News
The Business Gateway growth hub connects businesses to many different providers of business support services. Below is a selection of case studies for business that we have supported with our business support partners.
News
Accelerator programme to provide free ‘green’ support in race to net zero
14 January 2022Businesses are set to get free help to go green after Government funding worth £1million was awarded to support companies in Leicester in the race to net zero. The East Midlands Accelerator programme, led by East Midlands Chamber, will...
Leicestershire Innovation Festival programme
12 January 2022At this stage, we are in the process of finalising the programme of events for Leicester Innovation Festival 2022 so this page will continue to carry updates as new events are added and booking links confirmed by our partners....
Apply to win £5,000 from the Innovation Challenge
10 January 2022TBAT Innovation have launched The Innovation Challenge, bringing together key partners to support small businesses to innovate. The Innovation Challenge has been designed by TBAT’s expert team to stimulate and support innovation in SMEs by leveraging the expertise of...
Dates announced for Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2022
10 January 2022Following on from the success of Innovation Week in June 2021, dates have been announced for 2022 with the focus on innovation due to spread across a fortnight to accommodate the wide range of events. Leicestershire Innovation Festival...
Omicron grants open for applications
6 January 2022A number of local councils have started taking applications for the new Covid grants announced by the Chancellor in December.
Tourism and Hospitality Omicron impact survey
5 January 2022If you have a business in the Tourism or Hospitality sector, the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport would like to know how you have been affected by Omicron. Your response will help them build a case with...
Start-up Surgeries from NBV and NatWest
22 December 2021NatWest has teamed up with the experts at NBV to deliver a fortnightly #StartUpSurgery. This aims to provide support to all those in Leicestershire who are in the process of starting a business or are thinking about doing so....
Government announces additional support for businesses
21 December 2021Additional support will be available for businesses who have been impacted by the Omicron variant, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced today (21 December). Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England will be eligible for one-off grants of...
Our Peer Network Programme is helping local companies to move up a level
20 December 2021Our Peer Networks continue to prove very useful and popular with small businesses locally. We still have places on the Tourism and Hospitality group. If you would like to apply please complete the form here.
Time to Go Green and Boost your Business
17 December 2021Leicester’s Business Gateway is giving small businesses the opportunity to play their part in tackling the climate crisis and improve their bottom line with a series of six webinars in the new year. As well as reducing their carbon...
Is your Technology holding you back?
16 December 2021Digital Upscaler is a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire). It aims to support high growth businesses across Leicestershire by providing them with the knowledge, investment and...
Keep your business moving. Get ahead of new rules for doing business with the EU
15 December 2021On 1 January 2022, there will be changes for businesses in Great Britain who import from the EU. There will also be changes for UK businesses who sell goods in the EU. Businesses moving goods from the EU to...
LLEP welcomes opportunity of Singapore digital trade deal
13 December 2021The LLEP has welcomed agreement of a major international digital trade deal as an opportunity for local firms to expand into one of the most tech-savvy and rapidly expanding markets in Asia. The UK Government announced on Thursday that...
Hauliers are you ready for import changes?
10 December 2021All UK hauliers moving goods from the EU to Great Britain (GB) need to prepare for import control changes which will take effect from 1 January 2022.
Make sure your small business starts the new year with enough cash
10 December 2021Every business needs cash to trade and to grow and this can be particularly important to small and medium businesses. To help your business find the money it will need to grow in 2022, we’re running a series of...
Selling to the Government – a guide for SMEs
8 December 2021Some good news for small to medium sized enterprises, the Government has published a guide on how to set yourself up to sell your products and services to them. The Government is committed to increasing its procurement spend with SMEs,...
Support for Covid-hit businesses reaches milestone
7 December 2021The recovery of Leicestershire businesses affected by COVID continued this week with the number of SMEs receiving support hitting the 100 mark. 100 local businesses have signed up for the Start Up Business Support or SUBS programme, aimed at...
Is your business ready for electric?
3 December 2021Switching to electric vehicles might seem risky to a business that relies upon its fleet. To remove the guesswork around vehicle range and charging patterns, Go for Zero helps businesses go electric with a free-to-use and impartial assessment of...
Funding extension for Business Gateway means support for hundreds of local firms
30 November 2021A KEY source of support for Leicester and Leicestershire’s businesses will be able to reach nearly 200 more firms following a decision to extend its funding. An additional £2million of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money has been awarded...
