 Dive into fun this summer at the UK’s first National Marine Park!
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park launches Your Summer Your Sound, a programme with over 900 free activity sessions that are designed to engage and inspire people in, on, under and around Plymouth Sound National Marine Park this summer.
English Freeports tax benefits extension laid in law
New and high growth businesses in the South West’s blue/green economy can now benefit from a significant boost, as the English Freeport tax benefits extension window went into law late in May.
The previously agreed five-year window now extends until September 2031. This extension, hugely welcomed by the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport, provides businesses with greater certainty and extended time to capitalise on the Freeport’s tax benefits and reliefs, available to eligible new businesses or those demonstrating high growth.
The tax reliefs available for eligible businesses are:
- Enhanced structures and buildings allowances
- Enhanced capital allowances for plant and machinery
- Secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions relief for eligible employers on the earnings of eligible new employees up to £25,000 per annum for up to 3 years
- Stamp Duty Land Tax relief
- Business Rates relief
ABP announced as Lead Partner and RNLI as Charity Partner for British Firework Championships
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, is set to partner with the British Firework Championships in their 27th year of captivating audiences on Plymouth Hoe. This exciting partnership aims to support Charity Partner, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which is celebrating its remarkable 200-year milestone of saving lives at sea.
ABP, which owns and operates Plymouth’s Millbay Docks – a key hub within the city which is currently undergoing strategic infrastructure upgrades – is committed to supporting this year’s event and chosen charity partner, RNLI.
Aldermans Opening Their Doors on National Manufacturing Day
Aldermans is throwing open their doors to future makers, showcasing what they do.
Join them on Thursday 26th September 2024 to discover the wonderful world of Manufacturing on National Manufacturing Day.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see what happens in their factory:
- Try out their AR Welding Kit
- Build your own aeroplane
- Learn about the work their apprentices do
- Discover more about engineering career routes
Celebrating Business Excellence and Sustainability in Plymouth
Invest Plymouth, are thrilled to congratulate Just Enough Brave for their outstanding commitment to sustainability and business excellence.
They have not only set a remarkable example for others but is also on an inspiring journey towards securing the prestigious B Corp certification.
Find It In Plymouth
We’re very excited to introduce you to Find It In Plymouth- a brand new platform created especially for businesses who trade in Plymouth.
Find It In Plymouth allows you to:
- Access tenders, invitations to quote and procurement opportunities from some of the city’s biggest organisations.
- Advertise your own opportunities. So, if you’re on the lookout for local suppliers, you’ll be able to find them quickly and easily.
Business demand survey for hotel usage in Plymouth
Destination Plymouth is undertaking a city-wide survey to establish the requirements that businesses have for using hotels for business use. They are keen to understand the volume of rooms needed as well as identify peak seasons and booking challenges. Hotel use may not be solely for rooms, but also includes conference facilities, event spaces and meeting rooms.
If you are involved in booking hotels for your business, please complete the survey via the link below.
 Business Growth Funding with SWIG Finance and Bamboo-Growth
Come join the experts from SWIG Finance and Bamboo-Growth for an exciting event focused on business growth funding. Learn about different funding options available for your business and how to secure the necessary resources for growth.
Tuesday 10 September 2024 at 10am, at Plymouth Science Park (Meeting Room 4)
Free Support for Plymouth Businesses to Reduce their Carbon Footprint
The Pathway to Net Zero programme has been designed to provide free support for Plymouth-based businesses to adopt more environmentally conscious processes and move towards becoming net zero. The programme provides a combination of one-to-one sessions, workshops, and self-learning resources.
Digital Leadership for SMEs
Digital Leadership for SMEs is providing training for senior leaders of small and medium enterprises in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay. Hurry to sign up for the remaining training places whilst they are still available.
The training is for senior leaders of SME organisations in the following sectors: Health and Adult Social Care, Manufacturing, Clean Growth (businesses that contribute sustainable and low carbon economic growth).
