|
Welcome to the January edition of Test Valley Business Matters. We wish you all a productive and prosperous 2024.
There are plently of dates for your calendar in this edition: these include free monthly online net zero seminars for Test Valley businesses; Second Sundays markets, and food and drinks fairs in Andover; forthcoming careers and jobs fairs; and a useful list of financial and employment dates compiled by the Federation of Small Businesses.
Last month, we highlighted our new free Small business support service and Rural net zero service, and are delighted that a range of businesses are already using them. Please remember that they are there for you.
In December, we were grateful to Ocado Engineering colleagues for hosting our Manufactured in Andover group. All were fascinated to see their Customer Fulfilment Centre in operation. If you are interested in joining that group, please contact us at econdev@testvalley.gov.uk.
Please share the newsletters with other businesses in the borough; they can sign up to receive them via Test Valley Borough Council (govdelivery.com).
We'd like to encourage rural businesses to investigate our Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) capital grants programme. Grants of £5k-£25K are available which can provide rural businesses with up to 50% funding for:
-
Small scale investments (businesses with fewer than 50 employees).
- Development and promotion of the visitor economy (businesses with fewer than 250 employees).
- Growing the local social economy & supporting innovation (businesses with fewer than 250 employees).
For example, a small business could apply for a grant towards a piece of new machinery that would improve their productivity, a visitor attraction could fit out a kitchen to provide catering facilities, or a farm could use a grant towards glamping facilities. Details are available at Rural England Prosperity Fund. Please get in touch if you have an idea you would like to talk through.
Andover High Street holds a market on the second Sunday of each month from March - December showcasing local producers, designers, makers, street food and craft drinks alongside DJs, workshops and live entertainment. Further information is available at https://www.secondsundaysandover.co.uk/.
If you wish to book a pitch for 10 March, 14 April, 12 May, 9 June, 11 June, 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 13 October, 10 November or 8 December 2024, please apply at https://www.secondsundaysandover.co.uk/trade-with-us.
There will be two special food and drinks fairs in Andover in 2024:
The World Food Fair featuring food from different global cultures will be held on Sunday 4 August as part of the summer programme to celebrate the 2024 Olympic games.
The Taste of Test Valley will be held on Sunday 29 September showcasing local producers. Traders should be based in Test Valley or within 20 miles.
In both cases, the pitch fee is £30-£60 depending on size and the type of trader. Apply via this online form.
As part of our Rural Net Zero advice service, The IncuHive Group and Accelar Ltd will be holding a free 2 hour workshop to be repeated monthly to help small businesses in the borough on their journey to net zero. Although the 1-1 net zero service and small capital grants are targeted at rural businesses, these workshops are open to all businesses, whether rural or not, so please take advantage.
Please book on to learn about the climate crisis, what all the jargon means, and how transitioning to Net Zero can benefit your business Upcoming Events (incuhive.co.uk). The dates are:
18 January 10:00-12:00
22 February 10:00-12:00
22 March 10:00-12:00
18 April 10:00-12:00.
Enterprise M3 is running free webinars and workshops on topical issues over the next few weeks:
- A one hour webinar which will delve deep into the realms of lean manufacturing and automation, not just on the shop floor but also in office settings. The webinar will consider how AI-driven tools such as ChatGPT can streamline processes and workflows. Growing your business: solving the productivity puzzle. 30 January 12:00-13:00.
- An in-person workshop: Strategies to grow your business and profits. The session will be led by Steve Jones who was part of the management team of Fitness First PLC, which went from a single club on the South coast to the largest independent health club chain in the world. Steve will discuss seven key factors to growth. Strategies to grow your business: turning on your P.R.O.F.I.T.S tap. 21 February 09:30 start at Southampton Science Park.
SetSquared is hosting a fully-funded supportive business training programme for women entrepreneurs on 6 and 7 March 2024 at Southampton Science Park. It is aimed at founders of tech, digital or science based ventures. For further information and to apply, please visit Women's Entrepreneurs Workout.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has produced a useful summary of the range of Farming Investment Productivity Schemes past and present. The next round of the Farming Transformation Fund Improving Farm Productivity grant is due to open this month for robotics and automation and solar projects, and a Small Abattoir Fund is anticipated. There are also small grants forthcoming in 2024 through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund in the areas of Productivity and Slurry and Animal Health and Welfare. Link: Farming Investment Fund productivity schemes – NFUonline.
Hampshire County Council Employment and Skills Hub is holding free online webinars for National Apprenticeship Week. They will address the question of how apprenticeships can benefit your business and will give you the opportunity to hear success stories and ask questions. Register for Tuesday 6 February 3pm or Wednesday 7 February 3pm.
The next Romsey jobs fair will be on Thursday 22 February at Crosfield Hall. The last event was successful, with employers commenting on the high calibre of candidates and making job offers. If you are interested in a stand, please contact Tracy Lambe at tracy.lambe@dwp.gov.uk.
Andover College will hold a careers fair this academic year on Wednesday 6 March 2024 from 11 am - 2 pm. The college's experience is that many students are now seeking employment straight after college, and they are keen for our local businesses to be well represented. If you are interested in having a stand, please contact Nikki Yates at Nikki.Yates@sparsholt.ac.uk.
Enterprise M3 is holding a Higher and Degree Apprenticeship Fair at Sparsholt College on Thursday 14 March 2024 from 12 noon to 7pm. Employers will have the opportunity to showcase their companies and engage with students aged 15-18. Tables will be allocated on a first come-first served basis; if you are interested, please contact careershub@enterprisem3.org.uk.
Andover College will be officially opening their new T-Level Digital Design, Development & Production and Computing facilities at an employer launch event on 29th February from 4-6 pm. The college is keen to work with employers to ensure that their courses teach the skills and behaviours that you need in your new recruits. Information on how to book your free ticket to the event will be publicised on the college website and socials shortly. Email helen.perry@sparsholt.ac.uk for further details.
The Enterprise M3 Careers Hub works with schools to connect them to local businesses. They are looking for a new Enterprise Adviser to work with a school in Andover. It is a rewarding volunteer position which helps young people progress into good employment and make informed career decisions. More information is available here: Become an Enterprise Adviser | EM3 or email careershub@enterprisem3.org.uk
|