Prestigious Awards return for Innovation Week 2022
25 November 2021Following the huge success of the Innovation Awards in September, LeicestershireLive has launched its fourth event dedicated to its local pioneers: the Innovation Awards 2022. Once again these awards will be supported by the Business Gateway Growth Hub. Celebrating...
Government makes £27m available for farmers, foresters and growers to boost productivity
19 November 2021Farmers across Leicestershire and the UK can benefit from a £27 million pot to invest in productivity-boosting equipment as the Farming Investment Fund has now opened for applications. If you’re a farmer, forester or grower, the Government is urging you to...
BLOG: Meet our advisers – Aruna Bhagwan
16 November 2021Changing attitudes to business advice, how robust is your business and taking a holistic approach are some of the things we cover in our latest Meet the Adviser blog. Aruna Bhagwan is one of 11 Business Gateway Advisers and...
Tender Opportunity: Business Gateway Customer Satisfaction Survey
15 November 2021The Business Gateway Growth Hub, working with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and Leicester City Council is inviting quotations to appoint a collection of Consultants to undertake a Business Gateway Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Boost your Business Growth with 50 hours of training
15 November 2021Are you a member of the senior management team at a small or medium-sized business based in the East Midlands? Do you want to take your leadership skills and your business to the next level? Join other business leaders at the...
Why should you build your supply chain resilience?
12 November 2021Andy Neilson is a professionally qualified and award-winning procurement and supply chain executive who has delivered business transformational change programmes for global organisations. He has 30 years industry experience having worked for and/or supported large brands such as KMPG,...
Big Ideas and Peer Support for Microbusinesses
11 November 2021At the Business Gateway, the vast majority of our clients are microbusinesses. That means we understand their challenges and have experience of supporting them to grow. One of our most successful programmes is a thing called Peer Networks. That’s...
Free business advice and support, what’s not to love?
8 November 2021Challenges continue for small business owners post-pandemic whether that’s recruitment issues, reducing energy costs, supply chain interruptions or sourcing finance. The message from the Business Gateway Growth Hub is, you are not alone. Businesses will have the opportunity to...
Space Centre sees launch of a different kind, on a mission to tackle climate change.
4 November 2021This week Leicester’s National Space Centre saw the official launch of a unique approach to reducing the carbon emissions produced by businesses in Leicestershire. Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and The Business Gateway have funded 100 places for local...
New Business Gateway Manager appointed
2 November 2021The Business Gateway for Leicester and Leicestershire has appointed Rachel York to the role of Manager, taking over from Jon Egley who previously held the role. Rachel, who joined the Business Gateway in early October, is originally from Leicester...
Passion for events and all things digital? We need you!
29 October 2021East Midlands Chamber, one of the delivery partners for the Business Gateway Growth Hub is seeking an Events and Engagement Officer. This role will involve planning, organising and administering a range of digitally themed business support events for the...
Budget benefits for Leicestershire’s Small Businesses
28 October 2021The Chancellor’s budget, which was announced on Wednesday, contains some good news for small and medium businesses in Leicestershire. The Business Gateway is keen to ensure that local businesses are aware of the positive changes that affect them and...
Making the Government’s Recovery Loan Scheme work for you after the budget
28 October 2021In this article Lawrie Chandler looks at financing schemes that have been supported by the British Business Bank and how they can be useful for smaller companies, particularly microenterprises, to support development of their business from a finance perspective....
Chancellor commits £400m to next generation of Midlands Engine Investment Fund
28 October 2021The Chancellor has today announced a new £400m allocation for a new Midlands Engine Investment Fund to be delivered by the British Business Bank, bringing the total for investment in the region to over £700m. This announcement represents a...
Less than two weeks until Leicester Business Festival
28 October 2021The annual Leicester Business Festival (LBF) fortnight gets underway in just under two weeks’ time, on Monday 8 November. This is the seventh LBF which boasts another packed programme containing 90 fantastic events. Nearly all events are free to...
Modern day rag and bone business thrives despite the worst of times
26 October 2021Leicester based, Industrial Wiper Company, collects unwanted second-hand clothing and fabric and creates cleaning wipers that are used across a variety of industries from food to janitorial services. Despite a turbulent year facing many market disruptions, as well as...
