Finalists announced - North Worcestershire Business Awards
Twenty-five local businesses have been shortlisted as finalists in the 2022 North Worcestershire Business Awards.
Finalists will gather with the award sponsors and VIP guests at a celebratory awards dinner at Hogarths Stone Manor on Thursday 24 November where the winners of each category will be announced.
The awards’ judges commented that the finalists reflect “an impressive range of diverse businesses, all showcasing their commitment to innovation, sustainability and adding extra value for customers."
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Kidderminster Town Hall transformation plans given green light
Plans for the transformation of Kidderminster Town Hall have taken a step forward following Listed Building planning approval by Wyre Forest District Council.
Part of the major #Regenerating Kidderminster initiative, the Town Hall transformation will provide a fantastic asset for the town. It’s one of three major Kidderminster projects totalling £17.9 million funded through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund – a project specific fund to improve local areas across the country.
NWedR working on behalf of Wyre Forest District Council working in partnership with Kidderminster Town Council and partners are project managing the ambitious and exciting transformation of Kidderminster Town Hall which has been a historic feature of the town for so many years.
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Redditch library re-development plans
Plans to consult on moving Redditch library into a bigger space at the Town Hall are moving closer as councillors have agreed a business case for the move. Proposals outline the move of the existing library in Redditch town centre to the Town Hall which will be transformed into a Community Hub.
The proposed plans see the library situated on the ground and first floors offering even more space than the current facility has, with the Council Chamber and Civic suite being moved to the second floor of the building.
These proposals are being made possible thanks to a Government Towns Fund Grant secured by NWedR on behalf of Redditch Borough Council.
Under the proposals, the site where the library is currently situated will feature a new public plaza and events space with commercial development including bars and restaurants. The intention is to provide an attractive and accessible place to visit outside the Kingfisher Centre and to improve access and connectivity with the historic town centre.
Proposals to relocate the library will be taken to Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet meeting on October 27 where the decision on whether to progress with a public consultation will also be reviewed.
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National Business Boostcamps series to help Worcestershire businesses
The Worcestershire Growth Hub has partnered with Lloyds Bank Academy to bring their Small Business Boostcamp series to Worcestershire.
The Small Business Boostcamp series consists of five FREE, face to face workshops which can help smaller businesses to increase their digital business skills and become more comfortable with technology. Through the five workshops, businesses will learn how they can access the latest technology trends, understand how to improve online visibility, and deepen customer relationships. The result of attending the series is that businesses will be in a better position to digitally market, sell and engage with their customers, resulting in greater sales and growth potential.
Any Worcestershire business can apply to join the Boostcamps programme.
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Start-Up support now available
Enterprising Worcestershire is delighted to announce that the new contract for delivery of the Start-Up Club has been awarded to Smarter Society, who have extensive experience supporting and sharing their knowledge with individuals hoping to start and develop their own business. The support is available to anyone, whether their business idea is B2B or B2C, and will be running across Worcestershire Districts over the coming months. The course promises to deliver engaging, informative, and interactive information across 5-days and will cover a wide range of topics from sales and marketing through to pitching an idea. Upon completion of the course, individuals can also access up to 2 hours of additional 1:1 support.
Enterprising Worcestershire continues to offer the following support: The High Growth Activate Programme offers 24 hours of a combination of both 1:1 and peer support aimed at businesses under 2 years old with the potential for high growth12 hours of B2B business coaching for businesses under 5 years old, the Enrich Programme, in partnership with the University of Worcester offers 12 hours of start-up support to young people (16+), Enterprising Worcestershire partnering with Worcestershire libraries to provide start-up information and advice, including access to databases for market research and business planning, grants of £1,000 - £15,000, match-funded at 40% to eligible Worcestershire businesses.
and, for a limited time, grants are available up to £30,000, match -funded at 40% to eligible Worcestershire businesses.
