Additional Restrictions Grant - new policy live
West Berkshire Council have distributed over £5 million to local businesses that have been severely impacted by Coronavirus restrictions since November 2020 through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
We have now introduced a new policy that went live for applications on 6 September 2021. This new policy will support businesses that continue to be impacted by legal restrictions, or are suffering from severe hardship.
For more information on how to apply, follow this link.
Farmers and Land Managers: Defra- funded Farming in Protected Landscapes programme now open!
The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme has been created by Defra and it forms part of the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan (ATP). It will provide funds to allow farmers and land managers to work with Protected Landscape organisations (National Park Authorities and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty teams) to provide benefits for nature, climate, people and places. The programme will run from mid 2021 to April 2024.
The programme offers farmers and land managers up to £250,000 to carry out projects that help nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, and/or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
Network with Business leaders: Sign up for Peer Networks Programme
Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub has announced it will offer a women in business group, as well as mixed cohorts, as part of this year’s peer-to-peer networking programme for Berkshire SMEs. Recognising the benefits of diversity in business, the Growth Hub is also encouraging business leaders from all backgrounds, ethnicities and industries to register for the free programme.
Part of the Government’s national Peer Networks initiative, the programme brings together cohorts of business leaders to discuss business challenges and opportunities. Delivered through a series of six online group sessions with a trained facilitator, business owners will share their first-hand experiences, discuss common issues and identify practical solutions to overcome them. The programme aims to help SMEs create a trusted local support network, adapt and improve productivity.
The programme is open to small and medium sized businesses that have a minimum of five employees and an annual turnover of a least £100,000. Multiple start dates are available for those interested in signing up to the Berkshire programme, which is being delivered by the Berkshire Growth Hub in partnership with Asesoria Group.
So far, there’s been a really good take up from West Berkshire business leaders but we would like to encourage everyone who is interested to register!
Green September
This month there has been a strong focus on all things environmental; from the activities at the zero carbon tour in Newbury College to help businesses reach a net zero carbon footprint, to the Great Big Green Week which included world recycling day and world car free day, we have been helping to spread the word and work together with businesses to ensure we strive for a greener future. If you would like to see some of the posts and activities, they are available on the West Berkshire twitter page.
In line with this, we have pulled together initiatives that centre around green business for you to have a look at below.
Heroes of Net Zero Competition
The Government is partnering with UK Business Climate Hub to give a small business a chance to attend the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow and win an exclusive prize package. If you are interested, all you have to do is share and describe the actions your business has been taking to go green and cut your greenhouse gas emissions to become a net zero business by 2050.
Low Carbon Workspace
Often one of the biggest barriers to moving further forward with major energy efficiencies is the cost of technology. With a match-funded grant of between £1,000 - £5,000 you can recover up to a third of the cost of many different energy-saving measures reducing the upfront cost and the time to recover your investment.
Welcome Back Fund for local high streets
West Berkshire Council are enabling the Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) and Thatcham Town Council to access £100,000 and £70,000 respectively of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the recovery and re-opening of high streets across the district.
The funding is part of the Welcome Back Fund and will be used to deliver an exciting programme of town centre activities in the run up to Christmas and into the New Year.
We are currently exploring how other town and parish councils across the district with high streets, including Hungerford, can access the funding as well.
Apprentice vacancy in the Economic Development Team
We are thrilled to have started recruitment this week for a new apprentice to support our small Economic Development Team.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with an interest in the economy and local businesses to gain first-hand experience while studying for an apprenticeship. They'll be exposed to a huge variety of projects and have the chance to make a real impact.
Applications close on 7 October, so don't waste any time.
Government backed Start Up Loan for businesses
A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK.
In addition to finance, successful applicants receive 12 months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers to help them succeed.
The loan is unsecured, so there’s no need to put forward any assets or guarantors to support an application.
All owners or partners in a business can individually apply for up to £25,000 each, with a maximum of £100,000 available per business.
Details of Government's £265 million renewable energy support scheme
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have published its biggest ever renewable energy support scheme backed by additional £265 million in September which details how the UK will get more electricity from renewable sources.
The additional money will be provided to businesses with the aim to give a big push for renewable electricity capacity. The additional offshore wind capacity resulting from the funding alone could power around 8 million homes.
Save the Date
The Real Business Club - start your own business
If you are interested in starting your own business or going self-employed, then take the first step by attending classes on finance, tax, legal and business planning by the The Real Business Club. The popular evening classes are funded by West Berkshire Council and are free for West Berkshire residents.
- Finance and tax - 5 October at 19:30
- Legal & ongoing processes - 12 October at 19:30
- Planning and presentation for success - 19 October at 19:30
Climate Change & Sustainable Development Goals - Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
This webinar at 14:30 on 10 October is held by The Business Manifesto Advisory Group (BMAG) for Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce. Senior figures, business leaders and government representatives gather to discuss the sustainable development goals and delivery of the Chamber's Business Manifesto.
And finally...
West Berkshire Council calls for Community Champions 2021 Awards nominations
The search has begun to find this year’s Community Champions to recognise the amazing contributions local residents make to West Berkshire.
We are calling upon local residents to nominate deserving individuals and groups for our Community Champion Awards 2021.
The Community Champion Awards are an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to people who have done something special for their local community and will honour those individuals and community groups who have gone above and beyond to support residents throughout West Berkshire this year.
Nominations will be open from Tuesday 28 September 2021 for 5 weeks. All of the awards will be judged by an independent panel and the winners will be presented with their award at an awards ceremony to be held in January 2022.
Nominations for the Community Champions Awards 2021 can be made in the following four categories:
- The Pat Eastop Junior Citizen of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Community Group of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
To read more about the criteria for each category and make a nomination visit the dedication Community Champions Awards web page.
The deadline is 1 November 2021 so get those nominations in quick!
Thanks for reading! The West Berkshire Business Newsletter will be back with regular bulletins.
For more frequent updates from the Economic Development team, follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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