Shott in the arm for engineering businesses
22 October 2021The Royal Academy of Engineering is searching for high growth engineering and technology businesses that want to develop their leadership skills. The Shott Scale Up Accelerator programme run by its Enterprise Hub is a free, six-month programme and is...
Business Gateway provides SUBStantial support for start-ups interrupted by COVID.
18 October 2021Good news for any Leicestershire business that started in 2018 or after, and had to stop trading due to COVID; a huge programme of no-cost business support has been funded by the Business Gateway to help get these businesses...
APPEX programme to help Advanced Manufacturers reach new heights
18 October 2021The Business Gateway is once again demonstrating its support for Leicestershire’s key sectors by creating a programme for innovative Advanced Manufacturing companies. Called APPEX, the course will help participating companies achieve Advanced Manufacturing Product and Process Excellence to help...
New Export Support Service
18 October 2021A new helpline and online service has been launched to give business owners answers to practical questions when exporting to Europe. The service is free to any UK business in any sector for any stage of its exporting journey....
Tickets available for region’s largest business event
13 October 2021Leicester Business Festival (LBF) is running from 8 to 18 November and has an incredible 90 events. Nearly all events are free to attend, but it is vital that tickets are booked in advance. Visit the website to have...
Support for businesses whose start-up was interrupted by Covid-19
11 October 2021If you started your business in or after 2018, and your trading was interrupted by lockdown, we have some support that’s just right for you. We can help you find grant funding and apply for it and we can...
CO2 Reduction scheme reaches milestone
1 October 2021A pioneering scheme to help Leicestershire businesses reduce their Carbon Dioxide emissions has recruited 70 local companies keen to go green. The 70 companies represent the full range of Leicestershire’s economy with manufacturers NS Engineering, MWS Ltd, DPI (UK)...
Time to Rebrand Leicester’s Fashion Sector says local entrepreneur
29 September 2021Local fashion and textiles entrepreneur, Saj Khan, is on a mission to rebrand and rebuild Leicester’s ailing rag trade. After 18 terrible months of Brexit- and Covid-related closures, plus damning media headlines about working practices, the sector must change...
Join the Leicester Startups Accelerator programme
29 September 2021Being a startup founder can be daunting, especially if it’s an ambitious and innovative business idea, but it doesn’t have to be… Leicester Startups presents a brand new accelerator programme to help you grow your startup. They have pulled...
Rapid Growth for Lockwood Salads
27 September 2021Breaking through the traditional images of farmers and farming, comes a modern day, family-run salad-growing business based in Hinckley, Leicestershire. With the use of new technology, practices that protect the natural environment and a passion for healthy, high-quality food,...
BLOG: Previns seeks to preserve Indian heritage through fine foods
22 September 2021When Niraj Bhatt set up his fine Indian foods business in 2011 he had no experience in the food industry. However, he was driven by a passion to preserve the flavours and recipes he had grown up with and...
Rebranding Leicester’s Fashion Sector – Saj Khan
20 September 2021The traditional model of manufacturing, with the exception of a few factories, was to use the limited resources they had to produce a garment as cheaply and quickly as possible with little regard to quality and craftsmanship. This very...
Learn how to make positive changes in your business
16 September 2021Making positive changes in your business can be difficult if you don’t know how or where to start. That’s why we offer a series of events to explain all of this to you. Our partners – like Leicestershire’s universities...
Covid – Government’s Autumn and Winter plan
16 September 2021Yesterday the Prime Minister set out the government’s plan to manage Covid throughout autumn and winter. To support businesses through the autumn and winter period, the Government will continue to provide up-to-date Working Safely guidance on how employers can...
Vaccination Survey for Leicestershire County Council
14 September 2021As the vaccination programme continues, Leicestershire County Council is exploring new ways to improve vaccine uptake across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). One area they have identified is through workplaces, therefore they would like to firstly gather intelligence to...
1-2-1 support will help you exploit UK-negotiated free trade deals
13 September 2021Significant opportunity remains for trade with the EU, but also with the rest of the world; some argue that opportunities are even greater beyond the EU. So, we watch with interest the trade negotiations the UK continues to strike...
Starting out in business and getting financed in the right way for you – Lawrie Chandler
9 September 2021When you’re starting out in business, it can be pretty difficult to navigate the business landscape. Looking at it from a finance perspective can add another layer of complexity. Critically, businesses thrive or die based on cash. The topic...
