News and events for local businesses - March 2018

 

Plymouth Business News

 

News and events for local businesses - March 2018


 

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

  • Plymouth to bid to host new national HQ for Channel 4
  • Oceansgate Phase 1 completed and first tenants announced
  • The Climbing Hangar Plymouth receives official unveiling
  • City College named Training Partner of the Year at SEMTA
  • Start trading in China half day workshop - event
  • £15m New fund to support SME’s to develop innovative ideas 

NEWS

Channel 4

Plymouth to bid to host new National HQ for Channel 4 

Plymouth City Council has written to Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon stating its intent to formally bid for the city to become one of Channel 4’s three new hubs once it relocates part of its operation outside of London. To find out more, click here

 
Oceansgate Phase 1

First Oceansgate tenants announced as Phase 1 reaches completion 

The first tenants to move into Oceansgate have been announced at the official opening ceremony for Phase 1. Surejust, Trend Marine and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) will be the first to move into the new development in Devonport, Plymouth. To find out more, click here

 
Climbing Hangar

The Climbing Hangar Plymouth receives official unveiling

Following much anticipation from the local climbing community and beyond, over the weekend, The Climbing Hangar Plymouth officially opened its doors to its biggest bouldering wall yet.To find out more, click here 

 

 Better Places

Exhibition to showcase Better Places plans for city centre revamp 

Plans will go on show next week as part of a multi-million-pound project to transform the open spaces and pedestrian areas around the city centre. To find out more, click here

 

 SEMTA  

City College Named Training Partner of the Year at SEMTA

City College Plymouth has received another amazing accolade, winning the coveted 2018 Training Partner of the Year at the SEMTA (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) Skills Awards. Find out more, click here

 
 Hinkley Point

Hinkley Point Impact

As you are no doubt aware, Hinkley Point C in Somerset, is one of Europe’s largest building projects which will create 25,000 employment opportunities, revitalise the UK’s nuclear power industry and provide low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes. You can plug into the Projects supply chain here . Our Economic Development Team are interested in hearing from Plymouth businesses and better understanding what impact (good or bad) Hinkley Point C has made on their business.

Please feed in your views (clearly marked Hinkley Point C Impact ) to EDUR@plymouth.gov.uk.

 
 Micro Centre  

New industry engagement project launches at University's Electron Microscopy Centre

A new initiative that will bring together business and industry with expertise and equipment at a cutting-edge electron microscopy centre has formally launched at the University of Plymouth. To find out more, click here

 
 McLaren  

Progress on Bretonside Leisure Development 

To find out the works that have been completed this week and also ongoing works at the development at Bretonside. To find out more, click here

 
 Langage  

Next phase of Langage Business Park taking shape

A huge steel frame has been erected at Langage Business Park as the next phase of building work gets into gear. To find out more, click here

 
Plymouth Hoe

Top Three for Plymouth in Best Places to Live

The best place to live Plymouth is in third position. With an index of 207.7. The south-western city scores well on property prices as well as safety and climate. Find out more, click here.

 
 Exciting Cities

Exciting cities: Plymouth

New business is up and quality of life is high, proving Plymouth has all that a thriving small business community needs. Find out more, click here

 
 Homes

Council leader unveils £146 million Homes for Plymouth plan 

Plymouth City Council leader Ian Bowyer has unveiled a radical 10-year plan to boost the creation of new homes in the city. Councillor Bowyer announced the Homes for Plymouth plan during his annual budget speech, saying it would help address the challenges many Plymouth residents have in finding an affordable home by delivering around 1,000 new homes a year. To find our more, click here

 
 Mutley Plain free parking

Free parking on the Plain 

Plymouth City Council is set to bring free car parking to Mutley Plain. Shoppers using the Mutley Barracks car park, situated at the northern end of Mutley Plain, will be able to park for free for one hour from the end of April. To find out more, click here

 

Plymouth Report

The Plymouth Report

The Plymouth Report provides an overview of the needs and issues facing the city – with an accompanying narrative about the shared challenges and opportunities that we face. To find out more, click here


BUSINESS SUPPORT 


 

Promote your business on the Big Screen Plymouth

Businesses looking to share good news and best practice can now do so via the Big Screen in the city centre. If you would like to take up the opportunity to use the Screen please contact the team on; David.lea@plymouth.gov.uk

Heart of the South West Growth Hub Business Review Available

Eligible businesses can now access a fully funded one to one advice session with an external Business Adviser through the Growth Hub. The service provides you with an opportunity to speak to an expert adviser about your business and growth ambitions.

