Business support sessions at Digital Dock
 As part of our Digital Dock business support programme, there is a range of regular and free sessions taking place at Brentford's Digital Dock and online which will help teach you new skills and network to help your business thrive.
Join us online on Friday, 27 January at 10.00am for the 'Developing digital marketing strategy to drive sales' session. Learn how to keep your digital marketing simple, minimal, and easy, yet effective.
This is about taking your marketing to the next level. The secret to marketing is keeping it simple, not spreading yourself too thin; and providing the right message to the right people in the right place. This workshop will show you how to create the right strategy for your specific business. Register here to book your place.
Advance for Growth winners launch first campaign
 The winners of the new Advance for Growth competition, launched by Hounslow Council, JCDecaux and Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, have created their first campaign across the borough.
The winner, Hang, based in the new Hounslow High Street Quarter development, won the amazing opportunity to have their business seen by residents and visitors across the borough. Have you spotted the campaign artwork across the borough?
Hang, is a start-up launched by three friends who met and forged a friendship through a mutual love of climbing, opened its doors last year. The state-of-the-art, indoor bouldering centre (a type of climbing without ropes, over a giant crash pad), includes a shop, café, and co-working space to combine a challenging physical workout with a fun, social environment.
Alongside winning access to the Council’s and JCDecaux’s Out-of-Home advertising estate for a whole calendar year, Hang will also receive tailored business support from the Council and the Chamber.
Learn how your business could reduce its impact on the climate
Better Futures+ has a range of free upcoming sessions to help support businesses to make vital steps towards reducing their carbon footprints.
Better Futures+ is a business support programme, funded by the Mayor of London, to accelerate London's transition to Net Zero by 2030. They believe small and medium sized businesses can be a force for good and when provided with the right information, tools and connections they can profitably solve today's issues.
The events include:
- 24 January: Beat the Energy Crisis with energy expert Toby Costin, with Kingston Council.
- 2 February: How to measure your carbon footprint, with Goldsmiths University
- 14 February: Decarbonise your website with Khandiz Joni, in partnership with Kingston Council.
- 8 March: How to avoid greenwashing.
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Treasury announces new “Energy Bills Discount Scheme” for businesses
The government has announced a new energy scheme for businesses, charities, and the public sector, ahead of the current scheme ending in March.
The scheme will mean that all eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024.
A higher level of support will be provided to businesses in sectors identified as being the most energy and trade intensive – predominately manufacturing industries. See all the eligibly industries here.
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Protective Security workshops
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office is hosting short lunchtime briefings about the free protective security resources available to businesses - the ProtectUK Platform, the ProtectUK app and the Action Counters Terrorism eLearning workshops.
ProtectUK is a platform to support organisations to evaluate and manage risk posed by terrorism. The workshops will provide an insight into the tools, how businesses can utilise them and how they can enhance the protective security measures in place across the UK.
The sessions are designed for attendees who do not have any prior protective security or counter terrorism training. Attendance is recommended for security or resilience leads as well as IT or technical representatives that manage the internal systems/software and managed devices (phones and tablets).
The workshops last for around one hour and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. If you have any questions in advance of the session, please contact: NaCTSOMailbox-.LeadGovernmentLiaisonUnit@met.police.uk
Sign up to one of the sessions below via Eventbrite:
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Mental health in the workplace seminar
 West London Chambers of Commerce (formerly Hounslow Chamber of Commerce) are hosting an exciting in-person mental health in the workplace seminar on Tuesday 26 January, 11.00am to 2.00pm, at Spring Grove House, West Thames College.
The session includes a range of speakers and opportunities to network with other businesses in the local area.
Supporting residents who may be struggling with their heating this winter
 Hounslow Council has opened a network of Warm Spaces across the borough where everyone is welcome to come whenever they are open and will be able to have a hot drink, use the wi-fi and relax.
Warm spaces include all libraries across the borough, some leisure centres and a number of voluntary and faith organisations.
Full details of the locations, opening hours and what’s on offer can be found by visiting www.hounslow.gov.uk/warmspaces.
We would be grateful if you could spread the word about these locations to residents but additionally we are keen to hear about any other initiatives to help residents affected by the increasing cost of living.
If you are running free activities, have an offer similar to a warm space or think you can provide support to the Warm space initiative please get in touch.
Have you got a story which you would like to share with local businesses, or are you a business who wants to share your news? Get in touch with us today! Email towncentre.management@hounslow.gov.uk
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