Boost partners on new service to help Lancashire businesses with Brexit

An enhanced new Brexit service has been launched to help hundreds of businesses operating in Lancashire to get Brexit compliant. Delivered by both the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, and in partnership with Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, the fully-funded service is designed to offer a comprehensive information and advisory service to businesses involved in importing and exporting. Commenting on the new service, Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said:  “With so little time to absorb the fine print produced at the eleventh hour  many companies will have seen their preparations hampered by dealing with the immediate threat of the coronavirus pandemic. "There are many businesses who don’t know where to turn to for help and are unsure of what exactly they need to do to  be Brexit compliant.  Some unfortunately have under-estimated just how much there still to do to  prepare.” With this new free service, exporters and importers can expect to  receive  information, advice, workshops, training courses and one to one Brexit audits specific to each business. The programme has been designed to give businesses the actual actions they need to take with a fully qualified expert including  EORI requirements, customs rules and regulations, tariffs and duties, VAT procedure changes, incoterms and supply chain implications. Andrew Leeming, programme manager, Boost, said “Brexit will be a challenge for many companies, from managing and maintaining their  current EU customers and supply chain to developing new trading partners  and exploring new opportunities. "This is why we have partnered with our two Lancashire Chambers of Commerce to ensure every business needing help takes the required steps to make sure they’re fully compliant. We’ll support them every step of the way and help them understand exactly what they need to do in order to avoid any disruption to their business.” Miranda Barker, chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said:  “We’re delighted to have once again been asked to support local employers navigating  Brexit.  We’re proud to be offering such an essential service to business leaders in East Lancashire and to be working our sister Chamber in the west and with the Growth Hub on such an important project. “We appreciate there are going to be a number of complex guidelines and regulations to explain, but we’re up for the challenge.” Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Boost’s Brexit service, delivered by North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is funded by Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Businesses in North & Western Lancashire interested in receiving this service should in the first instance contact Paul Walters, Head of International Trade on 01772 653000 or by email at Paulw@lancschamber.co.uk.