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Calling all budding business owners and entrepreneurs!

03 May 2019

The first ever Somerset Entrepreneur Bootcamp will offer anyone with an early stage innovative business or ingenious idea the opportunity to begin their journey on the road to success. Somerset Entrepreneur Bootcamps are part of an exciting new initiative called The Somerset Catalyst Programme. This programme will focus on building the capacity in Somerset to

GDPR FAQs for small hospitality businesses

30 April 2019

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) FAQs for small hospitality businesses The GDPR refers to lawful bases for the processing personal data, which are broadly similar to the conditions for processing in The Data Protection Act 1998. For some organisations within the hospitality industry, the processing of personal data will involve working with third parties or

Royal Academy of Engineering | SME Leaders Programme

18 April 2019

SME Leaders Programme Application Now Open!  Deadline Monday 3 June 2019 The Royal Academy of Engineering are looking for their next cohort of promising leaders of high growth engineering and technology companies. This six-month programme is designed to support businesses to develop the leadership skills needed to scale their business. They offer  Grant of up

SWMAS Manufacturing Barometer

16 April 2019

The latest SWMAS Manufacturing Barometer is seeking expert input from MDs and other senior leaders of SME manufacturers based in the UK. Their views and opinions help provide a vital snapshot of the UK’s SME manufacturing sector’s current performance. This quarter, amidst a challenging landscape, we’re also exploring the longer-term health of the sector. In

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15 April 2019

We are Hiring – Join our Growth Hub team as a Business Support Adviser

10 April 2019

Business Support Adviser – Fixed term to end of February 2020. Working as part of a small Growth Hub team within Serco, we are looking for a candidate with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to provide an outstanding customer service experience to our wide range of Growth Hub clients and partners. A key part of

Additional funding for rural businesses. Deadline approaching.

10 April 2019

The Heart of Wessex LAG has secured additional funding for rural businesses – but be quick, time is short! Rural businesses and organisations across south and east Somerset and south Wiltshire are being encouraged to apply for EU grants designed to support the local economy before it’s too late.  The Heart of Wessex Local Action

New Legislation – Payslips: employee rights

10 April 2019

Legislation Update New legislation comes into force from April 2019 and requires all employers to: provide payslips to all workers show hours on payslips where the pay varies by the amount of time worked This guidance is to help employers with the new rules on showing the hours on payslips. The Department for Business, Energy

Government launches £3 million scheme to regenerate village halls

08 April 2019

A £3 million fund to improve village halls and better connect rural communities across the country has been launched (5 April 2019) by the government. With more than 10,000 village halls across the country, these spaces provide vital hubs for communities to connect, collaborate and celebrate. Village hall committees are now able to apply for

Steady growth for hybrid survey business following StartUp support

08 April 2019

Accutest International Limited  Steady growth for hybrid survey business following Growth Hub StartUp support Somerset-based, Accutest International Limited (Accutest) is set for steady growth over the next six months following 1-to-1 support from one of the Heart of the South West Growth Hub’s network of specialist Business Advisers, Nevelle Marchent. Founded by owner, Tom Werner,