Central Bedfordshire Council Business Newsletter
Date Added: 26/02/2021
Business grant update
Businesses will be able to access further grants following approval of our Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG2) and the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) which opened yesterday and run for four weeks. The two new grants are designed to support even more businesses as they struggle during lockdown because of the pandemic.
Find out more and sign up to our email alert system.
Central Bedfordshire businesses can apply for a fully funded FSB membership
Working in partnership with the FSB, 120 Central Bedfordshire businesses can access free legal, tax and employment support by becoming a member. There have already been small businesses that have applied for the scheme.
Businesses interested in taking up the offer should contact membership advisor, Charles Smith by email or 07801 333480.
Are you looking for specialist support to solve a business growth challenge?
ALPHAS can help you secure a quick win.
- Are you a Limited Company, Charity, CIC?
- Are you registered in Bedfordshire, Northampton or Milton Keynes area?
- Do you have less than 250 employees?
By registering, your business can benefit from:
- Grants of 30% towards the cost of capital equipment or expertise
- 12 hours’ FREE workshop programme on leadership and management
- Academic expertise from the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Northampton or The Open University
- 60% of salary costs for a graduate for 3-6 months, including FREE academic consultant, to set your plans in motion
The next set of ALPHAS Business Support workshops start in March. For more information and to sign up, please email the team.
Second round of broadband funding for event venues
The Government has launched a new scheme to improve broadband connectivity in event venues, enabling them to receive full fibre access. The second round of the broadband competition is now open until 2nd March. Applicants can apply for a portion of £200,000 funding towards the costs of digital infrastructure for their venues.
Part of the eligibility criteria for this competition is that your event venue must have a minimum capacity of 250 delegates.
View the website for more information.
Local businesses find value in EU Exit webinars
Central Bedfordshire businesses have been accessing the tools to keep their business moving in a post EU-Britain. Trading with the EU has become far more complex and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce have secured funding to ensure that local exporting businesses can adapt and be prepared. Take a look at the upcoming sessions below:
09.03.2021 I Customs Special Procedures
10.03.2021 I Rules of Origin
18.03.2021 I Import Customs Declarations and Compliance
22.03.2021 I Incoterms 2020
30.03.2021 I Rules of Origin
31.03.2021 I Tariff Classification
Employers asked to inspire the next generation
Evidence shows that young people who receive four or more employer encounters whilst at school and college are less likely to become NEET (not in education, employment or training) and will, on average, earn more over their career.
SEMLEP’s Growing Talent initiative presents a number of different opportunities for employers to support young people’s careers. From giving an hour, to offering virtual work experience in 2021, employers are needed to inspire futures.
Want to give something back to your local community and motivate your team at the same time? Get involved to find out more.
Green Technologies Grand Challenge Day
Does your business want to accelerate the development and implementation of environmentally-sustainable technologies? These can increase businesses competitiveness, stimulate innovation, boost economic growth, and create jobs to a wide range of strategically important UK industries.
Cranfield University is hosting a virtual event which will provide an opportunity to engage with local/regional policymakers and industry stakeholders. For further information contact the team or register now.