Bromsgrove retailers invited to apply for UKSPF Grant
Independent retailers are now able to apply for UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant funding to help them realise their business dreams and breathe life back into Bromsgrove district’s retail centres.
Whether retailers have plans to improve their shop frontage or set up in a new vacant unit, all local independent traders are being encouraged to grab their share of the UKSPF funding.
The Centres Enhancement Grant scheme aims to encourage longer-term occupation of vacant retail premises, improvements to the internal appearance, frontages, and accessibility of occupied units, in turn helping boost footfall, stimulate entrepreneurship, create new jobs, and enhance the sustainability of businesses.
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90 new spaces announced for Elevate Worcestershire
After a running several successful cohorts, Elevate Worcestershire has announced 90 new spaces are up for grabs for established SMEs with strong growth ambitions.
The exclusive programme includes tailored one-to-one coaching, guided peer-to-peer support, and the development of a bespoke growth plan to set you on your growth journey. In addition, participants on the programme may apply for a match-funded grant from £1,000 to £10,000 help implement these growth plans.
One business that has recently benefited from the programme is Autoconnect. The business, based in Redditch, received specialist marketing and coaching support to help them launch an innovative, cost-saving motorist app at the NEC’s Automotive show.
Mark Taylor-Jones, one of Autofile’s Directors, said; “The programme was brilliant. It was fantastic to speak to other businesses in other sectors and getting an insight into how they run and operate their businesses was invaluable as it is not something you can do day to day. The programme introduced me to loads of new ways of doing things and ideas which I never would have thought of.”
Whether you are looking to expand your operations, invest in cutting edge technology or improve your marketing strategy, the Elevate Worcestershire Programme could be for you.
Places are highly competitive, apply now
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Net Zero Support
Net Zero Worcestershire, can help your business to reduce its carbon footprint and potentially reduce your costs! Hanbury Business, Fews Marquees has taken great steps to reduce its environmental impact with the support from our programme.
The company received an energy assessment and used grant funding to invest in a marquee cleaning machine linked to biomass heating, a UV light system for water treatment, and Solar PV.
Since implementing these changes, the business is set to save of over 190 tonnes of CO2e per annum and has experienced a reduction in costs.
The Net Zero Worcestershire programme, in affiliation with the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) provides a fully funded decarbonisation review, during which expert advisors will review your current energy usage and provide you with advice on your next steps.
To help you on your way, businesses that have received a decarbonisation review will gain access to apply for grant funding to implement your energy saving changes.
Could your business be next?
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Support for new businesses
Do you know someone who wants to start a business?
The Start-It Business Masterclass is a two-day workshop designed to give individuals the skills, confidence and knowledge to kick-start their venture. It’s a friendly and informal small group environment which will inspire you to take the next step.
The masterclass will guide participants through what is required to start a business, including registration, best legal structure, marketing, finance, business planning and is the perfect place to have your questions answered.
Learn more and sign up for a course near you.
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Get the support you need for your early-stage business
Got an ambition to gain new clients, develop a solid foundation for your early-stage business and boost your confidence as a business owner? – Enterprising Worcestershire’s business coaching programme, could be for you!
Award winning coaches will work with you to identify goals, challenges, and areas for improvement.
What to expect:
Up to 10 hours of flexible coaching
A collaborative and personalised approach
An award-winning coach will work with you to identify goals, challenges, and areas for improvement
Coaches will meet with you fortnightly to help you to keep focused on your goal.
Don’t miss out, apply today.
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Save the Date for The Innovation and Tech Conference
Our next Business Worcestershire Conference is set to focus on Innovation and Technology. The conference, featuring industry experts and local businesses, will take place on Wednesday 13 March, at Sixways Stadium Worcester.
We will be joined by several expert speakers, set to cover, building an innovation culture, raising finance for innovation and scale-up, Artificial Intelligence in innovation and innovating at scale.
This is a golden opportunity to gain insights, be inspired by the latest thinking, and network with like-minded professionals.
Register for your free place.
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Enterprising Worcestershire Start Up Fest
Looking to transform your entrepreneurial aspirations into a thriving reality? Register your free place at the brand-new Enterprising Worcestershire Start Up Fest.
Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, WR2 4QQ Tuesday 6 February 2024 9:15am to 2.00pm.
The free festival, hosted by BBC’s Dragons Den Winner, Peter Hill, promises to deliver a jam-packed day of inspiration and interactive workshops leaving you with a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to support you on your entrepreneurial journey.
The festival is aimed at individuals yet to start a business and early-stage businesses.
Expert speakers will cover:
- The Secrets to a Successful Social Media Presence… and Website
- The Art of Networking
- Creating the perfect cashflow
- Pursuing your start-up without getting stressed, overwhelmed and unhealthy
To learn more and to secure your free place, visit our dedicated event page.
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Lots of warm HUGS
Help us spread the word about free home improvements in Worcestershire. We are encouraging businesses in Worcestershire to inform their employees about The Home Upgrade Grant scheme (HUGs). The scheme is designed to tackle colder homes that do not have mains gas central heating.
Homeowners and tenants in Worcestershire could benefit from a variety of measures to help reduce energy bills including internal and external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, draught proofing and many more.
