4 • FROMTHEEDITOR
It is a pleasure at the close of such a changeable and challenging year , to round it off with some good news .
HAPPY CHRISTMAS BRISANT !
Many congratulations to all the hard-working team at BRISANT SECURE – main sponsor of MLA EXPO 2017 - for its welldeserved double win at the prestigious and highly competitive Construction Marketing Awards earlier this month . This was a terrific Christmas present for all concerned and a fitting finale to an outstanding year for this outstanding , progressive company .
‘ It is always good to learn how the industry works in different parts of the globe ’
WELL DONE LEE !
Congratulations also to Lee Gardner , winner of the GAI 2017 Pinnacle Award . Lee has been with Duffells for more than 30 years and epitomises the make-up of a Duffells team member . This award is a huge achievement , recognising Lee ’ s Diploma grade as no less than the highest ranking in the world this year . Lee ’ s life has been very much dedicated to the industry and to Duffells and it is because of this that he has unrivalled expertise in product knowledge and technical application theory .
AUTO LOCKSMITHS
With this issue we are delighted to include our special Auto Locksmiths Supplement , packed with expert info and news on this important sector .
AROUND THE WORLD
This year ’ s MLA EXPO attracted more overseas visitors than ever before and in this issue we meet two of them – from the USA and from the Republic of Ireland . It is always good to learn how the industry works in different parts of the globe .
LOCKEX 2018 SECURITY & FIRE SAFETY
Registration for LOCKEX 2018 – Security & Fire Safety is now open . Keep checking your email and The Locksmith Journal regularly for updates on the event including special offers from exhibitors , booking information for the free training workshops and more LOCKEX 2018 – Security & Fire Safety news as and when it comes in . Most importantly though make sure you have the dates 8th , 9th and 10th June 2018 locked in your diary ! For more information and to register your interest at next June ’ s event please visit : www . lockex . org
Season ’ s greetings to all from everyone here .
Patricia . Group Editor
PROUD SPONSORS OF THIS PAGE
GM COUNCILS FAILING TO DELIVER BUSINESS RATES RELIEF FUNDING
Just three of the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester have begun allocating their share of the £ 300 million business rates hardship fund - launched more than six months ago .
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THERE ARE THREE elements to the relief measures announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget , but only Stockport , Oldham and Rochdale are dishing out cash for all of them .
According to Government figures released last month , Trafford was among 16 English councils who have failed to re-bill businesses for any of the relief streams – the only one in GM not delivering at least some of the relief .
The money was provided to local authorities to help lessen the impact of April ’ s revaluation of business rates , which saw many firms ’ bills rocket .
Robert Downes , FSB Development Manager for the Federation of Small
Businesses in Greater Manchester , said : “ This name and shame list is concerning . Many small firms were left fearing for their futures after April ’ s rates revaluation . Now we learn many have still received no support from local authorities despite being promised relief no less than six months ago .
“ All councils should have every relief measure in place by now . If the cash is there to be paid out , there ’ s simply no excuse . Enough is enough . Any small firm running such an inefficient project would not survive . The Chancellor and Communities Secretary need to inject some urgency . FSB looks forward to all councils having all measures in place by the Autumn Budget .”
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | NOV / DEC 2017 Sponsored by ABUS