News

BLOG: Learn how to identify talent from within your business to reskill

Learn how to identify talent from within your business to reskill and adapt in challenging times The pandemic has meant that for many organisations business-as-usual has had to change. Adapting to the changing world and customer demands has meant...

Tender Opportunity: Getting SMEs to Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050

We’re developing a series of sector specific webinars for local businesses. We have an opportunity for you to work with us to deliver webinars focusing on supporting SMEs to understand how they can get to Net Zero Carbon Emissions...

If you think your business is too small to be affected by Brexit, think again.

Many small businesses may think that they’re not dealing with Europe at all.  Perhaps you’re a children’s shoe shop, a local bookshop or a patisserie or flower shop.  Many shoes come from Europe, flowers from Holland and patisserie?  Well...

Second round of Industrial Energy Technology Fund opens

Innovate UK have £40 million available via the second round of the Industrial Energy Technology Fund competitions. The funding is available for feasibility studies, engineering studies and deployment of technologies that improve the energy efficiency of an industrial process...

Growth Hub welcomes Chancellor’s budget support for business

Leicester and Leicestershire’s Growth Hub has welcomed the measures announced in yesterday’s budget by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

UK Border Readiness – what does Brexit mean for hauliers and drivers?

As we head further into 2021 and the impact of Brexit becomes ever more apparent, one of the more critical discussion points is how it will affect the movement of goods between the UK and EU, and what it...

BLOG: Eight simple steps to create your brand’s tone of voice

Helen Tarver is a freelance content writer and will be speaking at our next webinar for Food and Drink producers on 17 March – Digital marketing and promotion for your products. She provides her 8 top tips on writing...

New Euro tariffs and charges – paying too much?

Leaving the EU and its former trade deals has meant that there has been an explosion of new regulations, tariffs and ways of reporting to Customs and HMRC to contend with, and many more still yet to come as...

‘Adapt to change and make your business stronger’

‘Adapt to change and make your business stronger’ message from Trading with Europe’ webinar The overwhelming takeaway from yesterday’s Leicestershire Live and Business Gateway Growth Hub webinar was a positive message that there is enormous potential for UK businesses...

At a Glance: What the latest Government Covid briefing means for businesses in Leicestershire

The Prime Minister’s latest COVID briefing (22/2/21) brought signs of some good news for regional businesses.  Here are the key points that affect your business in Leicester and Leicestershire:

New recovery fund for Hinckley and Bosworth businesses

Small businesses in Hinckley and Bosworth that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic are being urged to apply to a new fund to help businesses to safeguard jobs in the borough. Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has launched...

New suite of post-Brexit support for Leicestershire businesses with European connections

At a time when business survival is the number one priority for SMEs, keeping abreast of the many changes in legislation that are being drafted in with immediate effect can leave business owners bewildered and unsure of how to...

Digital health checks help businesses do more with technology

Adopting digital solutions can mean better customer experiences, improved productivity, enhanced security and more, but knowing where to start can be a stumbling block for many business owners.

Government announces £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove has announced a £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to support small and medium sized businesses adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the...

Covid-19 rapid testing for workplaces

An online portal has been launched to make it even easier for business in the private sector to get involved and find out more about offering rapid testing in the workplace. Business that are open during lockdown can now...

Lockdown Your Data: East Midlands Cyber Security Week

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has partnered with De Montfort University, Leicester and local experts to deliver Lockdown your Data: East Midlands Cyber Security Week. The week-long event from 1 – 5 March has been designed to inform and support businesses...

Bounce back loan borrowers can delay repayments by extra six months

Businesses that took out government-backed Bounce Back Loans to get through Covid-19 will now have greater flexibility to repay their loans. The Chancellor’s Pay as You Grow repayment flexibilities now include the option to delay all repayments for a...

Almost 20,000 jobs protected by Film & TV Production Restart Scheme

Many film and television productions have been paused during the pandemic due to a lack of insurance against Coronavirus-related losses, such as filming delays when cast or crew members are ill. The £500 million Film and TV Production Restart...

Grants deadline extended to help pubs affected by lockdown closure

The closing date has been extended in a scheme to provide financial help to ease the impact of lockdown on city pubs whose income doesn’t largely depend upon food sales. Leicester City Council is administering the grants for so-called...

BLOG: Top tips on boosting motivation and performance

If you are a business owner or line manager looking for some practical ways to boost motivation and productivity and pick up tips of what to do when performance starts to dip, in their latest blog, Loates HR provide...

Last few days to apply for Leicester wet-let pub grants

PUBS whose income doesn’t largely depend upon food sales have until the end of January to take advantage of additional financial help on offer, joining over 70 city pubs that have already received funding. Leicester City Council is administering...

British Business Investments announces new £10m commitment to Syndicate Room

British Business Investments, a commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank, has announced a £10m commitment to Cambridge-based venture capitalist Syndicate Room. The £10m commitment from British Business Investments’ Regional Angels Programme will be invested by Syndicate Room, which...

Leicestershire businesses can benefit from free advice to trade in Europe

The Growth Hub was featured on LeicestershireLive this week with some details of a special event on 24th February and the support available for businesses trading in the EU. 

Leicestershire employers needed to help shape mental health campaign

Employers across Leicestershire are being urged to help shape a campaign to encourage firms to improve mental health support at work. The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP) is recruiting ten companies from across the Midlands to help shape...

Growth Hub support helps Sophia to achieve independence

Sometimes while going about our normal routines people start to formulate what could become a great business idea. That’s what happened to Occupational Therapist, Sophia Dickinson.

Green Home Grants Skills Training

The Green Homes Grant skills training competition was designed to provide support to the energy efficiency and low carbon heating supply chains to deliver works under the Green Homes Grant scheme, and to scale up to meet the additional...

Business volunteers needed to help rewrite the story of careers education

Local businesses are being asked to help “rewrite the story” for young people by putting their skills to use with a local school or college as an Enterprise Adviser. More than ever, young people need all the support and...

Coronavirus loan schemes benefit businesses in East Midlands

New data published this week shows that businesses in the East Midlands have received a total of almost £4bn in funding under the government’s two largest Covid-19 loan schemes, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce...

EU support – telephone line now open

Following the end of the EU transition period there are new trading processes you need to follow and actions you must take to continue trading with Europe or employing EU nationals. The Growth Hub has launched a free telephone...

New textiles training centre to launch in Leicester

An innovative project to deliver apprenticeships and accredited training for the textiles industry is set to be launched in Leicester. Leicester City Council has teamed up with leading training provider Fashion Enter Ltd and local clothing company Ethically Sourced...

Free support for Visitor Economy businesses

A new programme of support has been announced for visitor economy businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire, to help combat the economic impact of Covid-19. This dedicated support programme is aimed at tourism, hospitality, sport and leisure businesses, and the...

Start-up Accelerator programme launches

In partnership with Leicester Startups, the Start-up Accelerator programme has been launched to support start-up businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire from 22 February to 2 April 2021. This fully-funded programme offers 6-weeks of structured workshops, round tables sessions and...

Sustainable travel grants available for businesses

Leicester City Council’s Walking and Cycling Team is committed to supporting businesses who recognise the importance of reducing the number of single passenger car journeys made by staff and customers by providing a number of free initiatives to eligible...

Blog: How to rebuild employee trust and morale

What are you doing to help your employees during this Covid-19 crisis in what seems like a never-ending rollercoaster of lockdowns, restrictions and new ways of working? HR Training Consultant Annie Litchfield from Loates HR provides her 5 top...

Asymptomatic testing to be rolled out across the country starting this week

Rapid, regular testing for people without symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) will be made available across the country from this week, with the eligibility of the community testing programme expanded to cover all 317 local authorities. Local authorities will be...

Tender opportunities to deliver webinars for the Business Gateway

The Business Gateway Growth Hub is expanding the range of webinars on offer to local businesses. We are starting to focus on sector support to help the recovery process of our businesses post the Covid-19 pandemic. We are proactively...

Survey shows region’s economic recovery is “treading water” but businesses are confident about future

The economic recovery has stalled in the East Midlands as tightening Covid-19 restrictions took their toll on businesses, according to new research published today. An East Midlands Chamber study found cashflow and advanced orders were significantly affected for many...

Businesses asked to donate old smartphones

Businesses and other organisations in Leicestershire and the East Midlands are being asked to help people in our communities struggling with their mental health by donating old smartphones. We all know that 2020 was a tough time for many...

£4.6 billion in new lockdown grants for businesses announced

Rishi Sunak pledges £4.6billion in lockdown grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. Tougher restrictions will leave businesses in England closed until at least the February half-term in a bid to curb rising Covid-19 infections. As part of Mr...

National restrictions from Tuesday January 5 2021

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives. You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these...

Applications open for Leicester Accelerator Programme

After a successful inaugural programme in October last year, Leicester Startups presents a brand new accelerator programme to help you grow your business. They’ve pulled together a whole community of experienced founders and business experts into a high-tempo six-week...

