...the latest news from SDC's Business Centre View this email in your browser

OCTOBER UPDATE

Hello <<First Name>>

If you have been struggling with the disruption to your business over the last six months and the further recent restrictions, do remember that local advice and support is available to help both you and your business.

We make no apology for the amount of support and skills information contained in this month's newsletter. And we recognise that the world of business support can appear complicated and difficult to navigate - that is why the Growth Hub Business Navigators are always available to offer you free advice and support. So hesitate no longer and give them a call on 0300 060 3747.

Please find in this edition ...

Government business information
Further courses from the Skills 4 Growth programme
Kickstart Scheme - supporting young people into sustainable employment
Looking for serviced office space?
Creative Springboard - the ultimate pandemic support package for creative businesses
Studley in Business launches 'Business Support Panel' campaign
The Foodie Awards 2021
Donut Time networking - 14 October
Other interesting stuff
Local business: Wellbeing that works
Events & networking

Government information available to businesses is changing regularly. We recommend you keep a close eye on the following websites:

www.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.coronavirus.cwgrowthhub.co.uk/
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusbusinesssupport

The latest news:

View the Chancellor's full Winter Economy Plan here.
New package of business support introduced by the government
Warwickshire businesses urged to prepare for NHS Covid-19 app
Government extends support to stop business evictions this year
Covid-19 - What's changed? (as of 22 September)
Chamber calls for more support for firms in light of new Covid-19 restrictions.

Skills 4 Growth programme - further skills support for eligible SMEs

Chamber Training is pleased to announce the addition of further courses to the Coventry & Warwickshire Skills 4 Growth programme that supports local small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) to train and develop their employees with the skills needed in our changing environment.

Eligible businesses can receive 50% ESF funding towards agreed training costs for accredited training and non-accredited seminar programmes.

Read more here.

Kickstart Scheme - helping to support young people into sustainable employment

Warwickshire County Council has welcomed the launch of the Government’s Kickstart scheme and is encouraging local employers to get involved. As part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs, a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country.

The scheme aims to create thousands of high-quality six-month work placements for young people aged 16 to 24 who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long term unemployment.

Read more about the Kickstart Wrap Around Support from the Warwickshire Skills Hub here.

Also, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are partnering with Adecco Working Ventures to allow small businesses to pool their vacancies allowing them to access the Kickstart scheme no matter how many opportunities they can offer rather than the 30 needed to apply for the scheme directly.

FSB invites applications from small businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.

For more information and to apply.

Are you looking for small serviced office space
in Stratford?

We offer short-term licences, all-inclusive rates and free parking!
Get in touch with us to find out more:
Email info@venturehousestratford.co.uk or call 07583100488

The ultimate pandemic support package for creative businesses

The Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust are pleased to announce their latest online business support during the pandemic for creative businesses in Warwickshire.

The Creative Springboard Project provides a free package of 1-2-1 mentoring and online masterclasses for businesses in the creative sector, running from October to November, all worth £2,300.

To learn more and book your free place.

The Creative Springboard Project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT) and Warwickshire County Council.

Studley in Business launches ‘Business Support Panel’ campaign

Studley's local business forum, Studley in Business has launched a campaign to provide free business support to businesses operating in Studley or businesses who serve or who have staff in Studley.

The project, which opens this month, will take inquiries by phone or email. A panel of of Studley in Business members and volunteers who have relevant skills will then work with the business to offer them free advice.

For more information on the project and how to send inquiries, please read this document.

The Foodie Awards 2021

A new Food and Drinks Awards programme for Coventry and Warwickshire has been launched to celebrate the makers, creators and providers of wonderful food, drinks and hospitality experiences.

Whether you are a foodie business based in the depths of rural Warwickshire or on an industrial estate in Coventry, this is a great opportunity to heighten the profile of your business and show the world what you're capable of!

There are 15 different award categories to choose from, each with their own criteria for judging. The closed date for entries is 31 December and the Finalists Night will take place on 21 January 2021.

Find out more here.

Donut Time: Wed 14 October, 10-11.30am

Connect with local small businesses at our free Zoom networking
Featuring a session from the Small Business Commissioners Office on "Top tips for getting paid on time"
plus breakouts for social time with other business owners
Book your FREE place here

Reforms to Companies House to clamp down on fraud and give businesses greater confidence in transactions.

Stratford FEASTS event provides an excellent reason to eat out and support local businesses - 2-22 October.

Alcester organic clothing and toy shop set to launch zero-waste food.

New measures to deliver value to society through public procurement.

Glamping company Oasis Habitats is looking for landowners interested in the hospitality industry, who can welcome guests to 5 luxury accommodation units installed by the company. www.oasishabitats.com / info@oasishabitats.com / 01249 848649.

Henley-in-Arden bakery adapts and diversities to remain open throughout Covid-19 pandemic.

Do one thing to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

Warmington car business saved by timely grant.

Consultation on Supporting veterans' transition to civilian life through employment - closing date is 5 October.

Lessons learned before lockdown gave Warwickshire coffee house a lifeline.

MESSAGE FROM LOCAL BUSINESS

Wellbeing that Works

Wellbeing that Works is a series of workshops aimed at HR, managers and business owners - enabling increased wellbeing, for you, for your business...for life. These workshops are engaging and collaborative exploring evidence based, practical techniques you can easily implement.

Visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wellbeing-that-works-live-workshop-tickets-122219753573 to book your place. Enter PROMO code WELLBEING for a 33% discount off your first session.

Facilitated by Lisa Whittleton of Illuminate & Clare Walkeden of Auburn Coaching and Consultancy.

EVENTS & NETWORKING

Let us know about any forthcoming events you would like us to include in future updates.

October events

Local Networking

Whether you are a seasoned networker or are new to the world of networking, there are still plenty of opportunites to connect with other businesses as many of the friendly local networking groups are running online events. Take a look at our list of local networking groups for further details. If you are running online networking events, please tell us about it and we can add update your listing.

Please share this newsletter with anyone you know who runs their
own business or is thinking of setting up a new business.

Information and Support for Businesses during Coronavirus from SDC

Hotdesks, Serviced Offices and Meeting Space

Free Business Advice & Support

About Venture House...

For the time being, our hotdesking and meeting facilities remain closed due to Covid-19. However, our first-floor serviced offices remain accessible. The VH Team continue to work remotely supporting local businesses in the form of business advice and signposting, start-up support, plus online workshops and networking (Donut Time).

So if you are considering starting a business, want help to grow your business or are experiencing challenges within your business, please get in touch.

For more info call 07583 100488 or
email info@venturehousestratford.co.uk

Venture House is owned and managed by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and
forms part of the Council's business strategy.

Our mailing address is:
Venture House Business Centre,
Avenue Farm Industrial Estate, Birmingham Road,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0HR

Venture House is supported by:

Copyright © 2018 Venture House Business Centre, All rights reserved.

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