Access Covers Ltd based in Rugeley has been awarded the Small Business of the Year Award at the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2018.

The event was organised by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and saw 37 small businesses enter the Small Business of the Year category, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub.

This category is awarded to the company that has achieved consistent growth backed by strong financial performance, while demonstrating a clear understanding of the market it operates in, as well as evidence of commitment to staff.

Funding provided to Cannock Chase Council following the granting of planning permission to Tesco for its store in Rugeley is set to benefit walkers, cyclists and canal users using the town, the nearby canal and a major business park.

Members of the Council’s Cabinet have agreed that £218,960 can now be spent to complete pedestrian and cycle links between the store, town centre, Towers Business Park and the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Cannock Chase Council’s Economic Development team has won a prestigious award from the Federation of Small Business (FSB) following its work on town centre business rates to attract retailers into empty retail units.

The team achieved the `Best in Class` category at the FSB Local Authority Small Business Friendly Awards 2018 held in Birmingham last Friday, when the FSB annually recognises councils for their support for small firms.

Councillor Zaphne Stretton MBE was named Chairman for 2016/17 at the Council’s Annual Meeting on 25^th May, taking the chains of office from Councillor Maureen Freeman.

This is the second time as Chairman for Councillor Stretton who was previously Chairman at Cannock Chase Council in 1998/99.

Councillor Stretton has been a Councillor in the District for over 21 years, taking only 3 breaks during that time.

A student from Kingsmead Technology College has been awarded Cannock Chase Council’s Youth Endeavour Award for 2016.

Niall Toolan aged 15 was nominated by his Head of House, Amanda Evans in recognition of his achievements in and out of school.

Niall is a school prefect and as part of his role he is expected to act as a role model for other students.  He is also Wimblebury House Charity Ambassador, where he co-ordinates the work of house representatives.

Cannock’s Friday Street Market was re-launched on Friday 27^th May by operator’s E.G. Skett & Co.

The market saw attractively dressed stalls, with live music throughout the day and street entertainment.

During the celebrations newly appointed Chairman Councillor Zaphne Stretton MBE presented trader of year to Ben Roberts.

The trader of the year was chosen by the traders. Ben Roberts sells homemade pickles and preserves, eggs, scratchings, cakes and sweets.  Ben from Cannock has been trading at the Cannock Street Market for two and a half years.

Cannock Chase Council is urging people across the District to seek support if they are experiencing domestic abuse.

Research shows that incidents of domestic abuse rise sharply when England play in the tournament, by up to 25%, so the Council has teamed up with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Women’s Aid and a major discount retailer to deliver some important messages to those people affected in our area.

Over 350 jobseekers flocked to the jobs fair held at Cannock Chase Council’s Civic Centre in Cannock last month.

Around 40 exhibitors and local organisations attended the event with job and apprenticeship opportunities including Jaguar Landrover and Gestamp.

As well as organisations with vacancies, there were experts on hand to give information and advice on interview techniques and CV writing.