Newsletter Issue 12

Next week events...

Council meetings, Watford: National & European Group - Tuesday 7th February Overseas Group Wednesday 8th February Commercial Moving Group Thursday 9th February As usual the minutes will be available on the BAR website following the Council meetings.

VAT rate news France and Czech Republic

On 29th January President Sarkozy announced that the standard French VAT rate would increase from 19.6% to 21.2% - a 1.6% rise. There will be no change in the reduced VAT rates. The increase comes as a package of measures to help reform the economy, and will be implemented on 1 October 2012. The Czech government has indicated that it will not go ahead with plans to converge its standard VAT rate (currently 20%) with the reduced VAT rate (currently 14%) at a new rate of 19%. The reversal comes following the publication of a better than expected economic performance for 2011. To stay up to date with European VAT rates register for information

Business Link
Business Link has recently created a syndication service which allows organisations to select and take content from the Business Link website (including the new My New Business and Growth and Improvement Service sections) and use it on their own websites. By taking the content, you can add depth and authority to your own local business-support information, rather than needing to invest in your own support tools, information and guidance. For more information please click here

Our Members in the news!

BAR recently published a press release to announce the presence of BAR Member vintage removal vehicles as a main attraction at the Surrey County show in June 2012. We have also received confirmation that the International Association of Movers magazine will publish this release in their upcoming issue on Statement or Speciality Vehicles. Additionally Re:locate magazine will also write a story in their February issue and the news is already live on their website.

Enter the 2012 Domestic Mover of the Year competition!

If you want to enter the Domestic Mover of the Year (DMotY) competition there is still time to fill in your entry form and send it back as the closing date is 17th February. Maidmans won DMotY in 2011 and this had a major impact for his business. To find out more about the impact winning this competition had, read our article on page 32 in this months R&S. The entry form is included in this months Removals & Storage magazine; alternatively you can download the entry form from the BAR website.
The British Association of Removers, Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0TG T: 01923 699 480 I E: info@bar.co.uk I W: www.bar.co.uk

Newsletter Issue 12

BAR Vehicle Competition - call for entries

The competition is hotting up as we have already received an impressive number of applications from Members entering their extraordinary vehicles. These vehicles range from the vintage mechanical, horse and steam drawn to modern day removal trucks. Dont be left out with some great prizes to be won including the various category awards and you have a show vehicle that deserves some recognition, make sure that you enter this years competition. Click here for more information

CMotY competition the judging has started!

We are delighted to announce we have received 15 entries for this years CMotY competition. All entries have now been sent to the judges where they will have until the 29th of February to review and judge each of them. BAR will be announcing the finalists on Friday 18th May in the morning, and the winner will be revealed on Saturday 19th of May at the 2012 BAR Annual Conference Gala Dinner. Good luck to all! For more information on the 15 companies that have entered the competition click here.

Make the most of your BAR Membership: the Broadcast and Noticeboard facilities
The Broadcast facility allows members to send messages to one or many other members, from anywhere, without having to know their e-mail addresses. So, when would you use it? Lets say you were delivering in Newcastle and you needed a back load to London: in a few seconds you can send a message to all BAR Members in the area to ask if they can help. You are delivering to Bournemouth and need some extra help: one mail contacts all the members in the area to see if they have staff available. A driver needs safe overnight parking in Manchester: one message will contact local Members to find out what is available and where. The possibilities are virtually endless... To send a broadcast click here The Noticeboard facility gives you direct access to a variety of trade services offered by BAR Members throughout the UK. Whether you need labour assistance, parking services or storage facilities, simply choose from the appropriate category. To see the current adverts, click here

New training dates announced

Introduction to Estimating Course: Monday 5th March BTEC Award in Practical Estimating: Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th March Commercial Estimating Course: Tuesday 13th March

For more information about our removals training, please contact BARTS on 01923 699484 or visit: www.removalstraining.com

The British Association of Removers, Tangent House, 62 Exchange Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0TG T: 01923 699 480 I E: info@bar.co.uk I W: www.bar.co.uk