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
• Chinese New Year celebrations this Sunday
• New Energy Bills Discount Scheme for businesses
• Transformation of Campfield Market buildings move forward
• Volunteer Trustee Opportunity With Forever Manchester
• Virgin Money's Levelling Upstarts Programme
• Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District
• GM Chamber to help tackle skills shortages
• VOA - changes to business rates
• TfGM business portal
• Women’s Night-time Safety Charter
Events
• Convention of the North
• Business & IP Centre lunchtime networking
• Business Green scene
• Accelerating Business Growth Breakfast
Consultations and Surveys
• Former Central Retail Park
• Northern Quarter Streets
• Improving manchester.gov.uk
Training
• ACT (Action-Counters-Terrorism) Awareness Training
• Carbon Literacy Automotive Toolkit Training
• Build A Business in GM Libraries
• Project Management for All
• 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
Chinese New Year celebrations
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Manchester with the return of the city’s legendary Dragon Parade, plus live performances, stalls, a funfair and Manchester’s famous red lanterns.
Sunday 22nd January
Dragon Parade: Manchester Central to Chinatown, from 12pm
Performance Stage: Chinatown Carpark, Faulkner Street, from 12pm-6pm
Stalls: Chinatown Carpark, Faulkner Street, Nicolas Street, George Street, Princess Street and Piccadilly Gardens, 12pm-7pm
Funfair: Charlotte Street, 12pm-7pm
Illuminated Night Dragon Performance: Chinatown Carpark, Faulkner Street, 5pm and 6pm
Saturday 21st – Sunday 29th January
Stalls: Piccadilly Gardens, 12pm-7pm
Sunday 29th January
Illuminated Night Dragon Performance: Piccadilly Gardens, 4pm
Find out more at: chinesenewyearmcr.co.uk
For details of road closures see: Road Closures & Parking Suspension.pdf
New “Energy Bills Discount Scheme” for businesses
A new ‘Energy Bills Discount Scheme’ (EBDS) has been announced. The new scheme aims to strike a balance between supporting businesses over the course of the next twelve months and limiting taxpayer’s exposure to volatile energy markets.
The Government has published an explainer, fact sheet and ETII list on Gov.uk. Further information can be found in the press notice.
Transformation of Campfield Market buildings move forward
A scheme using £17.5m of Levelling Up funding to transform two historic Manchester city centre buildings into a modern hub for growing media and tech firms has taken a significant step forward.
Campfield will attract and support start-up, recovery and scale-up businesses in the tech, innovation and media sectors. The Campfield market buildings will provide 83,000 sq. ft. of modern workspace including a minimum of 400 hot desks plus meeting rooms and event spaces. It is anticipated that 1,600 jobs will be created and a further 2,400 jobs sustained.
Learn more at: Transformation of historic market buildings into tech hub moves forward | Manchester City Council
Volunteer Trustee Opportunity With Forever Manchester
Forever Manchester is recruiting 3 Volunteer Trustees, including a Treasurer, to join the Board.
Forever Manchester is the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester, and is the only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. For more information about Forever Manchester, the opportunity, what you can expect and who’ll you’ll be working with, please download the prospectus here: https://lnkd.in/eMMbAkr6
How to apply: If you are interested in becoming a Forever Manchester Trustee, please email your contact details to recruitment@forevermanchester.com by the end of January 2023.
Virgin Money's Levelling Upstarts Programme
Virgin Money have relaunched the Levelling Upstarts programme for 2023 giving SMEs the opportunity to partner directly with MBA and masters students from leading universities to help them to grow and thrive. Levelling Upstarts is a free programme aimed at supporting ambitious SMEs across the country to digitise, upskill and improve productivity.
The programme will be delivered digitally meaning that there are no barriers with location, and you don’t need to be a Virgin Money customer to take part.
The workshops take place between February and June 2023. If you are an SME and interested in applying for the Virgin Money Levelling Upstarts Programme please send an email with your interest to levellingupstarts@virginmoneyukplc.com
Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District
Accommodation sites across Manchester city centre have given their resounding support for a new Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID).
The move follows a vote held last month which marks a significant moment for the city’s accommodation sector and will pave the way to create much needed additional funding that will be used to improve the visitor experience and support the growth of the visitor economy across the city over the next five years.
The Manchester ABID will commence from April 1, 2023. Read more at:
Manchester forms specialist BID to bolster hospitality sector | TheBusinessDesk.com
GM Chamber to help tackle skills shortages
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is working on the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for the region having been appointed by the DfE to identify the skills gaps and labour shortages in all sectors of Greater Manchester.
They are running a number of online sector forums in January and February 2023 and if your business has been affected by skills shortages and you've struggled to recruit individuals with the skills your business needs, please join them and share your experiences.
Find out more: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (gmchamber.co.uk)
Valuation Office Agency - changes to business rates
From 1 April 2023, business rates are changing.
To make sure business rates bills are up to date, the Valuation Office Agency carries out a ‘revaluation’ of business properties.
You can use this value to estimate what your business rates bill will be from 1 April 2023.
See your future valuation and get an estimate of your bill here: https://www.gov.uk/find-business-rates
TfGM new business portal
A new online business portal will support Greater Manchester firms in encouraging their workforce and customers to get on board with public transport and walking, cycling and wheeling to help shape the future of the region’s integrated Bee Network.
The interactive portal, launched by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), will act as a ‘one stop shop’ providing guidance for businesses looking to make affordable and sustainable travel choices and support the wider regional economy.
Read more at: New business portal to help Greater Manchester firms (tfgm.com)
Women’s Night-time Safety Charter
Steps have been 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.
