Here at the Heart of the South West Growth Hub we look to keep you updated on the latest Government and local business support. Want some free help with digital? Get in touch with the Growth Hub team to find what you need to support your business
Celebrating West Small Business Awards
🌟A massive congratulations to the 18 businesses and individuals from Devon and 14 businesses and individuals from Somerset who have been shortlisted for the regional Federation of Small Businesses ‘Celebrating West Small Business Awards’.🌟
This is the biggest award contest for small businesses in the South West and will culminate at a final in Weston-Super-Mare, early in March. Best of luck to all the Devon and Somerset Businesses shortlisted, from the Heart of the South West Growth Hub!
You can find out which Devon businesses were shortlisted here: Devon firms dominate regional business awards nominations | FSB, The Federation of Small Businesses and Somerset here: Somerset firms shine in FSB South West Award nominations – Heart of sw growthhub
Free Industry Snapshots and Sector Updates
Want to keep up-to-date with the latest trends from your industry? If you have an interest in industry trends or market size, here at the Growth Hub we have some very useful reports available to businesses here in the South West.
This month, we are featuring a snapshot of the travel and tourism sector. This factsheet provides a snapshot of the UK tourism industry, including its structure, performance and outlook. Featuring key travel trends in 2022, industry trends and the outlook for 2023. If you would like a copy of this factsheet, or one for your industry/sector, please complete this form.
Hospitality Skills Boost
North Devon hospitality businesses. Do you have staff members who you would like to upskill in food costings or aspire to improve customer service skills within your hospitality business? If so, we have the following courses for you!
Customer Service Skills for Hospitality Businesses
Thursday 9th March 1:30pm to 4pm, Petroc Brannams Campus, Barnstaple
This course will cover the basic principles of excellent customer service, how to handle customer complaints & difficult behaviour, the benefits of building a rapport with guests and more!
Costing of Food for Hospitality Businesses
Thursday 16th March 1:30pm to 4pm, Petroc Brannams Campus, Barnstaple
In this session we will be introducing the basic principles of food costings and why it is key to a business’s viability to cost products correctly. A great refresher session for experienced hands, and for beginners.
The sessions are being delivered by the Petroc ‘Big Benefits for Small Businesses’ project and are fully funded by the European Social Fund. The project is a partnership with Torridge District Council, North Devon Council and Devon County Council.
For more information and to register, please click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hospitality-skills-boost-tickets-506103909417)
Grant funding roundup
Our Growth Hub Advisors have identified grant and support opportunities that may be of interest to businesses in our region. Below is a snapshot of the funds and competitions that are currently available.
Enterprise Nation – Grant funding Competition. Deadline is 26th February 2023
Registered businesses in the UK that have been trading for at least three months and have a workforce of no more than 10 people, are invited to enter this competition for a share of £150k. Twenty small businesses from across the UK will be selected to win £7.5k and additional marketing and design support. If you would like to know more, please complete our enquiry form and state your interest in the ‘Enterprise Nation Grant Funding and Support’, our advisor will send you additional information.
Creative Catalyst Grant Funding – Deadline is 15th February 2023
UK registered micro and small businesses in the creative industries sector, can apply for funding up to £50k that comes with a package of support to grow their business. Applicants must be from the creative industries or support the creative industries; have not received funding from Innovate UK in the past and have a demonstrable ambition for growth.
The Eaton Fund – A small grant of around £300 has been made available to artists. The grants are intended to help individual artists make a specific purchase to support their work. Applications will be accepted from individual painters, potters, sculptors, and photographers who are resident in the UK.
Think you might be eligible and want more information about any one of these grants? Get in touch stating which grant you’d like to find out about and our team of advisors will be in touch.
Grant Alert - Water Discovery Challenge - £4m open-access competition
Ofwat has launched the Water Discovery Challenge, a £4m open-access competition for innovators with bold and ingenious ideas that can solve the biggest challenges facing the water sector today and in the future.
The competition is the latest from Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund, which seeks to generate new ideas to tackle issues including managing leaks, preventing pollution, improving water efficiency, reducing emissions, boosting flood and drought resilience, prioritising sustainable practices, and supporting vulnerable customers.
Find out more: Ofwat’s Innovation Fund launches £4m open competition
Thrive support ends on 31/03/23 - book now!
