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Business Newsletter
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Somerset Council welcomes applications for funding for rural businesses and organisations
Somerset Council is now open to applications for the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
Grants amounts can range from £5,000 to £100,000. Match-funding contributions are required.
The Rural Fund provides capital funding to:
- Support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy.
- Support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy
These projects must be delivered and grant funding to be spent by the end of March 2024.
The REPF has very specific criteria set by Government. Therefore, the Economic Development team is urging businesses and organisations to carefully check eligibility on the website:
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To discuss potential project ideas with the team, please contact us to discuss:
 The South West Investment Fund (SWIF) has been designed to provide much-needed funding to small and medium sized businesses across the South West, covering Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
The fund will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for new and growing smaller businesses for various purposes, such as expansion, product or service innovation, and new processes, skills or capital equipment.
It will offer a range of commercial finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2m and equity investment up to £5m.
To find out more information, visit the British Business Bank website:
 Insider would like to invite you to the 10th anniversary Made in the South West Awards 2023.
These awards acknowledge and celebrate the great manufacturers in our region. The event also recognises traditional manufacturers, as well as digital engineering, apprenticeship training schemes and sectors like food and automotive.
There are likely to be at least two categories that you can enter, so why not send us your submission to show the world how good your business is?
The categories are as follows:
- Apprentice of the Year Award
- Automotive, Aerospace & Rail Award
- Manufacturing Future Talent Award
- Digital Engineering/Technology Award
- Export Award
- Food and Drink Award
- Manufacturing Innovation Award
- Sustainable/Ethical Manufacturer Award
- Manufacturing Start-up Award
- Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) Award
- Manufacturer of the Year (over £25m) Award
Entry deadline for applications to the awards is Friday 1 September 2023.
The winners will be announced at the Made in the South West Awards taking place on Thursday 2 November at the Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa.
If you win a Made in the South West Award you will automatically be entered into the national Made in the UK Awards taking place in June 2024.
A recent study has shown that 56 out of 100 businesses in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, were in breach of new Government rules which require full ingredient and allergen labelling on all food made on premises and pre-packed for direct sale.
Following the implementation of Natasha's Law in October 2021 businesses are required to ensure pre-packaged food is clearly labelled, notifying customers of potential allergens within the product.
Further sampling will be carried out by the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service (HotSW TS) later this year.
Businesses, such as delis or bakeries who prepare then package food for sale, are being urged not to put their customers at risk and read trading standards guidance to help them stay on the right side of the law:
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The Somerset Food Trail Festival returns for 2 weeks of celebrating Somerset’s finest food and drink producers. The Food Trail is a countywide event focused specifically on our nature-friendly farmers and artisan producers.
There are almost 350 events to enjoy, from cider and wine tastings to farm walks and open days. Some 170 venues are taking part, including the already established Mendip Markets.
Take a look at the food trail map and see what tasty treats await you during the festival:
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 Could you benefit from fresh, experienced insight and a sounding board as you run and grow your business?
Somerset Council is offering businesses over 1 year old, up to 6 hrs of free mentoring over a 6-month period.
Our mentors have been selected from executive and senior management level business leaders or successful entrepreneurs to help growing businesses evolve, change and renew business functions. Mentors can help businesses to strategize, challenge and inspire confidence.
These mentors understand the challenges associated with running and growing a business and the value of impartial advice. They offer sector experience or a specialism in areas such as:
- Growth Strategy
- Finance
- Marketing
- Product or Service Development
- Bid Writing
- Acquisition
- Exit Strategy
- HR or E-Commerce
and much more...
The Somerset Mentoring Programme is funded by the Business Rates Retention Scheme.
For more information, or to request for a mentee application form, please contact our Somerset Business Support team:
Somerset Business Agency are pleased to announce a new webinar, delivered via the Training Hub, taking place on Tuesday 12 September at 10am.
Having a good understanding of how you communicate and how you are being received is essential to making change and having an impact, particularly in business.
In this webinar the specific areas we will cover are:
- Looking at how you presently communicate
- How effective you think you are
- How you can improve
- Factors that affect your communication
- How well do you think you listen and why active listening skills are golden
- How your personal confidence is directly related to your success when communicating
The host specialises in advanced communication skills, resolving conflict and peace making and guiding individuals to lead at all levels.
If you would like to secure your place, please follow the link below:
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 This is your opportunity to reach up to 2,000 students from schools and colleges across Somerset
Somerset Skills and Careers Fair will take place on October 10 at Westlands Entertainment Venue, Westbourne Close, Yeovil, BA20 2DD.
