 We're holding a FREE online event for local businesses and education institutions wanting to learn more about building our investment, trade and education links in Canada.
Thursday 25 February, 1pm.
We're excited to announce a new investment, trade and educational relationship between Portsmouth and our new potential 'sister' city Halifax, Canada.
The future looks bright for investment, trade and cultural exchanges between our two cities, we already have a roll over trade deal in place with Canada, and there are plans to sign an even more ambitious trade deal in 2021.
We're inviting businesses and educational institutions in the Solent area to attend this free virtual event that introduces these two cities and details how you can be involved in this exciting collaboration.
You'll also have the chance to take part in themed business to business networking events facilitated by key figures from both sides of the partnership:
- Green growth and renewable energy
- Marine and Maritime
- Aerospace, engineering and manufacturing
- Digital and creative/cultural
The Taxi Driver Additional Restrictions Support Grant is now live. You can apply now for the period of 5 November 2020 - 4 January 2021.
We've created this scheme specially for Taxi and Private Hire drivers who were having difficulty applying through the existing Additional Restrictions Grant scheme. We've simplified the scheme so that all you need to apply is:
- your Hackney Carriage/Private hire driver licence number
- bank details
- taxi vehicle registration number
- national insurance number
- a recent bank statement
If your vehicle has been used to earn another source of income (eg takeaway delivery services) you can still apply, however in order to be eligible your overall income will still have to have reduced by at least one third compared to the corresponding period last year.
You can still apply for funding through the main Additional Restrictions Grant scheme if your fixed costs exceed £267 a month and you are able to provide robust evidence of your business fixed costs and income levels. Applying through this route may mean that you are eligible for a grant higher than the flat £400 available through the Taxi scheme.
You can also apply if you have been unsuccessful in an application under the existing Additional Restrictions Grant scheme.
We will be offering further funding for 5 January onwards, and we'll let you know when that is available.
If you have any further questions please call the business helpline on 023 9284 1641
 Entries are now open for The News Business Excellence Awards 2021.
The News Business Excellence Awards recognise, reward and celebrate all the successful businesses and professional individuals within Portsmouth and surrounding areas.
The awards, now celebrating their 20th year, seek entries from a cross section of businesses who have shown exceptional growth, innovation or an outstanding contribution to the community in which they operate.
Do you know a business or individual that deserves to be recognised at the city’s most prestigious awards?
Entries are now open and the deadline is 19th March 2021.
Shortlisted businesses will be invited to attend the black tie gala awards which will be held at the Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday, May 21st 2021 for an evening of business networking, celebration and reward! This is a sell out event so book your table early to avoid disappointment.
 This March, we'll be exhibiting at Innovate Local: Southern Pioneers.
This is a two-day virtual event on 8-9 March 2021 for pioneers, entrepreneurs, businesses, support agencies and practitioners interested in navigating and capitalising on the innovation ecosystem across the South Coast and neighbouring areas.
With more than 20 different sessions and workshops taking place, this is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the latest innovation support on offer, both locally and nationally.
You will also hear from some key industry players, including:
- Karen Lucas, CEO Vikoma
- Sue Simmonite, Associated British Port
- Nick Royal, Commercial Manager, Ricardo Engineering
- Ally Barker, Airbus Defence and Space, Airbus
- Nick Allot, CEO nquiringMinds
- Mike Biddle, Director, Innovate UK
- Anne-Marie Mountifield, CEO Solent Local Enterprise Partnership
 The University of Portsmouth is holding a workshop on funding as part of a series that aims to highlight how you can engage with the University and its student and academic communities. This is a webinar for businesses, researchers & academics to find out more about the funding and support available at the University of Portsmouth.
The event will detail the ways in which the University of Portsmouth is 'open for business', how you can access student talent, the funding available for SMEs and how we facilitate Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme helps businesses in the UK to innovate and grow by linking businesses with an academic or research organisation and a graduate.
The event is on Monday 22 February at 11am.
The £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund, offers support to help small businesses adjust to new customs procedures, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU.
Eligibility: The SME Brexit Support Fund could give you up to £2,000 if your business has up to 500 employees, and no more than £100 million annual turnover.
SMEs who trade only with the EU, and are therefore new to importing and exporting processes, can apply for grants of up to £2,000, to pay for practical support including training and professional advice to ensure they can continue trading effectively with the EU.
 The Department of International Trade are organising a one hour virtual export event, hosted by Caroline Dinenage MP, for companies in her Gosport constituency at 11 am on Friday 12th March.
The Parliamentary Export Programme (PEP) is a new Export Support programme, launched in November by Minster Stuart, and this event is the first one to be held in the South East region. They all follow a standard format and the Gosport event will be one of the first tranche of events, with the theme: Free Trade Agreements and Exporting after Brexit.
 Can your company help Portsmouth children whose families can't afford the technology they need for learning at home? Some families are currently sharing a single device or relying on a pay-as-you-go mobile phone to access children’s work for the day.
You can donate new or second-hand tablets, Chromebooks, laptops or desktop computers. If you think you have suitable devices to donate please check the technical requirements here before contacting digital@shapingportsmouth.co.uk
You can also make a financial donation through Crowdfunder:
Donate now
Funds raised will be used to buy devices, which will be loaned to local families.
We're working with Shaping Portsmouth on their project, which aims to provide children with the tech they need if schools are closed, and to help with homework and coursework when schools are open.
Shaping Portsmouth's Bridging Portsmouth’s Digital Divide is being delivered in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, Hive Portsmouth, KSM telecom, Abri, Thinking Schools Academy Trust, Vivid and the Portsmouth Education Partnership.
A stack of lithium batteries - mainly used in laptops and mobile phones - had been hidden and disposed of in a household black bin last week, causing a fire in the back of a bin lorry. Quick thinking by the crew meant they were able to extinguish the fire safely before it took hold.
The incorrect disposal of these batteries put the lives of our critical crew at risk and could have damaged a bin lorry that costs £200,000.
We would like to remind business owners and business employees, who may be working from home, of the correct way to dispose of business waste.
- Do not place any type of business waste into the council's domestic waste collection service. Please hold onto business waste and dispose of through the business' waste provision. Or, if you run a business from home, you will need a commercial waste collection.
- Batteries from electrical equipment such as remote controls, electric toys, and portable radios can be recycled at local shops and supermarkets.
- For electrical equipment such as laptops and phones, please leave the batteries in the equipment and recycle through the business' waste provision.
 Residents in Portsmouth and the wider area are being asked for their views on how to improve air quality in the city.
Portsmouth is a densely populated city, and like many cities across the UK, it faces a serious problem with air quality. We're looking for people in Portsmouth and the wider area to join focus groups on how to improve air quality in the city.
We want to understand what motivates you to choose more sustainable active travel options, and what might stop you from doing so. These are open to everyone, regardless of how you travel around and into Portsmouth, and we're particularly interested in speaking to business owners and operators.
Focus group discussions will take place from 1 March to 19 March 2021 and will last one hour. All participants will be compensated with a £20 voucher that can be used at a range of retailers.
If you want to be a part of this research, register below.
If your application is successful, our market research team will contact you to confirm the time and date of your group.
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