Leicester and Leicestershire moves to Tier 4 from midnight

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock has announced today that Leicester and Leicestershire will move to Tier 4: Stay at Home from the beginning of Thursday 31 December 2020. Tier 4 restrictions mean: people must not leave their home or garden...

Join the Small Business Leadership Programme this January!

A consortium of business schools accredited by the Small Business Charter (SBC) and supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is delivering a free, fully-funded Small Business Leadership Programme that supports business leaders to enhance their...

Christmas opening times

Due to the festive season we will be closed from 1pm Christmas Eve then operating with reduced staff until Monday 4th January: Growth Hub T: 0116 366 8487 CLOSED: 25th, 26th, 27th December | 1st to 3rd Jan REDUCED...

Customs Grant Scheme reminder

The Customs Grant Scheme has been set up to help businesses prepare for new customs arrangements from 1 January 2021. This includes supporting businesses who trade with the EU to undertake training to improve their understanding of customs requirements...

Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs

New Guidance has been issued that sets out support for wet-led pubs that have been severely impacted over the Christmas period due to temporary local restrictions. Eligible businesses may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of £1,000 from...

Department for International Trade (DIT) Internationalisation Fund

SMEs are now able to apply for co-investment funding from DIT’s new Internationalisation Fund using European Regional Development Funding (ERDF). On 16 October 2020 DIT Ministers announced, as part of the Government’s Export Growth Plan, to help businesses in...

Furlough scheme extended until the end of April

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme until the end of April 2021. He said the move would provide certainty for millions of jobs and businesses. The government will continue to pay up to 80% of the wages...

Guidance for the Christmas period

Government guidance for the Christmas period can be found below: Meeting friends and family Visiting bars, pubs and restaurants Visiting churches and other places of worship Visiting shops and Christmas markets Attending events, including performances and Christmas lighting ceremonies...

UK Transitional Support- Request for Quotation

Background With the United Kingdom having left the European Union and the transition period coming to the end on the 31st December 2020, there will be significant changes in the way that UK businesses will need to operate, particularly...

Business evictions ban extended until March

Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced. The majority of commercial landlords have shown flexibility, understanding and commitment to protect businesses during an...

Creative and Digital businesses we need your help!

The Business Gateway Growth Hub will be delivering a suite of new workshops specifically dedicated to businesses from the creative and digital sectors within Leicester and Leicestershire. This programme is due to begin early next year. In the past...

EU staff must apply to EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021

EU citizens and their family members (including non-EU citizens) need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue to live, work and study in the UK. Given the valuable contribution EU citizens make to businesses and organisations across...

£1,000 Christmas grant for ‘wet-led pubs’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced an additional £1,000 Christmas grant for ‘wet-led pubs’ in tiers 2 and 3 who will miss out on business during the busy Christmas period. Pubs that predominantly serve alcohol rather than provide food...

Boost for retailers as opening hours extended

In a much-needed boost for the high street, retailers will be able to extend their daily opening hours from Monday to Saturday in the run up to Christmas and through January, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced. From tomorrow,...

Updated guidance for working safely during coronavirus

Updated working safely during coronavirus guidance has been released from government to support businesses when Local Restrictions come into force on the 2 December. Businesses that will benefit from these updated guides include: Takeaway services Close contact services Shops...

Businesses urged to file their annual accounts ASAP

Companies House are urging businesses to file their annual accounts as soon as possible, as the disruption caused by coronavirus continues to affect lives, businesses and the economy. Companies House’s online filing service which is available 24 hours a day,...

BID Leicester respond to Leicester being placed in Tier 3 restrictions

BID Leicester has responded to Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s announcement that Leicester will be placed into Tier 3 restrictions from 2 December when the national lock-down comes to an end. BID Leicester Director Simon Jenner has once again written...

Calls on businesses to prioritise mental health

A major initiative aiming to boost economic productivity is calling on businesses across the East Midlands to prioritise their employees’ mental health after COVID-19 has put significant strain on workers’ well being. The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP),...

Leicester & Leicestershire Tier 3: Very High Alert

New Local Restriction Tiers, which come into play on 2 December have been announced, and Leicester and Leicestershire have been placed in Tier 3: very high alert. The tiers have been strengthened compared to the previous tiers in order...

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces 2020 spending review

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the 2020 spending review on Wednesday 25 November. In a statement in Parliament, he also briefed MPs about the state of the UK economy and the latest forecasts for the UK’s public finances. An overview...

LLEP virtual AGM takes place on 1 December 2020

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership’s (LLEP) virtual Annual General Meeting takes place on 1st December at 5.15pm. The AGM will provide an opportunity for the LLEP Directors to update you on the key economic developments of the year,...

Local Restrictions Support Grants launched

New Government grants are now available for businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The Government has released business guidance for these schemes. The Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) supports businesses that have been required to...

Concerns pandemic is distracting from crucial EU Transition preparations

Evidence suggesting that many Leicestershire businesses might not be prepared for the end of the EU Exit transition period has led to calls to action from local community leaders. After officially leaving the EU earlier this year, Britain’s transition...

Free leadership support for small business leaders

Universities across the UK are running the Small Business Leadership Programme, a ten-week Government-funded programme led by academics and experts to help support small businesses and SME leaders over the coming months. The Small Business Leadership Programme will equip...

Have your say in the last QES of the year

The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the biggest business survey of its kind in the East Midlands. The results provided are analysed by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) in order to help shape crucial policy discussions locally, regionally...

Takeaway service extended for restaurants, pubs and cafes

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that restaurants, pubs and cafes will get automatic freedoms to provide takeaway services for another year. The new measures will help give businesses the confidence they need to continue to serve customers and hopefully...

BID champions use of Leicester Gift Card as staff reward

The Leicester Gift Card, produced by BID Leicester, comes just in time for Christmas when businesses will be gifting and rewarding their employees and clients for their hard work and loyalty over the turbulent year. The scheme allows employers...

Sustainable East Midlands campaign launched by Chamber

East Midlands Chamber has urged the region’s businesses to go green and reap the benefits to their bottom line in a new campaign. The Sustainable East Midlands initiative will highlight both the business case and regulatory requirements for companies that engage...

New Safety Tech Innovation Network will promote safety tech sector

Across the world, a new wave of companies are developing a huge variety of innovative products and services that help businesses better protect their online users from harm. UK companies are already world-leaders in safety tech. DCMS research reveals...

Existing Bounce Back Loans can be topped up to £50,000

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover. The maximum loan...

Leicester Smart City Challenge will award £5,000 kickstart funding

With its vibrant population, creative industries, world-class universities and a growing space sector, Leicester has the capacity and capability to become a smart city. A smart city combines its built, natural and social environments with information technology to support...

Furlough scheme extended further to March 2021

Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced today, 5 November. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will now run until the end...

Tender opportunity to develop events for fashion and textiles sector

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is seeking to recruit experienced consultant/s to lead the development and delivery of a suite of engaging and impactful seminars and/or strategic action-planning workshops covering a range of fashion and textile manufacturing-related themes....

Apply for apprenticeship levy transfer from ASDA

Leicester City Council is working in partnership with ASDA to support businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire, by transfering £100,000 of their apprenticeship levy to create new opportunities, however applications need to be submitted by 18 November 2020. Your business...

Increased support for self-employed

To reflect the recent changes to the furlough scheme, the UK-wide Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be made more generous – with self-employed individuals receiving 80% of their average trading profits for November. And to ensure those who...

Leicester’s carbon neutral bus station plans revealed

Leicester City Council is planning to completely rebuild the existing St Margaret’s Bus Station and revamp surrounding streets as part of a major scheme to regenerate this part of the city centre. The proposed £13.5million scheme has been awarded...

Grants on offer to help local business cut carbon and save cash

HUNDREDS of small businesses in Leicester could benefit from a share of a £2million council-run grant scheme to help them cut their energy bills. Leicester City Council has successfully secured over £1.9million from the European Region Development Fund (ERDF)...

Job Retention Scheme extended to December

The Government has announced it will extend the Job Retention scheme known as furlough to December as it brings in a new national lockdown from Thursday. Employees will receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up...

The way you hire from the EU is changing

The transition period is ending on 31 December and there will be no extension. The current rules for hiring workers from the EU will change. Time is running out and businesses need to act now to prepare for our...

New digital webinar programme for start-ups

The Digital Growth Programme team are delivering a new webinar programme specifically designed to help new businesses who want to create an online presence and introduce digital marketing. Businesses located in Leicester and Leicestershire can sign up to this...

SHIRE Environment grant for groups or organisations

Community groups and organisations are being invited to apply for the latest round of SHIRE Environment Grants of up to £3,000. The scheme, run by Leicestershire County Council, aims to help projects that minimise household waste, reduce carbon emissions...