To qualify, households must NOT use mains gas to heat their home, and have a gross annual income of less than £31,000 with a current Home Energy Performance certificate (EPC) rating of D to G. An EPC assessment will be provided free of charge if you are eligible and do not have one.
An information leaflet which you are encouraged to share with your employees can simply be downloaded from Worcestershire County Council’s website. To request some printed copies email retrofit@worcestershire.gov.uk.
For more information, including full eligibility and to register an expressions of interest, visit Worcestershire County Council’s website OR to speak to an energy advisor contact Act on Energy on their free advice line 0800 988 2881.
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Getting Started with a Net Zero Plan
Come along and get your carbon footprint and carbon reduction plan all in a day!
Sustainability experts Small99 to walk you through where the biggest emissions are, how to tackle them while becoming more profitable, and how to prepare for future legislation and changes in the industry.
You'll leave the day with an action plan ready to share with stakeholders, and an understanding of local funding that is available to accelerate your journey.
Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, WR2 4QQ. Monday 5th February 2024. Time: 09:00 to 17:00. This is a fully funded event with just 30 places available! Register today.
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Network and connect with Betaden
BetaDen and Midlands Cyber are excited to invite you to our biggest-yet Connect Tech networking event on Wednesday 31 January 2024, 12pm - 2pm, at The Hive, Worcester, WR1 3PD. Don't miss out on this exciting chance to connect with innovative businesses and industry professionals from Worcestershire.
Our partners from Worcestershire Growth Hub and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership will also be on-site to share what support and opportunities are coming up in 2024 to supercharge your business.
Refreshments will be provided throughout the event, so please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.
Register to attend
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Supercharge your tech with BetaDen
Apply to join BetaDen's award-winning technology accelerator for entrepreneurs and scale-up businesses.
BetaDen offers a unique technology accelerator support package - at no cost to you! Could you be next to join our alumni of 50+ founders and get real help for real tech? Apply now via for your chance to join our Cohort 8.0 programme, starting June 2024. Applications will close on 1 March 2024 at 8.00 PM.
See the package and register now at the BetaDen website.
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Explore the past through Augmented Reality
Take some family time this half term and tap into the latest augmented reality (AR) with the Wyre Forest Heritage Trail App. Experience the town centres of Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport on Severn like never before. Bring history alive through fictional and real local characters from yesteryear following the exciting trail app which takes around an hour on foot per town centre. Each trail is independent making it great for a part or full day out combined with stop for a bite to eat, shopping or another cultural experience!
The fun and engaging stories told through AR, are performed by volunteering actors from The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster and are designed appeal to all age groups to showcase local heritage in a completely new way.
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Thinking of running a tourism experience?
Following on from its hugely success Experiential Workshop in October 2023, Worcestershire County Council’s business events team is now offering the chance for tourism business owners to attend a second workshop which will take place at Stanbrook Abbey on Tuesday 6 February 2024, between 9:30am and 12:30pm.
This workshop is perfect for businesses across all sectors, even those not yet in tourism, looking to develop an experiential tourism product, but don't quite know where to start or how to put one together. It will also be a great opportunity for you to find out more about the full Experiential Tourism programme - Development of Experiential Tourism | Visit Worcestershire to help you decide if it is right for you.
Worcestershire Business Events Portal - Event Details (businesseventsworcestershire.com)
Attendance on the workshop does not automatically qualify you for the full programme, but will arm you with further insight before having the opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest for one of 25 spaces (we have offered out 10 from the first workshop!).
If you have any further questions or queries, please email us on: visitworcestershire@worcestershire.gov.uk
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Bromsgrove Regeneration - Former Market Hall site
Plans have been submitted to create a new landmark development for Bromsgrove that aims to build on the success of the BirdBox community space. The development will provide a new vibrant location and hive of activity for the community, businesses, and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration in the High Street. The project is currently progressing through the council’s planning process. Procurement of the main contractor is also progressing with tender returns expected at the end of January. The project remains on programme with a target start on site date of Summer 2024.
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Regeneration in Kidderminster - Connectivity Project
Regeneration is moving forward at pace in Worcester Street, Kidderminster. The demolition of the former Woolworths building, Megavalue, Poundland, and Sigma Aquatics buildings is now complete to make way for a new urban park with community green space and graduated steps providing easier access from Worcester Street to Bromsgrove Street.
Work on site is set to begin in Spring 2024. It is being funded by a portion of a £20.5m Future High Streets Fund that Kidderminster has received from the government.
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Energy Efficiency Grants
The Net Zero Grant Programme (NZGP) aims to help businesses to reduce their environmental impact along with the rising energy costs companies are experiencing. Energy Efficiency Grants aim to remove financial barriers and enable SMEs to make carbon savings through increased energy and resource efficiency. NZGP is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and managed by The West Midlands Combined Authority.
There are grants between £2,500 and £7,500 for start-ups and £5,000 and £100,000 for growing businesses. All businesses must undertake an independent diagnostic energy audit to qualify for consideration. Aston University will conduct energy audits for NZGP applicants free of charge. See the Energy Survey Referral Form before applying for a NZGP application. For more information and full eligibility criteria, visit the website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/nzgp
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