For your local Growth Hub details click here


 

FREE Mentoring Support to Grow Your Business in the Region

The Growth Support Programme is an EU funded support package for ERDF Eligible businesses based in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. The programme offers an initial 3 hour diagnostic to businesses wishing to grow or expand. Find out more, click here


Test your Innovation and Start-Up Ideas

The One Stop Ideas Shop provides practical a forum for individuals to talk through their inventions/business ideas in a confidential setting, receive face to face expert guidance to enable to them to understand how to protect them and explore any potential for business opportunity. Find out more, click here


 Help to grow your business through collaboration and innovation

Knowledge Transfer Partnership is the programme that supports innovation and promotes business growth, (part funded by Innovate UK) provides resources and expertise to thriving organisations who wish to innovate, expand or improve their competitiveness and productivity. Find out more, click here


 Plymotion at Your Workplace - Free Adult Cycle Training , cycle groups and Walk and Talk

Free Adult Cycle Training , cycle groups and Walk and Talk. Plymotion is working with companies to promote sustainable travel and encourage staff to be more active on their journey to work. Plymotion at Your Workplace is a free programme which helps encourage sustainable travel for the daily commute . There is a range of initiatives on offer including free adult cycle training, bike maintenance, walk leader training and travel plan management tools. Why not have a look at our web pages and our latest business newsletter which you can find here. If cycling in a group why not have a look here. If walking is more your thing- here’s the latest Walk and Talk programme here. For more information email Plymotion@plymouth.gov.uk 


Weekly Roadworks Roundup

Get notice of all planned roadworks in the Plymouth area. To subscribe to the weekly email click here


International Trade

Looking to overseas markets to grow your business is a big decision for any size business. To support you in your growth plans Devon Chamber offers International Trade advice and support, via our International Trade team and our involvement in Devon International Trade Forum. Find out more, click here


Funding Options

 Grants for charities to develop websites and Facebook advertising

Transform Foundation aims to encourage investment in digital technologies, skills and marketing in the charity sector. Offering grants to charities (with annual revenue between £350,000 and £30million) to develop websites and advertise through Facebook. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: On going


 Horizon 2020: EU Research Programme

EU funding for large-scale, international collaborative research projects. New work programme for 2018-2020: UK businesses, universities, public bodies, charities and healthcare providers can still participate. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: On going


Horizon 2020 Live longer, better, healthier: new innovation funding 

£300 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund will support our ageing population, with opportunities for businesses and researchers to work together. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE ongoing


Chancellor Announces £67 Million for Full Fibre Business Broadband

Businesses across the UK are set to benefit from a £67 million investment in faster internet connections, the Chancellor Philip Hammond, has announced. Find out more, click here 

DEADLINE: Ongoing 


Innovate UK Launches Strand 1 Health and Life Sciences Sector Competition

Through this competition, Innovate UK (IUK) is investing in innovation projects that inspire new products, processes and services that address challenges in health and life sciences (H&LS). The aim is to develop innovations that lead to increased agricultural productivity, enhanced food quality and sustainability or improved healthcare outcomes. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 28 March 2018


Second Active and Assisted Living Smart Ageing Prize Launch

Entries need to focus on social participation and quality of life, with the aim to enhance the networks and social experiences of older adults in the real world through innovative digital technologies. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 30 March 2018


$2 Million International GoFly Competition Open for Innovators to Create a Personal Flying Device.

The aim is to foster the development of safe, quiet, ultra-compact, near-VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) personal flying devices that are capable of flying twenty miles while carrying a single person. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 4 April 2018


Applications Open for Techstars London Summer 2018 from Companies across the World

Techstars is a global ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to bring new technologies to market, wherever they choose to build their business. With numerous mentorship-driven accelerator programmes worldwide, Techstars exists to support the most promising entrepreneurs throughout their lifelong journey. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE 8 April 2018


Upcoming Application Deadlines for Lean in Europe Visits

The Lean in Europe (Driving Competitiveness) programme from the EU-Japan Centre offers visits to leading European factories to see world-class manufacturing principles in action - to inspire and help EU businesses to adopt best practice techniques. To find out more, click here  

DEADLINE: 6 and 13 April 2018 


£35m IUK Launches Digital Health Technology Catalyst 2018 Round Two Competition

The Digital Health Technology Catalyst is a £35 million competition, funded through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund over a four-year period. The UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK (IUK), has launched the second call of the Fund to support projects that develop new digital technology solutions to healthcare challenges. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE  18 April 2018


UK-South Korea Smart Energy Innovation Collaboration Competition  

The UK-South Korea Smart Energy Innovation Collaboration Competition allows UK companies and project teams to apply for a share of up to £3 million to develop innovative smart energy solutions on a collaborative basis with partner companies or organisations from the Republic of Korea (South Korea). To find out more, click here