Thrive has supported over 600 Devon and Somerset businesses since its launch in October 2021. Here’s what just a few of the businesses have to say about Thrive support:
“Brilliant, my chats with the advisor were really helpful and supportive. I have taken multiple aspects of their advice on board and now feel much more in control.”
“We are thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to join in on seminars/workshops led by fantastic professionals and the learning from these have provided us with ideas and inspiration on how to move forward with our in-house marketing strategy.”
Thrive will be coming to an end on 31st March 2023, so if you still haven’t taken advantage of this free support programme, (or if you haven’t completed your 12 hours of support) now is the time. Whatever your current business challenge, Thrive is here to help. Find out more and register for Thrive: THRIVE – Heart of sw growthhub
How can freelancers flourish? FREE webinar
Freelancers unite! The power of co-ops and joint working – Thursday 16 Feb 2023, 1-2pm
SELF EMPLOYED and want to boost your business? Start a co-op! By coming together, freelancers can gain access to fairer, more decent work, as well as a share of the co-op’s profits. Forming a co‑op makes good business sense. Freelancers who’ve joined forces to set up co-ops have benefitted in many ways – from sharing costs, skills, knowledge and risk, to gaining new opportunities and enjoying peer support.
To find out more, join this FREE webinar on Thursday 16 February 2023 at 1-2pm. Book your place now.
Last Chance to Apply for Get Set to Tender
If you want to win contracts from local government, Get Set to Tender can help you to better understand procurement and tenders and enable you to bid for opportunities in the public sector.
Through a blend of 2-hour group workshops and 1:1 support, Get Set to Tender will:
- Introduce you to procurement and tendering,
- Explore how to access public sector opportunities,
- Review your past bid performance,
- And help with a live tender bid.
Online Workshops
· Introduction to Procurement and Tenders, Thursday 23rd February, 11am-1pm. Book here: Get Set to Tender- Workshop 1 Introduction Procurement and Tenders Tickets, Thu 23 Feb 2023 at 11:00 | Eventbrite
· Writing Tender Responses, Thursday 28th February, 11am-1pm. Book here: Get Set to Tender – Workshop 3 ‘Writing Tender Responses’ Tickets, Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 11:00 | Eventbrite
To apply online, please complete this short form or email admin@tendervictory.co.uk. The project is fully funded by Devon County Council and delivered by Tender Victory.
Looking for ways to save money in 2023? Visit our cost of living resources page to view information, top tips and links to schemes and further support, including renewable options. |
Net Zero Workshop - Devon Agri-Tech Alliance
This workshop provides an on-farm experience at Taw Valley Microgreens. Their micro business demonstrates a replicable and scalable model that can support local producers and explore potential renewable energy solutions, and decarbonisation planning and overall how Agri-Tech can help to improve farm sustainability.
- Time: 11am to 2:30pm
- Date: Tuesday 14th March 2023
- Location: Taw Valley Microgreens, High Bickington, EX37 9BG
To read more or to register onto the Net Zero workshop, please visit: Net Zero Tickets, Tue 14 Mar 2023 at 11:00 | Eventbrite
Visit our Food and Farming Resources Hub: Farming and Food Resources Hub – Heart of sw growthhub
Devon & Somerset Events and Workshops
The Growth Hub has a dedicated page listing all the latest business events taking place across the South West. Plug those skills gaps and revisit that business plan; our upcoming workshops have everything you need to be ready and focussed for 2023. Below are just a few of the many funded (or free) events coming up:
Successful Google Search Ads for Small Businesses – Thurs 9th Feb 1pm, Online
Understanding Bookkeeping: Getting the basics right – Thurs 9th Feb 10am, Online (North Devon business only)
How to use Authentic Networking to Grow your Business – Tues 14th Feb 10am, Online
Coaching for Sales & Negotiation Skills – Tues 21st Feb 10am, Online (North Devon business only)
Pricing and Positioning Your Products and Services – Tues 21st Feb 10am, Online
Bookkeeping Basics – Preparing Budgets and Cashflow Forecasts – Tues 21st Feb 10am, Online (North Devon business only)
How to write great copy – Wed 22nd Feb 10am, Online
For more events aimed at SME’s, see our events and workshop pages
Give your Business the Competitive Edge with Help to Grow: Management
Aimed at senior leaders in small and medium businesses, the Help to Grow: Management course is a 90% funded comprehensive 12 week practical management training course designed to boost performance, resilience and long term growth. Find out more: Give your Business the Competitive Edge with Help to Grow: Management