For further information on the above opportunities, visit the website or email
ew@worcestershire.gov.uk
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A tasty treat for you!
Join keynote speaker Michelin Starred chef Glynn Purnell on Thursday 17 November at the Better Your Business showcase. Hosted by GBSLEP Growth Hub the FREE event is at the brand new STEAMhouse in Birmingham city centre. Book your free place now!
At Better Your Business you will be able to: CONNECT with other businesses over refreshments and whilst networking after hearing inspiring keynote speaker, Glynn Purnell.
DISCOVER how to better your business by attending our FREE masterclasses in modern SEO, access to finance, skills and social media marketing led by industry experts and Growth Hub specialist Business Account Managers.
ACCESS SUPPORT – Speak to Growth Hub Business Advisors for advice, visit our partners’ exhibition stands and learn about the wide range of support that’s available to help your business to grow and thrive.
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Worcestershire Ambassadors Appeal
Over the last 20 years, Worcestershire Ambassadors have raised over £1m for local good causes. This year the cost of living crisis is significantly affecting all, however for those on the lowest incomes, the impact is truly significant. This is why the Ambassadors have launched a campaign in support of five county-based food banks in Redditch, Kidderminster, Droitwich, Worcester and Malvern Hills.
All are individual charities franchised through the Trussell Trust and the aim is to raise enough funds to help these organisations provide a Christmas food parcel to all families and individuals who need their support. The Ambassadors are asking for business leaders and their families to donate if they can.
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Worcestershire Works Well annual conference a success
At last month’s annual conference held at Avoncroft Museum saw more than 80 attendees focused on the important topic of Men’s Health. With speakers all donating their time to share the vital work and resources to members of the scheme, focused workshops and opportunities for networking, everyone at the event came away having learned something new and having met new colleagues. The conference was also an excellent opportunity to recognise the business who had recently achieved their Level 1 Accreditation in the scheme. Worcestershire Works Well is open to all public, private and third sector organisations located in Worcestershire that have a minimum of 5 employees. The scheme has been operating for over 10 years and there are more than 100 active businesses across the county. Participation in the Worcestershire Works Well scheme is free. To find out more and to sign up to the scheme, please visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/worcestershireworkswell
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Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster celebrates 10 years
After many years of hard work, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Museum of Carpet – the only museum in the UK dedicated to carpet and carpet making – opened in 2012 and firmly placed Kidderminster on the map of important industrial heritage sites in the UK. The Museum celebrates 10 years on 19th October 2022.
Earlier this year, the Museum ran their 5th successful summer exhibition, ‘Magnificent Design,’ celebrating historic carpets from the Museum collection, pieces by contemporary carpet designers, and textile work from emerging talented textile graduates from Birmingham City University.
Looking to the future, the Museum of Carpet will continue to preserve the legacy of Kidderminster’s carpet industry through a yearly programme of exciting and informative events, talks and workshops. This autumn, the Museum will be displaying a mini exhibition in collaboration with the Wolverhampton Creative Embroiderers, featuring work inspired by bobbins from the carpet power looms, from October till January 2023. In the October half term, the Museum is offering free entry to children, and Thursday 1 December the collections team will be giving “A Kidderminster Christmas” Archive Talk.
The Museum is always looking for volunteers to help ensure the Museum’s future success. There are positions available on Front of House for Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Hand Loom Weavers are needed Thursdays and Saturdays. The Museum of Carpet offers a warm, friendly place to volunteer and interact with visitors. To find out more, get in touch at bookings@museumofcarpet.org.uk
Picture shows: Exhibition interns Charlotte and Andrea in the Magnificent Design Exhibition 2022 – Margo Selby rug.
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Help create your future workforce
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) work closely with partners to ensure the future skills required by employers are available in the county and young people are supported to choose pathways that will support economic growth.
