News for local business - 29 August 2013

NEWS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

29 August 2013

---

	Launch of Plymouth investment guide Plymouth’s waterfront was lit up with explosions of colour as the last six winners went head-to-head to be crowned ‘Champion of Champions’ at this year's British Firework Championships. This is the 17th year that Plymouth has hosted the event, and the two day spectacular attracted nearly 80,000 people who watched the fireworks from the many viewing points. We were also delighted that the event provided an opportunity to launch our Plymouth Investment Guide with a BANG! The event was a huge success with Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, launching the guide in front of key businesses, recent and potential investors, and our city partners who contributed to the guide. The guide is a snapshot of why businesses should look at Plymouth and highlights recent and future developments in the city and the fact Plymouth has one of the fastest broadband infrastructures in the country, whilst showcasing the huge amount of exciting change Plymouth has seen over the last few years making it a top location to invest.  The guide was produced by Burrows Communications for Plymouth City Council in partnership with Plymouth Growth Board. It is also available as a digital brochure which can be viewed on our Invest in Plymouth page. If you would like copies of the guide please email Sara Tapp at sara.tapp@plymouth.gov.uk.
	Latest edition of Plymouth Matters newsletter  The Autumn 2013 edition of the Plymouth Matters newsletter is available to download on our business news and events page and includes information on the following:  Ocean City Festival celebrating Plymouth and its links to the sea The 1,000 Club reaching its magnificent milestone Plymouth strengthening its links with Massachusetts for the Mayflower 400 celebrations ... and much more.

Business growth idea competition

This competition has been set up by entrepreneur and businessman Lawrence Tomlinson. Founder of the LNT Group, Mr Tomlinson is a philanthropic entrepreneur who invests his wealth back into his enterprise and his employees. 

Mr Tomlinson has been appointed to advise Government Ministers about the way in which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can kick-start the UK economy. He holds the post of 'Serial Entrepreneur in Residence' at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Objectives of the scheme
The £10,000 Business Growth Idea Competition has been set up to encourage entrepreneurs who have enterprising ideas to boost economic growth in the UK. Philanthropist and business expert Lawrence Tomlinson is donating his £10,000 Government salary to whoever submits the best growth idea. Entrants are encouraged to share their innovative ideas, big or small, on what practical steps the Government could take to generate growth. The competition will run until the end of the 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Week UK campaign. 

Available funding/support 
The winner will be awarded a cash prize of £10,000. They will also receive mentoring from Mr Tomlinson who has agreed to coach them with regards to their own business aspirations. Mr Tomlinson will then bring the idea to the attention of The Right Honourable Vince Cable MP, the Government's Business Secretary.  

Match funding
Match funding is not a stipulated requirement of this programme. 

Eligible activities
The money can be used to undertake business growth plans. 

Who can apply
Entries are accepted from entrepreneurs who have ideas for business growth. Entrants may be in their pre-start or starting up phase or running an existing business that has growth plans. Entries are accepted from businesspeople based throughout the UK. 

Exclusions
Although there are no specific exclusions cited within the programme guidelines, those wishing to apply are advised to liaise with the sponsor in the first instance to discuss eligibility. 

Criteria
Full terms and conditions will be provided upon application. 

Application

• The competition will run until the end of the 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Week UK campaign, which takes place 18 - 24 November 2013. 
• The winner will be announced on Friday 22 November 2013.  
• Entries must be submitted before this date.  
• Entrants are advised to submit their application in good time in order to be considered by the competition judges. 
• Guidelines  

Useful information
Entrants are asked to answer the following questions when submitting their online application:

• How do you think the Government can boost growth in the UK?
• What does your business do/what type of business do you aspire to start?
• How would you spend the £10,000 if you won?

Further advice and assistance with submitting an application may be sought directly from the sponsor LNT Group, Helios, 47 Garforth, Leeds LS25 2DY. Telephone 0113 385 3850. Website: LNT Group.

Plymotion at your workplace Do you want to save money and have a happier, healthier workforce?   Plymouth City Council is keen to support companies that wish to encourage their staff to travel to work more sustainably, and are offering the following services as part of the Plymotion scheme.  Personalised Travel Planning - a free advice service at your work place    A team of trained travel advisors is available to meet with your employees to discuss their travel needs, offer alternatives, and provide incentives to try different modes. Call Linda Greene on 01752 304585 or email at travelplans@plymouth.gov.uk. Assistance in writing a Travel Plan or a Green Travel Policy    You may already have a travel plan but need some help to get it going again! Call Linda Greene on 01752 304585 or email at travelplans@plymouth.gov.uk.    Free cycle training and bike checks    Help and specialist advice from our Cycling Development Officer. Call Brett Nicolle (CTC Cycling Development Officer) on 01752 307704 or email at cycling@plymouth.gov.uk. Interested? Contact Plymotion using the contact details above or visit the Plymotion website.

 

Plymouth Procurement Forum 

The Plymouth Procurement Forum (PPF) is dedicated to improving public sector spend with local suppliers.  

Feedback received by the PPF suggests that some suppliers find the tendering process onerous and challenging. 

To this end, the PPF and its members would like to provide training for such suppliers but would find it helpful if suppliers could advise it on which areas of the tendering process they would like to see training being provided. 

Email any suggestions to buylocal@plymouth.gov.uk with the subject heading 'PPF Training'. 

Once it has an idea of the numbers and subjects, it will organise training and communicate to all interested suppliers.

Plymouth’s Green Economy Hub

Launched in June and building on Plymouth’s existing 186 Low Carbon Network of over 300 like-minded businesses, the Chamber’s newest Special Interest Group aims to inform and grow Plymouth’s low carbon economy. 

Providing practical advice as well as opportunities to put views across and to share best practice, the Hub aims to find a way through the current confusion over ‘green business’ issues and to find answers to your questions including those on legislation, finance, the demands of company policies, funding and investment.

The Hub will be supporting training options, an ‘Insight Programme’ of workshops and the occasional social networking event. You don’t have to be a member of the Chamber to join and signing up is easy and FREE – all that is needed is your permission to add an appropriate email address to its list. 

Please contact Jackie Young by email at jyoung.urbanagenda@gmail.com to join in or for more information. 

A Green Deal event will be taking place on 11 September, and other options, including green skills and the future of ports, are being planned.