FSB report shows stopping late payments could save 50,000 small businesses

THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has published a comprehensive report looking at how small firms and the wider economy are affected by poor payment practice.

FSB's report:- 'Time to Act: The economic impact of poor payment practice,' has found that existing policy interventions have had no discernible effect on tackling problems surrounding the UK's poor payment culture over the past 5 years. Small businesses report that, on average, 30% of payments are typically late; compared with 28% in 2011.

The impact of poor payment on small businesses can be devastating. The report shows that 37% have run into cash flow difficulties, 30% have been forced to use an overdraft and 20% say profits have been hit. At the extreme end, late payments and resulting cash flow difficulties have caused businesses to fail. In 2014, if payments had been made on time and as promised, 50,000 businesses could have been saved, growing the UK economy by £2.5 billion.

Chris Burgess, Chairman of FSB Merseyside, West Cheshire and Wigan, said:- "There is a real danger that we are creating a business culture in the UK where it is acceptable not to pay SME's on time. All too often large companies ride roughshod over their small suppliers by not paying them on time or in full, which has a chilling effect right across the economy. It's distressing to hear from our members that, in 2016, the average value of each late payment now stands at £6,142. Small businesses have to run a tight ship as far as their cash flow is concerned as they struggle with increasing business costs and an uncertain domestic economy They should not also have to struggle with the stress, time and money required to chase overdue payments from big businesses."

FSB highlighting the good and bad practice we find, making the boards of larger companies explicitly own and be accountable for the impact their chosen payment strategy has on their suppliers. Government should devote an element of its upcoming Corporate Governance drive to:- 'supply chain respect', alongside measures on executive pay and workers... Also the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) should end the delay in appointing the Small Business Commissioner pledged in the Queen's Speech 18 months ago, and ensure this office has a specific remit to tackle supply chain bullying within its 'name and shame' powers...

The Chartered Institute of Credit Management and BEIS should give real substance to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) through a:- '3 strikes and you're out' penalty system that tackles repeat offenders, and by making the PPC mandatory for the largest firms.

Chris Burgess continued:- "Our report is further evidence of why it is so important, from an ethical and economic point of view, to address this issue head on. Payment culture is set at board level and supplier interest must be represented at the top of the chain. It's something that CEOs and board members in big businesses must take responsibility for. Big businesses should respect the supply chain and stop using smaller businesses as a credit line by delaying payments and applying bullying tactics."

Snow White opens at Southport Theatre

SOUTHPORT Theatre will answer that question when its spectacular Christmas pantomime, Snow White, opens on Friday, 9 December 2016. The traditional tale of Snow White, familiar to many from the Disney movie, has a special panto style twist with the inclusion of the hilarious Dame Dolly Mixture and Jingles the Jester, loyal friends of Snow White out to thwart the evil plot of the Wicked Queen.

Queen Evilyn is played by Sydney born Lynne McGranger, recognised world wide for her portrayal of Irene Roberts in Home and Away, a role she has played since 1993. In 2014 she was runner up on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars. Lynne says:- "The UK panto experience is always exciting - even though I am working hard and doing two shows a day, it's also like a holiday. I love being somewhere new, meeting people and making new friends. I am really excited that this year I will be getting to play one of the most iconic fairy tale baddies; it is going to be great fun."

Providing the face of the Queen's confidant will be children's television favourite Justin Fletcher! Justin will be making a special appearance via video projection as the Magic Mirror in a spectacular special effect that will delight all the family.*

The cast is completed by Jason Marc Williams as Dame Dolly Mixture, Alistair Barron as Jingles the Jester, James Leeman as Prince Michael and Harriet Payne as our heroine Snow White.  This year's pantomime is once again produced by Imagine Productions and directed by David Janson. With spectacular sets and costumes, fabulous songs and dances, and plenty of slapstick fun, the whole Snow White company is looking forward to making Christmas in Southport extra special.  Snow White plays at Southport Theatre, from Friday, 9 December to Saturday, 31 December 2016, various performances.  For more information or to book tickets call:- 0844 871 3021 or visit:- ATGTickets.Com/Southport.

* Please note that Justin Fletcher appears as a projection in the Magic Mirror and does not appear in person.

Another Coastal Road Crash in Ainsdale

A collision between vehicles, on the Coastal Road, just before the Pontins roundabout lead to the closure of the road over morning rush hour. The road was re-opened at around 12pm (noon) after officers from Merseyside Police made notes and the vehicles where recovered. A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said:- "The accident occurred between a Zuzu and a Ford during heavy commuter traffic." We know an Ambulance had attended, but at time of publishing, we have not got any more information.