Bedford Business Newsletter February 2020

Bedford i-worx Launch

The Bedford i-worx site was officially launched on the 27^th January.  The i-worx is a new, high-quality cluster of 12 advanced technology and engineering workshops with an onsite training unit serving the schools and education communities of Bedford. 

The scheme is part funded by Bedford Borough Council and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), through the local Growth Fund and has a focus to attract occupiers with businesses within sustainable, high-value sectors.  The development is located on Bedford Commercial Park alongside the A421 in Wooton, this strategic location is 7 miles (10 minutes) east of M1 J13 and 12 miles west of the A1 Black Cat Roundabout.

Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson and SEMLEP’s Chair Peter Horrocks cut the ribbon to mark the event along with other invited guests.  The scheme is part of the council owned i-brand buildings, whose vision has been very successful in providing quality spaces and supporting local businesses to thrive and grow.

SEMLEP also launched their new Growth Curve Initiative, which is a fully funded programme for high growth businesses based in the South East Midlands area, offering support, one-to-one meetings with high growth business advisers and a University masterclass.  For further details please follow the link: https://www.semlepgrowthhub.com/growth-curve/

Bedford Borough Council is keen to inspire the next generation of students and are fully committed to investing in high value business sectors, infrastructure and training to ensure future growth and competitiveness in Bedford.

Any expressions of interest for i-worx please contact : Patrick.Lyons@bedford.gov.uk  

Tel : 01234 276255

SEMLEP Growth Curve

Growth Curve is a fully funded programme for high growth businesses based in the South East Midlands. Providing a minimum of 12-hours of tailored support, clients receive a mix of one-to-one meetings with high growth business advisers, a university masterclass with access to the programme peer-to-peer network upon completion.

The masterclasses are run in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire, Cranfield University and University of Northampton. They each provide a different syllabus that is tailored to the business stage and experience of the client attending to ensure maximum learning to bring back to the business. Your High Growth Business Adviser will work with you to identify the course that is right for you.

To be eligible you must have the following :

A business based in the South East Midlands.  

Experiencing or projecting high growth in the next 2-3 years.

Employing between 3- 250 employees.

A current annual turnover of £200,000 with projected 20% annual growth minimum.

Growth Curve programme is suitable for most business sectors however due to funding criteria, there are some ineligible sectors.  Please contact the team to see if you are eligible or if any further support can be offered.  Follow the link:

https://www.semlepgrowthhub.com/growth-curve

Bedford River Festival Year

The River Festival is returning this year, this hugely popular event is back on the 18th and 19th July, celebrating all the best that Bedford has to offer. Set on the beautiful embankment and surrounding areas of Bedford, this hugely popular festival attracts over a quarter of a million visitors bringing together families, youngsters, clubs, groups and companies, making it feel like a real community event.

The River Festival is free to attend and offers something for everyone – including live entertainment and activities, a funfair, raft and dragon boat races, stalls to browse plus the heritage village, sports village and water sports arena.

The festival always sees a return in regular exhibitors and collaborators but Bedford Borough Council would love to bring new and exciting things for visitors to see and do.
If you are a trader, community group, or would like to take part, the River Festival team would love to hear from you at events@bedford.gov.uk

Further updates will be available in the run up to the event.

Visit the website Visit Bedford River Festival website for more information and updates. https://riverfestival.bedford.gov.uk/

Sailfish Associates Workshop

Sailfish Associates are hosting two insightful masterclasses, Sales & Scaling up, on Tuesday 18th February 2020 at Gloucester House in Central Milton Keynes, 9.00am - 5.00pm. 

The Scaling Up presentation will take place between 9.00am - 12.30pm and will introduce you to the tools you need to make the right decisions for driving business growth. 

ALIGN - get faster results with less effort by developing organisational clarity and accountability. 

ACCELERATE - develop a strategic advantage over the competition and position your brand as a market leader.

ADVANCE - see your company's reputation and revenues soar as employees understand and fulfill 100% of your brand promises. 

After this session, there will be a break for lunch (included for full day ticket holders ONLY).  The second presentation, Heart of the Matter, will help you sell more, more often and at more acceptable margins. This will be taking place between 1.30pm - 5.00pm.

The two half-day sessions can be purchased individually or, if you would like to attend both presentations, full-day tickets are available with lunch included. Please see link to book:

https://www.sailfish-associates.co.uk/services/entry/scale-up-workshop