Government funding to transform bus travel for Portsmouth residents has been confirmed. The city has been awarded £48 million to fund new tickets, reduced fares and make bus journey times shorter and more reliable. This supports the delivery of the National Bus Strategy designed to increase bus use and deliver a wide range of economic, health and social objectives. 

This announcement comes just weeks after the government announced that Portsmouth and Hampshire would be awarded £6.5 million for zero emission buses, bringing the total funding to transform bus travel in Portsmouth, and the wider area, to £54.5 million. 

In partnership with both First and Stagecoach, the funding will be invested in revolutionising bus travel in the city through several improvements that were informed by feedback from residents and businesses. 

The council will also promote bus use for all, whilst also supporting the city economy, by offering free travel on 'Small Business Saturdays' and 'Free Fare Sundays'. 

As part of Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week, pre-start and small businesses are invited to a special day to find out more about the GetSet Solent and Outset Start and Grow business programmes.  Both programmes deliver specialist, fully funded access to finance, business and marketing support to help businesses with the potential and ambition to grow, through a range of engaging workshops and 1:1 support. 

The GetSet Solent programme focuses on addressing the two biggest barriers to growth and productivity: access to markets and a sound financial strategy. Capital and revenue grants of up to £25,000 are available for growth projects and initiatives. 

28 April at Victory Business Centre PO1 1PJ  

Harbour Church are crowdfunding to create a greener and more sustainable future for Portsea by building a bike rack station in St George's Square. 

For cyclists and bike-lovers across Portsmouth, they want to create a space where bikes can be safely stored in the heart of the city. 

Joining the council's vision to achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2030, they want to provide bike racks for use by their congregation and the public, to encourage cycling to Sunday services, mid-week activities and popular local amenities. 

St George’s Church lies within Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone and serves as a hub for the community throughout the week. The building hosts a foodbank and tots and toddler group, along with student nights and a women’s ministry. The use of the church building is broad and significant. Alongside key events throughout the week.  

A new bike rack at this location not only aligns with the goals of the clean air zone but would encourage a significant increase in bike usage from users of our church building currently deterred by the lack of a secure place to store bikes. 

Digital businesses are invited to discover how the university can support business.  Businesses in the digital technologies sector, with interests in digital tech funding and support, VR/AR, developing bespoke digital solutions, rapid prototyping, or anything in between are welcome into the University to learn more about their digital facilities such as 3D Printing and rapid prototyping capabilities. 

Portsmouth Digital is part of Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week and will be an opportunity to find out more about how the University can support local business. 

27 April 1-3pm The Future Technology Centre  

The advice comes direct from the UK’s authority on cyber security – the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ. 

The Cyber Aware website gives clear instructions about how to set up 2-step verification (2SV), as well as guidance on passwords based on 3-random words (3RW). The aim is to protect all of us and make life even harder for the scammers.