Welcome to the February edition of the Economic Development newsletter for 2020. Like all editions, we aim to provide the busy reader with summaries of empirical work carried out by the PCC Economic Development Teams and interconnected city wide activities and events. This newsletter will address some of the rich set of topical issues across all sectors, what’s more, celebrate the rich achievements and value that businesses and organisations like you bring to Britain’s Ocean City.
Your feedback is always appreciated, if you have any news, views or would like to review the newsletter then please do contact the team by emailing: invest@plymouth.gov.uk
Source: EFC / Eventbrite | Published: 21 January 2020
Employers for carers - Plymouth’s first carers business networking event: Supporting carers at work makes business sense 1 in 9 in your workforce will be caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill. The number of carers in the UK is set to increase by 50% to 9.1m by 2037. Plymouth’s first working carers business networking event, organised by The Carers Partnership Board in Plymouth in conjunction with Employers for Carers of Carers UK will take place on Tuesday, March 10th, 4-7pm. To find out more click here
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Source: SSW | Published: 4 February 2020
Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) is a programme developed to upskill employees within small and medium-sized businesses in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. SSW provides recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance your employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of your business and boost the local economy. SW also offers training for individuals at risk of redundancy or recently made redundant. Contact the SSW team for more information or visit our website. To find out more click here or email skillssupport@serco.com
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Source: GOV.UK | Published 16 January 2020
Businesses can apply for a share of up to £37 million to support projects that look at ways to radically reduce waste from plastic packaging. Competition information for early-stage projects: the competition opened on 13 January 2020, and the deadline for applications is on 1 April 2020; businesses of any size may apply but projects must include at least 1 SME; projects could range in size between £30,000 and £100,000. To find out more about sustainable plastic packaging funding click here For more funding opportunities click here
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Source: Invest Plymouth | 27 January 2020
A revolutionary design for the future of renewable energy is being developed by a firm based at Plymouth Science Park. Frontier Technical is designing a new way of deploying the structural components needed to build an offshore windfarm – its aim is to use controllable ‘float modules’ to construct a floating turbine base underwater with less cost and less hassle. To find out more click here
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Source: Devon & Plymouth Chamber | Published: 29 January 2020
This spectacular black-tie event will take you back in time by welcoming in the spring with an evening full of style and elegance, and a celebration of our members' success stories. Date and venue: Friday 24th April, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EL. To find out more click here
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We are pleased to announce that we have a new functionality on our Invest Plymouth website, where you can add your own business-focussed events to the website for no charge, to help with promotion of your event. We invite all those with relevant events to start submitting! Find out more and submit your events here
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Source: GOV.UK | Published: 6 February 2020
The Department of International Trade (DIT) launched an online consultation seeking businesses views on: simplifying and tailoring the tariff to suit UK businesses. The online consultation will be open for four weeks until 5 March 2020. The hope is that the new ‘UK Global Tariff’ will ensure UK businesses compete on fair terms with the rest of the world. This in turn should then help to make it easier to trade, drive investment and deliver more quality jobs across the UK. Your views matter. To find our more click here
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Source: HMRC | Published: 10 February 2020
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has extended the deadline for businesses to apply for customs support funding. The scheme, first announced in September 2019, had been due to close at the end of last month. To date, applications have been made for around £18.5 million out of a possible £26 million, meaning there is at least £7.5 million left to claim from HMRC. During the transition period following the UK’s departure from the EU – from 1 February to 31 December 2020 – there will be no change to the way businesses trade with the EU. Businesses that complete customs declarations now have until 31 January 2021. To find out more click here For more funding opportunities click here
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Source: Invest Plymouth | Published: 12 February 2020
Plymouth is hosting its third Marine Tech Expo, designed to demonstrate the South Coast's marine credentials to the world during the Mayflower 400 commemorations. The event will bring together the decision makers, innovators and enterprises involved in the latest advances in marine technology. Following the success of previous Marine Tech Expo events in 2016 and 2018, this 2020 event will focus its attention on Autonomous Applications and Sustainable Marine technologies, showcasing innovation and research from an inspiring line up of experts and contributors. The Marine Tech Expo is supported by Oceansgate, Plymouth City Council, Turnchapel Wharf and the Marine Business Technology Centre. To find out more and book tickets click here
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Source: Invest Plymouth | Published: 6th February 2020
A new project hopes to give more than 350 disadvantaged children in Plymouth an exciting and unique opportunity. PWP have teamed up with The Island Trust, Sailing Tectona, the Lynher Barge, and the Bounty Project to run the adventurous sailing sessions. The four organisations have seven vessels between them, which will undertake daily voyages in Plymouth Sound during the Mayflower Ocean Festival. In order to make the project a reality, PWP and their partners need to raise £50,000. To find out more click here You can support this project by donating online at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/spirit-of-adventure.
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Source: Outset Enterprise Coaching | Published: 12 February 2020
Outset Enterprise Coaching delivers a full support programme combining modular business workshops, rich online learning resources and 1:1 support. It’s open to all Plymouth residents, and fully funded by Plymouth City Council and the European Regional Development Fund. To find out more about the events in April; follow these links click Introduction to Self-Employment , Introduction to Marketing and Introduction to Finance and Business Funding
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Source: Heart of the South West Growth Hub | Published: 19 February 2020
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub is offering support for businesses in Devon and Somerset to help them understand the impact of leaving the EU on exporting and importing. The clinics are suitable for companies that are engaged in international trade or are involved in international supply chains, and will provide one-to-one advice. The export clinics are taking place at: North Devon Plus, Bideford on 6th March. Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth on 4th and 9th March, Somerset Chamber of Commerce, Taunton on 3rd and 11th March. The clinics offer a one-hour slot per business, and must be booked in advance. To book your place, email Linda@internationaltradematters.com
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Source: Institute of Tourist Guiding | Published: 17 February 2020
A rare opportunity has arisen to train and qualify as a professional Devon and Cornwall Blue Badge Tourist Guide. The Prospectus together with an Application Form can also be obtained on request by emailing training@ptgtraining.co.uk Applications are now being accepted and it is anticipated that interviews for a place on the course will be in April, with an Introductory weekend in June before lectures begin in September. Alternatively the documents can be downloaded directly from the 'Courses Running' page on the Institute of Tourist Guiding website
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Business Relationship Programme
Whether you are just starting out, or an established business looking for practical business advice, we are offering free one hour business information, advice and guidance sessions for business owners looking to grow. To find out more and to book, please email invest@plymouth.gov.uk
A wealth of fully funded (yes free!), specialist support is available to businesses in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay with aspirations to become the ScaleUp businesses of tomorrow.
We have categorised this support by the main challenges facing ScaleUp and aspiring ScaleUp businesses. To find out more click here
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Attending overseas trade shows can promote your business overseas. Exporters can attend TAP's selected events, and get financial support to offset some costs. To find out more click here.
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Are you looking for new business premises? Have you outgrown your current premises? PCC’s Economic Development Team has access to a property search tool and is able to produce property reports based on your search criteria. This can give you an insight into market availability and costs and provides contact details for you to follow up with the relevant agent. Contact the team at invest@plymouth.gov.uk for more information.
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