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Supporting businesses and the wider economy is one of our top priorities. The Economic Development team works to support businesses and the growth of the Malvern Hills district economy. This month the team have been working on:
- Planning a new radio advertising campaign for Visit The Malverns.
- Dealing with flood recovery enquiries and support following Storm Henk and delivering the flooding Business Recovery Grant scheme.
- Ordering new signage for Great Malvern, Barnards Green and Malvern Link due to be installed Spring 2024.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/business for more information or if you need help please email us at ecodev@malvernhills.gov.uk.
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Looking to transform your entrepreneurial aspirations into a thriving reality? Register your free place at the brand-new Enterprising Worcestershire Start Up Fest on 6 February, at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, 9.15am – 2pm!
The free festival, hosted by BBC’s Dragons Den Winner, Peter Hill, is promised to deliver a jam-packed day of inspiration and interactive workshops leaving you with a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to implement into your entrepreneurial journey.
The festival is aimed at individuals yet to start a business and early-stage businesses.
In the morning session, (9.30 – 12.30) expert speakers will cover:
- The secrets to a successful social media presence… and website
- The art of networking
- Creating the perfect cashflow
- Pursuing your startup without getting stressed, overwhelmed, and unhealthy
In the afternoon, you can join our ‘Eat, Meet and Connect session’ facilitated by Peter Hill. This lunch time networking session gives you the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals.
Learn more about the speakers and secure your free place.
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Your business could be crowned Business of the Year as entries for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards are now open. Submitting your entry is quick and easy and you can enter up to 3 categories.
The awards will be hosted on 13 June 2024 at Worcester Arena and there are a total of 15 awards categories such as Best Use of Technology and Trends and Commitment to the Community.
Entries are being accepted until 4pm on 18 March 2024.
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Gain the extra skills and knowledge you need to achieve business growth in 2024 with this free business growth challenge from UK Export Academy.
This 5 week challenge will cover topics from how to construct and embed a systematic approach to business growth to developing a robust marketing strategy and more.
Participants can book onto all 5 weeks of sessions or just choose what suits them. The sessions run until 9 February.
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The Malvern Hills District Council Economy Panel are keen to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by businesses across the rural Malvern Hills district.
In order to collate feedback a short online survey has been developed and anyone who considers that they are a rural business is encouraged to complete the form below.
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TECH PLANTER, a platform that supports deep-tech start-ups, is holding it's 3rd pitching event in London on 23 March 2024.
Applications are now open to pitch your idea and become part of a worldwide support network for those working in the technology sector. The deadline for applications is 2nd Feb 2024 (23:59 GMT).
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Dame Laura Knight, one of the most prolific and celebrated painters of the 20th century, is being celebrated with a new exhibition at Worcester City Art Gallery and trail around The Malverns.
Creatives Connect and Malvern Hills District Council would like to mark this by holding an en plein air painting competition event for both national and local
artists.
There are sponsorship opportunities for this event so if you would like to be involved please contact: Kim Whitby cublobb@hotmail.com by 31 January 2024.
Full information about the event is linked below.
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Eco-friendly buildings and businesses across the Malvern Hills district are types of projects that will soon be recognised with the introduction of a new award scheme.
The Malvern Hills Greener Places Award has been created to recognise and promote schemes that go above and beyond to create sustainable places in the district.
Anything that contributes towards Malvern district being a more sustainable and climate resilient place may be eligible. However, projects that raise the bar on the following issues would be particularly welcomed:
- Energy efficiency and reducing space heating demand
- Utilising low carbon heating systems
- Installing renewable energy technologies
- Improving biodiversity and habitats
- Adapting to the impacts of climate change
- Active and low carbon travel
Applications can be submitted at any time and projects will be considered throughout the year.
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Crowdfund Malvern Hills gives local people the opportunity to create and deliver projects that aim to enhance the district. The following projects could get off the ground with your support:
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After a running several successful cohorts, Elevate Worcestershire has announced 90 new spaces are up for grabs for established SMEs with strong growth ambitions.
The exclusive programme includes tailored one-to-one coaching, guided peer-to-peer support, and the development of a bespoke growth plan to set you on your growth journey. In addition, participants of the programme may apply for a match-funded grant from £1,000 to £10,000 help implement these growth plans.
Whether you are looking to expand your operations, invest in cutting edge technology or improve your marketing strategy, the Elevate Worcestershire Programme could be for you.
Places are highly competitive, early applications are encouraged.
Net Zero Worcestershire, can help your business to reduce its carbon footprint and potentially reduce your costs!
The Net Zero Worcestershire programme, in affiliation with the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) provides a fully funded decarbonisation review, during which expert advisors will review your current energy usage and provide you with advice on your next steps. To help you on your way, businesses that have received a decarbonisation review will gain access to apply for grant funding to implement your energy saving changes.