How can you get involved with the important work to ensure the county is providing skills and training development for the future? Could you support mock Interviews, attend careers fairs, skills and apprenticeship shows, deliver careers talks and assemblies, deliver industry talks, deliver apprenticeship talks and run apprenticeship workshops, take part in STEM Activities, become part of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, open your doors for an industry visit, offer work experience placements for school students, offer work experience placements for traineeship students, become a mentor on the PowerUp Programme, volunteer as an Enterprise Adviser?
Find out more and be part of the future of work and skills in Worcestershire
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Registration is open for the next Business Worcestershire Conference
Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Growth Hub are inviting local businesses to register for the Autumn Business Worcestershire Conference. The conference is set to take place on Tuesday 8 November at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, 8.00am – 12:30pm.
November’s conference will focus financing growth, pitching for investment, managing cashflow and R&D tax credits. Through thought-provoking discussions and talks, attendees will hear the latest insight from inspiring speakers, have the chance to learn about what support is available to your business, and will have plenty of time to network.
The conference is open to all businesses across the county of all sizes, from Start-Ups to SMEs to large-scale corporations and is free to attend. Spaces are limited. To ensure you don’t miss out on your chance to attend, book your free place now.
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GBSLEP Growth Hub’s Founders’ Collective Programme is now open for expressions of interest from Black Business Founders
The successful Founders' Collective is an investment-readiness accelerator programme aimed at helping growth ready entrepreneurs access the finance they require for growth. From 27 October 2022, they will be running cohort 3 with the Legacy Centre of Excellence in Birmingham, to support Black Business Founders to scale their businesses.
The programme's focus is to help Black Business Founders to become investment ready while also facilitating direct engagement between founders and providers of equity, debt, grant, and crowdfunding forms of capital.
The Growth Hub wants to build on the success of the first Founders’ Collective cohort. One of the cohort, @voilo, secured £400,000 of investment after accessing the support from GBSLEP Growth Hub. Black business founders are invited to express their interest in their specialist finance programme at but hurry, places are limited!
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Finalists revealed for the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
23 of Worcestershire’s best apprentices, schools, training providers, apprenticeship champions and employers have been named as finalists for the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2022.
These finalists will join over 300 guests from the business and local community at the awards final, returning in a physical environment for the first time since 2019. The awards final is taking place on Thursday 17 November at Tree Tops Pavilion, West Midland Safari Park, where the winners of each category will be unveiled.
The popular celebration event will feature 11 awards categories with the final two awards being the illustrious ‘Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year’ sponsored by Heart of Worcestershire College, and ‘Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year’ sponsored by Platform Housing Group.
Places for the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards can now be booked here.
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Orange Button scheme launch to aid mental health
The Orange Button scheme in Worcestershire and Herefordshire offers signposting and support to people with suicidal thoughts or anyone concerned about someone who might be in crisis. The Orange Button is worn by people who have relevant training in mental health and suicide prevention. The aim of the scheme is to create a community of people trained in suicide awareness that have gained skills, including active listening, from quality assured training, create a network of organisations that have orange button wearers in place that can be identified, listen and signpost, ensure all communities are aware of the Orange Button, what it signifies and how people can be involved, by promoting from within the community.
Orange Button wearers are there to listen, signpost to local services and help reduce stigma around suicide.
Anyone across Herefordshire and Worcestershire who has had at least 3 hours suicide prevention training (or mental health training with suicide prevention content) over the past two years is being asked to consider becoming an Orange Button wearer.
Anyone who wants to get involved can apply for an orange button via the
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Celebrating North Worcestershire business calendar – October 2022
When you are thinking about planning your next event or business conference, call Opening Doors and Venues based at Wassell Grove Business Centre near the beautiful Clent Hills. OD&V are known for their professionalism, exceptional listening skills and outstanding attention to detail which has made them an award-winning business – locally and internationally. The team offers an end-to-end professional conference and event service so you can hand over the brief and leave the rest to OD&V while you enjoy your event with confidence thanks to their experience gained over the last 20 years plus.
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