Business Survey Results
 We have been working with the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce to publicise the Quarterly Economic Survey and its results. The survey is an indication of businesses’ feeling in the quarter and the results are picked up by the Treasury as well as Bank of England.
We think it’s important to understand what our local businesses are feeling in order to come up with the best ways we can support them so we have been encouraging West Berkshire based businesses to take part in this. The results for Q2 are now available to see as well as the wider national and Thames Valley data.
We are hosting a webinar on Monday 5 September between 14:30-15:00 for businesses to understand the results a bit better and to see some live indications of the current business environment. If you would like to join the webinar, please click on link below:
Key Points in Survey:
- Over 50 businesses of varying sizes took part in the survey
- 85% expected turnover to improve in the next 12 months
- Utilities and fuel are the top areas in which businesses expect price rise pressures
- 66% reported increase in domestic sales in the last 3 months compared to only 41% nationally.
Low Carbon Workspaces Funding
 As reflected in the QES results, energy costs are a concern for a lot of businesses, in response to this, we would like to share the low carbon workspace funding opportunity that match funds a business project to reduce carbon emissions and implement energy efficient systems.
Their funding runs from £1,000-£6,000 and they have helped many businesses to put in measures that will cut their energy bills as well as their carbon emissions. If you would like to see some of their case studies, please visit their website and get in contact to see how your business could save money and save the planet.
For more support and services, please visit our website.
Inclusive Employment
 We want good news stories from businesses!
- Are you a business that welcomes workers who think differently?
- Have you taken on staff who have struggled academically but have turned out to be excellent for your business?
- Are you looking for employees and do you have vacancies you struggle to fill?
- Are you confident working with employees with disabilities?
Did you answer yes to any of these questions?
If your answer was yes then Groundwork South would like to hear from you. Groundwork South would like to invite you to a special event in Newbury in September. The event is to celebrate inclusive employers (large and small) and hear about their good news stories when adults have overcome barriers and have delivered great work. The event will have a range of employers and stakeholders sharing good news, talking about some of the challenges and sharing opportunities to make employment more accessible. Employers will find out about how to get added funding to support adults into work (a scheme called Access to Work). Adults who have overcome barriers will be sharing their experiences too.
If you would like to know more then please contact Isabel on 07718 043213. You can find out about the event and find out more about how the programme could help fill some of your vacancies. Isabel is leading the programme.
The event is part of the ASCEND programme in West Berkshire. ASCEND means Support for Carers and individuals with Extra Needs/ Disabilities.
The ASCEND programme is working with adults with learning disabilities or difficulties and individuals with physical disabilities. They are motivated to get into and stay in work but sometimes need support in order to get the very best from them. All of them have special talents. The programme provides support and advice to the individuals and to the employers. The programme is funded through West Berkshire Council.
Business ARG Challenge Fund Stories
After the distribution of our Additional Restriction Grant (ARG) Challenge funds to businesses during Covid, we have seen some wonderful examples of how businesses have used their funding! From sustainable equipment upgrades to digital advances, the businesses have made sure to really embrace the ‘grow and be resilient’ motto of the grant. Below are some of the examples of how businesses have used the ARG Funding:
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Squeegee and Ink
Click on the image to see a video from Squeege and Ink on how the ARG Fund helped their business.
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Fleetwood Studios
Click on the image to see a video from Fleetwood studios on how the ARG Fund helped their business.
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 Earlier in the summer, we launched a campaign to highlight some of the sustainable pubs, cafes and restaurants in West Berkshire and we are delighted to showcase below some of the environmentally friendly places to eat drink and relax! This will be featured in our residents newsletter as well as online to boost the visibility of these great places to support our independent sustainable businesses.
Mrs B's Kitchen (Cafe/Catering)
Mrs B’s Kitchen is a café/kitchen in Newbury that serves up healthy, fresh food from Tuesday to Friday. They are passionate about food and offer great coffee with many options for gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan customers. They have a minimal waste policy and seek out excellent local and seasonal products as much as they can. Visit them to discover their amazing food!
Sustainability agenda
Mrs B’s Kitchen supports the environment in many ways, they use imaginative ways to utilise every aspect of their produce to ensure minimal waste. Recycling is also at the forefront of their business with the use of recyclable packaging and making sure they recycle what can be recycled on a daily basis. We also love the fact they work with local suppliers and businesses to showcase the local produce!
Website: www.mrsb.kitchen
Address: 5Q Faraday Rd, RG14 2AD
Opening Hours: Tues-Fri 10am-3pm
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Chequer’s hotel (Bar/Hotel/Restaurant)
A warm welcome awaits you in a stylish restaurant at the Chequers.
The Smoke House Bar and Grill, located in the heart of Newbury, featuring fashionable décor, comfy seating, mood lighting and cool music…not forgetting great food, wine & service. They offer the ultimate dining experience…Breakfast, Lunch Dinner & Everything in between! Formal, informal, friends, families, lovers…they’re here for everyone!
