Lets Talk Business Newsletter 04.06.21
Date Added: 04/06/2021
Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) - top up payments coming soon
Businesses who have previously received an Additional Restriction Grant (ARG) 1, 2 and 3 will receive a top up payment this month. Since the first Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) launched in December, we have continued to expand the scope of the scheme in order to provide the most support for businesses.
Businesses do not need to do anything. If you have applied for a previous ARG grant, you do not need to make a new application. Payments are expected to start being made mid-June with all payments being made by the end of the month.
The Council expects to receive further funding from Government in July, and we will be opening another application window then in order to provide further opportunities for businesses to apply for financial support.
Apply for a UK Gigabit voucher for your business
Over the last eight years, we have enabled the deployment of high-speed fibre broadband to over 28,000 premises, which means 98% of the premises across Central Bedfordshire now have access to at least 30mb speeds.
The goalposts have changed and suppliers and Central Government are now working towards getting everyone gigabit-capable speeds.
UK Gigabit are providing up to £210m worth of voucher funding as immediate help for people experiencing slow
broadband speeds in rural areas. Vouchers worth up to £1,500 for homes and £3,500 for businesses are available to help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband to people’s doorsteps. Follow the link to see if you are eligible for a voucher at your address.
Applications now open for The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2022!
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses and is a globally recognised royal seal of approval. They are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of:
• Innovation
• International trade
• Sustainable development
• Promoting opportunity through social mobility
Previous local winners include Ultravision CLPL, iCandy and Peli BioThermal. The 2022 Awards are now open for applications, submit by midday on 8 September 2021.
Are you looking for specialist support to solve a business growth challenge?
ALPHAS can help you secure a quick win. By registering, your business can benefit from:
• Grants of 30% towards the cost of capital equipment or expertise
• 60% of salary costs for a graduate for 3-6 months, including FREE academic consultant, to set your plans in motion
• 12 hours’ FREE workshop programme on leadership & management
• Academic expertise from the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Northampton or The Open University
For more information contact the team on 0800 3285334 or by email.
MIND mental health coaching
The Public Health Workplace Team have worked in partnership with MIND BLMK to produce a variety of FREE mental health training to support local businesses and their employees across Bedfordshire during these extremely difficult times.
Businesses can offer these free evidence informed webinars to employees. They are pre-recorded and are 15 minutes long enabling even the busiest of people to access them and at any time.
Already hundreds of people have watched the webinars, as they will equip participants with rapid practical knowledge and awareness in emotional wellbeing distress and how to approach the conversation whether it be with the person you manage, for you or others around you.
• Coaching for Managers
• Coaching for Employees
To find out more, contact the team on 0300 330 0648 or by email.
Website: www.becentralbedfordshire.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @BeCentralBeds
Linkedin: Linkedin