|
Welcome to the October edition of Test Valley Business Matters.
This month we are launching a new TVBC fund for rural and community enterprises based in rural regions of the borough. This will offer grants of up to 80% of project costs to a maximum of £10k - see details below. We are also able to extend the solar grant scheme to cover all commercial premises in the borough, not just those on business parks.
We will hold the next Andover Vision Business breakfast at the Andover College Business Centre on Wednesday 19 November from 7:15am. Erith, the company contracted to demolish the old Poundstretcher Unit, will attend and there will be a Q&A session on the regeneration projects. The College will also seek your views on the skills and skills shortages that you see within your companies and that you come across when you try to recruit. Please book you place here: Andover Vision Business Breakfast
 TVBC has launched a new Fund for rural and community enterprises that provide products, services and facilities to rural communities and benefit the local economy. Awards are for up to £10k and will fund up to 80% project costs. Projects can be for capital investment or for running costs such as training (they cannot cover ongoing costs such as staff wages).
Examples of potential projects are:
- Refurbishing or equipping rural pubs, shops, or social clubs
- Community organisations starting or expanding commercial ventures, such as business hubs or childcare facilities
- Social clubs in rural areas seeking to refurbish, buy equipment or train staff
- Commercial sports clubs in rural areas looking to buy equipment, improve their premises or train staff
- Farms looking to diversify
- Traditional rural businesses investing in equipment or training
Details and the application form can be found here: Rural business and community enterprise fund
 Extension of the Solar business grants
The eligibility criteria for business grants towards solar installations on commercial premises have been widened. Grants were previously restricted to premises on business parks and industrial estates, but you can now apply for any commercial premises except where the premises is also used as a domestic property. Grants are worth 20% of installation costs up to a maximum of £5k. These grants will help to reduce the payback times for your installation. The installation must be complete and paid for by 20 March 2026. Details and the application form can be found here: Business Solar Grants | Test Valley Borough Council
Grants are always subject to any necessary consents: you will need to complete an application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed installation, alteration or replacement of other Solar Photovoltaics (PV) equipment on the roofs of non-domestic buildings, or a planning application, depending on your circumstances. The forms for these can be downloaded from Application forms | Test Valley Borough Council. The prior approval form is under the section ‘Permitted development requiring prior notification’. If you want to discuss planning requirements, please contact planning@testvalley.gov.uk.
 Andover regeneration projects
Demolition of the former Poundstretcher store is scheduled to start tomorrow and will last for around three months. The process will use both high reach and top-down demolition methods. Erith, the demolition contractor, has installed various real-time monitoring stations around the site boundary to monitor noise, dust, and vibration levels throughout the works on site, and to ensure that they are operating within all limits. Erith will attend the Andover business breakfast on 19 November (booking link Andover Vision Business Breakfast) and will be available to answer any questions.
The project to create the new riverside park near Western Avenue in Andover has secured planning permission - further details can be found here: Think Andover Town Centre news
Andover Town Centre Frontage grants
Money is still available towards improving the frontages of businesses in Andover town centre. Grants can go towards things such as new signage, and repairing and repainting window and door frames and render. Please come and talk to us with your ideas on Wednesday 12 November between 2 and 4pm upstairs in the Guildhall. The grants will cover up to 75% costs (90% for charities and those with small business rates relief). Planning colleagues will be available to talk through any consents you might need for the proposed work. The money is only available for work done by March 2026 so if you want to take advantage, you need to get an application submitted.
Remembrance Sunday - 9 November
There will be road closures in the town centres on Remembrance Sunday. The approximate road closure times are given below:
Andover
- Bridge St closed from 9:40 to 10:45am and again from 11:25am to 12 noon
- Winchester St, South St Eastern Avenue, East St, Newbury St and Church Close closed from 10:15 to 10:45am and again from 11:25am to 12 noon
Romsey
- Love Lane closed between 8:30 and 9:30am and again from 11:25 to 11:40am
- Latimer St and The Hundred closed from 9:30 to 9:50am and from 11:25 to 11:40am
- Bell St and Market Place closed from 9:30 to 9:50am and from 11:20 to 11:40am
- Church St and Church Place closed from 9:30 to 9:50am
- Church Lane, The Abbey and The Meads closed from 10:20 to 10:45am and from 11:20 to 11:25am.
