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Please find below an overview of the latest business advice and guidance, as well as events and funding streams. In today's newsletter you will find news and updates on:
- Additional Restrictions Grant available for Plymouth businesses
- Book your place now for the Sustainable Tourism Conference 2022
- Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Freelance Events & Engagement Opportunity
- Plymouth Boost: the free digital upskilling programme for SMEs to conclude on March 31
- Third phase of Central Park improvements funded
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships business information sessions
- £250,000 in green travel grants up for grabs for local businesses
- Based in Plymouth and about to start your business or wanting some help to move your business forward?
- Latest news from Plymouth Science Park
- New partnership with employers to help jobseekers
- Events
- Funding streams
If you have any specific concerns or are in need of support, please contact us.
Plymouth businesses that have been affected by the Omicron variant will soon be able to apply for grant funding.
The next round of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) administered by Plymouth City Council will offer grants of £1,500.
Applications will open at 9am on Monday 14 February on the Plymouth City Council website. These will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis, so businesses are urged to apply as quickly as possible.
The application process will close once all the grants have been claimed. In the unlikely event that not all grants are claimed, the final deadline for applications will be 7 March.
Find out more here
Don’t miss the chance to find out how you can make your business sustainable and reduce carbon emissions to benefit your customers and your bottom line.
Grants are available for Plymouth tourism, leisure, culture and hospitality businesses. The programme, a partnership between Green Tourism and Destination Plymouth, will be launched at the virtual Sustainable Tourism Conference on Monday 14 February. You will be able to learn more about how to become accredited and hear from leading specialists in carbon reduction, ocean plastics and more.
Hear from guest speakers:
- Amanda Lumley, Chief Executive of Destination Plymouth
- Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council
- Roger Maslin, CEO at The Ocean Conservation Trust
- Andrea Nicholas, CEO and Founder at Green Tourism
- Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, Cabinet Member for Environment
- Adrian Vinken, Chair of Destination Plymouth
- Richard Thompson, Prof. of Marine Biology from the University of Plymouth
- Mitch Tonks, Founder and CEO of Rockfish Group
Followed by a virtual breakout session where you can hear from:
- Nicola Bridge, Head of Ocean Advocacy & Engagement at the National Marine Aquarium / Ocean Conservation Trust
- Neil Warren, Green Edge Training
- James Kay, Owner of The Mariners Guest House in Plymouth
- Paul Gilbert, SWMAS
The conference is 100% virtual and includes keynote speakers, virtual breakout rooms and links to a host of sustainable tools and information.
Businesses that sign up will be given support to help them reach their sustainability goals, with the aim of gaining the internationally recognised Green Tourism Standard. There is nothing to pay for the first year if signed up before 30 June 2022, and successful partner businesses will also benefit from preferential annual fees in years two and three.
Here in Plymouth - Britain's Ocean City we aim to be a leading destination for sustainable tourism, and the protection of our environment, both green and blue.
Thanks to funding from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund given to the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, administered by Destination Plymouth and Plymouth City Council, the first 100 Plymouth businesses to apply for the scheme will receive the first year of Green Tourism membership for free, with discounted fees for the following two years.
Find out more here
Plymouth City Council is seeking a dynamic Producer and public engagement specialist to work with them on the launch events for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and the delivery of the SailGP engagement and sustainability programmes.
The council is looking for a freelance contractor to work with them through an action packed 6 months to deliver these projects on the ground and engage the widest diversity of audiences with these two important programmes.
See the information pack here for more information.
Find out more here
Do you feel the changes in digital technology are happening at too fast a pace? Or are you or your team in need of a little top up, a friendly exchange or a refresh of your digital marketing and sale skills?
Then Plymouth Boost, the new digital upskilling programme delivered by a team of digital experts at Cosmic is here to help.
Run in partnership with Plymouth City Council and designed with small and micro businesses in mind, the programme offers a series of free digital training workshops and one-to-one sessions, presented in a friendly and collaborative way, to help your business reach new customers, increase online sales, promote its brand digitally and gain a competitive advantage in 2022.
Here’s a selection of a taster series of workshops coming up early in the New Year for you to join:
To learn more, explore other available topics and secure your place visit Cosmic’s Eventbrite page. Alternatively email the Support team on planning@cosmic.org.uk or call 0330 088 3005.
Please note: this initiative is only available until March 31 2022 and is open to any business based in Plymouth.
Plymouth businesses! Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint and help achieve net zero? Do you want to positively influence the way your colleagues travel by providing sustainable transport facilities? Our Workplace Travel Grants might be able to help.
