Wokingham Borough Connect
 New vision for Wokingham business
The Eye People has recently moved to the adjacent premise where the previous Ladbrokes shop was in Market Place, after trading in Wokingham town for eleven years.
The opticians have made significant changes to give the shop a refreshed look.
The co-owner Nimesh Ghedia said, ''We moved as we needed a bigger space, and we want to put our own stamp on it. There's more room for displays of frames and testing. We now also have a private area for dispensing.
"As Wokingham's only independent opticians, we are proud to make this investment and look forward to providing continuing service to our customers."
 Help shape our town centre strategy
We are kicking off our engagement with local businesses to create a town centre strategy, which focuses on three key shopping areas in the borough, namely Wokingham town, Woodley and Twyford.
Cllr Mark Ashwell, executive member for Economic Development and Business, said, "We are well aware of the pressure on our high streets, due to rising costs and growing shift towards online shopping. It's vital for us to hear from our local businesses on the challenges they are facing and explore new opportunities together."
If you run a retail business in Wokingham town, Woodley or Twyford, we want to hear from you. Join our first engagement session in Woodley:
Date: Tuesday 10 September
Time: 8am to 9am (refreshment will be served from 7.30am)
Venue: Bader Room, Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ
Reserve a place by clicking the blue button below or emailing our economic development team.
 New opportunities for wedding and event businesses
We are keen to meet event and celebration suppliers and help you reach out to new clients.
We are offering a number of opportunities to promote your business to potential customers planning to get married, use local celebration venues or host other ceremonies in the borough.
If you are running any of these businesses,
- Cake makers, bakers and catering suppliers
- Beauticians, hair and make-up specialists
- Photographers
- Bridal shops and suit hire
- Florists and event design services
- Toastmasters
- Stationery and printing services
- DJs and bands
- Wedding organisers
Send us an enquiry to find out how we can help you reach your target audience, and what we can offer. Please include a brief introduction of your business and a link to your website or social media if any, so we can know more about you.
More sales, more profit
Join a 15-week online sales skill bootcamp delivered by the Berkshire Growth Hub to transform your business. The programme will start in September. Find out more and register online.
 New tool to help you prepare for terrorist incidents
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office has launched the ACT in a BOX, a digital, interactive tool that enables business and voluntary organisations to rehearse and explore their responses to a fictional terrorist incident at or near their premises.
The tool is developed using funding from the Government's Local Resilience Forum (LRF) Innovation Fund and a number of LRFs in England. It provides businesses an opportunity to increase their preparedness and staff awareness as well as supporting wider community resilience.
For more on counter terrorism support and guidance, visit the Protect UK website.
 Be a volunteer to help schools with climate actions
Take part in the Climate Ambassadors scheme to help schools play a part in tackling climate change.
The scheme is looking for volunteers from across the private, public and charity sectors to provide education settings with free and tailored guidance to progress their climate action plans, wherever they are on their sustainability journey.
If you have a great knowledge of climate change, biodiversity or sustainability, sign up to be a Climate Ambassador to help people in our education system become greener and more sustainable.
Don't worry if you haven’t worked in an educational setting before! All volunteers will receive training on climate action plans and advice on applying their knowledge and skills.
 Give your views on key draft strategies
Together with our partners, we are seeking your views on two key draft strategies for our borough:
Both include ambitions on increasing employment opportunities and building on examples of inclusive workplaces locally. Based on input from many local stakeholders, they set out our vision, the context, our shared commitment, and the priority areas we will focus on.
They're aimed at everyone locally, including businesses. Please take part in the surveys and share your thoughts.
 FORE Business returns to our borough
Do you want to meet business professionals regularly to share opportunities, connections and referrals?
A networking group originally founded in Wokingham, FORE business has recently moved back from Ascot to East Berkshire Golf Club in Crowthorne. Members meet on the first Thursday of the month at 8.30am for coffee, bacon rolls and networking, followed by 18 holes of golf.
Guy Griffiths, group ambassador and member for over 10 years, said, "You make really meaningful connections and friendship on the golf course and get to understand others' businesses. Members genuinely look out for each other.
"For me, it's also important to take a break from the day-to-day job, and a round of golf once or twice a month is the perfect tonic."
To explore opportunities for your business, contact Guy
 FORE Business Wokingham - Golf & Networking
Date and Time: 15 August, 8.30am
Hosted by: Fore Business
Wokingham Speakers
Date and Time: first and third Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm
Hosted by: Wokingham Speakers (Toastmasters)
Wokingham - People, Planet, Pint
Date and Time: 5 September, 6pm
Hosted by: Small99
Wokingham WIBN - Women's Business Networking
Date and Time: Thursday afternoon group: 12pm to 2pm, second Thursday of the month; Friday morning group: 9.30am to 11.30am, second Friday of the month
Hosted by: Wokingham Women in Business Network
Other events you may be interested in
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