Free business management course for small businesses
Government has launched Help to Grow: Management Essentials, a new online training course filled with practical advice and resources for small business leaders.
The free short course is an introductory version of the full Help to Grow: Management course to reach even more small businesses.
Essentials is the latest addition to the Help to Grow toolkit supporting UK small businesses to scale up and grow.
Effective Instagram for international audiences
Want the secrets to success behind those businesses who have boosted their profits by selling on Instagram? Join the Department Business & Trade at a free online Masterclass for easy, practical tips on how you can use Instagram to sell your products or services to international customers.
Wednesday 11 September at 10am
We recently sat down with Annette Stone, Tax Partner to learn more about Azets Plymouth Office.
Azets is a top 10 accountancy firm and focuses on delivering a highly personalised service, though a local office network and proprietary digital workplace technology.
 Funding to help drive marine and maritime innovation in the South West
Innovate UK has launched a pioneering initiative in the South West to build on local innovation strengths, offering businesses and innovators grants ranging from £25,000 to £750,000.
The funding will support projects by businesses growing their innovation activities in the marine and maritime cluster in the Great South West - covering Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Companies and consortia can bid for projects focusing on many different aspects of innovation, from clean power at sea to autonomous monitoring and inspection, and from decarbonising ports to sensors and communications.
Innovate UK Smart grants
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.
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Competition opens:Thursday 25 July 2024
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Competition closes:Wednesday 23 October 2024 11:00am
HMGCC Co-Creation challenge: Printed Circuit Board Assurance
When national security organisations use electronic equipment in sensitive environments, they must be sure every element has been properly assured.
In its latest challenge, HMGCC Co-Creation wants organisations to get involved in a five-month project, developing ways to robustly assure printed circuit boards (PCBs).
The innovative methods used need to image and verify the complete manufactured PCB stack-up, providing assurance they will function where and when they are most needed.
HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, material, overheads, and other indirect expenses.
Competition closes: Thursday 29 August 2024 at 5:00pm
Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge
Start of the 10th edition of the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge!
Do you have a deep tech start-up or project that uses advanced technology to answer a societal, environmental or industrial challenge?
Applications Close: 22 September 2024
Connecting Devon and Somerset's Mobile Boost Scheme re-opens
Connecting Devon and Somerset’s successful Mobile Boost scheme has re-opened this week with a fresh £430,000 investment. The latest round of the scheme will continue to enable businesses and residents in Somerset, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth to apply for a voucher of up to £1,300 towards the cost of a mobile signal booster from a number of registered suppliers. Applicants have to pay towards the cost of installation themselves.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant for Staff and Fleets
The grant provides small and medium-sized businesses money off the cost of installing electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints and supporting infrastructure for their staff and fleet vehicles.
You can apply for the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure grant if you’re a business with 249 employees or fewer. The grant covers 75% of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000. You can get:
- up to £350 per chargepoint socket installed
- up to £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure
You must be either registered at Companies House or VAT registered with HMRC.
Applications Close: 31 March 2025
You are invited to Plymouth's Floating Offshore Wind conference
Learn about the next generation of offshore windfarms at Plymouth's second Floating Offshore Wind conference. Gain valuable insights and updates on the latest developments in Floating Offshore Wind technology in the Celtic Sea, located off the coast of Devon and Cornwall.
The event takes place at The Duke of Cornwall Hotel on Thursday 12 September and is free to attend. Places are limited and on a first come first served basis.
Find out more and how to register:
Net Zero: For Competitive Advantage
Join an informative, and practical session, designed to equip business to respond successfully to net zero tendering processes.
This joint event hosted by Plymouth Charter and Climate Connections will bring together champion businesses within the city, who are committed to Net Zero and actively delivering projects around waste, buildings, energy, engagement, travel and offsetting.
Date: 17 September 2024
Book your stand for Devon Business Show 2024
The county’s biggest Business Show returns on Wednesday 16 October 2024 with a fresh new format that will promote inclusivity and feature exciting, innovative and interactive displays.
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