Businesses are being offered the opportunity to bid for match-funded grants of up to £25,000 to pay for measures that help staff travel more sustainably to, from and at work.
Launched in October 2020, the programme has already benefitted 36 companies, with more than £430,000 in grants and business contributions being invested in schemes that encourage more trips to be made by sustainable transport. Improved shower facilities, cycle parking, electric vehicle charge points and staff pool bikes are just some of the measures funded so far.
Applications for the 2022/23 grants will be accepted until Friday 30 September and schemes need to be delivered by March 2023.
Find out more here
Plymouth’s Central Park is set for yet more investment over the next 18 months.
The park, which since 2017 has benefitted from a range of new facilities and upgrades, will now benefit from an extra £3 million.
The money will go towards the third phase of park improvements, including a network of ponds and features to capture rainwater near the pond at the Barn Park Road entrance.
The plans, recently revised and resubmitted for planning permission, show brand new ponds with new plants and vegetation. A swale - a shallow ditch to capture water run-off – will also be added to allow nature to help reduce localised flooding and form part of a Sustainable Drainage System.
Also in the plans are repairs to drains and paths as well as the addition of a number of new trees near Pounds House to help contribute to improved air quality and increase biodiversity in the park.
Find out more here
These online events will show how different businesses can benefit from a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project and also explore other services for business that are available from the University.
Discover how to use KTP to harness business growth but also to find out more about different ways to work with the University of Plymouth.
Designed to be quick, informative, relevant and useful in terms of future collaborative and innovative business opportunities.
- If you have an idea for your business but do not have all the in-house expertise needed to develop it, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership may be the answer.
- Could you benefit from access to their world leading research or facilities?
- Could a Plymouth graduate or student help your business?
University of Plymouth are here to guide you through their business support options, and look forward to meeting you.
Find out more here
Outset Enterprise Coaching is delivering a fully funded support programme combining webinars, online learning resources and 1:1’s for individuals who are thinking about starting a business and for existing businesses too - covering business strategy, marketing and finance.
Click here for our latest training webinars.
Ready to start your business?
Come along to our new weekly Friday Start-up Club. Meet the team and be in the company of other like minded individuals and entrepreneurs to get the final push and your business over the line!
Book your place here
Email enterprisecoaching@outset.org for more information on the range of support that is currently available.
Check out the latest news from Plymouth Science Park:
DWP has launched Way to Work, a new campaign aiming to get 500,000 jobseekers into work by the end of June.
Way to Work will offer jobseekers tailored support from work coaches to help their chances of finding work, and give employers named advisers in local jobcentres to help fill vacancies.
DWP is also engaging directly with employers across sectors such as construction, social care, and transport and logistics to organise over 350 jobs fairs across every region in the coming months.
Full details are in the press release on GOV.UK.
Do you know somebody who is ready to step forward, make a change, and take it on?
Birmingham Commonwealth Games need 2,022 Batonbearers, each with inspiring stories, to take on the special experience of carrying the Queen’s Baton through England in summer 2022.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel to every region in England, before arriving at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022.
To nominate, access the link below and write how your nominee is making a difference in their community and why they deserve to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Let’s take it on, together. Nominate a local hero to be a Batonbearer in England.
The deadline for nominations is Monday 14 February at 11.59pm.
Find out more here
For further information on the latest events, visit Invest Plymouth's event page.
If you have a Plymouth event you'd like promoted, you can submit your own events here
Destination Plymouth Sustainable Tourism Conference 2022
Destination Plymouth | Online | 14 February
Join us as we launch the city's first 'Green Tourism' scheme. Find out how you can become involved to help make your business sustainable and reduce carbon emissions to benefit your customers and your bottom line. Grants are available for tourism, leisure, culture and hospitality businesses find out how to apply to become accredited. Hear from leading specialists in carbon reduction, ocean plastics and more.
Find out more here
How SMEs Can Utilise Social Media
Resurgam Charter (PCC) | Online | 15 February
Delivered by Scott Grenney of Eddystone Media, this workshop will offer practical advice and tools to boost your online business presence. There will be opportunities to ask questions and receive bespoke advice during the sessions.
Find out more here
Construction Employment Support
Building Plymouth | Online | 17 February
We invite construction colleagues to a virtual session to share information about the free support and help available to you, on a local, regional and national level so that you are best informed about taking next steps.
Find out more here
Spillover
The Bridge | Online | 17 February
As part of the iMayflower programme, bringing together key stakeholders from the creative and cultural industries and Higher Education, the University of Plymouth have launched the second edition of Spillover, an event exploring the opportunities and challenges of working across traditional boundaries to tackle the climate crisis.