£32 Million Bid to Transform Loughborough

An ambitious £32 million bid to transform Loughborough has been submitted to Government. The Loughborough Town Deal is an exciting, once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring significant social and economic improvements for residents, communities and local businesses. A Town Investment Plan...

Leicester Business Festivals starts on Monday!

The annual Leicester Business Festival (LBF) kicks off another exciting fortnight of business starting on Monday 2 November. Headline partnered by De Montfort University, the LBF is now in its sixth year. Originally established by the Leicester & Leicestershire...

DIT offers free digital trade 1 to 1 sessions

Covid 19 and EU Transition have brought challenge, change and opportunity for businesses wanting to increase their online sales and potential in international markets. To help your business overcome and maximise some of these changes, the Department for International...

Growth Hub launches Peer Networks Programme

A new peer-to-peer networking programme, launched today, will enable local business leaders to collaborate with like-minded individuals to discuss current challenges and grow their organisations for future success. There will be 14 Peer Networks in the Leicester and Leicestershire...

Chancellor increases financial support for businesses

In recognition of the challenging times ahead, the Chancellor said he would be increasing support through the existing Job Support and self-employed schemes, and expanding business grants to support companies in high-alert level areas. This builds on agreements reached...

Entreprenuers from ethnic minority backgrounds experience substantially worse business outcomes than white entrepreneurs

Black business owners and those from Asian and Other Ethnic Minority backgrounds face persistent disparities in business outcomes, with systemic disadvantage playing a key role. This is revealed in a new report Alone together: Entrepreneurship and Diversity in the UK, published...

BLOG: Getting creative to avoid redundancies

In our latest blog Sarah Loates, Founding Director of Loates HR Consultancy encourages businesses to ‘get creative’ and consider ways to avoid redundancies. She explores the different measures employers could consider, some of which you may not be aware...

What financial support is available in the new three tier system?

The Government’s new three-tiered system of local COVID alert levels in England ranges from Medium to Very High. Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage...

Enterprising Women Awards 2021 opens for entries

Female entrepreneurs, directors, employees and apprentices in the East Midlands will once again have a platform to showcase their success stories as the Enterprising Women Awards returns for 2021. Applications are now open for the awards, which provides recognition...

Government launches Export Growth Plan to help businesses build back better

A package of measures to help businesses in England build back better following the pandemic has been announced by the Government today. The Department for International Trade’s (DIT) Export Growth Plan provides additional financial support and expertise, some of...

Leicester’s Design Season back for third year

As Leicester’s Design Season enters its 3rd year, it once again celebrates the range and vitality of the city’s design community through a specially developed programme of talks, exhibitions, and events – both online and offline – led by...

Lifeline helps businesses to ‘build back better’

A UK health business is offering a free support package to Leicestershire SMEs to help them protect their teams as they return to work from furlough and get Britain’s economy back on track. The package includes access to doctors...

New measures and support for self-isolation

From the end of September, anyone who had a positive Covid-19 test or is told to self-isolate by the NHS Test & Trace Service is required to do so by law, with fines starting at £1,000 and increasing to...

Leicester Business Festival unveils brochure

The Leicester Business Festival (LBF) 2020 digital brochure has now been released. Packed full of festival news and events, it highlights the extensive range of support available to businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire. Headline partnered by De Montfort University...

New three tier Covid restrictions system announced

Boris Johnson has officially confirmed a new system of Covid Local Alert Levels will cover every village, town, city and region of England. By tonight, every area in the country is expected to be assigned Tier 1 (medium risk),...

Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to covid

The Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to support businesses across the UK required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions. This scheme will cover businesses that, as a result of restrictions set by one or more...

Could you provide services for the Investment Readiness Programme?

Leicester City Council is responsible for the design and delivery of an Investment Readiness Programme aimed at those businesses seeking additional investment. Leicester City Council’s Business Growth Team are looking for a supplier to deliver a programme of events...

The way you hire from the EU is changing

From 1 January 2021, freedom of movement between the UK and EU is ending and the UK will introduce a new points-based immigration system. The new system will introduce job, salary and language requirements, treating EU and non-EU citizens...

BLOG: Worried About Brexit Trading Unknowns?

Here’s How Addressing the Known Knowns Can Really Help Dr Nik Kotecha, MD of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, looks at the known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns of the current Brexit impasse and gives advice to businesses about how to...

Round Corner Brewing, the business that ‘can’

Melton Mowbray based Round Corner Brewing is set to double its output this year thanks to a grant from the Business Gateway Growth Hub and its ability to adapt the production of its world-class craft beers during the Covid-19...

New guidance on £9 billion Job Retention Bonus

Further information has been published on how businesses can claim the government’s Job Retention Bonus, with millions set to benefit from the £9 billion package. The scheme is designed to continue to support jobs through the UK’s economic recovery...

Less than a month until start of Leicester Business Festival

The 2020 Leicester Business Festival (LBF) contains a packed programme of events and looks set to be one of the largest digital festivals in the UK, with thousands of people expected to get involved over the fortnight. Running from...

The Leicester Gift Card: a new way to support local businesses

BID Leicester has launched The Leicester Gift Card to give a boost to the city’s high street retail and hospitality businesses. The gift card, which can be purchased at values between £5 and £500, can be spent in more...

What makes a good innovation team?

Collaborating with partners on an R&D project allows you to benefit from a wide range of skills, experiences, and practical tools – without the risks that come from more formal long-term partnerships. It’s a chance to test out whether...

BLOG: Want to sell your food/drink products online? Use this handy checklist

Online shopping has never been more popular with consumers being less able to visit high street stores and supermarkets. Due to the events of recent months, many food and drink businesses have looked to make changes to the way...

Check, Change, Go – Prepare your business for the end of the transition period

The UK has left the EU and is leaving the EU single market and customs union. The end of the transition period means businesses should take action now to prepare for guaranteed changes and new rules from January 2021....

70% of PPE demand will be met by UK manufacturers

Health and social care workers treating COVID-19 patients have access to an uninterrupted supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the Government has confirmed today. Four-month stockpiles of items such as face masks, visors and gowns will be in place...

Winter Economy Plan – summary

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined additional government support to provide certainty to businesses and workers impacted by coronavirus across the UK. Job support scheme A new Job Support Scheme will be introduced from 1 November to protect viable jobs in...

New Job Support Scheme revealed

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed details of a Job Support Scheme, that will replace furlough when it closes on 31 October. The furlough scheme in its current form will not continue but will be replaced with this more targeted...

NHS COVID-19 app launches today – is your business ready?

People across England and Wales are being urged to download the NHS COVID-19 app to help control the spread of coronavirus and protect themselves and their loved ones as case numbers rise. The app launches today, and after positive...

Leicester Business Festival tickets now available!

Events that have been confirmed so far in the 2020 Business Festival are now live on the LBF website and taking bookings! This year’s programme, which takes place from 2nd to 13th November, is already looking extremely exciting with...

Invitation to tender for Peer to Peer Networks launched

Today (22 September) we have launched an invitation to tender for a new Peer to Peer Network service to be delivered to support SMEs across Leicester and Leicestershire. Peer Networks is a national peer-to-peer networking initiative for SMEs that...

Funding boost for innovative transport tech businesses

Innovative transport start-ups with a focus on decarbonisation or COVID-19 recovery can now bid for a share of over £1 million (£1,010,000) in Department for Transport funding. Transport-Technology Research and Innovation Grants (T-TRIG), which is now in its 11th...

Businesses urged to prepare for NHS COVID-19 app

Businesses across England and Wales like pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas are being urged to ensure they have NHS QR code posters visible on entry so customers who have downloaded the new NHS COVID-19 app can use their smartphones...

Bounce back plans for consumer and retail industries

The government has announced a series of new measures to support businesses in the consumer and retail industry to export overseas as part of efforts to help the sector recover from Coronavirus. The new measures will offer immediate support...

Useful videos if you are new to customs

HMRC have created a series of short videos aimed at helping those businesses brand new to customs: What is Customs? What you need to know to bring goods into the UK? What you need to do to send goods...

Small businesses take the lead supporting each other

Cast your mind back to the early 80’s and a new Saturday morning TV programme grabbed the nation’s imagination through a really simple concept: A child needed something and would offer up a much-loved toy in exchange. With lots...

Venues required by law to record contact details

Premises and venues across England like pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas must have a system in place by law to record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff in the latest move to break the chains of transmission...

Complete the 2020 Scaleup Survey

The Scaleup Survey, run by the Scaleup Institute, is now in its seventh year. Its influence and importance has grown rapidly, providing crucial data and insights which are informing how both the public and private sectors better support and...

Full applications open for Small Business Recovery 100% Grant

THIS GRANT SCHEME IS NOW CLOSED. Businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire are being given a boost in their fightback from the effects of the coronavirus as the Business Gateway Growth Hub launches the Small Business Recovery Grant. The 100%...