DEADLINE for registrations is 26 April 2018


VOOM PITCH 2018 Opens to Entries with £1 Million in Prizes for the Best UK & Ireland Start-ups

Virgin Media Business is looking for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to Sir Richard Branson, giving them the chance to win various a share prizes from an overall pot of £1 million, coupled with valuable PR. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE 8 May 2018


£15m New fund to develop innovative ideas

Innovate UK has announced a new fund to support small and medium-sized businesses to develop innovative ideas. To compete for a share of the £15 million fund, applicants must demonstrate that their project is innovative and will lead to new products, processes or services. Projects must last from six months to three years and have total eligible costs of between £25,000 and £1 million. Innovate UK has also announced a £10 million fund for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which connect UK businesses with an academic or research organisation and a suitably qualified graduate to work on innovation projects. To find out more, click here

DEADLINE 9 May 2018.


Innovate UK Launches Second Medicines Manufacturing Challenge Fund Call

Innovate UK (IUK) is now accepting applications for the second round of the Medicines Manufacturing Challenge Fund; a £10 million competition funded through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) that will support innovative projects in medicines manufacturing solutions.Find out more, click here

DEADLINE 9 May 2018


Up to £150k grant for local community capital projects

One off grants scheme in 2018 to support Capital projects that will benefit local communities across the UK. Grants range from £30,000 – £150,000. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE 30 June 2018


Government Promotes Agri-tech Revolution with £90m for Transforming Food Production

UK businesses can make connections and find out about £90 million of investment to improve food and farming, as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Find out more, click here


€2.7 Billion in H2020 Research Funding for Information and Communication Technologies 

The 2018-2020 Industrial Leadership Information and Communication Technologies (LEIT) Work Programme covers ICT technology in a comprehensive way, covering technologies for Digitising European Industry, HPC, Big Data and Cloud, 5G and Next Generation Internet. Find out more, click here


£21m to boost UK’s world-class tech sector and spread the benefits across the country

The UK’s world-leading tech sector will go from strength-to-strength after plans unveiled today set out a £21 million investment to create a new national network of regional tech hubs in areas across the country, including Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Find out more, click here

 

 Business Awards

The National Family Business Awards

Are you a family business or know of a fantastic family-run company? Nominate in up to 3 categories for The National Family Business Awards 2018 here.

DEADLINE: 31 March 2018   


Launch of 2018 Sunny Art Award for Emerging and Established Artists

This fine art competition represents an opportunity for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work and gain recognition for their talents on a global level. Find out more, click here 

DEADLINE: 20 June 2018 


The Manufacturer MX Awards 2018

TMMX Awards is the biggest annual celebration in the industry’s calendar, attracting more than 1000 attendees. However, the awards are not just about the ceremony itself, they are the culmination of a rigorous programme designed to provide valuable business improvement advice and feedback from an expert panel of judges.To find out more, click here

DEADLINE: 22 June 2018


2018 Chamber Awards - Entries Now Invited (UK)

The Chamber Awards, which celebrate the success and achievements of businesses around the UK, are open to entries for 2018. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE 29 June 2018


 DXA’18 UK Digital Experience Awards

Recognising Digital Excellence and Innovation. Now open for Entries. Find out more, click here
Awards Finals: Thursday 12th July 2018, Wembley Hilton
 


 Launch of the 2018 Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA)

The annual Great British Entrepreneur Awards are intended to acknowledge and celebrate individual entrepreneurs within the commercial business world. The awards are made in order to boost talent that exists within businesses, rather than rewarding the company itself. Find out more, click here

DEADLINE : 3 August 2018


 Business Events

 Plymouth Workspace Week

Monday 19 March 2018 to Friday 23 March 2018 |  Plymouth 

Each business centre/serviced office/incubator/coworking space in Plymouth will be opening their doors to celebrate all that is great about flexible on-demand workspace in Britains Ocean City. Find out more, click here 


The Starting Post - Plymouth's Only Start-up Business Network

Tuesday 27 March | 5pm to 7pm | Plymouth  

Plymouth’s only start-up business network, the Starting Post is for people with a new business or those thinking about starting up. It is there to support the start-up community across all sectors.

To register click here 


Plymouth University - One Stop Ideas Shop

Tuesday 10 April | 1pm to 5pm | Plymouth University

The One Stop Ideas Shop provides a forum for individuals to talk through their inventions/business ideas in a confidential setting, receive face to face expert guidance to enable to them to understand how to protect them and explore any potential for business opportunity. To find out more or book click here


Innovate2succeed - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Thursday 12 April 2018 | 8.30am to 11.30am | Plymouth

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) is one of the most important changes to data privacy in 20 years. It's an act which will affect businesses of all shapes and sizes so make sure you're prepared.