Exhibitors will be able to:
- Showcase careers in their organisation and industry
- Share current vacancies for school and college leavers
This year they are also inviting you to inform young people about the skills you require – from technical requirements to key employment skills. This will help them to prepare for a successful move from education to the workplace. Interactive stands are welcomed where guests can try quick tasks or challenges related your industry.
To find out more, book your space or discuss your designing resources or activities, email Sarah Johnson:
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 Find out more information about events happening all around Somerset, delivering a variety of workshops, training and development opportunities
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How to Stay Safe Online 18 July - 13:00-15:30 - online
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Exploring SFI Options for Your Farm in 2023 19 July - 11:30-14:00 - online
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Business Critical Forum - Recruitment 19 July - 09:30-11:30 - The Hive, Yeovil Innovation Centre, Copse Rd, Barracks Close, Yeovil, BA22 8RN
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Market Strategy 20 July - 10:00-14:00 - online
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Wells Business Forum 19 July - 08:30 start - Crandon Springs, Glastonbury Road, Wells, BA5 1WE
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Summer Networking Event 20 July - 17:30-19:00 - Middlewick, Glastonbury, BA6 8JW
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Digital Essentials: Technology Support for your Farm 25 July - 13:00-15:00 - online
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Farm Grants Update & Navigating the Agricultural Transition 25 July - 10:30-12:30 - Batcombe Jubilee Village Hall, Back Lane, Batcombe, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6HE
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Chamber Summer Social Barbecue 26 July - 18:30-21:00 - Greenway Farm, Skimmerton Lane, Bridgwater, TA5 2AX
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Using Social media and Storytelling in Business Workshop 27 July - 10:00-13:00 - Bold & Brave, Riverside Place, 14, St James St, Taunton, TA1 1JH
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Emergency First Aid in the Workplace 27 July - Shepton Mallet
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Improving your LinkedIn, SEO & Website Presence 27 July - 10:00-16:00 - online
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Hospitality Hub Meeting 27 July - 10:30-12:00 - The Prince of Wales, Ham Hill, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, TA14 6RW
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Introduction to Farm Management Software 1 August - 10:00-12:30 - online
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Becoming Grant Ready 3 August - 10:00-12:00 - online
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MD and CEO Forum 8 August - 12:00-14:00 - Fussels Fine Foods Ltd, Church Farm, Parkgate Lane, Rode, Frome, Somerset, BA11 6AA
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Bridgwater Retail Sub-Group 10 August - 17:30-19:00 - Timeless Images
Cornhill, Bridgwater, TA6 3BS
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Exploring SFI Options for Your Farm in 2023 16 August - 11:30-14:00 - online
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Digital Essentials: Technology Support for your Farm 16 August - 13:00-15:30 - online
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Market Strategy 17 August - 10:00-14:00 - online
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Excel for your Farm Business 22 August - 10:00am -12:30pm - online
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Digital Hub 24 August - 18:00-21:00 - iAero, Bunford Lane, Yeovil, BA20 2GL
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Exploring SFI Options for Your Farm in 2023 6 September - 11:30-14:00 - online
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Introduction to Farm Management Software 6 September - 13:00-15:30 - online
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Farm Grants Update & Navigating the Agricultural Transition 11 September - 18:00-21:00 - Crowcombe Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4AQ
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Discover Microsoft 365 12 September - 10:00-12:00 - online
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Business communication - Powerfully, Clearly, Effectively 12 September - 10:00-11:00
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How to Stay Safe Online 13 September - 10:00-12:30 - online
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Attracting and Retaining Top Talent 18 September - 09:30am-12:30
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Farm Grants Update & Navigating the Agricultural Transition 18 September - 18:00-21:00 - Brent Knoll Parish Hall, Brent Knoll, Somerset, TA9 4EH
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Excel for your Farm Business 19 September - 13:00-15:30 - online
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Digital Essentials: Technology Support for your Farm 26 September - 10:00-12:30 - online
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Farm Grants Update & Navigating the Agricultural Transition 26 September - 10:30-12:30 - Wiveliscombe Community Centre, West Street, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 2JP
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Farm Grants Update & Navigating the Agricultural Transition 28 September - 10:30-12:30 - Baltonsborough Village Hall, Ham Street, Baltonsborough, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8PX
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Business Breakfast with Hinkley PSG 5 October - 08:00-09:30 - Mercure Hotel, 56-66 Eastover, Bridgwater, TA6 5AR
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Somerset Skills & Careers Fair 10 October - Westlands Entertainment Venue, Westbourne Close, Yeovil, BA20 2DD
 Do you have an Economic Development enquiry? Get in touch with the Somerset Economic Development team:
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