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Welcome to the April edition of Test Valley Business Matters. We hope you had a lovely Easter, whether working or enjoying a few days off.
We would like to flag to you that TVBC has received a tranche of money for 2025-26 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund. This week, TVBC’s Council approved the work up of a grant scheme with partners to improve Andover town centre shop frontages, and a separate grant scheme to contribute to the costs of installing solar PV on industrial premises in the borough’s business parks. We will be providing more information and launching these schemes in due course. Please keep an eye on our newsletters - if you do not receive them directly, you can sign up here: Business Newsletter | Test Valley Borough Council. You can also register interest in these schemes at econdev@testvalley.gov.uk and we'll let you know as soon as more information is available.
Nominations are now open for the Test Valley Business Awards: Enter here. This is a great celebration of the fantastic and diverse businesses in the borough. It is free to enter and businesses can enter in multiple categories. The closing date is 11 May. Please consider putting your business forward.
Finally, if you are looking to recruit in the next few months, we have jobs fairs in Andover and Romsey in early summer. Please email in to request a table at no cost to your organisation - tables will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Details are provided below.
 TVBC is working with Eastleigh Jobcentre Plus in Romsey, and with Andover Jobcentre Plus, Andover Chamber of Commerce, Andover College and the Lights Theatre in Andover to organise job fairs for adult jobseekers in Romsey and Andover this summer. The fairs will be open to all adults entering the workforce, returning to work after a career break, seeking a new career or simply a new challenge. There is no charge to exhibit - these fairs are being organised for the benefit of local employers and local jobseekers. Previous job fairs in both towns have resulted directly in job offers.
Romsey job fair - Thursday 29 May
This will be held at Crosfield Hall from 10am to 12:30pm. If your business has vacancies and would like a table, please contact tracy.lambe@dwp.gov.uk.
Andover job fair - Wednesday 11 June
This will be held at The Lights from 9:30am to 12:30pm. If your business has vacancies and would like a table, please contact jhewson@testvalley.gov.uk.
 Taste of Test Valley
Following a successful 'Taste of Test Valley' event last year, this year’s event will take place on Sunday 28 September on Andover High Street from 10am to 4pm. We are keen to support and promote local producers and businesses from in and around the Test Valley, encouraging local residents to find out about and purchase fantastic food and drink that is produced on their doorstep. Local musicians will be performing to ensure a relaxed atmosphere. Pitches are available to sell produce (£30/pitch) and for street food and drink vendors (£60/pitch). To apply for a pitch, please complete this form.
Artisan markets
CW Events Hampshire organises artisan markets at the methodist church in Bridge St Andover, the White Hart in Andover, Wyke Down Car Boot Fields, and Weyhill Fairground. They will also be hosting new monthly markets at Finkley Down Farm starting on Sunday 25 May. See details of their events here: Happy Little Markets and apply for a stall at Register as a Trader.
Andover vegan fair
Vegan fairs are running a market in Andover High St on Sunday 6 July. If you wish to apply for a pitch, you can do that here: Vegan fairs. Pitch prices depend on what you are selling, but range from £25 (vegan charities) to £95 (hot food).
 Martyn’s Law
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s law, received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April. The aim of the legislation is to better protect the public from terrorism by requiring certain public premises and events to be prepared in the event of an attack. The implementation phase before the Act comes into force will be at least 24 months, and there is no requirement to comply with the requirements of the legislation until it comes into force.
To be in scope, premises must be wholly or mainly used for/as: retail sale and display of goods to the public, food and drink sales, entertainment and leisure activities, sports grounds, libraries, museums and galleries, community halls, visitor attractions, hotels, places of worship, health care, bus and railway stations, aerodromes, childcare, education, and public authorities providing services to the public. However, businesses in these sectors will only be in scope if 200 or more persons (including staff) are at least occasionally reasonably expected to be present at the same time in connection with one or more uses specified in the Act.
For further information please consult both Martyn's Law | ProtectUK and Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: factsheets - GOV.UK. Statutory guidance will be published, and we will share this with you in due course.
HMRC webinar: Employers - what's new for 2025-26?
HMRC have released a one-hour webinar covering changes for employers for the new tax year. It covers income tax, NI, expenses and benefits, National Minimum Wage, statutory payments and student loans. It is recorded so you can watch it whenever is convenient. The link is here: HMRC webinar
Standardising electronic invoicing
HMRC and the Department of Business and Trade are seeking views on standardising electronic invoicing and increasing its adoption across UK businesses. E-invoicing automates the exchange of invoices between buyers and suppliers even if they use different systems. Their consultation closes on 7 May. Details can be found here: Promoting electronic invoicing - GOV.UK
 Help to Grow website and business support
The Government has launched a Help to Grow website which provides information on starting a business, finance and funding, selling overseas, skills and mentoring and HR.
We'd like to remind you that all SMEs in Test Valley - new and established - are invited to use our free business support service at any time that you need advice. Our advisor lives locally and will meet with you to provide support. Further information can be found here: Small business support service | Test Valley Borough Council.
If your business is seeking to scale up, you can also obtain 1-1 advice through the Hampshire Growth Hub
 Support for employers with placement students
The Department for Education is running a webinar on 6 May for any employers thinking of hosting a student for an industry placement Preparing to host an Industry Placement. They also have a bank of webinars that you can access here: Webinars – T Levels and industry placement support for employers.
Placement opportunities can also take the form of one-week blocks for work experience, or apprenticeships in which the student typically attends the workplace on four days a week and attends college one day a week. Andover College is always keen to talk to employers who want to find out more about student placements. Contact graham.ayrton@sparsholtservices.ac.uk about industry placements and work experience or helen.mitchell@sparsholtservices.ac.uk about apprenticeships.
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