Business Update Bulletin
A newsletter from Manchester City Council's City Centre Growth & Infrastructure Team, with support and advice for Manchester businesses.
If you have news or information you would like to be included in the newsletter, please send details to: city.centre@manchester.gov.uk
Contents
News
• Get on Board with new low bus fares in Greater Manchester
• Manchester's Digital Security Hub opens to early-stage startups
• Women’s Night-time Safety Charter
• New funding available from Innovate UK
• Cycle Hire sponsorship opportunity
• Extension of Pavement Licence scheme
• Recovery loan scheme extended for 2 years
• Avanti West Coast Disruption and Upcoming Rail Strikes
Events
• Chinatown Moon Festival
• BIPC & Design Manchester Scale Up Sessions
• The Manc & Bruntwood: Lunchtime Takeaway with Deliveroo
• Enterprising You Networking Event
• Manchester Food & Drink Festival
• Manchester Literature Festival
• Manchester Tech Festival
• Manchester Science Festival
Consultations and Surveys
• Smokefree Spaces in Manchester
• First Street next phase
• Great Northern Warehouse
• Dogs on Trams
Training
• Build A Business in GM Libraries
• Action Counters Terrorism Awareness Training
• OPEN SME - online course to help business leaders develop skills
• Safe Urban Driving Training - subsidised by TfGM
• Help to Grow: Digital UK
• Digital Boost training and mentoring
• EnterprisingYou Programme
• Skills for Growth Training Programme
Resources
• Business Support
• COVID-19 resources
• Brexit Guidance
News
Get on Board with new low bus fares in Greater Manchester
Simple and clear low bus fares are available in Greater Manchester from Sunday 4 September, making it easier to get around the city-region for work and leisure, and supporting people with the increased cost of living. This will mean:
- Adults will pay no more than £2 for a single bus journey, while a £5 1 day AnyBus Adult travelcard will cover unlimited bus travel within the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester until 03.59am the following day.
- Children aged five to 16 will pay no more than £1 for any single bus journey. The 1 day AnyBus Junior travelcard will cover unlimited bus travel within Greater Manchester for just £2.50 a day.
- Children under the age of five will continue to travel on buses for free.
Find out more and plan your journey: https://tfgm.com/Get-On-Board
Manchester's Digital Security Hub opens to early-stage startups
Manchester City Council has selected a consortium led by Barclays Eagle Labs to operate the new Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH).
DiSH provides startups and growing digital security businesses with access to mentors and coaching, dedicated growth programmes through Barclays Eagle Labs and a new industry accelerator created by our partner, Plexal.
The DiSH Accelerator 3-month programme is designed to help early-stage cyber startups to scale and grow. Applications are open until 23:59 on 11 September.
Learn more: Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH) (uk.barclays)
Women’s Night-time Safety Charter
Steps are being put in place to improve the safety of women in Manchester’s night-time economy. Manchester City Council are encouraging all businesses and organisations who operate at night-time in Manchester to sign and pledge support to the Women’s Night-time Safety Charter.
The charter sets out how organisations can prioritise the safety of women – both employees and customers – in Manchester at night. Businesses who sign up will be asked to pledge their support. The charter is intended to help businesses identify and prevent the harassment of women as well as bring about a cultural change by putting the safety and wellbeing of female staff and customers at the heart of the night-time economy.
Learn more and pledge your support at: Women's Night-time Safety Charter | Manchester City Council
New funding for data-driven asset management solutions
Innovate UK have partnered with EQUANS UK to establish the Clean Growth Innovation Fund, which provides funding for innovative projects that help accelerate the UK's progress towards Net Zero by 2050.
EQUANS are currently looking for companies to fund through the Clean Growth Innovation Fund. More specifically, they are looking for businesses who are developing data-driven asset management solutions that can help digitise and decarbonise energy-consuming assets.
The deadline for applications is Friday 9 September. For more information and to apply please visit Data-driven asset management solutions | (ktninnovationexchange.co.uk)
Cycle Hire Sponsorship opportunity
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) launched the public cycle hire scheme in November 2021. Second in size only to London's, the scheme serves Greater Manchester's population of 2.8 million people and forms an important part of the Bee Network -- GM's vision for an integrated, London-style transport system
TfGM is now making the opportunity available for a brand to sponsor the scheme and is looking for a partner that shares their values. This opportunity would see a commercial partner playing a key role in the growth of the scheme and gaining unprecedented exposure across the conurbation.
