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Welcome to the June edition of Test Valley Business Matters.
Businesses in hospitality, leisure and tourism will be affected this summer by the savings initiative recently announced by the Government. VAT will be reduced from 20% to 5% from 25 June to 1 September for children's meals in restaurants and family leisure activities. Have a look at the Government announcement and HMRC briefing for more information. There's also a webinar recording that you can access here: HMRC webinar.
We're also flagging some useful ACAS resources on holiday and leave policies.
Finally, please consider putting yourself forwards for a Test Valley Business Award. They are open to all businesses based in or operating within Test Valley, and each year, they showcase a fantastic and diverse range of businesses. You are able to enter multiple categories. The deadline is 19 July.
Have a good summer!
 Financial confidence for small businesses
The accounting software company Xero is offering a free financial literacy and mentoring programme - Unlock your numbers - for small UK businesses and entrepreneurs. It offers bite-sized video lessons (less than 5 minutes long), toolkits and free mentoring on a huge range of financial topics. For further information, please see Unlock Your Numbers | Xero For Good
Cyber security advice
The Cyber resilience centre - a police-led partnership - is running free webinars for sole traders, micro and small businesses. It will explore the everyday cyber risks faced by businesses, and introduce the Cyber Resilience Centre Network, which provides small businesses with fully funded professional cyber support to strengthen business resilience. The webinar will walk you through how to access support such as vulnerability checks, staff training and Microsoft reviews.
Webinars are available at either 11 am on Thursday 18 June and 11am on Thursday 25 June. You'll need to register at the free Government Business Academy to book on via the links.
Supply Connect
Enterprise Nation is running a free Supply Connect programme to help businesses to secure contracts with corporate and government organisations. If you sign up, you are asked a number of questions to then access tailored resources, tools and guidance. Further information can be found here: Supply Connect | Win public and private sector contracts
Disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent founders
The LILAC Centre provides free resources such as webinars, online and in person networking events, and a new tailored mentoring programme to support Disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent entrepreneurs. They are currently conducting a survey to explore the experiences of neurodivergent founders - the link to that is here: Neurodiversity and Entrepreneurship
Monthly tip from the TVBC business support service
Offline Marketing: Remember Life Before Google? Your customers still walk past things. They still talk to neighbours. They still read local magazines and pick up leaflets. Before the internet, businesses built loyal customers through presence and word-of-mouth, and those methods still work. A well-placed ad in a community publication, a stack of cards in the right café, or a sponsored local event can outperform a month of social media posts. Don't abandon the physical world just because everyone else is fighting online.
Remember, TVBC businesses can use the small business support service free of charge.
 Planning advice drop-in
We have previously announced that the Andover town centre frontage grant scheme is being extended for 2026-2027. Many projects do require planning permissions or consents of some kind, particularly if your premises is a listed building.
We are running a planning advice drop-in session on Monday 22 June from 1:30pm to 4pm upstairs in the Guildhall. You can drop in at a time convenient to you and speak to a planning officer, conservation officer or grants officer - no need to book in advance. It would be helpful if you could bring a photo of your existing frontage and any mock-ups that you have or details you are considering for your project. Details on the grants can be found here: Andover Town Centre Frontage Grant | Test Valley Borough Council
Andover Carnival
The Andover Carnival, organised by Andover Community Events, will take place on Sunday 19 July, with a procession through town and a large stage in Vigo Park. Up to 10,000 visitors are expected across the day. Details on sponsorship options can be found here: (closing date 22 June). You can also advertise your business, starting at £40 to display a banner. Finally, there are opportunities to take pitches, though the catering pitches are all full. Please contact Kevin Rush for more details.
Andover Theatre
Test Valley Borough Council has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction as the main contractor to deliver Andover’s new theatre at the heart of the town centre. Morgan Sindall was selected following a competitive tender process. The company has extensive experience in delivering cultural and civic buildings across the UK, working closely with local authorities and communities.
Initially Morgan Sindall will work with the design team to finalise the plans and programme, confirm costs, manage risks and prepare for construction. This work takes place behind the scenes, so there will be no visible activity on site during this stage. Once everything is agreed, the contractor can then move onto the construction phase.
Southern Water
Southern Water is continuing its river enhancement works along the river Anton in the town centre. Following vegetation and tree management works along Western Avenue earlier this year, the next stage focuses on improving the river channel itself.
The works began on 8 June and are expected to complete by 31 July. At times, the river may appear temporarily cloudy or light brown in colour. This is a natural effect caused by sediment being disturbed as part of the improvement works. Site notices are in place with contact details of Southern Water representatives.
During the works there will be a temporary lane closure along Western Avenue. Advanced warning signs are in place.
 Young traders' markets
Young traders' markets will take place in Andover on 12 July and 6 December. The pitches are free for 11-25 year old traders. Details and the link to an application form can be found here: Andover Young Traders Markets 2026
 Legal cover
The FSB is offering a free quick quiz for small businesses to give clarity on the legal documents you need to run your business. You'll get a personalised list of requirements based on answers to a short set of questions. If you wished to access templates from the FSB's legal hub to plug any gaps, you would need to join the FSB.
 Advanced manufacturing expert evaluation panel
The Department for Business and Trade is seeking advanced manufacturing experts for an evaluation panel being set up to help support the Government's Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan. They are particularly looking for experts in the evaluation of advanced materials, aerospace, agri-tech, automotive, batteries and space. Further information can be found here: Advanced manufacturing expert evaluation panel expression of interest: information pack - GOV.UK.
The Made Smarter South East Steering Group is looking for a new chair from an SME manufacturing company (unpaid). If you are interested in finding out more about this, please contact MSASoutheast@surreycc.gov.uk
 Guidance on managing holiday and leave
With the summer starting, we are flagging free guidance from ACAS for employers on Holiday and leave. They also have guidance on creating absence policies for a range of leave types.
Employment advice webinars
ACAS has a bank of webinars that you can access on disciplinary procedures, employment contracts, wages, working hours, leave and absence, redundancy, and wellbeing.
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