Latest from Lindsey
12 Feb 2021
With her finger on the pulse, Lindsey Straughton, the NAJ Ambassador, attends many webinars and touches base with other industry bodies and relevant governmental departments, with interests pertaining to jewellery, silverware and other allied trades covered by our memberships. So, here is her latest summary update.
It would be lovely to be greeting people on an exhibition stand, viewing new spring ranges and networking, however, COVID-19 is curtailing our face-to-face experiences this season. I’ve lost count of the number of online meetings attended and webinars viewed – just like all of you – and I have even judged 10 awards virtually! I have also turned my attention to new areas that have arisen that need the Association’s attention to help members.
Having been the touchpoint anchor with the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) team that links into the Retail & Consumer Goods (manufacturing) Sector for the past year, I have helped my colleagues in BATF’s marketing team spread the word with regard to Brexit readiness information via the NAJ website.
We are now in EU-GB reality mode with new import-export systems, commodity codes, and mounting paperwork to send and receive goods into and out of both Europe and Northern Ireland. I would encourage members to contact me, either by email or verbally, via the NAJ Coffee Chat every Wednesday at 11-12 am to help me pass on members’ problems and frustrations.
Join the NAJ Coffee Chat
If you are experiencing issues about freight and courier service issues, non-acceptance of goods or no cooperation at EU boarders and problems with distribution centres, the DIT has launched a Market Access service to ‘report a trade barrier’.
Rules of Origin are what they are, however, the complexities of importing and re-exporting, having been altered with additional added value craftmanship (note, it’s not just concerning packaging), are challenging. So, BATF’s excellent international department is holding a webinar 16th February, 2-3pm, covering this topic and other customs requirements.
Ministerial calls with Mr P Scully, the Minister for Small Businesses, have raised questions about the extensions or adaptations to the furlough scheme, if non-essential retail opening is delayed, alongside championing the prioritisation of business rate relief.
Additionally, Tax-Free shopping lobbying continues to be on the agenda and surveys are being carried out to better help inform the treasury when travel and trading regulations reopens luxury industry shops.
One final note… and for your attention. Please continue to use the correct NAJ member logo incorporating the Grant of Arms, proudly. If you use it electronically link back to your Find a Jeweller profile to boost all-round recognition. I have been working with Trading Standards who are keen to police that the right people signed up to our code of conduct are using it. For any queries, please contact compliance@naj.co.uk.
Thank you and stay safe everyone!
Lindsey
Source: The National Association of Jewellers