Got an ambition to gain new clients, develop a solid foundation for your early-stage business and boost your confidence as a business owner? – Enterprising Worcestershire’s business coaching programme, could be for you! Award winning coaches will work with you to you to identify goals, challenges, and areas for improvement. What to expect?
- Up to 10 hours of flexible coaching
- A collaborative and personalised approach
- An award-winning coach will work with you to identify goals, challenges, and areas for improvement
- They will meet with you fortnightly to help you to keep focused on your goal.
 
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Grant funding is available to help Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to implement energy saving initiatives including LED lighting, heating and insulation and renewables. The initiative aims to support SMEs to make the transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon future. Malvern Hills businesses can apply for between £1,000 and £8,000.
Grants are awarded on a match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.
Net Zero Worcestershire also offers free Decarbonisation Reviews.
Net Zero Worcestershire is one of the new business support programmes part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Malvern Hills District Council and Worcestershire County Council.
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The Innovation Worcestershire Grant offers funding to help Small to Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) businesses develop innovative products and processes.
Malvern Hills businesses can apply for between £1,000 and £15,000. Grants will be awarded on a match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.
Innovation Worcestershire will also offer bespoke support to help Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) develop new innovative processes, products, technologies and services.
Innovation Worcestershire is one of the new business support programmes part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Malvern Hills District Council and Worcestershire County Council.
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A grant is being offered to help tourism businesses in the district grow and increase visitor numbers.
The Malvern Hills Tourism Grant Scheme, from Malvern Hills District Council, is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The scheme plans to support the Malvern Hills District tourism industry to grow over a two-year period, with the opportunity to:
- Encourage businesses to adopt greener practices
- Help with upkeep of local attractions
- Improve visitor experience
- Improve accessibility at attractions
- Encourage festival and event development in town centres
Eligible businesses can apply for a 50% match-funded grant. Grants include:
- Attractions – up to £2,500
- Sustainable Tourism – up to £2,500
- Festivals and Events - up to £1,000
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So far we have funded 16 Town centre Support grants equating to £27,844.
We have £16,000 in the pipeline but funds are still available.
Eligible businesses can apply for a 50% match-funded grant of up to £2500 towards one, or a combination, of the following grants:
Shop front Improvements – Undertaking works to improve or refurbish the shop front or internal structural improvements.
Empty Shop Support - Support to bring an empty shop back into commercial use including support for equipment, anything external or internal premises related
Town Centre Boost - An additional £1000 grant is available to traders or community groups to deliver town centre wide projects and promotions to drive new footfall, investment, or sustainability (there is no match funding requirement associated with this grant).
If you would like to apply for a grant visit the website below:
Pictured: Hillbillys Café
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Malvern Hills Businesses continue to benefit the Malvern Hills Upskilling Grant.
The grant scheme provides funding of up to £1,500 to help with the business cost of training new staff (i.e. apprenticeships, trainee or other). In order to qualify businesses must be based in the Malvern Hills district postcode area, employ fewer than 250 people and pay at least the Minimum Wage to the trainee for a post of at least 30 hrs a week including training leading to a recognised qualification.
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£500 is available to trainees and apprentices to help cover the cost of travel, equipment, tools and clothing necessary to access training.
The support is available to residents of Malvern Hills District who:
- Earn less than £220 per week.
- Attend a qualifying course.
- Are employed for a post of 30 hours a week for a minimum of 12 months.
Please spread the word that this support is available.
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Join Midlands Cyber and BetaDen for their largest ever Connect Tech networking event.
This is a chance to connect with other businesses and industry professionals from across Worcestershire and learn about what business support will be available in 2024.
Register now for this event taking place Thursday 31 January 2024, 12 pm - 2 pm, at The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PD.
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Come along and get your carbon footprint and carbon reduction plan all in a day!
Sustainability experts Small99 to walk you through where the biggest emissions are, how to tackle them while becoming more profitable, and how to prepare for future legislation and changes in the industry. You'll leave the day with an action plan ready to share with stakeholders, and an understanding of local funding that is available to accelerate your journey.
Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, WR2 4QQ
Date: 5 February 2024
Time: 09:00 to 17:00
This is a fully funded limited event with only 30 places available!
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The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership have announced the date of their flagship event of 2024.
The event is designed to be dynamic and open up conversations about the opportunities and challenges shaping Worcestershire's future.
More details about sessions, themes and topics will be announced soon so please mark your calendar for this exciting event.
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Worcestershire County Council invites you to attend their Innovation and Technology conference, featuring industry experts and local businesses, on 13 March, at Sixways Stadium Worcester. This is a golden opportunity to gain insights, be inspired by the latest thinking, and network with like-minded professionals.
Register for your free spot using the link below:
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Worcestershire County Council, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire Growth Hub have collaborated on a series of seminars that seek to champion inclusive employment practices.
The final free seminar is on the topic:
Workplace Wellbeing - 13 March 2024
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BIPC Worcestershire has plenty of support and webinars for businesses of any size, follow the link below for the full programme.
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