Invoice Finance has become the most popular choice for small, medium and large businesses to fund their working capital. It is easy and hassle free to set up with the Financial Institution taking the companies invoices and debt ledger as direct security.

It is one of the most effective and flexible funding methods available, as the facility grows with your business. Additional features can be added including customer credit checking, credit control management and debt protection.

Invoice Finance is the term given to a range of services designed to provide working capital and improved cash flow by advancing finance against newly generated unpaid invoices. It is a great way to provide flexible working capital as the finance facility has the ability to grow with the sales of your business; there are two main Invoice Finance products.

Invoice Factoring has the ability to advance up to 95% of the unpaid invoice value. The credit control is normally undertaken by the Financial Institution offering the facility but a few providers offer the option for the business to carry out their own debt collection process to reduce costs for this part of the service.

It allows your business to advance funds on invoices waiting to be paid by your customers which as you probably already know in the current climate can take some time and can represent up to two or three months sales depending on your credit terms. This means you can unlock precious working capital to fund new orders, business expansion or mergers and acquisitions, while the finance provider controls the sales ledger and collects all the outstanding debts on behalf of the company.

Invoice Discounting allows your business to raise up to 90% of outstanding invoice values immediately similar to Factoring but you remain in complete control of the collection of any outstanding debts from your customers. The invoice discounting facility is completely confidential between your business and the provider and is not disclosed to any other party, giving you peace of mind that your customers will be none the wiser.

The Key Benefits to Invoice Finance

•Immediate access to up to 95% of unpaid invoice values
•Improved cash flow for the business
•Free up working capital to reinvest and grow the business
•Allows you to get on with running the business
•Provides access to credit facilities and credit control management
While the high street banks are restricting financing for business loans and overdrafts, invoice finances two main products – invoice factoring and invoice discounting will continue to fill this cash flow need and ultimately expand or replace the banks role with SME and Corporate business finance.

For more information regarding invoice finance please visit www.sgdfinancial.co.uk

Week off work…check, beautiful vistas required, the English Lake District…check, want to see as much as possible, camper van…check!

With such vast, varied and breathtaking scenery as in the Lake District, it is far too difficult a task choosing one destination for a holiday or short break. Great driving roads+breathtaking scenery=the perfect recipe for camper vans.

Camper vans give you:
The opportunity to visit and experience numerous locations in one trip.
Give you the freedom to stop off when and where you like and for what duration.
No need to worry about there not being a hotel or guest house available in the area.
You are protected from the elements unlike camping.

You’ll never tire of driving on the roads in the Lake District and Cumbria which has some of the most scenic roads in England. In particular, Hartside Pass which The AA and Top Gear list in their top 10 driving roads in England. Other great driving roads include the Kirkstone Pass, the A591 which passes through Ambleside, Grasmere and onto Keswick and not for the faint hearted Hardnott and Wrynose passes. VW camper vans are particularly suited to the roads in the Lake District. They are compact and allow you to drive on the stunning, narrow roads which other, larger camper van and mobile homes would not be able to.

Camper vans have seen a renaissance in recent years both in terms of new camper vans and mobile homes but especially the popularity of the classic VW camper van. Their iconic status continues to grow and excite young and old. Driving around in the VW camper van is guaranteed to turn heads and makes a holiday even more special.

A mobile holiday is the ultimate in economical holidaying. The cost of parking up on a camping or caravanning site is nominal and sometimes areas can be found that are free. You can self cater as much of the meals as you wish although the Lake District has some fantastic eating houses that really should be visited.

Many people simply can’t justify purchasing a VW camper van for themselves due to lack of annual leave and other commitments. A camper van has to be used regularly both for economy and for the wellbeing of the van. The perfect solution is in the form of hiring. VW camper van hire is now available in the Lake District and enables those who want to experience a camper van holiday but that do not want to purchase one. Volkswagen camper van hire is also great for those thinking of purchasing a van to gain knowledge of driving one. Camper van hire in the UK, sorted.

From 2012, changes to pensions law will affect all employers with at least one worker in the UK. This document is a summary of these changes, including what employers must do and how they might set about getting ready.

