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Welcome to the April edition of Test Valley Business Matters. We hope you had a good Easter whether working or taking a break.
We are flagging a few notable events on the horizon - full details in the newsletter below:
- The annual Andover jobs fair on 17 June - please get in touch if you have vacancies and would like a table.
- An in-person workshop in Romsey on strategy, digital marketing, branding and podcasts.
- The annual SoapBox Derby at West Portway Business Park - there are opportunities for corporate entry and sponsorship!
To mark the new tax year, we're also highlighting some resources on the National Minimum Wage, Making Tax Digital and VAT.
 Andover Jobs Fair
TVBC will be organising a jobs fair in Andover on the morning of Wednesday 17 June at The Lights Theatre in partnership with Andover Jobcentre Plus, Andover College and the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. The focus will be on connecting employers who have vacancies with local jobseekers. We know from previous experience that jobseekers really value speaking to someone face-to-face and we have had very good feedback from employers about previous jobs fairs. There is no cost for local employers who would like a stand, although we are limited for space and so ask that you have, or expect to have, some vacancies. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, while trying to get a balance between different sectors. Please contact jhewson@testvalley.gov.uk if you are interested.
 Test Valley Business Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Test Valley Business Awards. You can enter your own business or nominate a business for any of the following categories:
- Business in the community
- Corporate business
- Innovation and technology
- New business
- Rural business
- Small business
- Sustainability
- Young business person.
There are still sponsorship opportunities available including for the categories of New business and Small business. Details of sponsorship and business entry to the awards can be found on the TVBA website: Test Valley Business Awards. The Council is proud to be sponsoring the Sustainability award once again.
 Depot charging scheme and zero emission vehicles
Funding is available on a first come, first served basis for 70% of chargepoint and civil costs for installations at fleet depots. The scheme is designed to support uptake of zero-emission HGVs, vans and coaches. Applications opened on 25 March and will close on 30 June (or earlier if the funding is exhausted). Full details can be found here: Depot Charging Scheme - GOV-UK Find a grant.
The Government has extended its scheme to provide funding towards approved zero emission vehicles including cars, vans and trucks. The seller includes the Government contribution as a discount in the purchase price. The eligible vehicles are listed here: Zero emission vehicles eligible for a grant: Overview - GOV.UK
 BHR Workshop: Strategy, digital marketing, branding and podcasts
Business Hub Romsey is holding an in-person workshop at Thrings Solicitors in Romsey on 13 May from 4:30pm to 7pm. There will be four speakers:
- Sam Dyer - Strategy vs Plan
- Dmitrijs Meiksans - Building a community on social media
- Sara Merriman - Photography and corporate branding
- Matt Treviss - The power of podcasts.
For further information and tickets, please see BHR Workshop: Strategy, Digital Marketing, Branding & Podcasts
TVBC Small Business Service
The Small Business Service is free to use for businesses in the borough of Test Valley. We are collecting feedback from people that have used it with the aim of making it even better. if you have used the service, please let us know about your experience: TVBC Small Business Support Service – feedback form. If you've not used the service and are based in Test Valley, please contact them via support@incuhive.co.uk if you'd like to set up a meeting.
Tip for the month
Chasing new customers but ignoring existing ones? It costs five times more to win a new customer than to keep an existing one. Yet most businesses spend all their energy on acquisition and barely any on retention. Your past customers already trust you. They've already spent money with you. They're the easiest people to sell to but only if you stay in touch. A quick email, a loyalty offer, or simply checking in can bring them back.
Tip: This week, contact five customers you haven't heard from in a while. A simple "How are you getting on?" can restart the relationship. You may well be pleasantly surprised by the outcome!
Business.gov.uk
The Government is building a bank of business resources at Business.gov.uk - Find the right support for your business. There's guidance on areas such as Setting up, applying for a start-up loan, working for yourself, employing people and exporting. They are running a business academy which is free to join and offers on demand videos and access to live events.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Andover Mind is an independent local mental health charity which serves Andover and surrounding areas in Test Valley. It is running a mental health awareness campaign for local businesses in the weeks leading up to 'Mental Health Awareness Week' (11-17 May). As part of this, they are offering a free workplace wellbeing guide which you can obtain by emailing: fundraising@andovermind.org.uk. If you wish to run activities during Mental Health Awareness Week, they can also support with ideas and tips.
 Western Avenue Riverside Park
TVBC will go out to tender in May via Hampshire County Council's Gen5 framework for the main contract to deliver the Western Avenue Riverside Park scheme in Andover. The main contract will cover the delivery of the changes to the highway network to create the space for the park as well as the delivery of the hard landscaping and structures within the park itself. Later in the year the Council will be procuring separately a specialist landscape contractor to deliver all the planting within the park. Works are anticipated to start on site in January 2027 subject to the outcome of the Council’s application to the Department for Transport to stop up the necessary parts of the highway.
 Late payments legislation
The Government consulted on late payments to small businesses last year, and has just published its response to that consultation. They confirm that they plan to legislate, with the following measures:
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Powers for the Small Business Commissioner to investigate, adjudicate and fine late paying large businesses that persistently pay their suppliers late.
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Maximum payment terms of 60 days with strictly limited exemptions.
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Deadlines for disputing invoices.
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Mandatory interest on late payments.
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Prohibition of retention payments on construction contracts.
Minimum hourly pay rates
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage went up on 1 April. Details on the new minimum hourly rates for workers of different ages and for apprentices can be found at National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK.
Advice on calculating the minimum wage for workers paid an annual salary, workers paid by the hour, workers paid by the piece (output), and any other payment system is provided here: Calculating the minimum wage - Working hours for which the minimum wage must be paid. There is also a series of advice videos on the NMW here: National Minimum Wage | GoToStage.com
Making Tax Digital seminars
If you have annual qualifying income from property and/or self-employment that is £50,000 or above, you will be legally obliged to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) from April 2026. If your qualifying income is £30,000 or above, you will need to use MTD from April 2027 and if £20,000 or above, then you will need to use MTD from April 2028. HMRC is running webinars to explain the requirements and outline practical steps to take to prepare. You can select a date and register here: MTD Registration
FSB guide to tax and VAT
The Federation of Small Businesses has produced a free guide on small business tax, VAT and Making Tax Digital. You do not need to be a member of FSB to access it, though you do need to register your details. It can be downloaded from this page: Business Basics | Small Business Guides & Resources
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