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We're excited to tell you that the Council has increased its Economic Development Team. Graham Smith retains oversight of both Economic Development and Planning Policy, Jennie Pell leads the Economic Development function as the Principal Economic Development Officer, and Jackie Hewson joins her as the new Economic Development Officer. Claire Ryan continues to provide outstanding support to the team.  

The Economic Development team compiles these eNewsletters to provide your business with information and updates. Further information is available on our website on business support organisations and grants & funding. Please share the newsletters with other businesses in the Borough; they can sign up to receive them at Business Newsletter - TVBC. With our increase in capacity, we hope to develop the newsletter to make it more useful for our business community. If you have content or information that you think would be of interest to other businesses in Test Valley, please contact Jackie at jhewson@testvalley.gov.uk.

Manufacturing in Andover

We’re pleased to report that the Manufactured in Andover group is up and running . It provides the opportunity for manufacturing businesses, large and small, to meet, network and share ideas. It is held every quarter. Bowyer Engineering kindly hosted in September and presented together with Stannah and PLP on their sustainability activities.  Bowyer Engineering has undergone a major renovation, replacing its roof and installing solar arrays on the new roof to dramatically reduce its energy consumption. The next meeting will focus on recruitment and apprenticeships. If you are a manufacturing business in the Andover area and would be interested in joining the group, please contact Claire at econdev@testvalley.gov.uk to be added to the distribution list.

Sustainable Farming Incentive

Farmers can now sign up for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) . The SFI pays farmers for taking actions that support food production, farm productivity and resilience, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment. There are 23 actions on offer under the 2023 scheme, including on soil health, moorland, hedgerows, nutrient management, integrated pest management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low input grassland. Payments under SFI 2023 will be made quarterly to support farmers’ cashflow and activities required in the scheme. Farmers are able to be in SFI and Countryside Stewardship at the same time as long as the actions are compatible, and they are not being paid for the same action twice. Link: Sustainable Farming Incentive guidance

Local Produce Trade Show 2024

Business South will hold their annual Local Produce Trade Show on Tuesday 6 February 2024 at Hilton at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The event will showcase the best of local food and drink from the South, bringing together high-quality local producers with influential catering & hospitality trade buyers.

Exhibitors will have the opportunity to join a pre exhibition seminar to hear from a variety of speakers involved with local produce and the food industry. For further information on exhibiting your goods, please see Local Produce Trade Show - Exhibitors 

In 2023, some 350 local food & beverage buyers, chefs and caterers pre-registered to attend. To register as a buyer please see: Local Produce Trade Show - Buyers. Buyers can register for free.  

Plea to support college T-Levels

T-Levels are new qualifications which provide an alternative to A-Levels for students aged 16-19 with 5 GCSEs (Grades 4-9) who wish to follow a vocational route. They are two-year programmes developed in collaboration with employers to meet the needs of industry and prepare students for work. Andover and Sparsholt colleges are looking for businesses to help shape the contents of the courses and to offer student placements. Andover and Sparsholt Colleges currently offer T-Levels in fields including: Animal Management Industries Farming and Livestock Trees and Woodlands Automotive Maintenance Installation and Repair Digital Industries Building Trades (especially brick and carpentry) Education (Early years) Adult Nursing Further T-Levels will be introduced, for example in engineering and business. Placements are over 2 years, with a target of 350 hours to be completed in that time frame (or 750 hours for education). Students will have one day a week to attend placements built into their timetables, but holidays and weekends can also be used. They can be voluntary (non-paid) or part time jobs. Employers can also suggest to the college their ideas for projects or homework, or important skills that they believe the students should develop to be work-ready by the end of their courses. If you may be able to support the next generation with a placement, or want to find out more, please email ip@sparsholt.ac.uk. If you are a local employer, please share your thoughts on the skills and experience you are looking for in college leavers using the following form:  Employer feedback to inform curriculum design, delivery and assessment

Get Inspired events

Education Business Partnership (EBP) South runs a range of events to bring businesses from all industries together to engage young people and help them on their journey to the world of work. The events are well attended by local schools and provide the opportunity for businesses to exhibit interactive activities to inspire young people about future career paths. Get Inspired Basingstoke will take place at The Apollo Hotel on 7 February 2024 , with up to 600 students aged 11-16 expected to attend. There will be a further event for secondary students in Southampton and the New Forest (details to be confirmed). A primary schools' STEM fair will take place at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke on 13 March 2024. For more information, see Career Inspiration Events - EBP South

Romsey jobs fair

Jobs Centre Plus held a jobs fair in Romsey on Friday 22 September, supported by the TVBC Economic Development Team. A range of employers attended including Southern Co-op, Hilliers, Blue Angel, NHS, Bradbeers, ITS Construction, A-Plan, Hampshire Constabulary, Totton College, The Workshop, the Army and Conect2Hampshire.  Over 120 candidates attended, a mix of Jobs Centre Plus customers and local people. The feedback was excellent. Employers commented on the high calibre of the attendees: some have filled critical roles, others have signed up for trial shifts and many are being called in for interview. Due to the success of the event, there are plans for another fair early in 2024. If your business would be interested in attending that event, please contact TRACY.LAMBE@DWP.GOV.UK

Independent shops

The Visit Test Valley website has been updated to include a section on independent shops in Andover, Romsey and Stockbridge Independent shops | Visit Test Valley. If you run an independent shop and have not been included, please contact us through econdev@testvalley.gov.uk.

