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The Business Energy Advice Service has helped over 900 SMEs in Coventry and Warwickshire cut their energy costs. Now, it's your turn, but time is running out. You only have until March 2026 to get your free energy audit.
Following your assessment, you could qualify for government grants from £1,000 to £100,000 to:
- Upgrade lighting systems
- Update inefficient heating systems and insulation
- Modernise old machinery
Join the hundreds of businesses we've already helped and find out if you're eligible through the Business Growth West Midlands website, or sign up for our upcoming webinar on Friday 23 January, 12.30-1pm, where you can hear from Matthew Drage from SAM Leisure, who received grant funding from the Business Energy Advice Service.
From 1 April 2026, business rates valuations are changing.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) regularly updates the rateable values of all business and other non-domestic properties (properties that are not just private homes) in England and Wales. This is called a revaluation.
Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2026 revaluation, that date was 1 April 2024.
Rateable values are used by councils to calculate business rates bills.
Revaluations are carried out to reflect changes in the property market, which means that business rates bills are based on more up-to-date information.
The next revaluation will come into effect on 1 April 2026.
Finding your rateable value
You are now able to see the future rateable value for your property. You can do this through the VOA’s Find a Business Rates Valuation Service on GOV.UK.
Business Rates legislation is due to change from 1 April, which mean changes to business rates relief. The current retail, hospitality and leisure relief that can be awarded if your business use meets the criteria will end and 5 new multipliers are being introduced.
Coventry City Council is working with Civica to review 4,000 businesses in the city to confirm the business use and apply the correct multipliers.
Civica has already emailed over 3,500 Coventry businesses and will soon be sending letters.
Businesses who received an email or letter must complete the online form to ensure accurate bills for 2026/2027 are issued.
Check the Council website for more information.
We need your voice, expertise, insight, and perspectives to shape the development of a new five-year Tourism Action Plan for the city of Coventry, we want to represent all stakeholders so please do take just 10 minutes of your time to shape our collective future and complete the survey below which will directly feed into a five-year Tourism Action Plan for the city.
This is set on the background of yet another record-breaking year for Coventry’s tourism sector, our fourth consecutive year of strong growth. the city’s visitor economy has now reached a record value of £922.9 million, welcoming 11.8 million visitors. But to continue our growth and in the right way please do contribute and have your voice heard. As we look ahead, it is essential that our collective aims, ambitions, and actions are aligned to support our city-wide priorities across Leisure, Business, and Place.
The next meeting of the ‘Coventry & Warwickshire Food & Drink producers network’ takes place on Wednesday 28 January 2026, 9.30-11.30am at Fat Bob's at the Blue Lias, near Leamington Spa. Come and join other hospitality and food and drink producers at Coventry City Council’s and Warwickshire County Council’s next networking event. It's the perfect opportunity to gain new connections and accelerate your business growth.
During the morning, we will be hearing about latest food standards regulatory changes and there will also be a recruitment and skills update. Hospitality, food and drink businesses from Coventry and Warwickshire will have the opportunity to share ideas, swap stories, and build relationships in a relaxed and informal setting. Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to expand your network and grow your business.
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There are several new advertising sites available in Coventry thanks to a partnership between CP Media and Coventry City Council. Sites are available in key locations, such as at Coventry’s boundaries, on Ring Road flyovers and a brand new D96 screen in the city centre – all offering great visibility with thousands of commuters, residents and visitors seeing signage every day.
For details on how your business can get involved, email Martin Clarke at martin.clarke@coventry.gov.uk or find out more about the options available at www.coventry.gov.uk/commercialopportunities
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Coventry city centre skyline
Webinars, networking events or industry expert workshops. Find all the latest business related events across Coventry.
West Midlands Business Festival - AI Event
5 February, 9am-11am at Coventry College Campus.
We’re excited to invite you to an exclusive event designed to help SMEs harness the power of AI.
- Hear from Tech WM CEO Andy Hague
- Try hands-on AI Clinics: marketing automation, cybersecurity, AI policies, productivity tools, robotics & more
- Learn simple, practical AI tools ANY SME can use
- Network with experts and fellow businesses
Free to attend but with limited spaces - reserve your spot now.
Next-Gen Supply Chains: Innovation, Investment, and Collaboration
A series of workshops for manufacturers and supply chain leaders across the West Midlands.
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Workshop – From Opportunity to Investment: Strategic Finance for Supply Chain Growth. Thursday 29 January 2026 | National Brownfield Institute Learn how to secure investment, manage financial risk, and unlock funding opportunities for growth in high-potential sectors. Book your place on the Opportunity to Investment Workshop.
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Online Workshop – Protecting the Production Line: Cybersecurity for Resilience in Manufacturing. Wednesday 11 February 2026. Recent high-profile incidents have highlighted how vulnerable even well-established manufacturers can be, and this session will help businesses understand how to better protect themselves against cyber threats. Book your place on the online workshop.
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Workshop – Future-ready Supply Chains: Technology and Innovation in Action. Wednesday 11 March 2026 | Venue TBC Discover how emerging technologies, smart systems, and digital tools can transform supply chains, improve efficiency, and enhance collaboration. Book your place on the Future-ready Supply Chains Workshop.
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Investing in Coventry opens your business to bespoke support including:
- Commercial property searches and location advice
- Planning advice and business rates information
- Local intelligence demographics, sector analysis and more
- Introductions to local networks and organisations
- Information on funding and innovation support
- Recruitment and skills development support
- Help with PR and promotion
- Export support
📧Email: business@coventry.gov.uk
💻Website: www.coventry.gov.uk/investincoventry
📱X: @investincoventry
⌨LinkedIn: Invest Coventry
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