Find out more: GM Cycle Hire Sponsorship | Transport for Greater Manchester
Extension of Pavement Licence scheme
The Government has extended the temporary pavement licence provisions by a further 12 months until September 2023 ahead of making these changes permanent in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
Pavement licences make it quicker, easier and cheaper for business to get a licence to serve food and drink on pavements and pedestrianised roads than the original process under the Highways Act (‘tables and chairs’ licences).
All current licences will still expire in September 2022 so a new application will need to be made to be licensed from October.
Learn more and apply at: Licensing - Pavement licence | Manchester City Council
Recovery loan scheme extended for 2 years
The Recovery Loan Scheme, which originally launched in April 2021 to help businesses recovering from the pandemic, has been extended to 2024.
The maximum loan size remains at up to £2m, and the principle behind the extended scheme remains unchanged: the government will underwrite 70% of lender liabilities, at the individual borrower level, in return for a lender fee. Lenders must ensure that the benefits of the government guarantee are passed through to businesses.
Full details are available at: Recovery Loan Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Avanti West Coast Disruption and Upcoming Rail Strikes
Intercity rail passengers in Manchester will have their options for travelling to London reduced after train operator Avanti West Coast announced it is slashing its timetables. Under the changes there will be just one train an hour running between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly, rather than the usual three.
Events
Chinatown Moon Festival
After a three-year hiatus, the Manchester Moon Festival is back in the heart of Chinatown for 2022 to commemorate the national Chinese tradition deep rooted in Asian folklore.
During the 3 day celebration, guests will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the colourful displays of lanterns and a variety of foods related to the event. Stalls will be set up across Chinatown’s central car park featuring some incredible cuisine from surrounding businesses, including; Wong Wong Bakery, PinWei, Chatime Manchester, Rockin Buddha and many others.
Friday 9 September - Sunday 11 September
Learn more: Chinatown to Host a 3-Day Festival (manchestersfinest.com)
BIPC & Design Manchester Scale Up Sessions
This edition of the Scale Up Sessions considers the post-pandemic re-emergence of the live and on-demand music industry, thrown into turmoil during lockdown. In the newly refurbished Band on the Wall, this event is curated for BIPC GM by Malcolm Garrett and Kasper de Graaf for Design Manchester.
Chaired by John Robb, journalist, musician, and host of Louder Than Words music literature festival. The panellists are:
• Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall.
• Terry Tyldesley, musician and music tech consultant.
• Simon Scott, co-founder of CIRKAY & Push Entertainment
• Fiona McGarva, Sundae Communications and Lost Horizon
The Manc & Bruntwood: Lunchtime Takeaway with Deliveroo
Bruntwood Works have teamed up with The Manc and Deliveroo to bring the Manchester Business Community the ultimate lunchtime event!
Deliveroo provide a delicious takeaway and a local business legend provides their words of wisdom for you to take away with you for the rest of the day. Meet other professionals, eat local food and learn something new.
Enterprising You Networking Event
Join Enterprising You at this free networking event on the 29 September to expand your network and have the potential to connect with over 2,000 like-minded self-employed and freelance businesses who have completed the programme.
Meet business coaches, finance specialists and training providers to discover the full suite of workshops, finance advice, wellbeing support and other exciting opportunities.
29 September, 10:00 – 13:00. Clockwise Manchester, Linley House. Dickinson St
Register at: EnterprisingYou Self-employed Networking Event | Eventbrite
Manchester Food and Drink Festival
The Manchester Food and Drink Festival is now a well established, nationally acclaimed event, and 2022 will see its 25th Anniversary festival take-over of the City from 15 - 26 September.
Festival events take place in venues across the City and at the Festival Hub, where a bespoke food and drink centre is custom built. The MFDF awards are widely regarded as the most important in the region, with this year’s awards being presented on 26th September.
Find out more: Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2022
Manchester Literature Festival
Manchester Literature Festival is a celebration of imagination, ideas, stories, and voices from around the world. It is part of Manchester’s rich cultural tapestry and is committed to bringing together storytellers, poets, and thinkers for everyone to enjoy.
7 - 23 October.
Read more at: Events | Manchester Literature Festival
Manchester Tech Festival
Manchester Tech Festival is a week long festival in October 2022 which will highlight the diverse talent, showcase the innovative businesses and bring together Manchester's Tech community.
Running from 17 - 21 October, with a core 2 day event at the centre of the festival which will be held at the iconic Victoria Baths there will also be meetups, popups, lectures, hackathons, discussions, debates and socials throughout the week.
Learn more: Manchester Tech Festival
Manchester Science Festival
Manchester Science Festival returns with a programme of world premieres, inspiring experiences and entertaining events, all aimed at exploring what makes us human and asking the question, 'What does the future hold for humanity?'
