Businesses in the District should have now received their National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) demand notice for the new financial year (2026/27). The amount you pay in based on the rateable value assigned to the property by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and these figures have recently been re-assessed, so your rateable value may have changed. You can check your new rateable value by visiting www.gov.uk/find-business-rates 

If you operate a retail, hospitality or leisure business, you may be entitled to have your business rates liability calculated on a lower 'multiplier'. If you have not already done so, you will need to complete a short application form so we can apply these lower multipliers to your 2026/27 liability. This application form is available by visiting www.stalbans.gov.uk/business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-202627

St Albans City & District Council is inviting businesses to partner with us for two of the District’s biggest community events: the Spring Festival (17 May) and Christmas Cracker (22 November).

With up to 25,000 visitors per event, over 100 local traders, live performances, family activities, and extensive marketing reach, our festivals offer an outstanding platform for brand visibility and community engagement.

Sponsorship packages are flexible and include opportunities for branding, promotional activations, digital exposure, stage presence, hospitality, and even naming rights. Past partners include SA Law, Costa Coffee, St Albans BID, and Côte St Albans.

Interested in getting involved? Contact: Katherine Crafer, Events & Markets Manager, katherine.crafer@stalbans.gov.uk or 01727 819311.

Around 50 businesses joined the St Albans District Business Summit event earlier this month to explore the District’s economic outlook and future opportunities for growth. Held at the Civic Centre, the event was hosted by the Council Leader Cllr Paul de Kort and featured insights from Lucy Gravatt (Hertfordshire Futures), Liza Armstrong (Hertfordshire Growth Hub) and William Stokes, Chief Executive of Co‑Space.

The session included a lively panel Q&A and plenty of time for local businesses to connect and share ideas.

If you missed the event, you can watch the recording and access the presentation slides at the link below.

Join Hertfordshire Growth Hub, St Albans BID, and Better Business for All for a practical session helping high street businesses strengthen their brand, attract more customers and stay compliant.

Brand strategist Anna Peck (Midnight Blue) will cover how to define your audience, stand out on a busy high street, and take your brand beyond the shopfront into the digital world.

BBfA will highlight the top compliance risks facing high street businesses and where to access friendly support from Trading Standards, Environmental Health and Licensing.

Ideal for: Independent retailers, cafés, pubs, restaurants, takeaways, hair/beauty and personal service businesses, and any high street business wanting more customers and fewer compliance headaches.

Venue: The Hub on Verulam, St Albans
Date: 25 March 2026
Time: 10:30 –12:30

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is extending an invitation to businesses, sole traders and self‑employed residents who live or work in Redbourn, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Sandridge, Markyate and Flamstead. Come along to meet other local businesses and take the opportunity to ask about local issues that may affect your work.

Refreshments will be provided.

Date: Thursday 26 March
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Location: Redbourn Village Hall (Centenary Room), 64 High Street, AL3 7LW

EIDA has launched a free e‑learning resource designed specifically to help small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) build an effective workplace response to domestic abuse.

The module provides clear, practical guidance and walks SME employers through how to recognise the signs, respond safely and put appropriate support in place. With no prior knowledge needed, it offers a simple, step‑by‑step approach that takes around 60–90 minutes to complete.

As part of the Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme funded by the Department for Education, the Education and Training Foundation is offering practical, flexible eLearning to help SMEs support apprentices with confidence.

These short, fully funded courses are designed specifically for SME managers, mentors, and anyone involved in supporting apprentices.

The programme covers the core elements that make apprenticeships succeed, including:

• Getting apprenticeships right from the start
• Day‑to‑day management and support
• Coaching and communication
• Completion, retention and progression

The University of Hertfordshire is seeking employers who can offer a one‑week voluntary micro‑internship next May to support students who may face additional barriers when competing for graduate roles. These short placements give students vital workplace experience and a chance to build confidence, skills and networks.

To help remove financial barriers, the University has introduced bursaries to cover travel expenses or lost income from part‑time work. These will be awarded to students who meet specific eligibility criteria.

By hosting a micro‑intern, you can unlock emerging talent while bringing fresh perspectives into your organisation. Interns may take part in job shadowing, project work, experiential learning or mentoring.

When you think of 'college', you might picture school leavers, but Oaklands College is just as much for adults as it is for 16-year-olds. For adults aged 19+, they offer short, flexible and fully funded* employability courses that fit around work, family and other commitments.

From customer service to Health and Social Care, these programmes help you gain recognised qualifications without financial barriers. Oaklands also works closely with local employers across sectors to ensure training is relevant, practical and aligned with real job opportunities.

To find out more, visit their website https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/ or email: AdultEmployability@oaklands.ac.uk.

*Fully funded courses are subject to eligibility criteria.

STANTA is the St Albans Enterprise Agency, supporting local small businesses by providing free one‑to‑one advice, business skills workshops, and access to helpful resources. They also offer flexible, easy‑in/easy‑out office space in St Albans, helping new and growing businesses get established and thrive in the local area.

See some of the workshops they are hosting at the STANTA Business Centre below:

• Attracting Customers to your Website (SEO) (26 March)
• Building your Pipeline and Smarter Selling using LinkedIn (15 April)