was aware the meal could contain peanuts, she'd eaten it previously without suffering a reaction, leading her to believe she'd be safe. 'Once seated for dinner Jess took a couple of mouthfuls of the sweet potato and said she didn't like it, pushed it to one side and ate the vegetables,' Maxine added. Then she went upstairs, gathered her things and jumped in the car to make the short drive to meet a friend. Within 10 minutes, Jess called her mother to say she was struggling to breathe—leading Maxine to be immediately convinced that she was having an allergic reaction. 'She was near Arundel on the A27, so I told her to pull over and administer her EpiPen', Maxine said. Maxine also told Jess to call 999 as soon as she had administered the EpiPen, in line with NHS guidelines. By the time her parents got there, paramedics were already at the scene. Maxine continued: 'I have no recollection of how my husband and I got [to Jess]. It's a complete blur.' Jess was then rushed to St Richards hospital in Chichester as the paramedics fought to keep her alive after she stopped breathing twice on route. 'We had to wait for what seemed like an eternity while they stabilised Jess,' Maxine said. Jess was on life-support for three days before her doctors felt she was strong enough to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage to her brain. A life-threatening allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, occurs when the immune system mistakenly overreacts and releases a flood of chemicals that send the body into shock, stopping patients from breathing. As well as rapid organ failure, this can restrict oxygen to the brain, resulting in lethal brain damage. Other common symptoms of anaphylaxis include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing, coughing, feeling tired, feeling faint or fainting and blue, grey or pale skin. Maxine said: 'Doctors couldn't reassure us as to the damage t had been done until she woke up'. The next morning, doctors started to take Jess off of medication, hoping that she would wake up so that they could run further tests. But Jess didn't show any signs of consciousness. The medical team carried out another MRI which revealed that there was no brain activity. Jess' parents were then informed by doctors that there was nothing else they could do to help. 'I can't remember much from that point,' said Maxine. 'All I knew was my beautiful baby had gone and our life had changed forever.' Remarkably, Jess had never had a severe allergic reaction before this point. 'It is always a worry, any allergy parent will tell you that,' said Maxine. 'But it didn't define us. 'We would always ask for an allergen list and would be extremely careful, but we still lived. We went away to places like Thailand, and it was okay'. Now, Maxine is urging GP practices to start sending reminder alerts to patients with severe allergies to check their EpiPens are the correct dosage. Jess' tragic death comes amid a new dawn in the treatment of childhood allergies. Earlier this year, experts at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London announced the promising results of a life-changing trial that saw 14 of 21 people with peanut allergy able to eat peanuts every day without a reaction. The desensitising process—known as oral immunotherapy—works by getting sufferers to consume microscopic amounts of peanuts, gradually increasing their dosage to build up immunity. Chief Investigator Professor Stephen Till, Professor of Allergy at King's College London, said: 'Constant fear of life-threatening reactions place a huge burden on people with peanut allergy. 'Although peanut immunotherapy is known to be effective in children, this trial provides preliminary evidence that adults can also be desensitised and that this improves quality of life.' About one in every 200 adults in the UK—0.5 per cent—has a nut allergy. Experts estimate that 10 Brits die from an allergic reaction to food each year, with 5,000 people hospitalised for severe reactions. Children with allergies are considered to be especially at risk from severe reactions as, due to their smaller body size, small amounts of allergens provoke bigger reactions.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Do aliens exist? British astronaut Tim Peake thinks there IS 'complex, intelligent life' beyond Earth - and says we're 'close' to finding it
If aliens exist, surely Tim Peake is one of a select group of humans who have been the closest to them. The British astronaut spent six months in space between 2015 and 2016, living and working on the International Space Station (ISS), 250 miles above Earth. Although he didn't have any extraterrestrial encounters while up there, Major Peake said he thinks aliens most likely do exist. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 53-year-old, from Chichester in Sussex, said Earth is 'actually a pretty small place', relatively speaking. 'When you look at just our own Milky Way galaxy with 200 billion stars, that's one of a number of hundreds of billions of galaxies that we can see,' he told MailOnline. 'So the chances are that there is complex, intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.' In April, scientists revealed that a faraway planet called K2-18b has large quantities of chemicals in its atmosphere that are suggestive of living organisms. Although the findings are to be confirmed, Major Peake said we are likely close to finding the definitive proof that aliens do exist. 'We know that the universe is abundant with water, it's abundant with the seeds of life,' the British spaceman told MailOnline. 