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Blogging for Business - 10th December
Blogging for Business is a fantastic content marketing tool and should be part of any businesses' marketing toolkit.
Christmas Lunch - 16th December
Christmas traditions are worth keeping, and the Merton Chamber of Commerce Christmas lunch is one of those. Join us for Christmas Lunch at San Lorenzo's in Wimbledon. So bring your guests, treat your team or just come along and party at the Merton Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lunch.
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Fire Warden Marshall Training 7th January
This Fire Warden Marshal Training workshop is aimed at those employees within the organisation who have a key role to play within the management of Fire Safety in the Workplace.
Obtain expert, practical advice including legal structures, finance and business planning. This workshop is for those who are beginning the journey of starting a new business.
Create Your Digital Branded Experience - 21st January
This training workshop teaches you the essentials of how to build your business website and enhance your customer and user experience.
Over the course of this six week programme, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop your business plan. Participants will only be accepted subject to application suitability.
Raynes Park Business Breakfast- 9th February
Network and share your views with other local businesses. Merton Council and the local police will be in attendance. Hear of any plans for the development of Raynes Park and have the opportunity to talk about issue affecting local businesses.
Find out how Merton Chamber can help your business
Join us for our first joint networking lunch of the year with Love Wimbledon at Chimichanga's restaurant in Wimbledon. Network with like minded businesses whilst enjoying some fabulous Tex-Mex cuisine.
Watch this space for our brand new 2016 events programme!
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Big Give Christmas Challenge
Local charity and new Merton Chamber of Commerce member, the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust, wants to alert you to their latest Appeal being launched in December in conjunction with The Big Give Christmas Challenge.
Funds are being raised for their newly commissioned musical, GRACE, which will be performed at the New Wimbledon Theatre next July. This project is being undertaken with Merton Music Foundation and is their most ambitious yet. Encouragingly Arts Council England have agreed financial support for approximately half the cost but this local charity still have a substantial sum to raise. WCTT’s Big Give funding partner, The Childhood Trust, has generously agreed that donations made between Noon on Friday 5th December and 5pm on Monday 14th December will be matched by them.
Details of how to donate and more about the charity including the latest newsletter can be found on their website at www.wctt.org.uk
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Raynes Park Christmas Festival - 4th December 3.30-7pm
Celebrating the switching on of the Christmas lights in Raynes Park with a great afternoon of live music, drama, entertainments and fun for all the family. Back due to popular demand they will again have a live nativity show outside Waitrose. Children can come to pet the donkeys, sheep and goats, plus watch the nativity characters from the Lantern Theatre Company acting out the Christmas story... plus much much more
For more info visit http://www.myraynespark.co.uk/
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Leopold Road Christmas Party - 11th December
Leopold Road SW19 Christmas Party is back! Join the fun for Food & Drinks, Mulled Wine, Christmas Carols, Treasure Trail, Fancy Dress Competition for Dogs, Raffle Draw with fantastic prizes, Kids Entertainment and much more!
All the proceedings will be donated to Perseid School in Morden for children with severe learning difficulties. Come and support this good cause with us!
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Home Start - Fundraising Curry Night at CHAK89 - 16th December
Haven't decided what to do for your Christmas meal yet? Have a curry night at CHAK89 and donate to two local charities, Home Start Merton and The Suzanna's Family Fund.
£25 per ticket includes drinks on arrival and a 3 course meal, 6.30-10.30pm
Email: admin@homestartmerton.org for more details and to book!
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Hamper Packing with Christmas Lunch on Jesus
Christmas Lunch on Jesus in Merton started in 2012. CLOJ helps local churches to make Christmas hampers for members of the community who are in desperate need at Christmas time. The hampers are packed with all Christmas goodies including a turkey, stuffing, carrots, brussels sprouts, potatoes, gravy, Christmas pudding, chocolates and non-alcoholic wine.
Hamper packing and distribution will take place at Morden Baptist Church. With Hamper packing happening on Saturday 19th December, and hamper distribution on Sunday 20th.
Hampers cost £30 each, so if you would like to donate or want more information please visit www.cloj.co.uk
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Give Carers a Christmas Party with Carers Support Merton
Carers Support Merton are asking for your help to give both Adult Carers and Young Carers in Merton a fabulous party during the festive period.
Any contribution you can make will go directly to provide carers with a much needed 'me' time and the opportunity spend time with other adults or children who understand the challenges they face.
All donations are greatly appreciated and will help a carer have some time out from their caring role at Christmas. You can find their Just Giving page here
If you would like information on ways to can continue to support the work of Carers Support Merton please call Debbie Kilby, 0208 646 7515, email debbie@csmerton.org
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STEM4 Carol Concert - 10th December
To be held on Thursday 10th December at 7.30pm, At St Mary’s Merton, 13 Church Path, Merton Park SW19 3HJ
This event will be a relaxed sing-along evening on the theme of “Finding a place”. The programme will comprise a mixture of congregation-led carols and songs, readings from young supporters and performances from two fabulous choirs “The Southwest Songbirds” and “The Putney Treblemakers”.
Tickets Adults £12, Children £8 and can be purchased through https://thelittleboxoffice.com/stem4/event/view/35494
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Carol Service - in aid of Wimbledon Guild
Get into the festive spirit on 10th December at Wimbledon Guild's Carol service.
Taking place at St Mark's Church Wimbledon, 6.00pm followed by mince pies and drinks. Click here for more info and to buy tickets.
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If you would like to add your event or cause to our Christmas Causes webpage please email Natalie@mertonchamber.co.uk
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Global Entrepreneurship Week Events Success!
