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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, which will identify where you could cut costs and improve energy efficiency.
Join the hundreds of businesses we've already helped and find out if you're eligible through the Business Growth West Midlands website, or listen to our January webinar to hear more about the process.
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.
Open to business leaders across the UK, this programme helps organisations drive growth through sustainability that boosts resilience, productivity, and competitive edge. This isn’t about compliance, it’s about unlocking new markets, reducing risk, and future-proofing your strategy. Participants join a network of like-minded changemakers and receive tailored support to create a practical Sustainability Roadmap.
Why Join? Your Green Advantages:
- Future-proof your business: Gain a launchpad for the next 5–10 years of growth with expert guidance on sustainability strategy.
- Boost competitiveness: Strengthen your credentials to attract investment and win contracts.
- Inspire and lead: Motivate clients, teams, and communities with your sustainability vision.
- Connect and collaborate: Build valuable relationships with Aston University and industry partners.
- Act with confidence: Gain clarity and courage to take meaningful sustainability action.
What’s Included?
- Six expert-led workshops
- Four hours of peer group mentoring
- Four hours of one-to-one coaching
You’ll develop the skills and confidence to embed sustainability into every part of your organisation. The programme is delivered by experienced business leaders and academic experts who have supported hundreds of organisations.
Next cohort starts: Monday 2 March 2026
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Over 50 food, drink and hospitality businesses from across Coventry and Warwickshire gathered for the latest CW Food & Drink Producers' Network meeting in January.
The network is delivered by Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council. The enthusiasm for the network is gathering momentum and it is providing a regular opportunity for the sector to connect, collaborate and share insights.
The event was hosted at the newly opened Fat Bobs at The Blue Lias in Warwickshire and included a series of timely presentations and updates. Speakers covered:
- Key changes to Food Standards legislation
- New programmes available to support recruitment and training
- An overview of opportunities at Farmfest, a new show launching at Stoneleigh
- Round robin of speed introductions where attendees gave shout outs for their business along with one opportunity or challenge
Reflecting on the value of the network, one business owner commented: “It’s great to find a space where producers, venues and suppliers can talk so openly. These meetings help us find opportunities, find out what’s coming down the line and where we can support each other.”
The next network meeting will take place in Coventry on 22 April 2026 and we will be joined by our guest speaker Corin Crane, Group Chief Executive of C & W Chamber of Commerce. Businesses wishing to receive updates about future events or join the network can do so on Coventry City Council's website.
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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.
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Organisations in Coventry are joining with the Council in helping to recognise and promote fairer business practices.
Although many local businesses already have policies that have a positive impact on the local community and nurture their employees, a new resource is aiming to raise the profile of this type of good practice through Businesses Committed to a Fairer Coventry.
The Council, along with partners including Business in the Community (BITC), Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and the NHS Employability Academy have collaborated to produce a free resource toolkit providing business support advice; an understanding of the many benefits of a healthy and inclusive workplace; and how your businesses and organisation can make a difference.
Our free ‘how to’ toolkit has everything you need to develop your business into a thriving, attractive and inclusive business covering:
- Recruitment and retention
- Skills and training
- Efficiency and cost reduction
- Supporting your community
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Supporting employee’s wellbeing
Coventry City Council is asking the community about active travel journeys, the barriers people face, and preferences for different types of cycle route. This work will shape the council’s emerging infrastructure plan, and help prioritise future projects. The survey is open until 8 March.
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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