'We've discovered so many thousands of exoplanets in our neighbourhood which are orbiting stars, many of which have very good signs of potential habitability with liquid oceans for example. 'Within the next five to 10 years, using the James Webb Space Telescope for example, we could even get to the situation where scientists feel confident enough to be able to say that they found signs of biological life on another planet.' 'It might be small bacteria, it might be algae, giving off some signs of biological processes. 'But that's the kind of thing that we're getting close to be able to say for sure.' During his time on the ISS between December 2015 and June 2016, Major Peake completed the first British spacewalk, took part in 250 research experiments, and even managed to remotely run the London Marathon. On January 15, 2016, he participated in the first spacewalk outside the ISS by a British astronaut with the dazzling blue of the Earth beneath him. The historic event lasted nearly five hours, although it was cut short when American colleague Tim Kopra had water building up in his helmet. During his time on the ISS, he became the first person to complete a spacewalk while sporting a Union flag on his shoulder. Pictured, prior to his spacewalk, January 14, 2016 Nearly a decade later, Major Peake reflects on the experience as 'very surreal' and difficult to put into words'. 'The feeling is a mixture of appreciating how remote and isolated our planet is,' he told MailOnline. 'I hesitate to use the word fragile because actually the planet's pretty robust – it's survived 4 billion years; it's got another 4 billion to go before the sun will cause its demise. 'But what you appreciate from space is not necessarily its fragility but its remoteness and the level of isolation against this vast black backdrop of the universe. 'And it strikes you that that is home – that's the only planet we've got to live on. 'On the one hand it makes you feel fairly small and insignificant but on the other hand it does make you appreciate that we are incredibly special.' Major Peake spoke to MailOnline ahead of this summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed near his native Chichester where he's ambassador of the Future Lab exhibition showcasing the technologies of tomorrow. He's already given the biggest indication yet that he's about to make a spectacular return into orbit after nearly a decade back on Earth. Last year, he was confirmed as 'strategic advisor' for a mission led by US firm Axiom Space to send an all-UK team into space for the first time. The trip will certainly require a seasoned astronaut to act as 'commander' akin to the captain on a ship – with Major Peake the most obvious contender. Although he couldn't confirm whether he would indeed be commander of the mission, he said going to space is still 'always of interest'. 'I'm an astronaut who's fit and able to fly to space and command a mission,' he told MailOnline. 'So absolutely I'm willing and ready to command the mission and fly to space.' Meet the astronauts tipped to fly into space as part of the all-UK mission with Tim Peake Three Britons – including the world's first ever 'parastronaut' – are among the European Space Agency's first new cohort of astronauts in almost 15 years. In November 2022, John McFall, Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian were named in a class of 17 men and women chosen from a whopping 22,523 applicants. They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of current British astronaut Tim Peake, who spent six months on the International Space Station (ISS) almost a decade ago. Here's a closer look at the three adventurers, who may be joined by Major Peake himself on a trip to the ISS. John McFall Britain's John McFall was named as the world's first 'parastronaut' in November 2022 John McFall, 44, is a British father-of-three, surgical trainee and Paralympic medallist. Originally from Frimley in Surrey, Mr McFall had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in Thailand in 2000. He was fitted with a prosthesis and is now working with the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate how such a disability could affect a stint in space. He won a bronze medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing among other honours, before retiring to take up his medical studies at Cardiff University. He has put his medical career on hold to work with ESA and follow his 'passion for science and life'. Rosemary Coogan Rosemary Coogan, 33, is an astrophysicist originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland. She attended school in Brighton and gained two master's degrees from the University of Durham. One of these focused on physics, mathematics, computer programming and astronomy, and the other on gamma-ray emission from black holes. Coogan moved to the University of Sussex as a doctoral researcher, studying galaxy evolution and the activity of active galactic nuclei. From a young age, she spent several weeks a year away from home onboard military training vessels and land bases as a Cadet Petty Officer with the Sea Cadets from 2002 to 2009. Meganne Christian Meganne Christian, 37, is a materials scientist graduate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. She was born in Pembury in Kent but moved to Australia at a young age and attended Illawarra Grammar School in Wollongong. She said she was inspired to become an astronaut when one visited her school. The materials scientist has worked at the National Research Council of Italy in Bologna and as a researcher at Concordia Station in Antarctica, one of the most remote places on Earth. According to ESA, Meganne received several national awards for outstanding research in the field of engineering and industrial chemistry.