To register, click here 


Innovate2succeed - Adding value for your customer (Plymouth) 

Thursday 19 April 2018 | 8.30am to 2pm | Plymouth    

Are you thinking about improving your business’ efficiency, designing new ways of working or want to be better at what you do?

To register, click here 


 China Workshop: Begin your China Trade Journey, Plymouth, 27 April 2018

Friday 27 April 2018 | 9am to 2pm | Plymouth Science Park

If China is on your agenda, make 2018 your year with this unmissable workshop! Sweeping headlines and macro-policies can sometimes make it hard for companies to understand how their offering fits into the China market, but with the right advice that really shouldn't be the case. Find out more, click here

To register, click here


You Can Export: How to get started masterclass - Torquay

Tuesday 1 May 2018 | 9.30am to 3.30pm | Torquay  

Are you an SME looking for new ways to grow your business? There is a whole world out there, so seize the opportunity today to learn how to access new markets and create an action plan to start selling overseas.

To register click here


Plymouth University – One Stop Ideas Shop

Tuesday 8 May | 8am to 12 noon | Plymouth University

The One Stop Ideas Shop provides a forum for individuals to talk through their inventions/business ideas in a confidential setting, receive face to face expert guidance to enable to them to understand how to protect them and explore any potential for business opportunity.

To find out more or book click here 


Devon Chamber of Commerce - Devon Business Show 2018

Wednesday 13 June 2018 | 9.30am to 4.30pm | Plymouth  

Devon Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the return of the Devon Business Show.  

To register click here  


 Marine Tech Expo 2018

Thursday 21 June 2018 | All Day Event | Plymouth

Marine Tech Expo 2018 showcases the vibrant marine sector, inspiring knowledge base, and excellent opportunities for collaboration present in Plymouth and the wider South West.

Register here to obtain tickets.


Plymouth Armed Forces Day - Plymouth Hoe

Saturday 30 June 2018 | All Day event  

This hugely popular family-fun event promises a packed line-up.We have advertising opportunities within the official event programme, which may be of interest to you. The 32 page, full colour programme is A5 size, with a 20,000 print run, and is also available as a digital guide which will go onto our website click here and is supported by our social media channels and network of partners.

To advertise your business please email sara.tapp@plymouth.gov.uk


Learn business skills with Prince’s Trust Online 

Want to gain the skills you need to set up your own business? Sign up to Prince’s Trust Online, and learn at your own pace with dedicated support along the way. Join Prince’s Trust Online today and, through a mix of videos, articles, and interactive content.

To get signed up click here

 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

 Department for International Trade

This is the central hub for business and networking opportunities. Search for future events and missions; register online and network with fellow delegates.

Find out more, click here 


USEFUL GUIDES

 

ICO: Preparing for the GDPR - 12 steps to take now

Access the ICO's 12 step plan to ensure your business is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which, despite Brexit, is here to stay.

Find out more, click here


 Information for your Potential Workforce

All you need to know when looking to live and work in Plymouth, Britain's Ocean City. For the online brochure click here For video click here 


Startup skills made simple

Join other entrepreneurs gaining the skills to start, grow or join a digital business

Find out more, click here


Made Smarter Review 

An industry-led review exploring how UK manufacturing can maximise benefits from increasing adoption of digital technology through a strong industry and government partnership.

Find out more, click here 

 


 

PROPERTY

 

British Heart

95 Mutley Plain

Size: 707 sq ft

Rent: £22.63 per SF

Status: Available to rent

Address: 95 Mutley Plain, Plymouth. PL4 6JJ


PROCUREMENT

Plymouth City Council is open for business, so if you are a supplier and want to find out more about how to do business with the Council, please click here.

To find out more about opportunities the Council is advertising, please register with our regional Procurement Portal at www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk. The Portal is used by Plymouth and nearly 30 other Councils across the region to market opportunities in accordance with their local Policies.

If you are interested in selling to the wider Public Sector you may be interested in the following web page: https://www.gov.uk/tendering-for-public-sector-contracts where you can find out more information and search for other Public Sector opportunities through Contracts Finder. 


BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP PROGRAMME

Whether you’re just starting out, or an established business looking for practical business advice, we are offering free one hour business information, advice and guidance sessions at City Business Park every month for business owners looking to grow. To find out more and to book, please email sam.snowdon@plymouth.gov.uk


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