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A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses and employees.
Follow the links to see the latest updates from the Government on working safely here and find financial support for your business.
The Government has set up a general business support helpline on 0800 998 1098. This is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
Visit the Malvern Hills website for the latest Covid business advice. If you are not receiving this newsletter directly, please sign up to our regular email newsletter for the latest updates on business support.
After successfully winning at the 2021/2022 Visit Worcestershire Awards, the winners went through to the 2022 VisitEngland Awards to be considered for the national awards.
We're very pleased to announce that two business from the Malvern Hills district are through to the finals - Rowley Farm Holidays and Treeopia, as well as the Severn Valley Railway from wider Worcestershire who won the innovation and Resilience category at the Visit Worcestershire Awards.
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To warm up to the Food Festival on 9-10 July, we will be holding a Foodie Week across Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Barnards Green. This will make the Food Festival a town wide event and create some buzz around Malvern as a foodie destination. We will promote the Foodie Week in connection with the Food Festival and would like to get as many food shops, cafes, restaurants, and hotels involved as possible.
On the menu for the week there will be:
- A food shop trail and map
- Literature available from tourist information offices on everything taking place
- Tasting events
- Special menus
- Vouchers and special offers
- Foodie events
- “Dinner, bed, and breakfast” offers for foodie breaks
If you would like to be involved in the week, host an event, or have any other thoughts please email: Georgia.brittain@malvernhills.gov.uk.
Is your business based in Worcestershire and less than 5 years old?
- Do you employ fewer than 250 people?
- Do you trade at least 70% Business to Business?
If so, there has never been a better time to live in Worcestershire; achieve new levels of business growth on this Enterprising Worcestershire Early Stage Coaching Programme by working with one of the Real World Consultancy Business Growth Coaches whilst receiving:
-12 hours one to one business coaching
-DISC Assessment
-Business Assessment
-Online community
-Meet up's in Worcester
-Online and Face to Face options for coaching
Small Business Britain are piloting a new, online-only Help to Grow: Management programme with Oxford Brookes Business School. And there are FREE places available now, due to special funding from Lloyds Bank.
What does it involve?
Help to Grow: Management is a 12-week, government-backed practical management training programme, which helps small businesses learn new skills and boost confidence and profits.
Delivered by leading UK business schools accredited to the Small Business Charter, it offers:
• 12-weeks of learning - designed to fit alongside work commitments
• Help to create a tailored business growth plan - to maximise your businesses potential
• 1:1 support from a business mentor
• Learning and networking with peers and businesses just like yours
To be able to take part in this online-only pilot, you need to have been running your small business for more than a year and employ at least five members of staff.
The new programme will launch four cohorts on Monday 7 June, Tuesday 8 June, Tuesday 6 September and Wednesday 7 September.
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Share your thoughts to help shape business support in the county!
The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and by doing so you can provide vital feedback which will be used to transform the county’s support offer to ensure more businesses are supported.
This is a unique opportunity to have your feedback and thoughts reach key local and regional partners who have the power to influence what support is available.
Take part by clicking the button below.
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There are only 18 places left on this high demand development programme. Aimed at Worcestershire SME's that have been trading for at least 3 years with 5+ employees the Elevate programme offers tailored support, workshops and the opportunity to apply for grant funding up to a maximum of £10,000.
Unleash your potential and enquire now by email at info@business-central.co.uk or phone 01905 677888.
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Help is available for local apprentices and employees to access their workplace and training. Malvern Hills Car Clubs, with grant support from Malvern Hills District Council, has made available five new purpose built Ebikes and the option to convert applicants normal bikes to Ebikes. This scheme is designed to provide an alternative transport option for apprentices and other workers with their commute. The price is just £15 per week and funding to cover the cost is available for apprentices and trainees through the Training Cost Support Payment.
Further details below and please share this with your staff.
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After the success of the virtual awards last year, the popular event returns in its physical manifestation on 17 November 2022 at the West Midland Safari Park. Get your entries in for a star apprentice or excellent employer by 15 July 2022.
