Do you want to meet decision makers from Council Procurement teams and Tier 1 & 2 buyers to win new contracts and grow your business?

Dacorum, St Albans, Hertsmere, and Watford Councils (SW Herts) have commissioned Branduin to deliver a programme to help local businesses enhance their skills and capability to bid for contracts.

The programme offers free access to bid skills worships and 1-2-1 tender advice sessions, leading up to a major Meet the Buyer event on 13 November 2025 at Shendish Manor Hotel.

Established businesses and early-stage trading organisations based in Dacorum, St Albans, Hertsmere, and Watford are welcome to join the programme.

Workshops start in mid September, so sign up now! 

Hertfordshire’s 11 councils have launched a second phase of engagement on the future of local government in the county.

Residents, community groups, businesses and wider stakeholders are invited to share their views on how services will be delivered in Hertfordshire in the years ahead. This is a once in a generation opportunity to help shape the future of local government. 

Over the next month, councils will hold a mix of in-person and online events across the county. A dedicated website will also give further information on the changes, how you can get involved and share your views at https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/.

This will remain open until 30 September 2025. After this date councils will review all the feedback before submitting the final proposal to Government at the end of November.

St Albans City and District Council will be holding their Local Government Reorganisation Community Information Evening on Thursday 18 September. 

Residents are invited to attend in person or they can watch online.

23 September, 09:00 – 13:00, The Riding School, Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is no longer just behind the scenes – it's centre stage in the global film and TV industry.

From Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Barbie and Wicked, our county is home to some of the world’s most iconic productions. And now, your business could be part of the story.

Hertfordshire Growth Hub invites you to a morning of insight and opportunity as the region’s booming film & TV sector takes centre stage in driving sustainable growth. This event is designed to help Hertfordshire-based SMEs explore how they can connect with the region’s thriving film and TV sector.

What to expect:

• Insights into Hertfordshire’s booming film & TV industry – and where your business fits in
• Practical advice on how your business can supply to the sector
• Networking with industry experts and support organisations
• Learn how the Create Growth Programme is helping local businesses grow and diversify

STANTA offers free workshops for St Albans and Harpenden businesses under 5 years old. Call 01727 837760 or email advice@stanta.co.uk to find out more.

Visit https://stanta.co.uk/event/stanta-workshops/ for the full list of workshops.

Highlights include:

• LinkedIn for Business: Friday 12 September
• Master Video for Your Business– Part 1: Tuesday 16 September
• Business Planning Part 1: Friday 19 September
• Master Video for Your Business – Part 2: Tuesday 23 September
• Business Planning Part 2 (Financials): Wednesday 24 September
• Speak Up for Your Business - Effective Communication Skills: Friday 26 September
• Building a Successful Brand: Tuesday 30 September
• Facebook for Business: Friday 03 October
• Bookkeeping Workshop: Wednesday 08 October
• AI-Powered Marketing Strategies for Solopreneurs/SMEs: Tuesday 14 October

Unique Training Solutions has secured extra funding to deliver fully funded Skills Bootcamps in Leadership and Management.

✔ 100% funded for eligible businesses
✔ Flexible, practical training
✔ Boost retention, performance & growth

Level 3 – Team Leader/Supervisor (for new/aspiring managers) Programme details
Level 5 – Leading & Managing (for experienced managers) Programme details

Spaces are limited – don’t miss out!

Contact Hannah Appleby via hannah@uniquetrainingsolutions.co.uk or 01727 733999 to find out more.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards is alerting parents, shoppers and businesses about counterfeit Labubu dolls and toys being sold in shops across the county. These fakes may look cute, but they could be dangerous for children.

Before you buy, check the packaging for:

• A CE or UKCA mark
• A UK-based supplier name and address
• Warnings and usage instructions

If you spot a suspicious toy, report it! Contact Trading Standards or call the consumer helpline at 0808 223 1133.

Businesswomen connect

Date: Wednesday 1 October
Time: 11:45 – 14:00
Venue: Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden

St Albans District Chamber of Commerce are holding an event to bring together professional women from across sectors to explore the power of partnerships.