Campaign launched in Charnwood to highlight safe local high streets

Shop Safe, Shop Local – that’s the message from Charnwood Borough Council as it launches a campaign to support local high streets. The Council, and partners, are calling on people to support their local high streets and reassure them...

Business Gateway whips up ingredients to support Leicestershire’s food and drink sector

A new programme of support has been announced for food and drink businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire to combat the economic impact of Covid-19. The Business Gateway Growth Hub and the Food and Drink Forum have joined forces to...

BLOG: Restarting your marketing post-COVID

Lockdown gave most of us a little extra time to reflect. Even if it was just the time that you used to take to commute that you suddenly had freed up, those few gained moments allowed many of us...

Kickstart Scheme opens for employer applications

Applications have opened for employers to become part of the government’s £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country. The 6-month placements are open to those aged...

Last call to apply for financial help for city businesses affected by COVID-19

Businesses in Leicester have until August 28 to take advantage of financial help which has been made available to for firms affected by COVID-19. Leicester City Council is responsible for distributing two sources of business support funding aimed at...

Tender opportunity: consultant – Leadership & Management events

East Midlands Chamber is seeking to recruit an experienced consultant or pool of consultants from a single organisation, to lead the development and delivery of a suite of engaging and impactful branded virtual seminars and face-to-face action-planning workshops covering...

Tender opportunity: consultant for sales-themed events

East Midlands Chamber is seeking to recruit an experienced consultant or pool of consultants from a single organisation, to lead the development and delivery of a suite of engaging and impactful branded seminars and/or action-planning workshops covering a range...

Businesses invited to bid to run new Outwoods cafe

Charnwood Borough Council are looking for an operator to manage the operation of a new café facility to be constructed in the coming months by renovating and extending the existing cottage on site. Charnwood Borough Council are seeking to...

East Midlands businesses urged to get “Fit4HS2” in new webinar series

A new programme of practical online workshops aims to equip small businesses in the East Midlands with the tools they need to compete for supply chain contracts in HS2 and other major infrastructure projects. The “Fit4HS2” sessions have been...

Salons and nail bars to reopen in Leicester

Nail bars, beauty salons, tanning booths and salons, spas and beauty salons, massage parlours, tattoo parlours, body and skin piercing services, and outdoor pools can lawfully reopen from today. This will bring Leicester in line with the national easements...

Self-isolating after returning to the UK: Employers’ Guide

A person’s employment rights will depend on their employment status and specific circumstances. Please check the Guidance on returning to the UK. In summary: Where possible people should work from home during their self-isolation period. Employees should talk to their employer...

Second coronavirus grant opens for self-employed

If you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) you may be eligible to apply for a grant. This second and final taxable grant is worth 70% of your average monthly...

New business grant for Leicester Lockdown

Small and micro-businesses across Leicester which were forced to close during the city’s extended lockdown can apply for financial help under a new grant scheme. Leicester City Council has received £2.6million from the government to pay grants to businesses which...

Sign up to offer green homes improvements

Tradespeople across England are being urged to step forward and sign up to offer services through the government’s new Green Homes Grants scheme. The £2 billion Green Homes Grant Scheme will see the government fund up to two-thirds of...

Calling all young innovators!

Young people can apply for an award to make their business idea a reality. The Award includes a £5,000 grant, business support and a living allowance. Aged between 18 and 30 years old and looking for business support? Innovate UK is...

Financial incentives for apprenticeships

As England adjusts to the new normal, the government is introducing financial support to help employers hire new apprentices. Through apprenticeships, you can build competitive skills to encourage growth in your organisation. When you hire new apprentices between 1...

Shop Local Week launched

Shoppers across the UK have been urged to do their bit and take part in Shop Local Week (10-16 August) to help local businesses rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic. Shop Local Week is part of the government’s Enjoy Summer...

Leaders raise awareness of finance options

Business leaders from across Leicester and Leicestershire are encouraging firms to access the finance options available to help manage and recover from the coronavirus. The awareness drive is supported by the British Business Bank, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise...

Grants if business completes customs declarations

If your business completes customs declarations you might be able to apply to get funding for recruitment, training and IT improvements. You can apply for 3 grants to help your business complete customs declarations. You can apply to get...

Funded redundancy support and online courses

If you are facing an organisational restructure or the prospect of making hard decisions about staff redundancy Learning Curve, the national training provider, is offering a fully-funded redundancy support service. The package ensures employees get access to bespoke training...

One month left to submit Business Festival events

Businesses wishing to run an event as part of the Leicester Business Festival (LBF) have just one more month to submit their applications before the website portal closes on Friday 4 September. The LBF is taking place from 2...

New leadership schemes for small business recovery

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis spurs British businesses to adopt new ways of working, the government is investing £20 million to improve small businesses’ management, productivity and problem-solving skills through 2 training programmes, at this crucial time in the...

£1,000 Job Retention Bonus to keep furloughed workers

The government is introducing a new Job Retention Bonus to provide additional support to employers who keep on their furloughed employees in meaningful employment, after the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends on 31 October 2020. The Job Retention...

BLOG: Lean or Traditional: Which Strategic Approach is Right for your Business?

Steve Hobbs is founder of Asking Better Questions and one of the Business Gateway’s webinar speakers. Here Steve examines the lean or traditional approach to strategic planning. Why do businesses fail? Before delving into definitions, tools, tips and tricks,...

Round two of discretionary grants for Leicester City

A FURTHER group of businesses and charities will be able to apply for funding aimed at helping those whose finances have been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Leicester City Council received £3.5million from the Government’s Discretionary Business Grants...

Restrictions lifted for some businesses in Leicester city

Late yesterday evening Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced new rules on social gatherings in some areas of Northern England. It means people in these areas will not be permitted to mix with other households (apart from those in their...

£20 million in new grants to boost recovery of small businesses

Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from £20 million of new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government has today (30...

Extra cash for businesses in Leicester lockdown

The government has announced today that £3million will be provided to support struggling businesses inside the Leicester lockdown zone. Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the extra money in a letter to Neil O’Brien – the Conservative MP for Harborough,...

Street cafe furnishings grant launched by Leicester City Council

Leicester City Council have launched a street cafe furnishings grant as part of the citywide recovery plan. This will allow eligible independent restaurants and cafes to apply for grants of up to £4,000, to purchase appropriate furniture and outdoor...

New guidance on reporting Covid-19 cases for business

New guidance for businesses and organisations on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of coronavirus has been published. COVID-19 early outbreak management information has been created to make sure that people who run businesses or organisations: know how...

£350million to cut emissions and drive recovery

UK industry will receive around £350 million to cut down carbon emissions under new plans to step up efforts to tackle climate change, the government has announced. The multimillion-pound investment package will build on the Prime Minister’s work throughout...

Last chance to apply for The RAPID Challenge

The RAPID Challenge is aimed at helping entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses commercialise their hardware projects, by helping to develop products and accelerate progress. Apply online before the 3rd August 2020, to be a part of a series of workshops...

Guidance for employers on NHS Test and Trace

Government guidance on the NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace includes a new section on collecting customer and visitor data and information on if a worker develops symptoms and orders a test. It is critical that employers...

Updated guidance for business events and meetings

The Government has released updated guidance on how to work safely within the visitor economy, which now includes guidance on business events and meetings. The guidance has been created to help employers, employees and the self-employed in England understand...

£400 million to benefit greener aerospace industry

Aerospace jobs and supply chains across the UK will benefit from cutting-edge research and development projects announced by the government and aerospace industry leaders. Government grants totalling £200 million, delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme, will be...

BLOG: The What, Why and How of purchasing a domain name

A guide for small businesses. Having a meaningful domain not only represents your brand online but allows potential customers to find you. Digital Growth Programme consultants Ian Lockwood and Rob Gregory explain it all here, using simple terminology they...

Business events and conferences given go ahead

Business events, conferences and events centres will be given the go-ahead to reopen on 1 October adhering to social distancing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week. Provided levels of infection remain at current rates, this will see the...

Revised Leicester Lockdown boundary from 18 July

As we know a local outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified in Leicester. The government and local authority are acting together to control the spread of the virus in Leicester and affected surrounding areas. If you live or work...

New £750k Leicestershire Business Recovery Fund

Updated 18 Dec 2020: The Leicestershire Business Recovery Fund has received an overwhelming number of applications and is now CLOSED to new applications. If you have already submitted an application or have any queries, please email economicgrowth@leics.gov.uk for further assistance. =...

VisitEngland speaks on ‘Restoring Consumer Confidence in the Visitor Economy’

The Business Gateway Growth Hub recently hosted another webinar in a series of seminars on ‘Implementing COVID19 measures in the workplace’. This webinar, aimed at the tourism and hospitality sector, featured VisitEngland’s Head of Business Transformation Project, Janet Uttley, talking...

