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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:
- SailGP wins Gold & how your business can get involved
- New exhibition at The Box offers fresh responses to the Mayflower
- Work starts on Harbour Arch Quay in Sutton Harbour
- Economic and Social impact of University of Plymouth revealed in new report
- Fiver Fest is back with tempting £5 offers across Plymouth
- Rockfish first Plymouth business to sign up to Green Tourism programme
- College students getting involved in city food festival
- Mutley Plain gets makeover
- Digital jobs fair launched to connect employers with local talent
- Plymouth Science Park welcomes renewable energy innovators Eco-Plug to the Park
- Views please on possible changes to licensing rules in city centre
- UK Tradeshow Programme
- Reminder to apply for Omicron Hospitality and Leisure business grant
- Celebrating the success of the AWE programme
- Outset Enterprise Coaching
- Plymouth Pirates Weekend Sponsorship Opportunities
- New Inclusive Economy Fund to support Plymouth projects
- Events
- Funding streams
If you have any specific concerns or are in need of support, please contact us.
We're excited to announce that last year's SailGP event in Plymouth won Gold in the 'Tourism event/festival of the year' at the Visit Devon Tourism Awards yesterday.
Plymouth’s hosting of the epic Great Britain Sail Grand Prix helped put £6.9 million into the cash tills and bank accounts of city businesses, as well as many other successes:
- an estimated 27,500 spectators – both ticketed and non-ticketed enjoyed the spectacle
- 6,270 people watched from the ticketed Waterfront Viewing area on Plymouth Hoe
- More than 1,000 boats signed up to the ‘Bring your own Boat’ programme, to view from the water
- Visitors came from 10 countries with COVID restrictions clearly having an impact on travel
- Spectator satisfaction was sky high: 97 per cent were positive about the overall experience and thought that hosting SailGP was a good thing for Plymouth
- Global media coverage of the event was seen across 175 territories with a dedicated TV audience of 2.6 million
- 1,800 online press articles and 297 TV news segments featured the event in Plymouth
- 120 local young people enjoyed sailing experiences thanks to the Inspire programme and a legacy programme with local sailing organisations ensured the event had a long-term impact, offering a further 480 on-water experiences to young people from Plymouth.
Get involved in SailGP 2022
Adrenaline is set to be pumping throughout Plymouth Sound next July, as SailGP, the world’s most exciting racing on-water returns to the city.
SailGP will host its Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth for the second year running, following the bumper event in 2021.
The thrilling racing is set to take place on 30 and 31 July 2022. Plymouth is one of the initial eight locations confirmed on the line-up for SailGP Season 3, which also includes stops in Bermuda, Chicago, Saint-Tropez and Dubai.
We want to make sure that this is not only a valuable event for those that visit Plymouth, but for all of us in Plymouth too. Making sure there is ‘wind in your businesses sails’ before, during and long after SailGP hits the sound.
Involvement and engagement are key to the success of your business benefiting from SailGP’s two-day event, and with that in mind, here are the first in many ways that your business can unlock value from this thrilling close to shore yacht racing event.
View the SailGP Business Engagement Pack
A new exhibition which has just opened at The Box, Plymouth showcases new responses to the Mayflower story and highlights how some of our most historic craft practices have endured across the centuries.
‘Another Crossing – Artists Revisit the Mayflower Voyage’ is a transatlantic collaboration between Plymouth College of Art, The Box and the Fuller Craft Museum in Massachusetts. This will be its only showing in the UK.
The exhibition brings ten different artists from the UK, USA, the Wampanoag nation and Holland together. Each artist has created new work that responds to the far-reaching consequences of the Mayflower’s sailing using only tools, materials and processes that existed in 1620. Works on display include beadwork, joinery, metalsmithing, leatherwork and pottery.
‘Another Crossing – Artists Revisit the Mayflower Voyage’ is on display at The Box until Sunday 5 June. Exhibition opening hours are 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays. Admission is free and there’s no need to book in advance.
Leading craft academics and students from Plymouth College of Art will also lead a dedicated Study Day linked to the exhibition on Wednesday 4 May.
Find out more here
Work has started on a unique development of waterfront apartments overlooking Plymouth’s historic harbour and marina, offering luxury living opportunities in Britain’s Ocean City.
Harbour Arch Quay will be a striking new addition to the Sutton Harbour waterfront with a limited collection of 14 two and three bed apartments, including two penthouses, enjoying views over Sutton Harbour Marina and Plymouth Sound. Alongside the ground floor entry, there is space for a commercial unit, such as a restaurant/café.
