Monthly newsletter for North Worcestershire businesses

NWedR supports and promotes economic development and regeneration across North Worcestershire

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Rapid testing twice a week

COVID-19 Updates

The Government has introduced new restrictions to help slow the spread of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. For the most up to date information please see: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance - GOV.UK.


Online grants

New Covid-19 Grants

In response to the impact of Covid-19, Wyre Forest District Council is providing grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 for businesses to help drive their recovery.

To be eligible for a grant, businesses must have been trading for more than 2 years, occupy business premises in the Wyre Forest District and have at least 1 full-time employee in addition to the proprietor.  Businesses in all sectors will be considered.

Eligible costs include plant and machinery, improvements to systems and production processes, digital adoption and diversification. The business must pay a minimum of 25% of the eligible project costs.

All grants must be claimed by Friday 18 March 2022 so applicants must be able to deliver the project to meet this deadline.  Businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking off notice has been made are not eligible for the grant.

The application deadline is 5pm on Monday 31 January 2022.  As funding is limited and demand is expected to be high, businesses are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.  If the scheme is over-subscribed, the council may close the application window earlier.  For an application form, please email info@nwedr.org.uk

PLUS: Details of the Omicron Hospitality & Leisure Grant and the Additional Restrictions Grant will soon be available on the district council websites.


Kidderminster Town hall transform

Come and see the plans!

Kidderminster Town Council, in partnership with Wyre Forest District Council has successfully secured £8 million in funding to transform Kidderminster Town Hall. This funding is part of The Government’s Levelling Up grant of £17.9m which will be used to improve Kidderminster town centre for the community. The Piano Building and the Canal Towpath will share this total investment.

The design team has now completed their outline plans for the Town Hall’s transformation and before these are submitted for planning permission and listed building consent, you are invited to come along, see the plans, and share your feedback which will feed into the final design.

Visit us on:

Thursday 20 January 2022 from 10.00am - 3.00pm

Where: The Exchange Café, Kidderminster Town Hall, Vicar Street DY10 1DA


tourism

Here2Help Tourism

Specialist Support to Help you make your Tourism Grant Application.

Help your business to expand in 2022 with a unique package of support to help tourism SMEs develop and grow.  Fully funded by Worcestershire County Council and delivered by View from the Hill Consultancy, the support combines a growth grant offer of match funded grants up to £15,000, with specialist consultancy support to help with business planning in preparation to complete the grant application form.

Each business can receive up to three, one-hour individual support sessions to be booked at a time convenient to you, to help you with your planning and writing a successful grant application.  You may have:

  • a single one-hour session to provide the opportunity to ask questions on any aspect of your business or the grant application process itself or
  • up to three one hour sessions to provide a more in-depth review of your business and to prioritise projects for investment. Support to complete a grant application form can be provided to help complete a strong grant application for the Here2Help Tourism grant.

Click here to find out more or download the Consultancy Application Form (Word) and submit to Nicky at Here2help@vfthconsulting.co.uk.

Once approved Nicky will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time.


make it worcestershire

New 'Make it Worcestershire' campaign

Worcestershire manufacturing companies have launched new campaign celebrating the county’s vibrant manufacturing sector.

The Make It Worcestershire campaign for 2022 launched at Worcester Bosch, shines a light on the thriving manufacturing sector that currently exists in the county, as well as looking forward at how we can keep it growing.

This is the third phase of the successful wider Make It Worcestershire campaign that has previously focused on supporting local producers and growers by encouraging residents to Buy, Eat, Sell and Stay local.

Read the story in Business & Innovation Magazine


Leigh Walton

Leigh loves Redditch!

Leigh Walton has been recently appointed as the new Chair for the Redditch Town Deal Board replacing local businessman Adam Freeth.

Leigh says “I’m Redditch born and bred. When I found out what the Town Deal could do to re-energise Redditch I just ‘had’ to get involved!

Read the story.


Technical showcase

You’re invited to a BetaDen technical showcase

BetaDen is inviting local businesses to a prestigious Technology Showcase and to join Cohort 4.0 on Thursday 20th January 2022 at 12:00 pm. This pitch event focuses on eight founders and their exciting progress with emerging technology products and solutions.

The live stream will showcase innovation in action through seven-minute pitches for all eight entrepreneurs. We will be promoting future global emerging technology products and solutions for industry supply chains followed by a live and interactive Q&A at the end of the presentations.

Reserve your place for this exciting showcase event at the link below.