Mandatory use of face masks will protect retailers

Health Secretary, Matt Hancock announced in Parliament yesterday that face coverings would be mandatory in shops from next Friday. He said the death rate of sales and retail assistants is 75% higher among men and 60% higher among women...

Growth Hub manager speaks to BBC Radio Leicester

Growth Hub Manager Jon Egley could be heard on BBC Radio Leicester this morning, discussing with presenter Jimmy Carpenter exactly who the Growth Hub are, and how they can help. Jon Egley said: “If you’re unsure about what support...

Webinar will help textiles businesses become covid-19 secure

A FREE webinar is being held tomorrow to help fashion and textiles businesses learn more about making their workplaces covid-19 secure. The webinar has been organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub – an initiative of the Leicester and...

Free table service and data app for city’s businesses

BID Leicester has partnered with tech-company Yoello to help the city’s businesses reopen safely. The evening and night-time economy is facing specific challenges when it comes to planning reopening, with businesses having to remodel their operations to meet new...

Register for ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme

Registrations for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme start today. Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging...

£24m grant funding approved for Leicester and Leicestershire

£24.43m of grant funding is to be awarded from the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Rates Pool fund. The fund is managed by the LLEP on behalf of local authorities and grants are allocated for priority economic projects that drive...

Check which attractions can get reduced VAT rate

A new temporary reduced rate of VAT of 5% was announced on 8 July 2020 for admission to certain attractions. This temporary rate will apply from 15 July 2020 to 12 January 2021. Who this applies to This applies...

Coronavirus support for businesses outside government

Public bodies, organisations and charities have produced additional resources that may be useful to employers and employees. This information has been compiled to make accessing it as straightforward as possible. This detailed resource, circulated via government, is there to...

Beauty salons set to reopen for some services next week

Beauty salons, nail bars, tattoo and massage studios, physical therapy businesses and spas across England will be able to reopen safely from Monday 13 July under new government plans, announced today (9 July). Updated COVID-19 secure guidance sets out the measures...

Grant provides £19k boost for KJN Automation

Precision engineering business KJN Automation, based in Peckleton, Leicestershire is the first company to secure a Business Growth Grant from the Business Gateway Growth Hub. This investment will enable it to become the UK’s first sole distributor of a...

Rishi’s Plan for Jobs will help Britain bounce back

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak today set out a ‘Plan for Jobs’ that will spur the UK’s recovery from the Coronavirus outbreak. Delivering his Summer Economic Update in Parliament, the Chancellor announced a package of measures to support jobs in...

Ventilator Challenge hailed a success

Scientific modelling at the start of the coronavirus crisis predicted that the NHS was going to run out of ventilators, so the Government launched the Ventilator Challenge with a call to arms to manufacturers and medical device companies to...

Track and Trace data collection guidance

With many businesses reopening tomorrow, government has created guidelines for the new track and trace data collection effort to support the NHS. The requirement to collect this data applies to: Hospitality including pubs, bars and restaurants (it does not...

Flexible furlough scheme has started

Businesses will have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work part-time now as part of the government’s plan to re-open the UK and kick-start our economy. The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has so far helped...

Leicester lockdown areas and postcode checker

On 29 June, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock set out the local action being taken in Leicester following a surge in coronavirus cases in the area. The local councils set out the following areas...

£6.5m boost for recovery of SME manufacturers

Small to Medium-sized (SME) manufacturers across England have been given a £6.5m funding boost to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and address key barriers to growth. The Manufacturing Growth Programme, which is funded by ERDF and delivered...

Local action to tackle coronavirus in Leicester

Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave a statement in Parliament yesterday evening outlining the need for Leicester and some of its surrounding areas to reinforce lockdown measures for the next few weeks. Although not the first time the government has...

Leicester back in lockdown for 2 weeks

Leicester is the first area to be locally locked down and to have coronavirus restrictions reimposed following a surge in cases, with schools and non-essential shops to close from Tuesday 30 June. The health secretary, Matt Hancock announced in...

Businesses lead the way on Covid-19 workplace measures

Some of Leicestershire’s best-known businesses are speaking at webinars run by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, to share their experiences of adapting to and implementing the Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures in the workplace. Recently, smaller businesses have gained insights and...

Tutoring business guided by Business Gateway

Established by ex-science teacher and award winner Mital Thanki in 2009, Spark Academy has come a long way over the last few months since lockdown began. With the help and support of a Business Gateway Growth Hub adviser, Spark...

£200m fund for innovative companies to bounce back

Innovative ideas and projects led by companies recovering from the impact of coronavirus will not be lost, thanks to a new £200 million fund launched at the weekend. The government’s Sustainable Innovation Fund will be open to companies across...

Regulatory Toolkit for businesses reopening

The Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership has created a very thorough toolkit to help guide you through the process of reopening your business. They have worked with a wide range of organisations, so it contains a great snap-shot...

Online support sessions available for reopening your business

We are hosting small group clinics which will offer coaching and hands-on operational support to help your business plan effectively for resuming operations as COVID-19 restrictions start to lift. They are being hosted by industry expert Meryl Levington, Activ...

Working safely guide for restaurants extended

The government have added information to their working safely with Covid-19 guidelines for pubs, restaurants and takeaways. Guidance has been expanded from takeaways to venues providing service at the venue ahead of planned opening. There are 11 guides that...

Government announces changes to lockdown for more businesses

The UK government has announced a relaxation in the 2-metre social distancing rules, to allow more non-essential businesses to open. From 4th July, the 2-metre rule will be dropped in favour of a “1-metre-plus” approach. This will allow pubs,...

Government provides further halt to evictions

The UK government has extended measures to prevent struggling companies from eviction over the summer. The extension, until the end of September, comes alongside further support to help local businesses plan for economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. A...

Covid-19 new working safely tool released

To help employers reopen their businesses safely, Government have launched a new tool to identify the most relevant guidance for your business. The guidance highlighted will help you carry out a risk assessment and make sensible adjustments to the...

£1.5m textiles projects grant fund re-launched

WRAP is making their £1.5 million textiles grant fund more accessible and has streamlined the application process so that funds can be allocated more quickly. The deadline for applications (which was Thursday 18 June) no longer applies. Applications will...

Changes to the Job Retention Scheme

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will close on 31 October 2020 and the government have issued updated guidance as below. From 1 July, employers can bring furloughed employees back to work for any amount of time and any shift...

Sharma leads economic recovery roundtables

Business Secretary Alok Sharma chaired a series of economic recovery roundtables over the last week (10-13 June), bringing together businesses, business representative organisations, regulators and leading academics. Discussions focused on the measures necessary to support economic recovery and ensure we have...

Carry on KuKu Passes Sixty Business Daily Updates

KuKu Connect, a business membership service which connects businesses and entrepreneurs from across the East Midlands, has posted its sixtieth business-focussed daily update video bulletin whilst simultaneously helping thousands of businesses from across the East Midlands stay in touch...

New fund to support dairy farmers opens on 18 June

A new dairy response fund will open for applications on 18 June. With some dairy farmers facing financial difficulties and excess milk due to the coronavirus outbreak, the new fund will provide up to £10,000 each to help those...

£63m for local authorities to assist those struggling

An additional £63 million has been confirmed by government today (Thursday 11 June) to be distributed to local authorities in England to help those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to coronavirus. Local authorities are...

Non-essential retailers to reopen from 15 June

It has been confirmed that shops in England selling non-essential goods will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June. High street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and...

Covid-19 employment and benefits support from DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new campaign around Universal Credit and COVID-19. A new website has been launched to provide information on employment and benefits support with advice on housing, furlough, sick pay and self-employment,...

2020 Leicester Business Festival applications open

Businesses have the chance to take part in the 2020 Leicester Business Festival (LBF) as the application process to host an event has now opened. The LBF fortnight – now in its sixth year – will be taking place...

Working groups to help unleash Britain’s growth potential

Five new business-focused groups are to be created to unleash Britain’s growth potential and create jobs, as part of the government’s plans to help the economy bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. Announced today (8 June) by Business Secretary,...

RAPID Challenge has £50,000 prize package

TBAT Innovation Ltd are proud to be part of The RAPID Challenge for 2020. Joining Founding Partner – Prodrive, TBAT are this year’s Lead Partner, offering their expertise in funding innovation through UK & EU Grant Funding and R&D...

Employee expense & benefit support during covid-19

The government has released information about how to treat certain expenses and benefits that could be applicable to certain employees during covid-19. You’ll be able to find out about taxable expenses and benefits, when they are paid to employees,...

£750 million for voluntary groups & social enterprises

The government has pledged £750 million to ensure voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE) can continue their vital work supporting the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including £200 million for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, along with...

Discretionary Grant Fund Launches

The Discretionary Grant Fund, which is being managed by local authorities is now live and has been set up to support small and micro businesses that are not eligible for other grant schemes. The grant fund is limited and...