 TVBC funds a small business service which Test Valley businesses can access for free at any time - please contact IncuHive on 0800 689 3564 or by email at support@incuhive.co.uk to arrange a time to talk. Here's are some tips on Christmas preparations from Andy Pringle who runs the service for us.
Christmas is coming - but not for everyone
For businesses expecting a festive rush: Make sure you have enough stock; suppliers are stretched and delivery times increase. Advertise for seasonal staff while good candidates are still available. Book your advertising and prepare any email campaigns (you might find this blog useful: Christmas planning for social media.) Confirm any extended opening hours and brief your team early. The businesses that succeed at Christmas are the ones that plan early.
For businesses facing a quiet December: A slow Christmas can be used to your advantage! Invoice all outstanding work by early November, and contact your top clients about booking January projects now. Use your quiet period strategically: deep-clean premises, train staff, plan 2026, create marketing content and implement those system improvements you never have time for. The businesses that thrive long-term aren't the ones who are constantly ‘busy’, they are the ones who use slower times wisely.
Cyber security
October is cyber security awareness month, although you are probably well aware of the risks from listening to the news. SMEs, supply chain businesses and third sector organisations can sign up to the police-led South East Cyber Resilience Centre for free. This gives you access to a range of free resources including free training for your team and a free half hour cyber health consultation. They then offer a range of free and paid-for services which you can pursue as you see fit. Further information can be found here: Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East | Cyber Resilience Services. The National Cyber Security Centre has dedicated pages for the self-employed /sole traders, small and medium sized organisation, and large organisations here: National Cyber Security Centre - NCSC.GOV.UK
Securing contracts
Enterprise Nation has launched Supply Connect, a support service available for businesses seeking to win public and private sector contracts. Further information can be found here: Supply Connect | Win public and private sector contracts for your business
Childcare solutions for employers
Hampshire County Council is running webinars designed to support employers in understanding and navigating the evolving landscape of childcare support. The webinars give practical guidance for directors, HR professionals, and line managers on how to better support working parents and carers in their workforce. Each session explores the latest childcare solutions available, including government-funded schemes, flexible working options, and local services that can help employees balance work and family life.
The dates of the sessions are:
- Wednesday 26 November 2025 - 2pm to 3pm
- Tuesday 24 February 2026 - 5pm to 6pm.
Book via Building Brighter Futures: Childcare Solutions for Employers in Hampshire
 Companies House verification
Identity verification is a new legal requirement for UK registered companies. It aims to reduce fraud and improve transparency and accuracy of information on the Companies House register.
From 18 November 2025, Companies House will require verification from Company Directors, People with Significant Control, Company Secretaries, Members of LLPs and corporate service providers and agents. You will need to provide a personal code for each role you undertake. The code will be given to you when you have verified your identity. Further details can be found here: Identity verification at Companies House - GOV.UK
 Business help for students from military families
Andover College, in partnership with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Southern Universities Network, and the Forces Employment Charity, is joining forces to support young people from military families in building the soft skills they need for career success. They are asking graduate employers to attend a roundtable event on 2 December from 10am to 12 noon at The Army Flying Museum.
Approximately, 30 A level students from military families, will present their personal skills and attributes and connect directly with employers. The aim is to help these students to develop their communication skills as they take their next steps towards Higher Education and employment. If you are able to attend, please contact laura.asbridge@sparsholtservices.ac.uk at the College.
Rookwood School is also seeking employers to give a talk or host a site visit. Please contact nwatts@rookwoodschool.org if you can help.
Inclusive recruitment
The Education and Training Foundation is hosting a webinar on 6 November from 1pm to 2pm exploring how young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and dedication to the workforce. The sign up link is here: All Our Talents - Alternative Recruitment Solutions
|