Pledge your support at: Women's Night-time Safety Charter | Manchester City Council
Events
Convention of the North
Focusing on the State of the North and key social, economic and environmental issues facing the North, this one day convention will consider the current challenges and opportunities, as well as the conditions needed to realise the North's potential as part of UK plc. This event invites political, business and community voices to come together to take part in the one-day event where we will celebrate the North and outline our future ambition.
Wednesday 25th January, Manchester Central Convention Centre
Register your place at: Convention of the North 2023 (eventscloud.com)
Business & IP Centre lunchtime networking
Join the BIPC for their monthly networking event, providing the opportunity to meet and chat with other business owners in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Find new clients, make useful connections and forge long-term partnerships.
As each event is located in the BIPC, so you'll also have access to the wide range of additional resources available for startups and businesses provided in the library. The BIPC library staff will be on-hand to help and advise you throughout the event.
Thursday 26 January, 12:00 - 2:00pm, Manchester Central Library
Book your free place: Lunchtime networking with the BIPC Manchester | Eventbrite
Business Green Scene
GM Chamber of Commerce invite you to their next Business Green Scene event: Community Energy – Opportunities and Benefits to your Business.
The event includes networking and information about community energy opportunities in Greater Manchester.
Thursday 9 February, 5:00pm - 7:00pm. To find out more and register for your free place visit: Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (gmchamber.co.uk)
Accelerating Business Growth Breakfast
This event will look at how you can accelerate your business growth. Economists expect a turbulent year, but this also brings with it plenty of opportunities. A panel of experts will discuss how to give your business a competitive edge in 2023.
Aimed towards business leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs that want to thrive and understand the opportunities ahead, and know who are the regional experts supporting the journey.
Tuesday 28 February, 9:00 - 10:45am, The Hive, 51 Lever Street, Northern Quarter
Register your place: Accelerating Business Growth Breakfast (insidermedia.com)
Consultations and Surveys
Former Central Retail Park
The consultation on the draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the former Central Retail Park site is open until Tuesday 14 February 2023.
This new, updated draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) has been produced to build on many of the key design principles set out in the 2020 Framework, but also to positively respond to the latest market requirements.
Learn more and have your say: Consultations and surveys | Manchester City Council
Northern Quarter Streets
We have recently made changes to some of the streets in the Northern Quarter and are keen to hear what people think of them.
Have your say: Northern Quarter streets survey (manchester.gov.uk)
The survey will be open until 10 March 2023 at 5pm.
Improving manchester.gov.uk
At Manchester City Council, we want to understand how we can improve our website so that it is easier for you to use.
We'd like to hear your views about what works well on manchester.gov.uk, what doesn’t work well and what you want to use the website for. Your feedback will help us to improve our digital systems so that they are better in the future.
How you can have your say on improving Manchester City Council's website
You can complete our online survey on Improving manchester.gov.uk.
Training
ACT (Action-Counters-Terrorism) Awareness Training
ACT (Action-Counters-Terrorism) Awareness Training is part of Manchester City Council’s commitment to the principles of ‘Martyn’s Law’ post the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. It is delivered by NaCTSO & CPNI-trained Counter Terrorism Security Advisors and is designed to raise vigilance of the current terrorist threat to the UK and provide businesses with protective advice and guidance.
The training is hosted by CityCo with partners Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW), Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council Licensing.
The sessions are kindly attended by Figen Murray OBE who introduces the importance of the training and explains Martyn’s Law. For more information about Figen’s campaigning work do visit figenmurray.co.uk
Training Contents:
- An Introduction to Counter-Terrorism
- Current Threat in the UK
- Identifying and Responding to Suspicious Behaviour
- Identifying and Dealing with Suspicious Items
- Responding to a Firearms or Weapons Attack
This training is for Manchester city centre:
- Venue Managers
- General Managers
- Assistant GMs
- Operations Managers
- Bar Managers
Businesses will receive acknowledgement of attendance on any licences, and certification.
Wednesday 8th February, 2:00 - 4:00pm
Frog & Bucket Comedy Club, Oldham Street
Register your free place at: ACT Awareness Training (CITYCO/BID) - CityCo
Carbon Literacy Automotive Toolkit Training
This free course will use the Automotive Toolkit, a Carbon Literacy course designed specifically for the automotive sector. Focusing specifically on the solutions which can be put in place to help the low-carbon transformation of transport.
The session will run from 9:30am to 16:30pm on 22 February. The session is focussed around discussions, activities, and pledging your own personal actions for how you will continue your sustainability journey. At the end of the session you will be certified as Carbon Literate!
Location: 1 Tony Wilson Pl, 1 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester
Book your free place: Carbon Literacy Automotive Toolkit Open Training | Eventbrite
Build A Business in GM Libraries
If you've recently started a business, or thinking of self employment, Build A Business can help. Their series of local workshops are running across Greater Manchester now.
Learn how to research your market and develop your business plan, protect your intellectual property (IP) and gain practical knowledge on the nuts and bolts of running your business. Plus meet lots of other small businesses and grow your network.
Manchester workshops are running in November, learn more at: www.buildabusinessgm.org
Project Management for All
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to put your aspiring managers on a guided development pathway to becoming fully-fledged Chartered Managers.
On successful completion of all the selected units, learners will achieve a Level 3 Award in Principles of Management and Leadership and also achieve a broad understanding of some of the fundamental elements of Project Management.
Find out more: Project Management for All (gceducationandskills.ac.uk)
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 2023. 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
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
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:
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
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:
-
A toolkit which gives advice on dealing with imports, exports and employees
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce can also give advice, including:
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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