Digital Upscaler Technology Forum dates announced
8 September 2021First of its kind, Digital Upscaler a technology-focused business support project delivered by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has launched an autumn series of Technology Forums to support high growth businesses across the region. This series of Technology...
Export Live webinars from the Department for International Trade
8 September 2021The DTI (Department for International Trade) is offering a series of Export Live webinars , which is open to all individuals or businesses in the East Midlands who are looking to export or want to ask those tricky “export...
Recovery grant helps IT business serve more customers
7 September 2021A forced office move and reduced revenues due to the global pandemic meant Ashby de la Zouch-based business IT support provider UKBITS, faced an uncertain future last year. However, with the benefits to the environment caused by the lockdown...
Every business needs to change if it’s going to survive
6 September 2021“I understand that some people are switched off by the term ‘innovation’ so let’s not use that word. Let’s use the word ‘change’ instead, or ‘improvement’. If we look at where we use innovation it’s actually all about change...
Growing support for forthcoming business festival
6 September 2021Leicester Business Festival (LBF) has recently gained support from several key local businesses, joining forces to help encourage local business growth and showcase the work of the region Running from 8 to 18 November, the LBF champions five main...
Peer Networks provide real benefits to SMEs facing challenges Part 2
6 September 2021Where – honestly – is the problem? A lot of my group are on a journey of discovery in which they realise that actually they are the problem. They acknowledge this in private. The problem is normally their own...
Free Webinars to discuss Mental Health at Work
2 September 2021A series of free webinars will show Midlands businesses and organisations that talking about mental health at work is not as hard as they might think – and employers are being encouraged to attend. The Mental Health and Productivity...
PEER NETWORK Programme benefits business leaders in so many ways #1
31 August 2021John Collier is the Peer Network group leader for the Growth cohort. He shares some common issues that regularly arise in this group, and talks to the Business Gateway’s Peter Allen about how to move SMEs forward by encouraging...
Leicestershire’s Family Businesses – a proud tradition, a modern challenge
27 August 2021David Williams was MD of a family-owned business in the food and drink sector for 20 years, supplying Asda and other well-known brands. Here he discusses the pros and cons of family businesses with the Business Gateway’s Peter Allen....
Trading Places – Cocoa Amore
24 August 2021Pete Gardner is the founder and Director of Leicester-based Cocoa Amore, having taught himself chocolate making in 2009. A serial entrepreneur, Pete works closely with the region’s BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) and was a founding member of Loughborough BID....
Webinars on securing funding and managing your finances
24 August 2021Whatever happens next this year, one thing is certain – you’re going to need money The subject that most of our clients want to talk to us about is, not surprisingly, finance; how to get funding and how to...
Innovative Leicester continues with programme for SMEs
19 August 2021The drive for innovation in Leicestershire which began in Innovation Week, June 2021 continues today with the launch of a programme of events specifically for SMEs in the county and city. Leicestershire’s growth hub, The Business Gateway, has...
Lightbulb moments lead to growth for West HR
17 August 2021Many agree that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed various aspects of life including the way we learn. For Melton Mowbray-based West HR, online learning had already started to feature within their training delivery. However, the pandemic has also led...
Develop your website and digital marketing painlessly
11 August 2021Sue Jerham is the Director of National Forest E-Bike Holidays, which provides “Self-guided electric bike and walking holidays for the gentle adventurer”. Here she shares how learning digital skills has transformed her business. I worked for the same company...
End of Lockdown is only the beginning for SME staffing challenges.
9 August 2021The end of lockdown presents an opportunity for many more businesses to open their doors again and start trading, but it also presents significant challenges in terms of managing staff. Sarah Loates, owner of Loates HR Consultancy who works...
HR Essentials – in more ways than one.
9 August 2021We all know that the pandemic and prolonged lockdown have created a very difficult situation for businesses and the impact is still being felt now. Many staff have been furloughed, attitudes to home working and office working have changed,...
Manager sought to lead Growth Hub
6 August 2021Are you an experienced leader that can champion Growth Hub leadership in a proactive, efficient, coordinated and collaborative manner? The LLEP is a strategic body that exists to drive forward regeneration and growth of the local economy in Leicester...
First 40 Leicestershire companies announced for carbon reduction pilot scheme
3 August 2021Leicester and Leicestershire Business Gateway announced today that the first 40 Leicestershire businesses have secured a place on a carbon reduction programme offered by the Business Gateway in partnership with the company Zellar. This is set to be the...
