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Welcome to the August edition of Test Valley Business Matters.
If you're an Andover business, please book on to our next business breakfast which will take place at Andover College on 16 September. The focus will be on workplace health and we're delighted that Simplyhealth will join us.
The Romsey Show on 12 September still has opportunities for vendors. It's a great event likely to attract more than 15,000 visitors.
Finally, we have updated solar surveys for business premises on Test Valley business parks and industrial estates. They give indicative prices and payback times, and so will give you a starting point if you're thinking about a solar installation.
Further details on all these can be found below. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
 Andover business breakfast
Our next Andover Vision business breakfast will be held on Wednesday 16 September at Andover College Business Centre. Arrival is from 7:15 am; the event will conclude by 8:45 am. The event is free and provides an opportunity for businesses from across the town and its business parks to meet and to engage directly with each other and the Council.
We know that workplace ill health, particularly poor mental health is an increasing challenge for workplaces, and this will be the focus for September’s session.
Simplyhealth Group is a major Andover business and is a vanguard organisation for the Government's Keep Britain Working Review which aims to reduce the number of people leaving work due to ill health and disability, and to help more people stay in or return to employment. We are delighted that Paul Schreier, Simplyhealth Group CEO, will provide an update on Keep Britain Working; he is a member of the Advisory Group. This is particularly timely given the Government’s investment announcement last week: Major expansion of community mental health support across England - GOV.UK.
Simplyhealth Group will also describe their Mental Health Charity Programme, which includes the funding of Mental Health Aware sessions for SMEs, in partnership with Mental Health First Aid England.
As usual, the breakfast will provide an update to businesses on the Andover regeneration projects. Please book your free ticket via this link: Andover Vision Business Breakfast Tickets
 Solar surveys for premises on business parks
A couple of years ago, TVBC sent out solar surveys of business premises on Test Valley business parks and industrial estates. The surveys are conducted by drone, looking at roof space, shade, skylights etc, and give indicative costs and payback times for solar installations. Given changes in energy prices, solar technology and installation costs since then, these surveys have just been updated. Please contact econdev@testvalley.gov.uk if you'd like the report for your premises, giving your full business address.
The surveys are provided for information as a starting point - should you wish to go ahead with a solar installation, you will need to approach a solar installer of your choice for a detailed survey and quote. Installers accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme can be found here: Find An Installer - MCS
Enterprise Nation / EDF grants
Enterprise Nation and EDF are offering five £5000 grants to small UK businesses for meaningful sustainability improvements, and five free electric charging points. The application form does not look onerous. You need to describe your business and your proposal briefly, and include an optional 1 minute video. Applications close on 31 August. Details and the application link can be found here: £5,000 sustainability grants for UK small businesses | Enterprise Nation
Thinking of exporting?
The Government's business hub includes a step-by-step guide to exporting which can be accessed here: Learn to export. There are also a series of exporting webinars available through the Business Academy - business.gov.uk
The Federation of Small Businesses has produced a guide for small businesses on export market entry strategies: direct exporting, working through an agent, selling through a distributor, selling online, or entering a joint venture or strategic partnership. FSB | Export market entry strategies: A guide for small businesses.
Making Tax Digital
We know that many businesses are uncertain about Making Tax Digital and when and how it will affect them. If that's you, please contact our free small business support service.
Help to Grow courses
Winchester Business School is continuing to run Help to Grow management courses for leaders of small businesses. The course helps participants to develop their strategic skills in order to increase their business’s long-term productivity, resilience and capacity to innovate. Each course comprises 50 hours of learning delivered online and in-person over 12 weeks. The course is funded by the UK Government and Winchester University. Cohorts will start in September and December. Details can be found here: Help to Grow - Management - University of Winchester
Henry Williams, co-founder of Nibula Treats on the Walworth Business Park, has recently completed the course and recommends it to any business owner looking to grow their business.
Hampshire business roadshows
SiGNAL BiZHUB are running an in-person roadshow programme comprising 2.5-hour sessions, on behalf of the Hampshire County Council Growth Hub. The sessions are free for Hampshire business owners to attend but you first need to sign up to their Ignition Plus programme.
The roadshows will cover the following topics:
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Strategy, Clarity & Focus - held in July- recording of the main speaker can be accessed here: Founder Direction, Strategy & Clarity - YouTube
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Leadership, Culture & Sustainable Founder Performance - 21 August - Bordon
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Productivity, Systems & Operational Efficiency - 25 September - Winchester
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AI and Intelligent Business Growth - 23 October - Romsey
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Brand Positioning, Reputation & Customer Experience - 20 November - Farnborough
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Business Models, Pricing and Profitability - 18 December - Bordon
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Marketing that Actually Generates Customers - 22 January - Portsmouth
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Sales Pipelines and Conversion - 26 February - venue tbd
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Risk Resilience and Personal Wealth - 19 February - venue tbd
The sessions include expert insight, facilitated discussion, Q&A, peer networking and reflection.
 Romsey Show vendor pitches
Romsey Show will take place on Saturday 12 September. There are still opportunities for vendors in their shopping and craft marquees. There are also spaces in the FoodZone for food and drink to take home, rather than for consumption on site. More information and a booking link can be found at Romsey trade stand bookings
 Rates relief for pubs and live music venues
From 1 April this year, the Government introduced a 15% pubs & live music venue rates relief Pubs and Live Music Venues Relief - GOV.UK. They have recently announced that a further 20% relief will be awarded from 1 April 2027; the criteria for that will be set out in the next Budget.
TVBC has tried to identify the accounts that are due the 15% relief this year. If you have not been awarded this and think that you should be eligible, please check the criteria on our website at Pubs and Live Music Venues relief | Test Valley Borough Council. There is a link to an application form at the bottom of the page.
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