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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:
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/business for more information or if you need help please email us at ecodev@malvernhills.gov.uk.
We have supported 24 rural businesses and provided more than £400,000 in funding as part of the Malvern Hills Rural Fund.
The projects that have been supported are forecast to provide a total investment of £986,000 (including grants and match funding), create over 28 new jobs, increase the turnover of over 22 businesses and increase the growth of 23 businesses in the district.
Hear from Hazel, the Owner at J Maverick & Co Craft Ales and Ciders in Upton upon Severn, on how the grant has helped them:
“We started trading in July 2024 just before the Upton upon Severn Blues Festival. We sell craft ales and ciders on keg cask and in cans to take away.
As a small business start-up, converting an 18th century property, the Rural Grant allowed us to raise the specification of our project and be more confident in what we could achieve with this beautiful building. It is a fantastic resource and very much appreciated”.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/rural-fund for more information and to keep updated on potential future funding rounds.
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Following on from feedback collated in the Local Enterprise Partnership Big Conversation and the Worcestershire Local Skills Improvement Plan, discussion highlighted that often recruits and employees lack the appropriate behaviours. Therefore Worcestershire is conducting a crucial survey to understand the key behaviours that businesses seek from future and current employees - so please tell us your thoughts.
Participation in this short survey, is essential in helping the future direction of skills providers in the county to ensure that young people leaving education are equipped with the workplace values and skills needed by Worcestershire’s employers.
To take part in the survey, follow the link below:
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The successful tech accelerator, based at Malvern Hills Science Park, has been shortlisted for 'Best Tech Accelerator' in the UK Business Tech Awards 2024.
BetaDen won the award in 2022 and since then has continued to foster innovation and growth in pioneering tech businesses. The awards ceremony will take place on 19 November in London.
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Malvern-based businesses can now access up to £10,300, to implement renewable technology projects and up to £100k for energy efficiency projects through Net Zero Worcestershire.
Astley Vineyard has recently experienced significant benefits from the Net Zero Worcestershire energy efficiency grant. By upgrading their air-conditioning units, installing solar panels, and implementing recommendations from their energy review, they successfully reduced their electricity bills and elevated the energy efficiency of their equipment and machinery. Through this process, they identified savings and achieved a noteworthy reduction in annual carbon emissions.
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This Business Worcestershire Conference is focused on Sales, Marketing & Growth, all of which are key topics for businesses of all sizes and sectors.
Hear from five expert speakers on topics such as how to implement a new marketing strategy, strategies to financing business growth and how to enhance your digital marketing.
The conference opens at 8am for networking over breakfast before the presentations begin at 9am.
Places are filling fast to apply and find out more visit the link below:
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Managing Director of local tech business ZXLidars, Ian Locker, is taking on an incredible 500km bike ride across Kenya in aid of Child.org.
Child.org are a charity who work to improve the early lives of children in sub-Saharan Africa, who are 15 times more likely to die in childhood than children in Europe and North America.
The five day cycle is personally funded by the riders with 100% of all donations going to Child.org to support safer births and infant care in Kenya.
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FREE Online Platform and Consultancy Support available for Worcestershire Businesses to recruit and retain talent and address skills shortages, building a robust organisational culture for business success in the future.
Worcestershire County Council alongside Worcestershire Growth Hub and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership have launched Worcestershire’s Workforce Planning Programme.
Through the programme Worcestershire’s businesses can access FREE support in the following areas to boost their workforce:
- Business Strategy – Create and pursue your business goals.
- Employer Brand – Boost recruitment by becoming an employer of choice.
- Critical Roles – Reduce risk in your business when roles become vacant.
- Team Performance – Create high-performing teams and boost your productivity.
- Skills – Identify and enhance the skills of your team for sustainability and success.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Boost your inclusive practices and enhance innovation and creativity.
- Succession Planning – Grow your own talent and boost your access to qualified candidates.
To find out more about the FREE support available for your workforce please contact: WorkforcePlanning@worcestershire.gov.uk
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You're invited to take our annual Residents' Survey 2024. Your responses will help us to understand your views of your local area and of our services. They will also help to identify your priorities for us to feed into the development of our refreshed Five Year Plan.
The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete, and you have the option to save your progress at any point and return later.
Please take the time to complete it by midnight on Sunday 29 September 2024.
By responding to the survey you will also have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win one of five vouchers (worth £75) to use at your choice of independent retailer, café or restaurant across our district. More information is available later in the survey, and Terms and Conditions apply. Prizes will be drawn and winners notified by the middle of November 2024.
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Environmental charity Naturesave Trust has announced that their September – October 2024 funding round is now open for applications.
The theme for this funding round is energy efficiency.
The Trust seeks to support charities, voluntary organisations, and businesses in improving the energy efficiency of buildings, to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other pollutants, and decreasing water use.
Each year, the Trust donates a percentage of its income from Naturesave Insurance and uses these funds to support environmental and conservation projects across the UK.
The Trust awards grants of up to £5,000.
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SME businesses can get money off installing electric vehicle charging points and supporting infrastructure for their staff and company vehicles.
This funding is available until April 2025 and can be used to cover up to 75% of the cost of wider building and installation work that’s needed to install multiple chargepoint sockets.
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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 £250 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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The Growth Hub website hosts a comprehensive list of all the business events taking place in Worcestershire each month.
Upcoming events include:
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Are you looking to expand and scale your business but struggling to secure external funding? FundingHero, a Midlands-based high growth investment readiness provider, is hosting a fully funded business and investment workshop sponsored by Worcester County Council, British Business Bank and Barclays Eagle Labs on Monday 7 October.
This in-person workshop will provide essential access to high growth funding and CFO level scaleup expertise. With a focus on four key areas - Fundraise Planning, Financial Strategy, Fundraise Budget and Fundraise Timeline - you will gain a thorough understanding of the investment process and be provided with vital tools to help raise external investment from a range of funding sources of debt and equity.
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The Chamber Business Expo is moving to a new location this year.
Taking place at Worcester Arena on 10 October 2024 the popular event is the perfect place to network, grow your brand awareness and meet new clients.
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As part of it's Digital Garage programme, Google is coming to Malvern Hills Science Park.
This free, in person workshop will take business owners through how to make the most of AI in their business.
The full day workshop is open to anyone and all materials, as well as lunch, will be provided. There will also be a chance to book 1-1 sessions with the Google Digital trainers for more personalised advice.
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The South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership is collaborating with Martin Lakeman, (Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Consultant) and Parkinson Wright Solicitors, to put on a series of workshops on how to identify and support victims of domestic abuse in the workplace.
The workshop is free and open to all businesses in various locations including:
Droitwich Rugby Club - 21 October
Pershore Civic Centre - 28 October
The Guildhall Worcestershire - 4 & 25 November
The Council House, Malvern - 2 December
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Worcestershire businesses are invited to join Work Well Live Better's monthly event designed to promote awareness of mental health in the workplace.
The event will include advice, practical tips and the opportunity to connect with others over this important topic.
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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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