Self-Employment help extended & change to CJRS

The government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will be extended, giving more security to individuals whose livelihoods are adversely affected by coronavirus in the coming months, the Chancellor announced on Friday (29 May). Those eligible under the Self-Employment Income Support...

29 May: Changes to furlough scheme

Chancellor of the Exchequor Rishi Sunak today announced changes to the furlough scheme. Currently, the scheme involves the payment of 80% of workers’ wages by the government. From August, the scheme will be adjusted so that employers must pay...

Reopening High Streets Safely – Fund Guidance

On 24 May the government launched its £50m Reopening High Streets Safely Fund. Councils across England are to share £50m of additional funding through the ERDF National Reserve Fund to support the safe reopening of high streets and other...

NHS test and trace: workplace guidance

The NHS test and trace service will help to manage the risk of the virus re-emerging as restrictions on everyday life are eased, as far as it is deemed safe to do so. It is vital that employers play...

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme open

Small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, can now apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees. Employers will be able to make claims to the...

Innovate UK Smart Grants open this week

The next round of the Innovate UK Smart Grants, which are open to all industry sectors have been announced, offering £25 million in funding for innovative projects, and are due to open on Friday. This is an opportunity for...

Shops allowed to open in 3 weeks

At today’s government briefing, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that all non-essential retailers will be able to reopen in England from 15 June, as part of plans to further ease the lockdown. However, retailers will have to...

Employers share experience of implementing Covid-19 workplace measures

The Business Gateway Growth Hub has led a webinar featuring local employers speaking about how big business ideas can apply to small businesses when it comes to restarting and beginning to trade again. Over 90 delegates registered for the...

Support package for sustainable transport

Due to restrictions and safeguarding measures around the coronavisrus crisis, many traditional forms of transport may be off-limits for large numbers of workers. With this in mind, Choose How You Move is looking to support businesses to encourage workers...

£40m boost for cutting-edge start-ups

Innovative businesses and start-ups are set to benefit from a £40 million government investment to drive forward new technological advances. The competition aims to fast-track the development of innovations borne out of the coronavirus crisis while supporting the UK’s...

Future Fund is open for applications

The Future Fund, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 20 April, is now open for applications. The fund was set up in order to provide loans to innovative UK companies with good potential, that typically rely on...

Discretionary Grants available from Local Authorities

Local Authorities have been awarded further funding and can now disburse grants to the value of £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000. The value of the payment to be made to a business is at the discretion of...

Share of up to £30m Air Transportation Funding Available

Businesses can apply for a share of up to £30 million to develop ways to support safe operations of novel modes of air transportation, whilst minimising the environmental footprint and improving connectivity. Flying taxis and drones delivering medical supplies...

70 million face masks for NHS through industry deal

More than 70 million face masks will be manufactured in the UK and delivered to frontline health and care workers following an agreement with a global technology company, the UK government has today announced. FFP2 and FFP3 masks will...

Latest news: 14 May 2020

The UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, has announced upgrades and improvements to the nation’s road and rail networks in response to the coronavirus crisis, and measures taken to speed up the economic recovery. Transport has a...

Growth Hub offers over 40 free business webinars

The Business Gateway Growth Hub has a calendar of over 40 free, easy to access webinars. Business owners and their employees are able to continue improving their skills and knowledge, whilst social distancing and working remotely. The webinar programme...

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme is open

Self-employed individuals or members of partnerships whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus can now apply for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant, worth 80% of their average monthly trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500),...

Government announces roadmap taskforces

New ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to plan how closed sectors can reopen safely. Five new ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen safely, following publication of the...

Furlough Scheme extended to October

The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor announced today. In a boost to millions of jobs and businesses, Rishi Sunak said the furlough scheme would be extended by a further...

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. This guidance is to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic. These 8...

Festival to re-energise our business community

The Leicester Business Festival (LBF) will be taking place from 2 to 13 November 2020 and this year will be the most important in its six-year history. With the rapidly changing global situation relating to the Coronavirus Covid-19, the...

Businesses call for clear Coronavirus guidance on returning to work

Boris Johnson has unveiled a “conditional plan” to reopen society, but business groups have called for clarity on what will need to change in the workplace. In a television address, the prime minister said those who could not work...

Millions more items of PPE delivered thanks to business

NHS and social care staff in the UK are set to receive millions of items of personal protective equipment (PPE) over the coming months thanks to new, innovative collaborations with a number of organisations, the government has announced. Companies...

Business rates revaluation postponed

A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 to help reduce uncertainty for firms affected by the impacts of coronavirus. Legislation had been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by one year from 2022...

New funding to support dairy farmers through coronavirus

Leicestershire’s dairy farmers will be able to access up to £10,000 each to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The new funding will help support dairy farmers across England – who together continue to produce over...

Self-employed invited to get ready to claim by HMRC

HMRC are beginning to contact customers who may be eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Those who are eligible will be able to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average trading profits up to...

Sky launches advertising support scheme for SMEs

Sky has launched a £1 million support scheme to provide SMEs across the UK with free TV advertising campaigns to support them during the current crisis. The AdSmart SME support scheme has been called the ‘SME100’ and the £1...

Top-up to local business grant funds scheme

A discretionary fund has been set up to accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme. The Business Secretary Alok Sharma and Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Simon Clarke spoke to...

New Bounce Back Loans launch today

Thousands of small firms and sole traders – including high street staples like hairdressers, coffee shops and florists – will be eligible for 100% government-backed Bounce Back Loans to help them make it through the coronavirus outbreak. From 9am...

£6.1 million to boost to help high streets and city centres

Hundreds of local business partnerships across England will share £6.1m of funding to spend on projects that will help their local economies through the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP confirmed today (1...

Lenders provide over £4 Billion through the CBIL scheme

UK Finance has revealed that the banking and finance sector has provided over £4.1 billion to SMEs so far through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) scheme. A total of 25,262 applications have been approved to date, with more...

Free online learning to boost workplace skills

A new online learning platform to help boost the nation’s skills while people are staying at home, has been launched by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. Free courses are available through The Skills Toolkit. The new platform gives people access...

Boost for small business with 100% backed loans

Small firms are to get access to 100% taxpayer-backed loans after raising concerns about slow access to existing coronavirus rescue schemes. The new Bounce Back Loans scheme, announced by the Chancellor today, will allow businesses to borrow between £2,000...

Coronavirus support package for key transport routes

Vital routes for supplies and people have been protected through a coronavirus support package to keep the flow of goods and services running smoothly in and out of the UK, and around the country, throughout the pandemic. The Secretary...

Coronavirus testing made available for key workers

Up to 10 million people qualify for a free coronavirus test after the criteria was expanded to include all essential workers and their families. The list of essential workers is the same as the one used to allow the...

Protection for high street tenants announced

High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic, the Business Secretary has set out today. The majority of landlords and tenants...

New COVID-19 Redundancy and Recruitment Service

A new service has been launched to support people in Leicester and Leicestershire who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Leicester City...

New coronavirus business support finder launched

A new ‘support finder’ tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic. The finder tool on GOV.UK will ask business owners...

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now live!

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now open for applications. Employers can now go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker. Businesses should note: To receive payment by...

£1.25 billion package for innovation-led firms

UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, the Chancellor announced today. Rishi Sunak said the targeted and tailored help would ensure firms in some of the...

£1.6bn of additional funding for councils

In the government’s latest update on the coronavirus pandemic, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that government were giving local councils an additional cash injection of £1.6bn, taking the overall total to more than £3.2bn. He thanked all local councils...

Job Retention Scheme extended to end of June

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today announced the extension of the government’s Job Retention Scheme, also known as the furlough scheme, by one month to the end of June. Businesses facing cashflow issues due to the coronavirus crisis can...

Loan Scheme expanded for large businesses

A government-backed loan scheme for large businesses affected by coronavirus has been expanded to cover all viable firms, the Chancellor has announced. Outlining further details of the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CLBILS) ahead of its launch on...

Lockdown extended for at least another 3 weeks

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has today (Thursday 16 April) confirmed that the nationwide lockdown, put in place on 23 March, will remain in place for at least 3 weeks more and will be reviewed again around 7 May. The...

Furlough scheme cut-off date extended to 19 March

Thousands more employees will able to receive support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) after the eligibility date was extended to 19 March 2020, the government  yesterday. Under the scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month, employers...

New R&D online portal launched

Accountancy firm, Smith Cooper have joined forces with TBAT,  the independent consultancy with over 17 years’ experience in working with organisations conducting research and development activities. The collaboration will see a new R&D online portal launched, allowing ambitious owner-managed businesses...

Chancellor provides over £14 billion for vital services

More than £14 billion from the Coronavirus emergency response fund will go towards public services, including the NHS and local authorities involved in the fight against Coronavirus, HM Treasury confirmed yesterday. The funding has included more than £6 billion...