Find out more here
How to Approach and Engage with Larger Businesses: A Guide for SMEs
Resurgam Charter (PCC) | Online | 22 February
By the end of this one hour session, you will know how to approach and engage with larger businesses. There will be opportunities to ask questions and receive advice during the session.
Find out more here
Marine Autonomy in the South West of England: Opportunities for Investment
DIT | Online | 2 March
The Department for International Trade (DIT) and partners in the South West of England invite you to the “Tap into a growing £103bn marine autonomy global market: design, test, validate and manufacture your automation technologies to meet demand in offshore wind, defence, aquaculture and shipping industries” webinar.
Find out more here
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships business information sessions
University of Plymouth | Online | 3, 10 March
These online events will show how different businesses can benefit from a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project and also explore other services for business that are available from the University.
Find out more here
Plymouth Startup Weekend, Culture and Tourism Edition
University of Plymouth | Online | 11 to 13 March
A startup weekend is a 3-day programme designed for those who want to learn how to start their own business by taking a raw idea from concept to creation.
Find out more here
Outset Business Support workshops
Outset | Online | Multiple dates
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.
Find out more here
Digital Boost Plymouth
Cosmic | Online | Multiple dates
Digital Boost Plymouth offers free, fully funded digital skills training to all businesses based in the Plymouth City Council area, until March 31 2022.
A broad range of high-quality, digital skills training is available right now.
Future workshops include:
- 1 Mar – Understanding GDPR & Cyber Security
- 17 Mar – Instagram: Next Steps
- 23 Mar – Facebook: Next Steps
Find out more here
SWMAS - Make it Net Zero
SWMAS | Online | Multiple dates
SWMAS design, deliver, and support Net Zero events, workshops, and training opportunities that are tailored to meet the needs of manufacturers - and for small and medium-sized manufacturers across the South West, the cost can be fully funded through their range of support programmes.
Find out more here
Diversity in Business
BIPC Devon | Online | Multiple dates
Whether you are a sole trader, employer or employee, you need to consider how you communicate in business. Our Diversity in Business Programme will help you to improve your business environment, communication, hiring practices, and relationships with others.
Find out more here
Hip Hop Antidote
Street Factory CIC | Multiple dates
Free 23-week programme of mentoring and workshops to rebuild yourself, confidence and life, which will help;
- Advance equity
- Develop confidence and motivation
- Provide educational & employment opportunities
- Support people to feel more connected with their families, friends and the wider community
Find out more here
Round 2 of the Devon Net Zero Innovation Fund
Now open for applications from businesses and academics working together. We are looking to make just five awards of £7,500 per collaboration, which must be used to buy academic time (and some related consumables) to work with the company to develop a new low carbon product or service. It is intended to be seed funding – to potentially lead to a larger funding bid at the end of the collaboration.
The £7,500 itself can be used to buy out researcher/academic time, to directly employ a research assistant or research fellow, or simply increase an existing colleague’s hours; we want this to be as flexible as possible (projects to be completed by the end of November 2022). Up to 25% of the budget can be allocated to related consumable costs within the University.
The deadline for entries is Thursday 21 March.
Find out more here
SHAKE Climate Change Programme Reopens for Food and Agri Firms
The SHAKE Climate Change programme is designed to attract entrepreneurs or start-ups that have developed early stage science or tech-based ideas that can have a significant impact on climate change. The programme will also form the basis of a sustainable and socially responsible business within the agri-food (farming and food) sector.
The aim is to make agriculture part of the climate solution, not just a problem. Ideas can relate to any point in the food production chain, which contributes more than a quarter of global climate change emissions.
Over its lifespan, 15 successful ventures will each receive up to a total of £140,000, provided as a convertible interest-free loan. They will also receive two years’ high-quality training and mentoring from leading experts in business and science, to help further develop their ventures.
The scheme is now open for applications for Cohort 4. The deadline to apply is Friday 13 May 2022.
Find out more here
Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs Relaunched for 2022
The competition is open to disabled entrepreneurs on the management team, and with ownership, of any for-profit business in the UK. The applicant company must have filed accounts with UK Companies House showing a turnover (Revenues) in one year of at least £5,000.
Prize money totalling £60,000 will be available in 2022. There are three prizes: £30,000; £20,000; and £10,000. The money is to be reinvested in the winners’ businesses. Winners can spend this money however they choose.
The 2022 Awards are now open to applications and the overall winner will receive their grand prize at an online Awards Ceremony via Zoom on Monday 13 June 2022.
The deadline for entries is Wednesday 20 April 2022.
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