Sustainability Agenda
The Smoke House at The Chequers are proud to be part of the hotels project using LED lighting to reduce the buildings carbon footprint by 10.8 tonnes CO2e / year …that’s the weight of an African Elephant! The next project in the pipeline is to install solar panels and electric car charging points - this venue is committed to the future of this planet and the community.
Website: www.chequershotelnewbury.co.uk
Address: 6-8 Oxford St, Newbury RG14 1JB
Opening Hours: Monday- Sunday, check website for details
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Colline's Kitchen (Cafe)
Colline's Kitchen is a café, and event catering business that provides wholesome home-cooked food that does not compromise on flavour. They pride themselves in providing food for different dietary requirements and working collaboratively with other local independent businesses.
They are all about food to nurture your body and mind, in a way that has as small environmental impact as possible. Colline’s Kitchen are exploring different ways to make the kitchen more sustainable by sharing ideas and taking recommendations on board.
Sustainability agenda
Colline’s Kitchen source 95% of their produce within a 5 mile radius of Newbury and grow their own fruit and vegetables too to use in the kitchen. They produce a huge range of vegan options too. They also work hard to not have single use plastic and are sourcing responsibility from suppliers that guarantee their packaging to be widely recyclable. In addition, Colline’s Kitchen offer 15% off to customers that bring their own takeaway containers for food and drink so don’t forget when visiting!
Website: www.collineskitchen.com
Address: Waterside center, Waldegrave Place, Northbrook Street RG14 1DS
Opening Hours: Tues - Sat 9am - 5pm
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The Corn Exchange (Cafe/Bar)
The Corn Exchange Newbury is a vibrant arts-centre playing an increasingly pivotal role regionally and nationally with creative participatory programmes and ground-breaking work in outdoor arts. Their thriving café/bar serves a fantastic range of sustainable and tasty drinks and snacks. The Corn Exchange strive to be a flagship organisation at our community’s heart, providing a rich mix of arts and culture to as many local people as possible. They look forward to giving you a warm welcome whilst you support the Corn Exchange.
Sustainability agenda
The Corn Exchange has clear and evidenced targets in place to achieve carbon neutral by 2050. Over the past decade, they have worked hard to improve their green credentials and reduce their carbon footprint by upgrading taps and toilets (70% water saving), installing a solar array (generating a reliable source of green energy), upgrading our auditorium HVAC system, installing a new building management system (maximising efficiency and reducing energy consumption), installing digital display screens and introducing a digital membership scheme (reducing the impact of printing, postage and single-use paper posters).
Website: https://cornexchangenew.com/visitus/eating-drinking
Address: Market Place, Newbury RG14 5BD
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 10am-5pm (or end of performance); Sun 10.30am-5pm (or end of performance)
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The Dolphin (Pub/Restaurant/Hotel)
The Dolphin is a gastropub in the centre of Newbury that serves brunch from midday, light and hearty classic British dishes for lunch, and a perfect mix of meat, fish and vegan dishes for dinner. All dishes are prepared from fresh and they proudly champion local producers where they can. They have private rooms for dinner parties, tasting events and larger catered events as well as five boutique bedrooms.... and “the most beautiful garden for al fresco dining in Newbury”.
Sustainability agenda
The Dolphin are working with West Berkshire Council to install solar panels, double glazing and insulation to reduce their energy consumption. They have planted trees to offset their carbon footprint as well as to improve the greenness of Newbury. We always offer an excellent range of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
The Dolphin work with local suppliers and encourage their guests to use bicycles. To reduce waste, they recycle all glass, cardboard as well as food waste, and have also refurbished the pub with second hand and recycled furniture and fittings
Website: www.dolphinnewbury.com
Address: 113 Bartholomew Street, Newbury RG14 5DT
Opening Hours: Every day from midday (closing times vary, check website)
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Goat on the Roof (Restaurant)
Goat on the roof is a British Tapas Restaurant and Wine Bar using organic and sustainably produced local ingredients and natural wines
Sustainability Agenda
They use only renewable energy, they don’t use any gas at all. They have a comprehensive recycling and re-using policy in their business and only source from sustainable producers and they are all as local as possible.
Website: www.goatontheroof.co.uk
Address: 1 Bridge Street, Newbury RG14 5BE
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday
Lunch Service: 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Dinner Service: 5:30pm – 9:00pm
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Webinar: What can local businesses do to go green?
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The Environment Team are holding a webinar on 5 September, 5.30-6.30pm, and will be joined by local green businesses, including: Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Cotswold Fayre and Thatcham Refillable.
Join in to hear about what these businesses are already doing to help get the district closer to carbon neutrality, along with ideas and guidance for other businesses and residents in the district.
The webinar will be available to watch live on our YouTube channel from 5.30pm, with an opportunity to put your questions to the panel.
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And finally...
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