£2 million in online support for domestic abuse

In the government’s latest update on the coronavirus pandemic, Home Secretary Priti Patel said that while total crime had dropped criminals were adapting to capitalise on the virus with losses already exceeding £1.8 million. Due to the number of...

Can your business help the new government PPE Plan?

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has launched a three-step PPE plan to ensure front-line heroes have access to the protection they need. The new plan ensures people are clear about who needs protection, it gets to the right place at...

Latest news: 9th April 2020

Lockdown measures to remain in place across the Easter weekend. The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has stated that the lockdown will not be reviewed until the end of next week, when more evidence as to its effectiveness is available....

Government publishes new guidance for exporters

Central government has released further information for businesses that export goods. They are aware that it is important for businesses to maintain operations across the supply chain, including the requirement to ensure export licence approvals are in place. With...

Call on industry to build COVID-19 testing capacity

Lord Bethell, the health minister leading the government’s testing strategy, is calling on businesses to help develop an antibody test for COVID-19. In a statement released today he says we did not start this crisis with a large diagnostics...

£750m extra funding for frontline charities

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced £750m of extra funding for frontline charities in order to support the essential work they do. There are 170 thousand charities operating in the UK.  Although this is a considerable amount of funding,...

Good mental health while working in Covid-19 crisis

The Mental Health Foundation have issued useful guidance for those working from home, business owners and leaders looking after teams when it comes to mental health whilst dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. IT and technology  For many of us...

Prince’s Trust launches Enterprise Relief Fund

The Prince’s Trust and NatWest will support young entrepreneurs struggling as a result of coronavirus through a new fund. The £5million Enterprise Relief Fund will offer grants to 18 to 30-year olds across the UK who are self-employed and/or...

Businesses asked to donate spare PPE to the NHS

A new campaign has launched, calling on businesses in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to support NHS staff dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The #ppe4nhs campaign is seeking donations of unused PPE...

£20 million to boost UK resilience to outbreaks

Businesses could help boost the UK’s resilience to the long-term impact of the coronavirus outbreak and similar situations in the future, as a result of £20 million government funding announced today (Friday 3 April). Grants of up to £50,000...

Coronavirus emergency loans schemes revamped

The emergency loans scheme for businesses struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic has been revamped following strong criticism. The Treasury said it had received more than 130,000 loan enquires from firms but fewer than 1,000 had been approved....

£85million Business Support

Businesses in Leicester which are struggling due to loss of trade caused by the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access a package of financial help totalling £85million. The Government formally announced the Small Business Grant funding, and Retail,...

Sport England sets out Covid-19 Financial Support

Sport England has confirmed this week that it is making up to £195 million of funding available to help the community sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. The package is additional to any funding support...

Business grant funding sent to local authorities to relieve SMEs

The Business Secretary Alok Sharma has this evening confirmed that funds have been disseminated to local authorities, with a view to allocating them to SMEs and retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in the form of grants. Mr. Sharma also...

Covid-19 grant instructions for Charnwood businesses

From today, 1 April 2020, Charnwood Borough Council is commencing the processing of payments of the recently announced Government grants for businesses. Businesses which are eligible for financial support as a result of the COVID-19 related measures introduced by...

New life-saving breathing aid approved

The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a newly adapted breathing aid developed by University College London and Mercedes Formula One that will help keep coronavirus (COVID-19) patients out of intensive care. The team of engineers...

Remote assistance offer for SMEs from DMU

Do you have technology or business needs that De Montfort University students could provide free, remote help with during the pandemic? Someone to help you use social media or meetings tools? Website development? Hands-on help running your business remotely?...

Covid-19 support for business led by Growth Hub

In response to the coronavirus crisis, the Business Gateway Growth Hub is co-ordinating support for businesses. The growth hub is the first port of call for businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire seeking advice and information in these unprecedented times....

Plans announced to rescue stranded UK citizens

The government has announced a £75m initiative to rescue tens of thousands of British citizens stranded abroad because of the coronavirus crisis. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, announced a mixture of charter flights to priority countries, and subsidies for...

Could your business provide vital support?

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick has confirmed that millions of urgently needed items of protective equipment and clothing are now being delivered to the NHS. However, the Government is still asking businesses to...

Business Secretary announces changes to insolvency rules

UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma has announced changes to insolvency laws to help businesses “emerge intact the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic.” The new rules will allow companies undergoing restructuring to continue to get access to supplies and...

Frontline health workers to be tested for coronavirus

Michael Gove has announced increased testing capacity for frontline workers at the 5.00pm press conference this evening (27 March). Testing will commence this weekend to see if health workers on the frontline have coronavirus. Tests will be rolled out...

Chancellor unveils support for self-employed

The Chancellor has announced that up to 95% of self-employed workers will be eligible for a taxable grant of 80% of their average earnings (up to £2,500 a month), to help them cope with the financial impact of coronavirus....

Call for rapid sanitising technology for ambulances

Do you have an innovative or novel approach to get ambulances cleaner quicker to help combat Coronavirus? The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is looking for rapid sanitising technology to speed up the time it takes to clean ambulances...

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Under the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis....

Free R&D Tax Claim for ideas to combat COVID-19

Independent consultancy, TBAT Innovation are now offering free R&D Tax claim for anyone doing novel R&D to combat COVID-19. Over the past weeks the TBAT team has seen several companies releasing inspiring and heartening announcements that they are making...

Updated list of businesses that should close

The list of non-essential businesses that should close their doors due to the ongoing Coronavirus/Covid-19 crisis has been updated by the government. Restaurants, bars, shops, libraries and hotels are classed as non-essential by the government, and are asked to...

New technology challenge to support isolated

£500,000 of funding is available for technology companies who come up with digital support solutions for people who need to stay at home because of coronavirus.  The funding will be available to innovators who can find digital ways to...

PM tells us all to stay at home

In an announcement given at 8.30pm on 23 March, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has told the country to “Stay at Home”. People must stay at home except for shopping for basic necessities as little as possible, exercise outside...

Covid-19 Business Finance Schemes open today

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) will provide government-backed loans of up to £5 million to small and medium businesses. The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) will provide a quick and cost-effective way to raise...

Launching tomorrow – free business network

East Midlands business network service, KuKu Connect is launching a whole free service to aid and support thousands of businesses to ‘carry on going, carry on smiling & carry on connecting’. KuKu Connect already works with thousands of businesses...

Ventilator manufacturers required

The coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation. It calls for dramatic action, at home and abroad, of the kind not normally seen in peacetime. The Government is working to contain the spread of the...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Support for your Business

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to escalate as a global issue. While the main priority is clearly the well-being of individuals affected by the virus, there is nevertheless a growing impact on business. Some of the ways businesses are being...

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

At Budget 2020, the Chancellor announced that a ‘Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme’ (CBILS) will temporarily replace the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), becoming available over the coming weeks. It will operate in a similar way to EFG and be...

New toolkit from LLEP to build future workforce

Last week the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) launched its new toolkit for employers, Building the Workforce of the Future. The toolkit shows employers how they can tap into a future workforce by offering experiences of the workplace....

BLOG: Productivity & Time Management

Adam Payne, Business Growth Coach from the Business Growth Academy, provides his advice to business owners who are struggling to get things done in their business and provides his tips on how to boost productivity and remove all those...

Breaking the barriers to growth

Business owners looking to take their companies to the next level of growth will have access to a new programme of funded events through the Business Gateway. Ready to Grow has been created for business leaders who want to...

Grants and loans available from Invest to Grow

The Invest to Grow programme is a re-circulating finance scheme providing loans and grants to support private sector businesses across the East Midlands to innovate, grow and create jobs. The programme aims to generate economic activity by investing in...

Campaign to make finding business support easier

The Government wants to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business – a place where you can build on your ideas and find success. As part of a new campaign, Government is bringing all of the various support schemes together in one place on...

Funding for student internships

The Leicester Talent Internships Programme offers a great opportunity for local businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire to recruit students graduating in June-July 2020 by providing partially funded internships. The programme will run from mid-June for a duration of 4-8...

Blog: Continuous Improvement

As part of Innovation Week, LLEP Board Member and Chief Executive of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, looks at how putting Continuous Improvement at the heart of a business’ Innovation Strategy can deliver positive business benefits.   “Getting...

Could you be a STAR Manager?

The second launch of the Government-funded online training programme to support business growth, STAR® Manager has taken place. STAR® Manager is an award-winning, online training programme developed to improve managers’ competence by enabling them to incorporate coaching-related behaviours into...

QES will establish direction of travel for businesses

2019 was another year of political and economic uncertainty for businesses across the East Midlands and the UK, characterised largely by the ongoing negotiations to leave the EU – only resolved in the final month of the year –...

Leicester Innovation Week starts next week

Is innovation a key driver when it comes to growing a successful business?  Local business support providers certainly think so as Leicester Innovation Week returns for the third successive year this February promising a programme to inspire, inform and...