21 – 30 October, Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road, Manchester
Read more at: Manchester Science Festival | Science and Industry Museum
Consultations and Surveys
Smokefree spaces in Greater Manchester
A new public consultation has been launched, inviting Greater Manchester residents, community groups, and local businesses to have their say on exciting new plans to make more outdoor spaces smokefree in Greater Manchester. This will include suggestions on the places they’d most like to see become smokefree and is a great opportunity for the public to play an active part in shaping the initiative.
Take part in the survey by Sunday 11 September at: smokefree spaces survey
First Street next phase
Ask Real Estate and Vita Group are drawing up plans for Plot 10 at First Street to deliver workspace, student accommodation and leisure space. As proposals develop for the next stage of development at First Street, they want to hear your views on their early ideas and the wider opportunities for future development. This first phase of consultation is open until Monday 12 September.
Read more at: FIRST STREET (firststreet-plot10.co.uk)
Great Northern Warehouse Manchester
The Great Northern Warehouse (GNW) want to know your views on what makes a great neighbourhood in the city centre. They'd like to know:
- What’s missing from the city centre that would be great to have at the GNW?
- If you could wave a magic wand, what would make the GNW a really special place?
See current suggestions on their noticeboard and add your own ideas at:
Noticeboard | Great Northern (thegreatnorthern.com)
Dogs on Trams
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are running a trial allowing pet dogs onto trams for the first time. The pilot began on Monday 1st August and will run for three months.
To help TfGM decide whether pet dogs should continue to be allowed on trams after the pilot ends, they are asking you to share your thoughts by responding to their online survey before 31 October 2022.
Have your say at: Dogs on trams pilot | Transport for Greater Manchester (tfgm.com)
Training
Build A Business in GM Libraries
Aimed at start-ups and small businesses, ‘Build A Business’ is offering small business support through a programme of workshops delivered across eight GM libraries. Individual support is also provided by local small business experts known as ‘SME Champions’.
Manchester Central Library is the hub of the service, helping small businesses to plan, develop and grow their enterprises, while providing the opportunity to network with like-minded people.
The next series of events at Central library take place on 7, 12 & 14 September. Book your free place: Build a business Greater Manchester (buildabusinessgm.org)
Action Counters Terrorism Awareness Training
ACT Awareness is a compulsory part of operating a licensed premises in Manchester City Centre. This is part of the city's commitment to the principles of Martyn's Law post the 2017 Arena attack, aimed at improving security in public places.
The training is hosted by The City Centre Management Company, CityCo, with partners Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW), Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council Licensing.
Wednesday 5 October, 14:00 - 16:00
Register your free place: ACT Awareness Training (CITYCO/BID) - CityCo
OPEN SME, new online course to help business leaders develop skills
Four universities in Greater Manchester are collaborating to create a new, online-only programme for busy small business leaders looking to develop their skills.
OPEN SME features one-hour sessions across four modules, with topics including finding and keeping talent, cash flow, and pricing.
The free programme is a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Bolton, University of Manchester, and University of Salford.
The course is fully funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Business Growth Hub. Find out more here: https://opensme.ac.uk
Safe Urban Driving Training - subsidised by TfGM
Do you employ HGV, LGV or PCV drivers? If so, you can equip your drivers with the training to share the road safely with vulnerable users. TfGM are working in partnership with Nationwide Cycling Academy who provide this course for £10.
This course is designed for professional HGV, LGV and Passenger Carrying Vehicles and offers the following accreditations:
• Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) approved
• Meets requirements for managing Work Related Road Risk (WRRR)
• Meets requirements for the Construction Logistics and Cyclists Safety (CLOCS)
• Counts towards a driver’s CPC
The Safe Urban Driving courses will run throughout the year, with bookings now available for Spring and Summer 2022. For further information about the campaign please email: engagement@tfgm.com
Help to Grow: Digital - UK
Access 12-weeks of learning designed to fit alongside work commitments, to enhance your business’s resilience, recovery, and long-term growth, following the impact of COVID-19.
By the end of the programme, you'll have developed a business growth plan to help you lead your business to release its potential. You'll also have one-to-one sessions with a mentor, who'll provide you with personalised support to develop your business growth plan.
Find out more: Help to Grow: Digital - UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Digital Boost
Need a boost for your small business or charity?
Digital Boost is a FREE service to help you adopt new digital ways of working and grow your business. Over 2,000 expert digital and business volunteers from organisations including Google, Bloomberg, and Visa are on hand to help.
