Latest news
A round up of business news including; information on new support services, grant funding, success stories, advice and information and dates for your diary.
Eat Out to Help Out: More than 6.7 million meals claimed for in the South West
08 September 2020
6,771 outlets in the South West were signed up to use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme as of 27 August 2020. This only relates to businesses that have less than 26 outlets. The actual figure (that includes larger restaurant chains in the region) is higher. So far, a total of 6,778,000 (6.7 million)
Read more
Start Up Loans passes 75,000th loan milestone
02 September 2020
The government-backed Start Up Loans programme has recently announced that it has issued its 75,000th loan. After seeing a significant rise in the number of applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme has issued £31.9 million of funding between May and July 2020 compared to £22.9 million in the same period last year. Across the
Read more
Green Distilleries competition: expression of interest
19 August 2020
Companies interested in applying for the Green Distilleries competition can register their interest to hear more about the programme. In his 2020 Budget speech, the Chancellor announced £10 million of new research and development funding to help distilleries go green. To meet net zero by 2050, all industries, including distilleries, must decarbonise as far as
Read more
Growth Support Kickstart Grant Scheme
18 August 2020
Small businesses and the tourism sector across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay are among those who can benefit from the Growth Support Kickstart Grant Scheme offering grants of up to £3,000. It follows the recent government announcement of a £10 million national investment to kickstart the tourism economy and a £20 million national investment to
Read moreTradespeople urged to sign up to offer green homes improvements
17 August 2020
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has urged tradespeople across England to step forward and sign up to be able to offer services through the government’s new Green Homes Grants scheme – as over 1,000 businesses across the country have already applied to do so far. The £2 billion Green Homes Grant Scheme will see the government
Read more
iLEAD Leadership Development Programme for Plymouth
14 August 2020
iLEAD is looking for a small group of passionate and committed people who are ready, willing and able to catalyse Plymouth’s leadership, extend its influence and make change happen. The cohort will work together, learn from each other, challenge perceived norms, think differently, consider the possible and create a new model for inclusive leadership that will
Read more
We are hiring – Join the Growth Hub team
14 August 2020
Come and join the Growth Hub team! As part of the Heart of the South West Growth Hub, you will be part of a tight-knit team delivering a range of support services for people looking to start a business and for existing businesses looking to develop and grow. We are seeking a Growth Hub Business
Read more
Calling Manufacturing and Engineering employers, training providers and stakeholders
13 August 2020
The Heart of the South West LEP is pleased to be one of only two areas in the country working with the Learning and Work Institute (L&W) to explore ways to boost demand for higher technical education at Level 4 and 5 and create provision to meet this demand. L&W has been commissioned by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to
Read more
Regional Growth and Local Government Grant Funding
30 July 2020
The Government has unveiled a further £20 million of funding to help boost the recovery of small businesses. The Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government has today announced the new package of grants to support small and medium businesses across England as they recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses will be
Read more
Somerset Business Recovery Survey – seeking the views of local businesses
24 July 2020
Somerset’s five Local Authorities are jointly undertaking this vital Somerset business recovery survey to help better understand and respond to the impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on local businesses like yours.
Read moreLatest news filter
Stay up to date with the latest news, business support, funding and events happening locally.