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.
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
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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
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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
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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,
Read more National Minimum Wage Increased on 1st April
05 April 2019
The National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage both increased on the 1st of April. Employers need to make sure they update their payroll so employees are paid correctly. Check the rates. If you discover you’ve been paying your staff below the correct minimum wage, you must pay any arrears immediately. Even if you’re
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The Eco-Friendly Shop
03 April 2019
A SOMERSET ECO-FRIENDLY RETAILER WINS FAIRTRADE GOLD AWARD FOLLOWING MARKETING SUPPORT Over the course of 13 years, Amy Lawson has turned her passion on all things organic, recycled, up-cycled, fair-trade, and environmentally-friendly into a growing, eCommerce eco-friendly product supply business. With ambition to increase online sales, Amy was eager to find a way to compete
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£30,000 Rural Innovation Grant
01 April 2019
£30,000 rural innovation grant up for grabs The investment management firm, Quilter Cheviot, is offering UK businesses the chance to win £30,000 of grant funding. The firm is looking for the UK, Ireland and Jersey’s most innovative companies or individuals using innovation to benefit rural areas. The Rural Innovation Programme has been created to find
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Mendip Business Awards 2019
28 March 2019
Mendip Business Awards 2019 – Entries close Tues 2nd April! For all of the fantastic businesses wishing to celebrate their achievements and hard work over the past year – don’t forget you have just days left to submit your entry (or entries) to see who will shine at the year’s award ceremony. Whether you’re a
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Barclays backs UK SMEs through Brexit with a package of support including a £14bn lending fund
28 March 2019
Barclays has today announced a £14bn* lending fund as part of a series of initiatives to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to succeed and flourish through Brexit and beyond. Focused on building SME resilience during uncertain times, the package of support includes: A £14bn* dedicated lending fund for the businesses that are the lifeblood
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Innovative businesses invited to pitch to key influencers and investors
26 March 2019
Pitchfest 2019 applications now open to South West entrepreneurs Innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs with high growth potential seeking investment are encouraged to apply for Pitchfest 2019, a pitching competition being run as part of Venturefest South West on 17 June at Sandy Park, Exeter. Pitchfest offers innovators and entrepreneurs the opportunity to promote their businesses
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