We have published a series of guidance that explains the new employer duties in detail and how they should be implemented. The guidance is available for download from our website: www.tpr.gov.uk/pensions-reform

The changes in a nutshell

Employers will need to:
• Automatically enrol certain workers into a pension scheme
• Make contributions on their workers’ behalf
• Register with The Pensions Regulator (‘the regulator’)
• Provide workers with certain information about

When are the changes happening?
The new employer duties will be introduced in stages over 4 years, starting in 2012. Each employer will be allocated a date from when the duties will first apply to them, known as their ‘staging date.’
This date is based on the number of people in an employer’s PAYE scheme. Employers with the largest numbers of workers in their PAYE schemes will have the earliest staging date.
Employers can check their provisional staging date on our website: www.tpr.gov.uk/staging
To allow some flexibility, employers can choose to bring forward their staging date, provided the regulator is informed. However, employers cannot choose a later date than the one they are allocated.
Finding out when the staging date is likely to be is the first thing an employer should do, so they can plan what they need to do to be ready in good time.

What will employers need to do?
• Assess their workforce
• Identify who to automAtically enrol
• Choose a pension scheme – i.e. National Employment Savings Trust – NEST Pensions
• Register with the regulator
• Make contributions
• Process any opt-out notices
• Process opt-in or joining requests
• Avoid inducements and prohibited activity
• Keep accurate records
• Provide workers with information about changes

What should employers do now?

Employers should:
• Look up their provisional staging date at www.tpr.gov.uk/staging
• Plan for when they might need their pension scheme in place and take action if necessary – including planning when and how they will assess their workforce
• Budget for these changes
• Look out for further information and guidance from the regulator. This can be done by signing up to the regulator’s free news-by-email service www.tpr.gov.uk/news

There are over 80 bodies of water in the Lake District National Park which includes the largest, Windermere to the small tarns such as Angle Tarn.

There is in fact only one piece of water that is officially a lake and that is Bassenthwaite Lake 3 miles from Keswick. All the other bodies of water are either a “mere” or “water” for example Windermere and Ullswater or a tarn which means a small body of water.

There are 20 major lakes of which the largest and busiest is Lake Windermere. The lake can be acessed from Bowness, Newby Bridge and Ambleside and visitors will find both Bowness and Ambleside to be thriving tourist destinations with an excellent choice of Lake District bed and breakfast accommodation providers, hotels and cottages. Windermere the town is located 1.5 miles from the lake but Bowness-on-Windermere sits right by the lake swarming with boats, tourists and tours. At nearly 11 miles long, Windermere can fit a lot on it including 14 islands. The speed limit of 10 miles per hour maximum has caused some controversy but of course it has also pleased some people. Another very fascinating fact is that in the heavy rain of January 2005, Windermere rose by nearly a meter overnight. That equates to an extra seventeen thousand litres of water!

The next largest lake is Ullswater in a different part of the county but which offers a much quieter experience. Ullswater is set amongst some of the largest mountains, the main one being Helvellyn, the Lake District’s 3rd largest. The Ullswater Steamers operate on the lake so not only does this area appeal to walkers, but also some sightseers for the spectacular views and quiet lake.

Derwentwater is the 3rd largest lake and offers a very good choice of Lake District guest house venues surrounding it and is located just a mile from Keswick which is a haven for walkers. Derwentwater is only 3 miles long which is significantly smaller than the Windermere and Ullswater.

The deepest lake is Wastwater, being 79 metres or 258 feet deep. At the end of Wastwater at the head of the Wasdale valley are some of the highest mountains in the Lake District, Scafell Pike (which is the highest), Great Gable and Lingfell. The Screes is a mountain that catches the eye on Wast Water. It measures 2000 feet from top to base but 200 feet of it is below the surface of Wastwater. The view towards Scafell Pike from the other end of Wast Water, won Britain’s Favourite View in the ITV programme last year.

It is not just the size of the Lake District that attracts tourists but the density of the area. No other National Park in the UK has the amount of fells and lakes so it is truly special and should be visited by everyone.

To take full advantage of the Lake District visitors should look to stay in one the area’s fine hotels, Lake District B&B accommodation, or self catering properties.

There are a large number of benefits in installing artificial grass of which the reasons for installing are varied.

Obviously you don’t need to spend as much time on the upkeep of an artificial lawn. With fake grass you can simply enjoy sitting out in the sun and enjoying the little sun we get rather than spending that valuable time mowing and trimming your garden. Perfect for busy professionals and families and a life line for the elderly who find the upkeep of a lawn too much. Why should you forgo the look and versatility of a lawn all because the maintenance is too much to cope with?