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 As part of Global Entrepreneurship 2015 Merton Chamber held two events, 'Celebrating Start Up Success' - a Merton Business Support Service event, and a business breakfast with Denise Elphick, founder of Top Table and Pets Pyjamas as part of our new Leadership Series.
Both events were a great success and we were extremely thrilled to be part of such a great initiative.
Merton Business Support Service Celebrates Start Up Success
 On 18th November over 20 start-up businesses received certificates of achievement at a celebration event.
The event took place at the Holiday Inn Express in Colliers Wood and was part of Merton Chamber of Commerce’s events in support of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Kevan Dunne, Merton Chamber of Commerce Business Adviser says, ‘We are proud to be part of Global Entrepreneurship week 2015, to celebrate and support small businesses that form the backbone of the local economy and job creation.’ Read more here
Businesses celebrate growth as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week
 Over 50 business leaders attended an audience with Denise Elphick, founder of two tech businesses, as part of Merton Chamber of Commerce’s celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, sponsored by Hartley Fowler Chartered Accountants. Using an interview style approach, Chamber Chief Executive Diana Sterck, talked to Denise about the successes and challenges of running two online businesses – firstly Top Table and then Pets Pyjamas. Read more here.
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Spotlight on Merton Businesses
How are some of our Members getting involved in Small Business Saturday?
 Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.
The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. In 2015 Small Business Saturday will take place on Saturday, December 5th.
Some of our members are making the most of this fantastic initiative by offering discounts and holding events leading up to and on Small Business Saturday.
Tennison Property: 425 Kingston Road, SW20 8JR, 3 months FREE management for new landlords! tennisonproperty.com
Crown Lane Studio: 8b Crown Lane, SM4 5BL, Open Studio Day! Lucky dip with vouchers and prizes for musicians on Small Business Saturday. crownlanestudio.co.uk
Vanessa Birley Florals: Weekly flower delivery to your business or home, first delivery free
(minimum 6 month contract) with e-flyer. Click to view and print flyer.
vanessabirleyflorals.com
Let us know how you're getting involved!
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Wimbledon Foundation invests £45,000 in improving Health and Wellbeing of Local Community!
 Four Merton-based community organisations have been awarded funding as part of a £450,000 Health & Wellbeing Fund run by the Wimbledon Foundation, the charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Attic Theatre Company, Home-Start Merton, Jigsaw4u and Merton Voluntary Services Council will each receive grants of up to £30,000 a year for three years.
Launched by the Wimbledon Foundation in March, the Health & Wellbeing Fund provides grants to projects that will help local people to improve their health and wellbeing and meet social needs in the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth.
Charities and community organisations were encouraged to submit applications for projects which met one or more of the Fund’s objectives: supporting better mental health through social or cultural activities; helping people take better care of their physical health; bringing families and communities together including those more at risk of isolation; and working with vulnerable groups to foster safer communities. View more online here
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Merton Business Support Service
Merton confirmed as the place to set up in business
Last month confirmed that Merton borough is a great place to set up in business. Merton Council, working with Merton Chamber of Commerce, has just been awarded the accolade of:
Best Programme of Support for Small Businesses from London Councils and the Federation of Small Businesses!!
If you are a growth business based in Merton and would like more information about the support that Merton Business Support Service can offer contact Raymond Kinsella ray@mertonchamber.co.uk or call the helpdesk on 020 8619 0700
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The Generator Business Centre - a year in review!
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A once empty business centre has grown into a vibrant business community providing employment for 150 people.
 In 2009, Merton Chamber of Commerce took over the management of The Generator business centre with just nine tenants. Five years on, the centre is full with 23 tenants, employing 150 people. The Mitcham-based centre is now a dynamic business environment with a great deal of B2B services and networking between tenants.
Read more of the Generator's fascinating story in our new case study here.
A brief year in review:
Maintaining 100% occupancy levels is the greatest achievement over the past year. Our reputation precedes us on many occasions and our waiting list for office space grows by the month!
Our tenant businesses include the Federation Business winner for Best Business in Merton Rhodium Consulting and we have assisted several companies with their growth, such as Saggiomo Luxury Food Ltd, Bluebird Care Ltd and Ancoa Software Ltd.
We have reviewed the reception service and developed support to meet tenant requirements through feedback.
The Generator has been involved with the award winning Mitcham Community Orchard from conception, providing volunteering support as well as facilitating panel meetings. We have engaged tenants such as TFix and Grass Barbers to get involved in the community project. Grass Barbers have also sponsored the Mitcham Christmas Lights switch on.
The Generator Business Centre is located at 95 Miles Rd, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 3FH - 020 8408 1501, mertonchamber.co.uk/thegenerator
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Monthly Weblink Winner and New Members
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Weblink winner.
Thank you for displaying the Merton Chamber logo on your website - a bottle of wine is on its way to you! Cheers!
If you are a member of Merton Chamber of Commerce, and have our member logo on your website, please let Caroline know and a bottle or some choccies could be on their way to you too!
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Welcome to our new MCC members for November!
Find out who our recent new members are here.
We are delighted to welcome the following businesses as members of Merton Chamber of Commerce.
Red Brick Creative
Already a member? Why not offer other members a special offer? Whether it is a free initial meeting; discount on your services; a business review in your area of expertise or a prize or goody bag! Whatever it is, it is just one way in which we can help you to promote your company to the local business community.
Email caroline.cook@mertonchamber.co.uk now with your offer.
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Top line news this month is 