Organisations sought to deliver start-up support
29 July 2021The Business Gateway Growth Hub, working with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and Leicester City Council is inviting quotations for the delivery of a programme of business support for start-up businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire. Locally based...
BLOG: Meet our advisers – Paul Bennett
28 July 2021In the next ‘Meet the Adviser’ blog we caught up with Paul Bennett. Paul has been with the team since March last year joining at the start of the pandemic and is only just meeting a lot of the...
Free Amazon Bootcamp: Exporting for success
28 July 2021Join a one-day online bootcamp to hear how you can export your products. Date and time: Tuesday, 10 August 2021 09:00 – 13:00 BST Online Amazon Bootcamp: Exporting for success Join this free bootcamp to hear how you can...
Please support SMEs in the Tourism and Hospitality supply chain #MyHiddenGems
27 July 2021We often work closely with The Federation of Small Businesses in our region so we would like to share their latest initiative with you so that you can take part and support SMEs in Leicestershire: As you know, the...
Rebuild of Glen Parva facility creates massive opportunity for local suppliers
26 July 2021REBUILD OF GLEN PARVA YOUNG OFFENDERS FACILITY CREATES MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN COMPANIES. This event has been rescheduled to 28 SEPTEMBER As part of the Ministry of Justice Estates Transformation Programme, Her Majesty’s Young Offenders Facility at...
Loughborough University launches business start-up accelerator programme
23 July 2021Loughborough University has partnered with Charnwood Borough Council to launch an exciting new programme that aims to help local people working on unique, early-stage products or services bring their vision to life. Established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,...
Get £4,000 for taking on an apprentice until 30 September 2021.
21 July 2021The Government is offering your business £4,000 if you take on an apprentice between now and the end of September; that’s an additional £3,000 on top of the £1,000 they were already offering. If you took on apprentices after...
New package of measures to support road haulage industry
21 July 2021A package of measures to help tackle the HGV driver shortage has been announced by the government. In an open letter to the road haulage sector, ministers have pledged to work with industry leaders to attract new drivers, simplify training...
Get free expert support to sharpen your pitching skills to secure investment in your business
21 July 2021Innovate UK EDGE Pitchfest supports innovative and ambitious UK small to medium sized businesses to get investment-ready and develop their investor pitch to help raise finance. “It’s a great experience and I would recommend it to every entrepreneur looking...
Future Fund: Breakthrough Now Open for Investor Applications
20 July 2021Future Fund: Breakthrough, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Budget 2021, opens today for applications. This UK-wide programme will deliver £375m of government funding via British Patient Capital, a commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank. Due...
Up to £2,500 available for your community
19 July 2021LOCAL CONNECTIONS FUND FROM THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND: GRANTS AVAILABLE UNTIL 6 AUGUST Grants are still available to support projects that aim to bring people together, in safe and secure ways, to make sure they are aware of...
Covid19 restrictions come to an end but caution advised
19 July 2021Today, 19 July, most legal restrictions will end including the removal of social distancing and social contact restrictions and remaining businesses will be able to reopen. Step 4 will mark a new phase of continued caution, whilst managing the...
Grant enables Translink Express Logistics to go green
16 July 2021Distribution and warehousing business, Translink Express Logistics is well on its way to becoming a greener business after introducing real-time track and trace service for palletized goods. The Narborough-based business has used a Business Gateway Growth Hub grant to...
New strategy launched to support hospitality sector
16 July 2021A new strategy to ensure England’s pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues can thrive long-term and adapt to consumer demands has been launched by Business Minister Paul Scully today (16 July). The Hospitality Strategy focuses on reopening, recovery...
Search on for best businesswomen in Leicestershire
15 July 2021The LeicestershireLive Women in Business Awards have launched and they are looking for entries from the best businesswomen in the region. The awards, which are headline sponsored by Growth Partners plc, will recognise the achievements of a wide range...
Access to finance spotlight from the British Business Bank
14 July 2021The British Business Bank commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct research with SME Intermediaries on Access to Finance in their area.
Advanced Manufacturing orders are booming, but key issues need addressing.