From an environmental point of view, artificial grass has a number of benefits. The biggest being the need not to water. Although most people are very aware of water conservation, the temptation to water a brown, scorched lawn is all too big. It is predicted that hose pipe bans will become more and more frequent as the need for water increases and we have warmer summers. Then there is the fact that artificial lawns require no trimming so the need for petrol or electric lawnmowers is eradicated saving fuel, emissions and electricity.

Whether it’s on a lawn, on plants or when growing vegetables, the use of fertilisers is getting less and less. Artificial grass, of course, does not require any fertiliser or chemicals. Mossy grass is a thing of the past.

A reason often not thought of initially but that is becoming more and more common is the use of artificial grass in small gardens. A small yet maintained garden can encounter difficulties of trying to cut the grass with a lawn mower due to the impracticality of such a small area. An edge strimmer has been known to be tried but this looked very uneven and messy. The final straw is by cutting the grass with a pair of hedge cutters but this is frankly quite unreasonable and completely wastes time. Artificial grass is the ideal solution.
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Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the largest of the Lake District at approximately 4 miles long and ¾ miles wide. Despite its size this long and narrow lake is very shallow, at its deepest point it reaches a depth of just 70 feet. The Lake is easily accessible with the A66 dual carriageway running along the western edge. The laybys are extremely popular for people wanting to take pictures and a spot of bird watching.

Coniston Water
Coniston is the third largest of the lakes and is approximately 5 miles long and ½ a mile wide. The lake is hugely popular with tourist due to its large expanse of water, which contains a number of tranquil islands, as well as the stunning scenery. The lake was famously the setting for the book Swallows and Amazons as well as the setting for Donald Campbell’s ill fated attempt to break the water speed record.

Derwent Water
Derwent Water is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide making it the widest lake in the Lake District. The lake has a number of islands within, one of which contains Derwent Island House which is open to the public just 5 days a year. The huge Skiddaw overlooking the lake and the nearby market town of Keswick make Derwent one of the most popular lakes for visitors.

Ullswater
Ullswater is the second largest of all the lakes in the Lake District at approximately 9 miles long and ¾ of a mile wide. Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the lakes, Ullswater often finds itself compared to lakes in Switzerland, such as Lucerne. This favourable comparison is thanks to the beautiful scenery with mountains to one side and green fields and woodland on the other. The lake is great for water sports, with canoeing, sailing and wind surfing particularly popular. There are also the more relaxing steamer boats that take you on a cruise of the lake.

Windermere
Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and is the largest in the whole of England at approximately 10.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. As well as being the largest of the lakes Windermere is also the most well known and has long been a very popular attraction for tourists. Many of the tourists who do visit end up taking part in at least one of the many on water activities available. These range from wake boarding, sailing and canoeing to a more sedate pleasure cruise.

About the Author
This article was written on behalf of Borrowdale Gates one of the best Keswick Hotels providing luxury base for your Lake District holiday.

Lake House is the latest venture for Gilpin Lodge, the award winning family owned and run Windermere Hotel.

Since opening in September 2010, Lake House has already proved a resounding success with guests who have been blown away with one couple’s comments being “it’s like a decompression chamber for stress – you simply feel your body relax”.

Lake House is comprised of six individual suites sharing this fully staffed boutique hotel with bar, dining room, lounge, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and Knipe Tarn, a four acre right outside the door. The attention to detail is second to none at Lake House but its uniqueness is the combination of their unfussy service which creates an experience of escapism rarely found these days. Quiet, untouched, and devoid of traffic or people, whether sitting by the fire in the lounge, or in the cedar wood hot tub, Champagne in hand, or in the swimming pool, the view instils a sense of peace and calm.

The Lake House is set in 100 acres of private grounds. From the east side of the Lake, over the dam and the waterfall, a stile leads you into the grounds which are a mixture of hilly woodland, moorland, grassland and wild ponds.

Approximately half an hour’s walk from the main house, one particular hill has been named “Viewpoint”. From here you have 360 degree panoramic views of the Lake District, including the distant mountain ranges of Coniston and the Langdales. From this vantage point wild deer and birds of prey are frequently seen. Quite simply a unique location, setting it apart from other Windermere hotels.

The family and team are very proud to have been voted best small hotel in the national tourism awards held by Visit England in April 2010. This follows winning the Cumbria Tourism awards in April 2009, and the North-West England Tourism awards in November 2009.