The development of Harbour Arch Quay is pivotal step forward in the regeneration of Plymouth’s historic harbourfront being led by Sutton Harbour Group, with further development to follow such as the much larger Sugar Quay complex.
Sugar Quay, a £60 million, 21-storey landmark building on the eastern side of the harbour, will offer 170 apartments, restaurants and shops, and was recently unanimously approved backed by Plymouth City Council’s planning committee, subject to suitable provision of disabled parking being confirmed.
The Harbour Arch Quay and Sugar Quay developments will further transform the city’s famous waterfront, regenerating the long-overlooked east side, creating improvements to the public realm that will enhance this area of the harbourside and make it more accessible and welcoming for residents of Plymouth, visitors and tourists.
Find out more here
The University of Plymouth generates almost £820m of output for the national economy and provides nearly 9,500 jobs through its economic activities and the impact of student and visitor spending.
A newly-published independent socioeconomic report has revealed the institution also contributes £444m to national GDP (gross domestic product) and £53m in export earnings and has a profound impact upon economies at all levels in the South West.
The report, undertaken by Viewforth Consulting, analyses the University’s impact during the 2019/20 academic year, both through its direct economic activity and that of its students, as well as secondary benefits generated through the supply chain.
It found that:
- the University generated £772m of output for the South West economy, including £280m from student expenditure, with 9,018 jobs dependent upon this activity
- 6,233 of those jobs related to the University’s activities in Devon, with £530m of output and £305m of Gross Value Added (GVA)
- in the City of Plymouth, 5,288 jobs are generated by the University – equivalent to 4.7% of all Plymouth employment – with £443m of output and £263m of GVA
- in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the University supported £51m of output and generated almost 600 jobs
- and the University’s international students were responsible for 68% of the total £35m spending of all international visitors to Plymouth in 2019.
Find out more here
Plymouth shoppers and visitors are in for a treat as the Totally Locally Fiver Fest comes to the city centre from tomorrow (12 March) and runs until 26 March.
More than 100 towns and thousands of businesses across the UK are joining together to bring you a huge variety of £5 offers to highlight the contribution to the economy that local shops and businesses bring. It is also an opportunity for those businesses to say thank you to their loyal customers who have supported them through the pandemic.
The Plymouth campaign is organised and promoted by the Plymouth City Centre Company and you can find out more and view all the offers on the Shop4Plymouth website.
The website and its Shop4Plymouth social media channels were initially set up by the City Centre Company, Plymouth City Council and the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership in response to the COVID lockdowns. With more than 400 businesses now listed, it forms part of our #GeddonPlymouth Shop Local campaign.
Independent businesses in Plymouth can still join in if they are quick by signing up here
Find out more here
Plymouth’s Rockfish seafood restaurant is committing to a more environmentally friendly future, as the first business to sign up to a new sustainable tourism programme offered by Destination Plymouth and Green Tourism.
The programme gives businesses support to reach their sustainability goals, with the aim of gaining the internationally recognised Green Tourism Standard and supporting Plymouth’s ambition for a more sustainable future as the home of the UK’s first National Marine Park.
Rockfish, owned by award winning restaurateur, fishmonger and food writer Mitch Tonks, is located on the edge of Sutton Harbour and prides itself on serving the highest quality local, sustainable seafood that’s prepared freshly each day.
The Green Tourism programme includes training and support to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, waste and use of plastics, develop sustainable ‘travel to work’ plans, and how to reduce their energy consumption or change to renewable sources.
The free Green Tourism programme is available for tourism, hospitality, leisure or culture businesses located within the PL1 to PL11 postcode area, or that are a member of Destination Plymouth.
Find out more here
Students at City College Plymouth will be getting valuable hands-on experience at this year’s Flavour Fest, as the College signs up to be an official partner of the festival.
College students from a variety of different courses will be given an opportunity to work at the festival which takes place in Plymouth city centre on 27 to 29 May.
Flavour Fest is the South West’s largest free food and drink festival and returns this year for the first time since 2019, due to the pandemic.
A chef lecturer from City College Plymouth will host a demonstration on the Chef Stage focusing on healthy eating on a budget, whilst professional cookery students will be assisting behind-the-scenes, helping to prep food and equipment for demonstrations. The College also will have its own stall, serving up a number of delicious and nutritious dishes.
As one of the city’s biggest events, Flavour Fest offers lots of opportunities for students from other academic areas to get involved too. Business students will support with event management, the carpentry team will be building bespoke directional signage and music and dance courses will provide live entertainment throughout the weekend.
Find out more here
One of Plymouth oldest shopping precincts is getting an exciting makeover.
