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Welcome to the December edition of Test Valley Business Matters. If your business is open over Christmas, we hope it's busy. If you're taking some well-earned time off, we hope you have the chance to relax and rejuvenate.
In this edition, we're providing links for the central Government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation, and for the tender for the construction of the new theatre. There's also news of a new welding apprenticeship at Andover College.
Everyone in the TVBC Economic Development Team wishes you a very successful 2026.
 Local Government Reorganisation
Across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight there are currently 15 councils; the government wants to simplify this by creating fewer, larger councils responsible for all services. The government has launched a public consultation on four options for local government reorganisation in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Three of those options create a mid-Hampshire council, bringing together towns, villages and rural areas. Of these three, our preferred option would see Test Valley join Winchester, New Forest and East Hampshire, bringing together similar communities based on their existing boundaries.
The fourth option would see Test Valley join the city of Southampton, Eastleigh and New Forest.
Whichever option you support, please visit the government’s consultation page make sure your voice is heard. The consultation is open until 11 January 2026.
 New Andover theatre
The tender has now been advertised for pre-construction services and construction works for the new Andover theatre. It is available on the eTendering system – EU-Supply – using the following link: https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=100440&TID105691&B=
A brief summary of the opportunity is available by clicking “Quote/Tender Details” at the top of the page. To view all the information, including the documents, please register or login to the system by clicking the relevant button at the top left of the page. The response deadline is 12 noon on 6 January 2026.
Town centre frontage grants
 We're delighted that the Gisbys have finished their work on the frontage of Andover Framing in the High St. The new fascia, signage and window display look fantastic! Work at the Andover Tap in Winchester St is also now just finished and Ark Hair Design has moved into part of 50 High St. Other projects are underway or in development. All work on these projects must be finished by end March 2026 since the money is coming from the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Grants are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects once any necessary planning permissions are in place.
 Free AI training for Test Valley businesses
TVBC has organised a webinar to introduce business owners and employees to AI, led by Luke Williams from the Intergage Group. It will run from 10 to 11am on Wednesday 4 February. Please book your place here: AI for Small Businesses - Introductory Webinar Wed 4 Feb
Following this, Luke will run a free half day workshop in Romsey on Wednesday 11 February from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Luke will show you real-world examples, and help you to develop some use-cases and pilots that you can apply to your own business. Please book on here: AI Workshop Tickets, Wed 11 Feb
When we ran a similar pair of events in October, every attendee recommended it, and said that they intended to apply some of the content within their business.
Feedback comments included:
Luke is an excellent presenter... delivering potentially complex concepts in a very accessible way, thank you.
Luke has a wonderful presentation style, concise, informative and warm, his presentation was a great blend of information then doing.
Small Business Support Service
The Test Valley small business support service is free to Test Valley businesses. Please contact support@incuhive.co.uk if you'd like to have a call or a meeting. They can discuss with you anything from your business plan to managing cash flow and marketing your products and services.
Business Service monthly tip - Never enough hours in the day?
Arnold Schwarzenegger once claimed the answer was to "Sleep faster!" That may not work for everyone, but what you can do is stop trying to do everything. Your time is your most valuable asset, so why are you spending it on admin or routine work rather than winning clients or growing your business?
Tip: Make a list of everything that eats your time. Circle three tasks you could delegate, automate, or bin completely. Then actually do it. You can't create more hours, but you can create more value from the ones you have!
 Welding apprentices
Andover College is planning to start a General Welding Level 2 apprenticeship course after Easter. The apprenticeship will last 18 months, with the apprentice at work four days/week and at college one day/week. They will cover a range of welding processes, adapted to a range of different materials and joint configurations/positions. They will also learn about the technical documentation requirements, ancillary equipment, faults and problem solving.
If you would be interested in finding out more, please contact apprenticeships@sparsholt.ac.uk. The college can help with advertising and recruitment too.
Apprenticeship guide
If you are considering taking on an apprentice, you can download a free guide: Growing & Retaining Apprentices for SMEs from the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. It is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses bring apprentices into their team and keep them for the long term. It focuses on clear structures, supportive cultures and opportunities for young people to thrive, giving real examples and practical tips. Download the guide here: Free apprenticeship advice for SMEs
 Online selling
The FSB has produced a practical guide to help shops, market traders and local retailers decide if selling online is the right next step. FSB | Should I sell online? A practical guide for local retailers
 Autumn budget
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has produced a range of articles on the changes announced in the Autumn budget that are free to access: Autumn Budget 2025 | ICAEW
Making Tax Digital (MTD)
This is a reminder that tax returns are changing for sole traders or those that earn money from property. If your annual turnover is greater than £50k, you will need to start keeping records using MTD software from 6 April 2026. MTD will be extended in April 2027 for those with a turnover above £30k and in April 2028 for those with a turnover above £20k. If you use a bookkeeper or accountant, you should speak to them about how your quarterly digital updates to HMRC will be submitted. If you do your own tax returns, you will need to check the new requirements and check that you have appropriate software - further information can be found here: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - how it works and Choose the right software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - GOV.UK
Partnerships do not yet have to use MTD, but it will be introduced at some point in the future.
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