For further information on Lake House including image galleries, visit http://www.gilpinlodge.co.uk

Jamaica is situated in the centre of the Caribbean, between 17.5 degrees and 18.5 degrees north latitude and 76.5 degrees and 78.5 degrees west longitude. Cuba is 90 miles north.

Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean Islands. Cuba is the largest with the second place taken by Hispaniola which contains the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is the largest English-speaking Island in the Caribbean, measured at one hundred and forty six miles long and fifty one miles wide and occupying an area of 4,400 square miles.

The population of Jamaica is just over two and a half million with high concentrations in the cities and surroundings, especially Kingston, the capital. Most visitors fly into Montego Bay as the North Coast is home to most of the beautiful beaches and other famous visitor attractions, like Dunn’s River Falls.

It is said that Columbus described Jamaica as “a land of hills and valleys” and crumpled a piece of paper to demonstrate its topography. Almost half of Jamaica is over a thousand feet above sea level and about forty square miles are above five thousand feet. 

The mountainous character of Jamaica creates a wide range of micro-climates. The northeast winds blow regularly throughout the year. During the day, the sea breeze blows onshore and at night, the land breeze blows off- shore. During the American winter season, cold fronts may affect Jamaica, producing very strong cold winds, rain, and a change in wind direction from the North.

There is little seasonal change in average daily temperatures in the lower regions of Jamaica where the majority of the population resides. Readings at St. George’s College Station, Kingston:
• July Average Low at 75.1 degrees Fahrenheit, Average High at 90.7 degrees Fahrenheit
• January Average Low at 69.1 degree Fahrenheit, Average High at 86.7 degrees Fahrenheit

Temperatures are ten to twenty degrees Fahrenheit cooler in the highlands, but the summits of the Blue Mountains have seen light frosts on winter nights.

Higher than average rainfall occurs during September to October and May to June. The major dry period is from January to March. The average annual rainfall of 77.1 inches is strongly influenced by the terrain. The northeast of the island receives the most rain. Areas of the Western end also receive high rainfall.

Daily winds develop along the coasts with great regularity and have greater climatic influence than seasonal variations. Typically, the sea breeze commences in the morning, reaches its maximum velocity of about 20 knots at midday, and then gradually subsides in the afternoon, when they often produce afternoon showers in the interior.

Visitors will not be disappointed by the variety on this luscious island, from sun-kissed white sand beaches to rivers and waterfalls, to mountains and valleys in the interior. There are lots of different types of Jamaica rentals to choose from including hotels, Jamaica Villas, and Jamaica apartments. There is so much to see and do in Jamaica including visiting the Island’s best beaches at Silver Sands where you will find fantastic places to stay including Silver Sands Villas and cottages. Silver Sands is located on Jamaica’s famous North Coast, midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

Garden offices give breathing space, are highly insulated and are an alternative to a house extension. When having a garden office constructed in a garden there is no disruption to the home and no need to move house. Designed and built to last a lifetime using housing quality standards and regulations, garden rooms and offices are double-insulated and a solid investment for the future.

Garden offices and rooms, are designed for three purposes: -
To keep you, your paperwork, books and office equipment dry and condensation free.
To be used and enjoyed all year round.
To give your house back to your family, so that they can make lots of noise whilst you are working.
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The Peak District spans an area of over 500 square miles lying mainly in Derbyshire but also stretching into the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, South and West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. The Peak District was Britain’s first national park, designated in 1951 and is the fourth largest National Park in the UK.
It is a hugely popular national park due to its location with an estimated 20 million people living within a one hour drive. Being on the doorstep of Greater Manchester and Sheffield, this isn’t a huge surprise.

The region is divided into sections known as The Dark Peak, The White Peak, The Staffordshire Moorlands and the Derbyshire Dales. The highest point in the Peak District is Crowden Head on Kinder Scout at a height of 2070 feet above sea level. Kinder Scout is located in The Dark Peak area and can be accessed from Edale which is also the start of the Pennine Way. Most of the region is over 1000 metres above sea level but unlike the craggy Lake District and Snowdonia hills, the Peak District hills are more undulating being soft and rounded.