Whether you’re a founder, team leader, mid-level manager, or aspiring professional, this event is designed to connect, inspire, and empower women at every stage of their career. Book now

Business Week 2025

6 –10 October 2025

Business Week, a dynamic new series from the St Albans District Chamber of Commerce and St Albans City Centre BID, is launching the week of Monday 6 October.

This collaborative programme will bring together the local business community for a week of engaging events focused on networking, learning, and visibility.

Business Week will shine a spotlight on the diverse talent, expertise, and enterprise that make up our thriving local economy.

More information

Join a FREE intensive workshop for business leaders, led by Hertfordshire Futures in partnership with Sustainable X and Hertfordshire Growth Hub.

Why attend?

• Learn how to build a practical sustainability strategy
• Navigate ESG, Net Zero & Social Value expectations with confidence
• Connect with like-minded businesses

Who’s it for?

Hertfordshire businesses (15-70 employees) looking to:

• Shape or sharpen their sustainability plans
• Meet growing customer/tender demands
• Keep pace with competitors
• Future-proof their business

There are two workshops on offer:

Date and time: 8 October, 09:00 – 13:45
Location: Fielder Centre, Hatfield  Book here

Date and time: 13 November, 09:00 – 13:45
Location: Theobalds Enterprise Centre, Cheshunt  Book here

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a privately run membership organisation which can open doors for local businesses and organisations by helping them grow their profile and connect with other businesses locally, nationally, and globally.

Women in Leadership Lunch

Come along to enjoy a delicious lunch, catch up with existing business contacts and use the opportunity to meet and network with new potential clients.

Date and time: Thursday 6 November 2025, 11:45 – 14:15
Location: St Michael's Manor, St Albans

Member and Non-Member rate options are available. Book here

AI Conference

The Chamber is holding an AI Conference, exploring how Artificial Intelligence is shaping the way we work, communicate, and grow our businesses.

Date and time: Friday 14 November 2025, 09:00 – 16:00
Location: The Fielder Centre, Hatfield Business Park

This full-day event will bring together business leaders, technology experts, educators, and innovators for a series of thought-provoking sessions, hands-on workshops and exhibition stands.

Member and Non-Member rate options are available. Book here

When you hear the word ‘college’, you might picture school leavers heading off to start their careers. But here in St Albans, Oaklands College is just as much for adults as it is for 16-year-olds. In fact, it’s bursting with opportunities for adults to learn, create, and achieve – all right on your doorstep.

Oaklands College have launched their Autumn Adult Learning Campaign, offering a wide range of adult learning opportunities designed to support both personal growth and professional development. Whether you are looking to enhance your career, support your recruitment needs, or simply explore a new interest, there is something for everyone.

Oaklands Employability and Career Growth courses empower individuals to secure employment and enhance existing skills, these programmes support adult job seekers and professionals, offering practical training and qualifications that align with industry demands.

There are a wide variety of options available:

• Leisure Courses
• English, Maths and ESOL
• Access to Higher Education
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
• Professional Training
• Online Learning
• Skills Bootcamps

Hertfordshire Police is working with Hertfordshire Libraries to provide the public with crime prevention advice. Join a series of informative talks by experts from Hertfordshire Police, Hertfordshire County Council’s Shared Anti-Fraud Service, Trading Standards, and Beacon/Victim Care

Herts Cyber Protect are hosting monthly fraud and cyber-crime awareness events in libraries, starting in Letchworth in October 2025, and finishing early July 2026. The St Albans Library event is on 11 February 2026.

These events enable members of the public to upskill themselves on everything fraud and cyber! Free tea and coffee is provided.

Visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries and search for ‘cyber’ in ‘Events and things to do at the library’.

Over the past decade, Hertfordshire Growth Hub, powered by Hertfordshire Futures, has grown into a reliable supporter of the county’s diverse and thriving business ecosystem.

They have produced a report to reflect the journey that businesses have taken over the past decade with the support of Hertfordshire Growth Hub, celebrating key achievements, and looking ahead to the future.

Highlights of the report:

• Highlights of the impact their support has delivered
• 10^th Anniversary video
• Case studies and testimonials from businesses they have supported
• Insights into the service, consortium behind it, and the delivery team
• Their vision for the next decade of business support