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MHDC and WDC have gained funding through the UK Community Renewal Fund to support upskilling. The project has already funded 30+ businesses and 15+ apprentices in Malvern Hills and Wychavon and there is still grant money available for businesses who take on apprentices and trainees. We can offer you, if you are an employer with fewer than 250 staff, £2000 for each new apprentice or other trainee of any age, whether previously on the company pay role or not. The main requirement is that your apprentice must have started their training after 1st April 2021 and be currently enrolled on their course. Apply online today.
With our Apprentice and Trainee Support Grants we are giving new apprentices and trainees £500. They can also get help with the cost of travel, equipment and other costs related to their training up to a maximum of £1,000. This project is also funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund.
To qualify for the payments they need to:
• live in the Malvern Hills or Wychavon postcode areas.
• be a new apprentice or trainee of any age.
• earn less than £15,000 a year.
For full terms and conditions and to apply please visit our website.
Don't worry about facing the dragons to secure funding for your early stage business. Enterprising Worcestershire offer grants between £1,000 and £15,000 to support local start-ups and entrepreneurs to invest in their business. Whether you need to purchase new equipment, build a website for your brand or invest in consultancy advice, these grants are designed to help you develop your business in the early stages. Eligibility criteria include:
- Be an SME with less than 250 employees
- Trading for less than 36 months
- Trade predominantly business to business i.e. a minimum of 70% B2B
For the full criteria and to apply click the button below:
Confused about PAS 7050 (Bringing Safe Products to Market) and PAS 7100 (Supporting better product recalls) codes of practice? The Office for Product Safety Standards and Worcestershire Regulatory Services are putting on a webinar on 18 and 19 May to advise businesses on the importance of these standards and how they are best implemented.
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Hear from insightful speakers Louis Menzies-Baird, Business Development Manager at BioPak and Steve Maxim, Business Development Director at Maxpack. They will discuss how to reduce waste, cost and protect the environment throughout the packaging process from design to manufacturing to disposal. |
Find out how Elevate Technology could help your business. Elevate Technology offers 12 hours of consultancy to help you identify and implement digital and technology projects that will improve your business performance. Having already helped many businesses improve their online presence, generate more sales and streamline their operations the team are now inviting eligible SMEs to join the next webinar on 25 May to find out more about the support.
Places are limited, click the button below to register:
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Virtual Manufacturing Forum with speaker Dr Adrienne Houston Company Director at Eurovacuum Products Ltd and Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Birmingham - 19 May 2022
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Food and Drink Forum sponsored by MFG Solicitors - 23 May 2022
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Women's Business Forum, sponsored by Harrison Clark Rickerbys - including speakers such as Bev Haywood from Astley Vineyard who discusses re-inventing yourself in your 50's and her journey in taking over a vineyard with no previous experience - 31 May 2022
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BetaDen Networking Event - Informal networking event to get to know BetaDen and fellow tech industry professionals - 19 May 2022
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IONOS Cloud Workshop - Cloud security workshop aimed at helping new businesses get to grips with all things cloud - 26 May 2022
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Financial tech and security is the focus of next months Midlands Cyber event. Speakers include Tom Chothia - reader in cyber security at the University of Birmingham and Professor Vladlena Benson –Director of Aston University’s Cyber Security Innovation Centre. This event aims to showcase the work of leading stakeholders in the research and development of Fintech and Financial Security. |
Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Growth Hub have announced registrations are now open for their upcoming Business Worcestershire Conference on 28 June at Sixways Stadium Worcester, 8am – 12:45pm.
The conference will look at how your business can tackle some of the biggest challenges businesses are facing and embrace opportunities to drive your business forward.
This year’s conference has been built around the key theme ‘Shaping Our Future’ and will focus on three hot topics: Innovation & Technology, Net Zero and Business Growth.
Through thought-provoking discussions and talks, attendees will hear the latest thinking from inspiring speakers, have the chance to take part in expert-led sessions and will have plenty of time to network and learn about the support on offer to local businesses.
The conference is open to all businesses across the county of all sizes, from Start-Ups to SMEs to large-scale corporations and is free to attend.
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BIPC Worcestershire has plenty of support and webinars for businesses of any size. Events include business support drop in clinics, how to build a social media strategy that works and networking advice. See all the events by clicking the button below. |
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