The appeal of a self catering holiday is growing. A self catering holiday can give a greater freedom and more space for families and allow multiple couples or friends to go away together, splitting costs and
creating a good value holiday. Cottages in the Peak District can be found in many villages as well as off the beaten track should a totally “get away from it all” holiday be required. Peak District cottages can be found in an abundance of styles from unique character properties to spacious, luxury holiday cottages fitted with all the latest gadgets and conveniences.

Walking is the main activity here, both in the Dark Peak and in the hills to the north. The Pennine Way starting from Edale, winds its way up the Pennine chain. The White Peak covers the limestone dales towards the market town of Bakewell. In addition to walking, climbing ‘nursery slopes’ surround the Hope Valley can also be experienced. All the equipment and tuition required can be found Cycle Hire, Horse riding & Treking can be arranged locally, as can Day Fishing in Ladybower Reservoir (seasonal).

When staying in a Peak District cottage, there is never a shortage of activities. Of course going for a walk up one of the many peaks and experiencing the views is a must but there are hundreds of other attractions. Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, set in 1,000 acres of parkland: a magnificent house and gardens, model farmyard, adventure playground, shops & restaurant. Haddon Hall, a romantic fortified medieval manor, home of the Rutland family, with delightful terraced gardens and restaurant. Eyam Hall preserves the domestic scene of the 17th century, where the Wright family have come and gone for 300 years. Hardwick Hall was created by one of the great characters of the Elizabethan era, Bess of Hardwick. The original tapestries & needlework are displayed. The National Trust now administer Hardwick Hall and many others in this area Calke Abbey, Kedlestone, Sudbury, Gawsworth and the moorland estates of Longshaw & The High Peak.

The Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale valley played host to past members of staff during a weekend reunion in Keswick. Over 60 ex staff and several current employees got together to renew friendships and memories.

The reunion attracted past employees from all over the world including Peter Dixon and his wife who travelled especially from Australia for the occasion and stayed on to see friends in the Lake District. Also present was Kurt Hartmann and his wife who travelled from Germany. Kurt was Head Chef at the Lodore Falls Hotel for 27 years and it was he who taught current Head Chef Mike Ward.

The reunion began with afternoon tea at Lake District Hotels ltd Lodore Falls Hotel, followed by an evening trip into Keswick for drinks and a friendly pub catch up.

On Sunday everyone gathered again at the Lodore Falls for Sunday lunch and a group picture before departing home or on holiday.

Organised by Head Chef Mike Ward, Sales Manager Tanya Sentance, and past employee Vikki Brier, they all agreed the effort of finding everyone was worth it. Finding staff was made easier by using social media sites like Facebook and friends reunited. Mike said “Social media has made an impact on being able to keep in close touch with friends across the world. It made finding everyone and keeping them informed so much easier. It was a monumental occasion and great to meet people who worked here
years ago.

Mike really enjoyed catching up with his Head Chef mentor and it was especially important that lunch was perfect. Having over 60 people at the event shows how much people fondly remember their time working here at one of the most famous Lake District hotels. It was also nice for our current team to catch up with old friends.”

The double glazing and conservatory industry has little regulation.

Whilst standards of product are getting better problems still occur with miss selling methods, badly installed products, unfulfilled remedial work and lengthy guarantees which are not honoured (due to traders going out of business or having an unwillingness to make good on their promises). The general public still have a deep-rooted and long standing distrust of the industry. Many installers believe that the quality of membership of most Trade Associations and Installer Schemes doesn’t lend itself to the grouping of highly professional businesses who are customer focused.

The lack of consumer protection is considered appalling by many who experience problems. Most trade associations/ installer schemes do not have any “teeth” when called upon to intervene with complaints between installers and customers. If the installer has been unprofessional or carried out unsatisfactory work and refuses to co-operate with the customer or trade association there is little any one can do until now.

The only legitimate options left for consumers were: (a) The Citizen’s Advice Bureau, (b) Trading Standards or (c) a trip to the local solicitor or county /high court. The former two can advise but often fail to persuade an intransigent installer to give the consumer satisfaction and the latter can be daunting and very often costly to the complainant.

The Ombudsman Scheme has an extensive Accreditation Procedure. This helps members achieve a higher standard of service, administration and consumer satisfaction. The double glazing Ombudsman Scheme has extensive legal powers to investigate complaints made against members. Any decisions made are legally binding and enforceable under the terms of The Arbitration Act 1996. Members have signed a legally binding contract at the point of entry into the scheme allowing the Ombudsman to investigate and thereby agreeing to abide by any decisions made.
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