A round up of business news including; information on new support services, grant funding, success stories, advice and information and dates for your diary.
New-look team for FSB after regional shake-up
02 February 2018
The FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) has just chosen a new-look senior team to head up the group’s local grassroots lobbying activity in the South West. Following a special meeting in Taunton, Roger Tarrant, who was previously a branch chairman in Cornwall, has now become the first holder of the new wider role of Regional
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SME bosses aware of P2P lending but not comfortable accessing it
30 January 2018
Research among 200 SMEs has found that near half of Finance Directors in small- to medium- sized organisations are uncomfortable about using peer-to-peer lending to help fund their enterprise. With 74% of Finance Directors feeling they have a good working knowledge about alternative sources of finance, only 25% said that they would be “comfortable accessing
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Which business surveys are open now?
29 January 2018
Tech Nation 2018! Tech Nation is a groundbreaking series of reports on the UK’s digital tech ecosystem. Over the last three years it has captured the strength, depth and breadth of activity across the UK. They want to hear directly from you, what’s great in your local community, and what could be improved upon. Are
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Help Young People into Social Enterprise Across Europe
23 January 2018
Help Young People into Social Enterprise Across Europe Trainers from the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Business are leading part of a Europe-wide project aiming to support young people who are ‘outside the system’ into careers in social entrepreneurship. The programme needs ambassadors from the local social enterprise community to help inspire young people into
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New crowd-funding support available through the Reach Fund
23 January 2018
The Reach Fund The Reach Fund, funded by Access (The Foundation for Social Investment and managed by Social Investment Business), allows organisations – known as Access Points – to refer charities and social enterprises to apply for grants of around £15,000. The grants can be used to pay for specific support that may help them
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Over £600k Available for Devon Community Projects
19 January 2018
Over £600k Available for Devon Community Projects If you’ve got a good idea for a project, something that’ll really benefit people in your community, but it needs start-up funding to get going, don’t forget that Devon’s District Councils have funding available for projects that ‘enhance and make a difference to communities.’ This year, £661,086 has
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DIT Civil Nuclear Showcase 2018
18 January 2018
Last chance to benefit from early registration to the DIT Civil Nuclear Showcase Please note this is a paid for event With an established reputation in the civil nuclear calendar, this premier annual event is not to be missed. The showcase provides a unique opportunity to network with a diverse mix of delegates from the
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Growth Support Service benefits Devon social enterprise
18 January 2018
Bshirt Ltd: Breastfeed With Confidence… Business partners Lisa Lessware and Philippa Doyle have created a business model and social enterprise based entirely around their own experience as mothers, passion for creative innovation and advocacy in support of breastfeeding in public. Lisa found inspiration for The Bshirt clothing range during her time volunteering as an NCT
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Carillion Liquidation – Advice for businesses
18 January 2018
As you will be aware, Carillion have filed for compulsory liquidation, an Official Receiver has been appointed and contingency plans have been activated across Government. The Cabinet Office has announced that the government will continue to deliver all public sector services following the insolvency. The Official Receiver who works for the Insolvency Service (one of
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Farmers to receive basic payments until 2024
15 January 2018
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed that basic payments will continue to be paid to farmers until March 2024 as part of a five-year transition period to help farmers adjust to Brexit. However, direct payments to larger farmers will be capped after the UK leaves the EU in order to make the system fairer. Defra
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