WebinArt looking for participants and mentors

WebinArt is Creative Leicestershire’s flagship one-year Professional Development Programme for early-career creatives and artists in Leicestershire. They collaborate with experienced professionals online and in-person to help creative start-ups navigate their way to confidence and success. As the current WebinArt...

New PROSPER support programme launched

Following on from the success of the SING programme The iNet has announced a new package of support for businesses seeking to develop new products, services and processes. PROmoting SME Product Enhancement and Research (PROSPER) will also help small...

Blog: Should your business claim R&D Tax Relief?

Only 2.15% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the East Midlands claimed R&D Tax Credits in Financial Years 2016/17 and 2017/18. There should be 1000s more making a claim. SMEs from our area made up just 6.6% of...

Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award

A new funding opportunity – Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award has been launched, with £140 million over 3 years, to fund and accelerate the testing and evaluation of the most promising AI technologies, that align to the...

Funding for rural growth programme

Updated post: Deadline for Expression of Interest: 16 February 2020 Planning a project that will grow your business, create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy? You might be able to apply for a grant to help...

£40 million unlocked for Midlands’ businesses

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) has appointed a new fund manager and made £40 million available to invest in the region’s small businesses. Appointed to address regional demand for alternative debt finance options, The FSE Group will manage...

TBAT support for Innovate UK’s Smart Grants

Innovate UK fund cutting-edge projects via their Smart Grant Competitions. With multiple deadlines a year, these competitions give businesses from all industry sectors the opportunity to submit their innovative project ideas, to be awarded up to £2 million in...

Woman Who Achieves Awards 2020 are open for entry!

The Woman Who Achieves Awards inspire and celebrate the achievements of Women in Business and Rising Stars of the future. Woman Who encourages women to recognise their achievements, celebrate their successes, motivate others, gain confidence through the Awards process and to grow through the experience. The 2020 Awards are now open for entries and...

Get ready for Leicester Innovation Week 2020

Innovation Week kicks off on 24th February 2020 and there are a wide range of inspiring events taking place across Leicester and Leicestershire. Now in its third year Leicester Innovation Week 2020 offers a great opportunity for businesses, universities...

LLEP Welcomes three new board members

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) is delighted to announce the names of three new members to its Board of Directors. Rani Mahal, Anne-Marie Hunt and Sonia Baigent have been officially appointed as non-executive directors, after a...

Green grants to improve energy efficiency

Green BELLE supports small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Leicester and Leicestershire to increase their energy efficiency, reduce their energy costs and lower their carbon emissions. Round 2 has opened which means grants of £1,000 to £7,000 are available...

Made in the Midlands Awards- Nominate Now!

Made in the Midlands is now firmly established as the region’s premier celebration of engineering and manufacturing, having attracted entries from some 50 different companies last year. So why should you enter? Firstly it’s free and relatively easy: there’s...

Invitations to Tender – Growth Hub events

Launched in 2014, Growth Hubs are a local public and private sector partnership led by the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) that provide a mechanism for integrating national and local business support, so it is easier for businesses to access...

Blog: Where in the world do you want your business to be?

Laura Howard shares her blog on Brexit In our blog this month, Laura Howard, Head of International Trade at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), discusses the effect Brexit will have on international trade, and how businesses can prepare....

Leading to Grow helps microbusinesses

The Leading to Grow Programme will support small businesses to grow, innovate and increase productivity through adopting digital and new technologies. The programme will help small business owners to explore digital and new technologies suited to their business goals,...

Attend North America’s largest construction expo

Midlands Engine in partnership with Innovate UK is taking a business delegation to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, North America’s largest construction exhibition. This event brings contractors, dealers, distributors, service providers, engineers and producers together. Featuring everything related to construction, the show...

Funding boost for the great British pub

Regulars across the country will be raising a toast to the Great British Pub with over £1 million of new government money for community pubs, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced last month. The funding will help an estimated 100...

Tender opportunity for graphic design and print

To support the marketing communications activities and ensure the successful delivery of both the ERDF-funded Digital Growth Programme and Digital Upscaler projects, East Midlands Chamber is seeking to invite proposals from suitably qualified and experienced agencies. This will be...

Grants on offer to help local business vehicles go green

BUSINESSES in Leicester can benefit from a generous grant scheme that aims to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles and help further improve air quality.   Leicester City Council is making grants of up to £15,000 available to...

New Growth Hub Manager for the Business Gateway

The Business Gateway Growth Hub has appointed a new manager to lead the expanded service that offers all businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire a single place to access information, funding and advice to support performance and growth. Jon Egley...

Find the right finance option for your business

The British Business Bank Finance Hub is designed to help businesses understand the financial landscape and ultimately access the right finance for their growth potential. It’s an independent, impartial digital hub designed to raise awareness of the different types...

What does the Sporting Capital Fund offer?

The £3m Sporting Capital Fund offers loan funding of up to £150,000 to eligible organisations.  The investment is a simple, repayable, unsecured loan. It has been formed through a pioneering partnership between Sporting Assets and the Access Foundation and...

Blog: What does success look like?

In our blog this month, business author and editor of ‘The Small Business Growth Magazine’ Marc Ford provides his straight-talking advice for business owners that want to move their businesses forward. Warning: this blog is not for the faint-hearted. We...

Remember your auto-enrolment responsibilities

If you’re thinking of taking on seasonal or temporary staff to help you through the festive period, or have staff whose pay and hours fluctuate, be aware that you’ll have automatic enrolment responsibilities. You must assess seasonal or temporary...

Start. Scale. Succeed with NatWest

NatWest’s Pre-Accelerator programme has been tailored to empower entrepreneurs at an early or pre-start stage and offers a variety of opportunities. It’s fully funded, and you don’t have to be a NatWest customer to take advantage. They have a...

Council flexible workspace boost for Fenwick revamp

PLANS for a major revamp of Leicester’s historic former Fenwick building are set to get a boost with £450,000 of council investment for a new flexible workspace.   Leicester City Council has announced plans to create almost 12,000sqft of...

Network for Food and Drink Manufacturers

Food and Drink Manufacturers are being offered membership of a network to help them stay informed of industry information, funding, trends and other sector-specific news. There are three levels of membership: Free, Business and Consultant with different benefits. The...

Give and Take Leicester looking for ‘rewards’ from local businesses

Give & Take Leicester is a new community initiative, designed to provide opportunities for volunteers to earn rewards by volunteering. The initiative, hosted by Vista, the local sight-loss charity, will be able to match a volunteer’s skills, talents and...

22 years of pension savings gone in 24 hours

Victims of pensions scams could lose 22 years’ worth of savings within 24 hours, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR). New analysis as part of the regulators’ joint ScamSmart campaign reveals that it...

Improving productivity through technology grants

Companies looking to grow in the next six months can still take advantage of the Digital Growth Programme’s Technology Grant with grants from £2,000 to £25,000 available – subject to conditions. The grant supports firms with the introduction of...

Leicester Start-Up Week offers new opportunities for young businesses

This week – November 18th to the 24th  – the University of Leicester and De Montfort University along with businesses and organisations across the city will unite for the second annual Leicester Start-Up Week. The programme of events, led...

Smart Grants from Innovate UK

Smart Grants provide an opportunity to apply for a share of up to £25 million to deliver ambitious or disruptive R&D innovations that can make a significant impact on the UK economy. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and...

Chamber’s Quarterly Survey gives you a say

The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the biggest business survey of its kind in the East Midlands. The results provided are analysed by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) in order to help shape crucial policy discussions locally, regionally...

Search for our region’s innovators is on!

There is no shortage of talent, ideas and innovation in Leicestershire. Inventors in the county are thriving are a result of their own creations – just ask the innovators behind HedKayse. The ground-breaking company was created by two former...

Boost to business support for Leicestershire

Business owners across Leicester and Leicestershire, looking to expand and grow their enterprises, now have access to an enhanced service through the Business Gateway Growth Hub, including the addition of a £1.4 million pot of grant funding. The Business...

Funding opens for rural growth programme

Updated post: Deadline for Expression of Interest: 16 February 2020 Planning a project that will grow your business, create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy? You might be able to apply for a grant to help...

Support for micro businesses announced

Universities have been awarded funding to support 50 micro-businesses to engage with technology to boost their productivity. Leicester Castle Business School at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and the University of Leicester School of Business are part of a...

The Customer is always right

The Customer is Always Right, is a BBC series which celebrates small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people that are proud and passionate about their products – and producers are on the hunt for people to take part.

Leicestershire’s Largest Careers Speed Networking Event Returns

More than 300 students from 20 schools and colleges are set to take part in the region’s largest careers speed networking event. 

New electric bikes could be your Wheels2Work

EIGHT new electric bikes are part of a fleet of cycles and scooters available to hire from the city council for people who need help getting to work, training or education. The Wheels2Work scheme offers low-cost loans for electric...

New business park in Coalville has lift-off