Mutley Plain, is once again re-establishing itself as a thriving independent quarter, with numerous new businesses basing themselves along this busy road.
An extensive cleaning programme has already commenced and the VIP treatment will include a full power wash of the pavements on both sides of the road from the Hyde Park pub, right up to North Hill. There will also be new bins, complete with recycling facilities.
New seating will also be installed and the historic benches outside the Swarthmore Adult Education Centre will be temporarily removed, refurbished and then reinstalled.
Meanwhile, over the course of two weeks, all of the street lighting will be improved with fairy-lighting hung between lamp posts to brighten up the night time atmosphere. Lamp post-mounted flags will also give the Plain a little more colour.
New welcome signs will also be installed at either end of the Plain.
The Mutley Plain makeover is being paid for by the EU Welcome Back fund, a pot of money available to encourage people back to their local high street following the pandemic.
Find out more here
The government-funded Train4Tomorrow programme is running a Digital Jobs Fair on Wednesday 16 March 2022, to connect employers with local adults who have recently completed a digital bootcamp to gain in-demand skills.
The free-to-attend jobs fair will give employers the opportunity to talk to the 250 learners who have been invited. The learners have invested in their skills and successfully completed an intensive 12-16 week bootcamp in areas including cyber, IT, programming, app development, digital marketing, and agile project management.
Local employers are invited to have their own virtual table at the fair, where they can showcase their business, promote vacancies, and meet with potential candidates. There will also be opportunities to hear from inspiring keynote speakers within the tech industry and beyond.
To find out more about the jobs fair, and to register to have a virtual table, visit https://www.bitpoweredevents.com/
To find out more about Train4Tomorrow, visit www.train4tomorrow.org.uk
Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of Plymouth Science Park’s ethos, and this month the Park is delighted to welcome renewable energy specialists, Eco-Plug, to the community of forward-thinking businesses based at the Park.
Eco-Plug, one of the UK’s first online solar stores offers a range of solar options to customers. The firm was established by renewable energy specialists Jordan Jones and Oliver Crutchley who, after years of experience in the sales of renewable energy, identified a growing need for honest and transparent renewable energy sales. Eco-Plug aims to offer a transparent way to shop for renewable energy online by offering fixed prices.
Find out more here
Pub-goers, businesses and residents are being asked for their thoughts on possible changes to licensing rules in and around the City Centre.
Devon and Cornwall police want to expand the area covered by the cumulative impact policy to include the City Centre in addition to the five areas which are already covered by the policy: Mutley, North Hill, Stoke, Barbican and Union Street (including Derry’s Cross).
Anyone operating premises or organising events that include the sale or supply of alcohol or late night refreshments (hot food or drink to the public between 11pm and 5am on any day), must have a licence.
The policy affects licensed businesses and puts the onus on a person or company applying for a licence to prove that their new business would not lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.
The consultation starts 10 March and goes on until June 2.
Find out more here
The UK Tradeshow Programme offers government support to help UK businesses attend or exhibit at overseas trade shows effectively.
UK businesses that are currently exporting can apply for support to:
- exhibit at or attend approved overseas trade shows and conferences
- potentially receive grants to cover some costs
UK businesses can also apply for support if they’re thinking about exporting but are not currently doing so.
Attending or exhibiting at overseas trade shows can help you gain essential market knowledge and increase your:
- company’s brand awareness amongst overseas buyers
- business sales by securing new customers
Find out more here
Hospitality, accommodation and leisure businesses in Plymouth still have time apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant, with grants of up to £6,000 available.
Applications will close on 18 March. Please remember to check the eligibility criteria.
Find out more and apply here
Applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant has now closed.
The Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE) programme has now come to an end, after more than three years of supporting women looking to start their own business. AWE are delighted to report that the programme exceeded its key targets including:
- Creating over 50 hours of new learning content to help disadvantaged female entrepreneurs start their businesses
- Training over 600 women in face to face workshops as well as online bootcamps and training sessions
- Enabling more than 80 new enterprises to start, despite COVID
- Developing a bank of over 200 mentors and matching over 180 mentees with these mentors
- Conducting and publishing new research on women's entrepreneurship
AWE has applied for funding to continue the programme for another year and will keep you posted on any news in the next month or so.
Find out more here
Based in Plymouth and about to start your business or wanting some help to move your existing business forward?
Outset is delivering fully funded support in the city featuring webinars, online learning resources and 1:1’s with local specialist advisors for individuals who are thinking about or ready to start a business along with support for existing early stage businesses too - across business strategy, digital marketing and finance.
