£100,000 grant fund to help businesses adopt advanced wireless technologies

The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region has launched a £100,000 opportunity for businesses and voluntary groups in the Severn Catchment Area to apply for funds from its Wireless Innovation Grant fund.

Externally funded and managed by Shropshire Council, this programme is part of a wider £3.75m project which aims to encourage business and organisations to adopt technologies enabled by advanced wireless connectivity.

Grants of up to £5,000 each are available for businesses and organisations in the catchment area, covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, to assist in purchasing and installing wireless technologies.

Find out more here

At the Shropshire Growth Hub, we receive hundreds of enquiries every year. The majority come from Gmail, Outlook, or other widely available email addresses.

While these services are convenient, using a business email address that matches your company's domain (e.g.yourname@yourcompany.com) can boost your professional image.

Here are some reasons why making the switch to a professional email maybe worth considering:

• A business email instantly conveys professionalism. It shows clients and partners that you are serious about your business and invested in your brand. Emails from a custom domain are more likely to be trusted and taken seriously compared to those from free email services.
• Using a business email keeps your branding consistent across all communications. Every email you send reinforces your brand identity, making it easier for clients to recognise and remember your business.
• Business email addresses typically offer better security features, protecting your communications from phishing and spam. Clients are more likely to trust emails from a recognised business domain, reducing the risk of your messages being ignored or flagged as spam.
• Emails from professional domains also ensure your important messages reach your clients' inboxes. This improves the reliability of your communications and helps maintain client relationships.

A business email system can grow with you. It's easy to add new users, create group addresses, and manage email storage. This scalability supports your business as it expands.

Investing in a professional business email address is a simple step with significant benefits. It enhances your image, improves security, and ensures better communication management.

For more business tips and support, contact us @ growthhub@shropshire.gov.uk .

We’re here to help you on your business journey.

When: Friday June 14th, 9:30am-1:15pm Where: University Centre, Shrewsbury

What will the morning include?

• Insightful Sessions: Engage in mini masterclass sessions offering practical tips and strategies to enhance your organisation's effectiveness.
• Expert Advice: Benefit from one-to-one discussions with business specialists in sales, marketing, social media, website development, business administration, bookkeeping, and general business advice
• Resource Showcase: Discover the role of the Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector (VCSA), Community Resource and the Shropshire Growth Hub.
• Explore funding opportunities, including Crowdfund Shropshire.
• Open Discussion: Share your experiences, challenges, and aspirations in an open forum discussion designed to identify key support needs within the social sector.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals from social enterprises, charities, and CICs in the region. Build valuable relationships and partnerships that can drive positive change.
• Mini masterclass: Articulating your social value proposition in a compelling and engaging way

How do I book?

There are limited spaces left, so please register your interest in attending by emailing Anna and Emma @ growthhub@shropshire.gov.uk  

or register on the waiting list here: Business Boost for Charities, Social Enterprises, and CICs Tickets, Fri, Jun 14, 2024 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

Join us and a host of like-minded business professionals for this interactive, fun and informative one-day workshop to learn why we all need to put more of a focus on sustainability and what you can do to get started.

The way we live and work emits so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that we are warming the planet and causing climate change. The impacts of which are fast becoming part of our everyday reality as we experience changing weather patterns.

But, you might be wondering what that has to do with your business, and be asking do I really need to do anything about it?

The answer is yes! And urgently. Here are some of the reasons why:

• If they haven’t already, sooner or later, your supply chain will be asking for your carbon reduction plan and if you don’t have one, you need to get one prepared.
• Customers are becoming increasingly concerned about the sustainability of products and the services they use so if you are making claims about your business you need to understand how genuine they are and avoid greenwashing at all costs.
• Government legislation requires businesses to be at net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve that target, businesses will need to have done most of that work by the end this decade.
• Developing climate resilience plans means as a business you will be better placed to avoid future disruption. Better understanding of the causes and impact can help you plan your response more effectively.
• It’s a fact, sustainable businesses save money, reduce waste and improve staff engagement.

Carbon reduction – get your business on the right path Tickets, Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

Market Drayton Indoor Market is a great spot for artisans and small retailers to showcase their products.

Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm;  the current daily rent is £10 plus electricity tokens at £1 each.

We are open to additional operating days if there is enough interest, as well as longer trading hours.

If you would like to be part of this thriving market community, please send a brief description of yourself and your products.

We don’t operate on a first-come, first-served basis, instead, we carefully select stallholders to ensure a vibrant mix. 

Email Kate at  Kate.Gittins@shropshire.gov.uk

Additional Opportunities in Market Drayton

Tables in the middle of the indoor market are also available for £10 per table, per day. 

We’re hoping to design a visually impactful and flexible layout, so if you have any design ideas or know someone who could help, please do get in touch.

Market Drayton Street Market

Market Drayton Street Market, located along Cheshire Street, operates every Wednesday from 9am to 3pm.

There are also designated trading areas on Saturdays near the indoor market, library, and Buttercross. New traders can take advantage of our introductory offer: £60 upfront for six weeks of trading at £10 per week. This promotion helps our PR and social media expert, to boost your stall’s visibility and attract more visitors.

After six weeks, the daily rate is £24. We provide 3m x 3m gazebos and foldaway tables, but you are welcome to bring your own. If needed, our team can assist with setting up a gazebo for you.

Buttercross Market

Don't miss the Buttercross Artisan Market, held on the second Saturday of each month. Tables are available for just £10 each, and you can use your own or borrow one from our storeroom in the indoor market. The next market is on Saturday, July 13th

For more information and to secure your spot please contact Kate Gittins, Market Manager at Kate.Gittins@shropshire.gov.uk

A two-day course for supervisors and junior managers who are new to management and team leading or for existing supervisors who would appreciate some formal training. The course will provide the building blocks of successful management and help delegates to put theories in to practice.

Topics covered include -

• Roles and responsibilities of managers
• Impact of leadership style
• Team growth and development
• Team motivation
• Minimising conflict
• Giving feedback

This course is externally funded and is free to Shropshire employees.

For more details or to reserve a place tele 01743 454810 or email courses@sbc-training.co.uk