Cohort Showcase (beta-den.com)


Commonwealth Games

Get your team Commonwealth Games Ready

Get your business ready to welcome guests to Birmingham and the West Midlands for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and beyond. FREE online training for your staff is available using the foundations of the globally recognised WorldHost customer service programme.  This has been used to train hundreds of thousands of people for events including the London 2012 Olympics, Rugby World Cup 2015 and The Golf Open 2019. The ‘Getting Games Ready’ programme will help participants to:

  • highlight the very best of what the West Midlands destinations have to offer
  • provide a warm, knowledgeable, and inclusive welcome
  • share tips about Birmingham 2022 and the cultural festival
  • provide up-to-date, accurate and accessible information to visitors
  • place the West Midlands on the map as a place to visit, stay and invest

The programme is easily accessible via e-learning on most Internet enabled devices, taking between 3-4 hours to complete. Each participant will be issued with a ‘Getting Games Ready’ programme certificate on successful completion of the course.

Find out more.


Green World Small

Sustainability is on trend for 2022

Climate action and sustainability have been in the spotlight over the last year. Customer and supply chain interest in buying ethical green products and services is on the rise, which is great for our planet. Every business should be looking at how they can become more sustainable in 2022.

GBSLEP Zellar 100 sponsored licenses

GBSLEP (Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership) have partnered with Zellar, the UK’s first sustainability platform, to sponsor 100 licences for local businesses to help them become sustainable, reduce emissions, and go beyond ‘Net Zero’ faster.

Make sustainability a priority

Register your business at GBSLEP Expression of interest and you will get a personalised sustainability plan that you can implement at your own pace. Zellar will provide you with all the support, tools, resources, and connections you need to take climate action today. Highlights include:

  • Free carbon calculator
  • Benchmark your carbon footprint with similar businesses
  • A personalised plan to reduce emissions
  • Help transition to green suppliers
  • Reduction in costs through green initiatives and technology
  • Planting trees to offset your carbon footprint
  • Showcase your sustainability progress on your profile

We know that many businesses don’t have the time, money, or ‘know how’ to start becoming sustainable, that’s why the GBSLEP is committed to supporting 100 local businesses across the West Midlands.

If you have any questions, Richard Garner Head of Partnerships at Zellar is happy to give you support. Email richard@zellar.com

GBSLEP Expression of interest form.


Jerroms team

Sustainability is a top priority for Jerroms

Jerroms Accountants and Business Advisors joined a local Better Environment Partnership meeting in Bromsgrove to explain how Jerroms are taking proactive steps to be environmentally sustainable. 

See the ‘Make Sustainability a Business Asset and Not a Cost’ webinar via YouTube


Brexit

Import requirements from 1 January 2022

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued notices for traders on importing requirements coming into place in 2022.

From 1 January 2022, businesses importing products of animal origin, animal by-products and high-risk foods not of animal origin (HRFNAO) must pre-notify consignments at least four hours in advance of arriving into Great Britain. The pre-notification must be made via the Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS).

To help business get ready for these new requirements, Defra has made available a briefing note that contains key information. Businesses should take the time to read and understand the actions needed to continue importing from the EU into GB from 1 January 2022. Additionally, businesses can refer to the Border Operating Model for further information.

Find out more


Cyber Security

New laws to strengthen national security

The government has published further guidance to help businesses understand their obligations under National Security and Investment (NSI) Act.

On 4 January 2022, the NSI Act came into effect across the UK and the government will be able to scrutinise and intervene in certain acquisitions made by anyone, including businesses and investors, that could harm the UK’s national security.

Businesses and investors are encouraged to get ready for the changes and the guidance published today helps businesses and investors to assess whether the government must be notified of an acquisition. Mandatory notification will apply across 17 sensitive areas of the economy, including Artificial Intelligence and Civil Nuclear.  Businesses are also encouraged to understand what to expect when they submit a notification form and go through the NSI notification and assessment process.

Find out more


Bromsgrove new homes

Construction of energy-efficient new homes in Bromsgrove has begun

The first bricks have been laid on the site of the old Council House on Burcot Lane as sixty one homes with superior energy efficiency measures start to go up.

The homes will be heated by air source heat pumps rather than gas, and there will be solar panels with battery storage on the houses, thanks to a £610,000 grant from the Government’s Getting Building Fund awarded via the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Read the story.


connected

Staying Connected

The NWedR team delivers support and services to businesses across North Worcestershire. Email us on info@nwedr.org.uk Call us on 0845 6015953 or visit our NWedR website to read our news and sign up for our weekly newsletters for North Worcestershire businesses. Connect with your local council on social media Bromsgrove DC Twitter, Facebook, Redditch BC Twitter, Facebook, Wyre Forest DC Twitter, Facebook. NWedR social connections are shown at the top of this page.

For regional Worcestershire business advice, grants and support go to Worcestershire Business Central or The Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP Growth Hub. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, a full range of business support is available to UK businesses and employees.  See the latest updates from Government. The business support helpline is 0300 456 3565 - available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.