Email: enterprisecoaching@outset.org for more information on all of the support that is currently available.
Ready to start your business?
Come along to our weekly Friday Start-up Club. Meet the team and network with other like minded entrepreneurs ready to get started and also hear from business owners and partners on what they've learned along the way!
Book your place here
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership is giving you the opportunity to sponsor the award-winning Plymouth Pirates Weekend taking place on 7 and 8 May this year.
Aimed at families and children, we are expecting an estimated 18,000 visitors to enjoy all the event has to offer. There will be a packed programme of pirate themed entertainment including children’s activities, a treasure trail, sea shanty bands, a tall ship and water pursuits.
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership has a range of sponsorship opportunities available at this fantastic event. For more details, please click here for the sponsorship pack.
Please email: vicky.gunston@plymouth.gov.uk if you have any questions
A new ‘Inclusive Economy Fund’ will provide financial support, including equity investment and loans, to social economy organisations in Plymouth.
Plymouth City Council has made the decision to create the new fund by merging two existing funding sources: the Social Enterprise Investment Fund (created in 2015) and the Co-ops and Mutual Fund (created in 2019) into one.
With its new structure, the fund will be more flexible and able to support economic recovery when it’s required.
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
Cruise Ambassadors Open Day
Destination Plymouth | New Continental Hotel | 16 March
2022 is set to be a bumper year for cruise visits to Plymouth and as a result, more volunteers are needed to help showcase all that the city has to offer.
Destination Plymouth and the Cruise Ambassador Volunteer team are holding an open day where local people with an interest and passion in Plymouth can come along to find out more about what’s involved in being a representative.
Find out more here
Film Plymouth Crew Night
Film Plymouth | Market Hall | 17 March
Film Plymouth in partnership with the Filming in England team at Creative England are hosting a South West regional crew night to celebrate the launch of the newly established Film Office service in the city.
All crew and experience levels are welcome to attend and there will be opportunity to network for the remainder of the evening to build further industry contacts and view the demonstration of content in the immersive dome.
Find out more here
Access to Finance Webinar Series
Growth Hub / SWIG Finance | Online | Various dates
The Growth Hub has partnered with SWIG Finance to offer a series of webinars exploring how finance options could support your business objectives. These informative webinars will take businesses through the essentials of approaching business finance and provide expert insight at every stage. Enrolled businesses can also access a range of additional resources including guides, videos, and case studies.
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:
- 17 Mar – Instagram: Next Steps
- 23 Mar – Facebook: Next Steps
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24 Mar – Digital Marketing Made Easy
Find out more here
Free Smart Citizens training
Smart Citizens Programme | Plymouth College of Art | Multiple dates
These events will support local people and students to grow their businesses and careers by supporting them to develop key CAD, business and technology skills.
Find out more here
Third Sector Workshop
University of Plymouth | Rolle Marquee, University of Plymouth campus | 7 April
The half day workshop is designed to show how Plymouth Business School’s expert academics and students are able to help your operations. Speakers will offer advice and insight on key current issues facing the Third Sector, and explain a wide range ways in which our staff and students can engage and support you in your operations.
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
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
Social Enterprise Support Fund to Open for Round 2
Social enterprises can apply for the next round of grants to assist in their recovery from the pandemic and allow them to continue supporting communities which have been disproportionately impacted.
The funding can either be used for activities supporting people and communities affected by COVID-19 or to help organisations overcome any acute financial difficulties incurred as a result of the crisis.
Applications will close on 24 March 2022.
Find out more here
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund
The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) is part of the Global Britain Investment Fund, of which £354 million will support life sciences manufacturing.
The LSIMF will provide £60 million in capital grants for investment in the manufacture of:
- human medicines (drug substance and drug product)
- medical diagnostics
- MedTech products
We particularly encourage applications from companies ready to deploy their emerging technologies at scale in commercial manufacturing.
The first closing date for applications is Thursday 31 March 2022 at 12pm.
Find out more here
R&D Solutions Fund 2022
Following the highly successful 2021 R&D Solutions Fund, the University of Plymouth Research & Innovation Team are delighted to announce a new R&D Solutions Fund, aimed at developing R&D opportunities with a particular emphasis on international collaborations.
The awards of up to £10,000, can support joint R&D projects; access to specialist technical support, facilities and equipment; initial research activities, feasibility studies or implementation; and academic and business partner research time.
The call for applications is open until 5pm on Monday 25 April 2022, and anyone interested in applying should register their interest and details of the partnership with enterprisesolutions@plymouth.ac.uk or call 0800 0525600.
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