Fire safety requirements

New fire safety requirements for non-domestic premises came into force on 1 October. These gave additional duties to the Responsible Persons on whom duties are imposed under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The following links give more information:

Fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022

Small non-domestic premises - Guide & checklist

Please find a round up of events local to Test Valley that are open to all. We will also keep a list of forthcoming events on our website at Business Meetings and Events Diary. If you would like us to include a future event, please email Jackie (jhewson@testvalley.gov.uk). 

Regular events

The Natural Business Network promotes networking amongst businesses in Andover. It runs Zoom meetings every Thursday at both 7:30 am and 10 am. It also runs face to face networking events in Andover every month: There is an informal networking and coffee morning on the first Tuesday of every month, a breakfast meeting on the third Wednesday of the month, and a social get together and network meeting on the last Friday of each month. For further details see  NBN Meetings & Events or contact naturalbusinessnetwork@gmail.com.

Romsey Mutual Business Group runs Networking breakfasts every month at The White Horse Hotel Romsey. To see all the dates and book, go to: Romsey Networking - RMBG (romseymbg.co.uk)

Hampshire Chambers of Commerce runs a wide range of International Trade training workshops for both Members and Non-Members. To see the specific topics and dates, please visit: Training: International trade.

Specific dates for your diary

11 October 2023 - Hampshire Chamber of Commerce - Andover PURE Networking and Business Engagement Update. The Lights. Link: Networking - hampshirechamber.co.uk. The event is free to members and costs £20 for non-members.

13 October 2023 – FSB – Virtual networking event including 10 minute presentation: Purpose-driven analytics with customer data. Link: Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight Virtual Networking Free for members and non-members.

13 October 2023 – FSB – LGBT+ led business networking. Virtual. Link: Let’s Grow Business Together – LGBT+ networking

18 October 2023 – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce – AGM. Guest speaker Bruce McKinnon, founder of The Brand Arrow. Norton Park Hotel. Link: AGM. Free to members and non-members.

24 October 2023 – FSB – Virtual Seminar Cost of living: How employers can support staff and boost retention. Free for members and non-members.

25 October 2023 – FSB – Virtual Seminar What are the best e-commerce store options for selling online. Free for members and non-members.

31 October 2023 – Enterprise M3 – Funding and Finance. Webinar. Register at Funding and Finance

3 November 2023 – Incuhive/Demo Consultancies – Andover Business Drinks Social – Andover Business Drinks Social

7 November 2023 – Enterprise South – Launch of The Enterprise Club. Speakers from Solent Mind, NiceTime Social and Enterprise South. Solent Business Centre. Free for members; £20 for non-members. Link: Enterprise Club Networking Event

8 November 2023 – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce – Unlocking Hampshire’s Green Potential. Apollo Hotel Basingstoke. Link: Green Potential - hampshirechamber.co.uk This is a free event for members and non-members to help businesses make practical and achievable sustainability changes.

8 November 2023 – FSB – Women in Business networking event including 10 minute presentation: It’s never too late to chase your dreams. Link: Women in Business Bi-monthly National Networking  Free for members and non-members.

9 November 2023 – Business South – Annual Conference - Hilton at the Ageas Bowl. Link: Business South Annual Conference

9 November 2023 – EM3, Hampshire Chamber, DBT – Accelerating your Business in International Markets. Apollo Hotel, Basingstoke. Link: Accelerate Your Business in International Markets | EM3

13 November 2023 – Enterprise M3 – Net Zero Opportunity – Making it Happen. Free webinar. Register at The Net Zero opportunity: Making it happen

22 November 2023 - Hampshire Chamber of Commerce - How To Make Your Video Marketing Stand Out. Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. Open to members and non-members – see website for costs. Video Marketing event

13 December 2023 – Enterprise M3 – Net Zero Opportunity – Future proofing. Free webinar. Register at Net Zero - Future proofing

The FSB also runs a November Small Business School in which they offer a choice of 2-hour sessions on the following topics (scroll down the webpage to find links to your session of choice): Sales – Finding and converting leads (7 or 9 November 2023) Finance – Managing your accounts and cash flow (14 or 16 November 2023) Video – Using video to promote your business (21 or 23 November 2023) Social media plan - Identifying where to find your customers and how to plan your social media (28 or 30 November 2023). Each session costs £40 for non-FSB members and £20 for FSB members.

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