What support is available?
• Free one-to-one mentoring tailored to your needs, available when you need it
• Workshops covering topics such as SEO, Facebook Ads and payment systems.
• Recommendations for short courses
• A resource library that you can access at your own pace
Book your first session today at: Digital Boost
EnterprisingYou Programme - extended to 2023
EnterprisingYou provides self-employed people and gig economy workers with tailor-made support through dedicated business coaches, with help in areas such as personal finance, mentoring, marketing, recruitment and health and wellbeing.
The free programme which has supported more than 1,700 self-employed business owners across Greater Manchester since last March will continue until 2023.
Find out more at: Help for Self-Employed in Manchester | (enterprising-you.co.uk)
Skills for Growth Training Programme
Manchester Digital and the UK Skills Academy are pleased to announce a partnership to offer fully funded courses under the government's investment into Skills For Growth. The Courses available are:
• Leadership for Digital Growth
• Cyber Secure Training
• Project Management for Digital Transformation
For more information visit Skills for Growth (manchesterdigital.com).
Resources
GC Business Growth Hub business support tool
The GC Business Growth Hub have released a new Business Support and Funding Finder. Designed to help business owners navigate the landscape of publicly backed business support in Greater Manchester.
The Business Support & Funding Finder is free to use and available to all businesses and entrepreneurs. If you would like more information on any of the services highlighted please call: 0161 359 3050 or e-mail: bgh@growthco.uk
Support for Your Business | Business Support Finder
Transport for Greater Manchester - Business Support portal
Support following the removal of working from home guidance is continuing to be promoted through the TfGM business portal. This includes advice on supporting employees to travel at quieter times, hybrid working, choosing active travel and exploring ticketing options.
Find out more at: TfGM travel guidance for business - (exhibition.app)
Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses
The North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) has launched a new Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses based in the North West. The new guide helps small businesses to improve their knowledge of cyber security and significantly reduce the chances of becoming victims of cybercrime.
In today’s increasingly digital-first world, small businesses face lots of risks operating online. Cybercrime can impact a business through lost time, financial losses or reputational damage. Without the correct precautions in place, cyberattacks on small businesses are wide-reaching.
Find out more at Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses
Connecting BAME social entrepreneurs
The Greater Manchester BAME Social Enterprise Network will give BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) social entrepreneurs the opportunity to:
- Network with and learn from their peers.
- Learn from experts
- Develop their skills in key aspects of running a business
The network will meet regularly to hear from expert speakers, exchange skills, ideas, knowledge and experiences.
Other support available for businesses
Organisations in Manchester that support businesses:
The following Covid-19-specific help is also available for your business and employees:
-
Business support (GOV.UK)-The Coronavirus Business Support Hub brings together key information for businesses
- Make sure that your employees are aware that - if they're eligible - they can apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme, if they need to miss work to self-isolate
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.
The UK government, in consultation with industry, has produced ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.
COVID-19 Health Advice
For the latest guidance on how to help control the virus, how to check for symptoms and how to book a PCR test, visit the Manchester City Council website at: www.manchester.gov.uk/covid-19//healthadvice
COVID:Recovery – Start protecting your business
The health and safety of workers returning to their workplace is essential in the lifting of restrictions.
We want to ensure that residents, workers and visitors are safe and therefore we have set up two tiers of support for businesses.
- We are offering free advice and signposting for businesses as they begin their post lockdown journey. Measures to comply with health and safety duties on reopening workplaces need to be considered at an early stage in the process and we are here to offer advice where needed. We have a free risk assessment template and check list of control measures which can be used and adapted to your requirements.
- On site audits and assessments are also available for more detailed and sector specific enquiries. This service is offered at reduced rates as we help to ease the financial burdens businesses may have endured during lockdown. We are offering a 2 hour assessment for £100 plus VAT to any business starting to plan for a safe and legally compliant return to business.
To contact us please complete our Business compliance query form.
Brexit guidance
There are new rules for doing business with the EU. A Business Support Helpline can help you identify the actions you need to take - call 0800 998 1098.
The government has issued guidance on the following:
The government is hosting free webinars to help you check the new rules and understand the actions to take. View the webinars.
The Business Growth Hub has a dedicated website offering guidance, including:
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce can also give advice, including:
Can you help?
Follow the Council on Twitter
Do you know about the Council's Twitter accounts?
Alongside the Council's main account (@mancitycouncil), we have a number of area-based accounts (such as @mcccitycentre) and team specific accounts (such as @mccworkskills).
Give them a follow!
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