9 July 2021CHRIS OWEN – LEADER OF THE PEER NETWORK GROUPS FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING Chris Owen discusses the issues facing Leicestershire’s Advanced Manufacturing sector – some of these have been created by Brexit and Covid but others are more long-standing...
New website launched to make Melton a destination for tourism and business
8 July 2021Melton Borough Council has today launched a new destination website for the borough, ‘Discover Melton’. The website will promote Melton as a go-to destination, attracting people and businesses to visit, live and invest in the borough. Discover Melton will...
Coronavirus loan schemes benefit businesses across the East Midlands
8 July 2021New data shows that businesses across the East Midlands received a total of almost £4.7bn in funding under the government’s two largest Covid-19 loan schemes, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). ...
Employees encouraged to take part in Cycle to Work Day
5 July 2021Leicester City and Leicestershire County Councils are inviting businesses to encourage their employees to take part in Cycle to Work Day on 5 August this year. There are numerous benefits to cycling including cost savings, improved mental and physical...
Innovation funding available to tackle plastic packaging
29 June 2021The Government has announced that it is looking for innovative solutions to tackle the world-wide problem of plastic packaging. It is making £7m available from its Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund for research and development projects which can ‘significantly impact’...
Business Festival putting Leicestershire’s businesses in the spotlight
28 June 2021Leicester Business Festival (LBF) is back from 8 to 18 November 2021, bringing the business community back together after a difficult year. It has even been cited as contributing to the local Economic Recovery Plan, to help build back...
Towards a Greener Leicestershire Part 3 – Penny Price Aromatherapy
28 June 2021Penny Price Aromatherapy is a well-known Leicestershire company, based in Hinckley, and one which puts sustainability at the heart of its business. Here, Director of Operations, Ellie Dunmore, gives us an insight into how they ensure they always remain...
Showcase celebrates best of Leicestershire’s innovation culture
25 June 2021Leicestershire Innovation Week 2021 ends today (Friday 25 June) with over 1000 people having registered for 14 events. One of the highlights was Wednesday’s Innovation Showcase which involved three of the pioneering innovative companies right here in Leicestershire. Around...
Last chance for businesses to apply for post-pandemic Restart Grant
22 June 2021If your business has been affected by the pandemic, you still have a few days to apply for a Restart Grant as applications close on 30 June 2021. This one-off grant is available to non-essential retail businesses and hospitality,...
Innovation Week Launch is Out of This World
21 June 2021Leicestershire Innovation Week 2021 got off to a flying start today (21 June) with some amazing presentations from inspiring companies and individuals. The official launch event, ‘First Steps to Business Blast Off’, was organised by the Business Gateway Growth...
Maven launches funding clinics
15 June 2021Regional fund manager, Maven has launched a series of clinics for local businesses to help address funding and support needs across East & South East Midlands. The funding support sessions will help enable companies to identify and apply for...
Innovation Week 2021 aims to inspire
14 June 2021This year’s Leicestershire Innovation Week has one goal in mind: to inspire businesses of every size and sector to embrace innovation. Register Now to join this exciting event at Innovation Showcase – Shaping Our Future – 23 June 2-3pm....
SHIRE Community Grants now open for applications
11 June 2021Social Enterprises, Voluntary and Community organisations will be able to access a range of grants for community-based projects and activities that are specifically focused on improving the lives, health and wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities in...
BLOG: Towards a Greener Leicestershire #2 Andy Statham CIWS, Coalville
10 June 2021Cast Iron Welding Services (CIWS), based in Coalville, has been operating for 75 years and, in the words of Sales Director, Andy Statham, “using what one might describe as a foundry process, we look less of a hi-tech manufacturer...
Calling all small businesses to lead the charge to net zero
9 June 2021The Together for Our Planet ‘Business Climate Leaders’ campaign encourages small and micro businesses to commit to cutting their emissions in half by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050 or sooner through the new UK Business Climate Hub. Small...
The Rapid Challenge will see innovators share £75,000 prize package
9 June 2021Following the success of last year’s involvement, TBAT are once again offering their expertise in funding innovation through UK & EU Grant Funding and R&D Tax Relief, to the RAPID Challenge applicants.
Historic city centre shopping streets set to benefit from heritage cash boost
9 June 2021BUSINESSES and property owners in two of Leicester’s busiest shopping streets can now bid for a share of a £1.5million fund to help restore historic buildings. Leicester City Council has been awarded the cash from Historic England as part...
Blog: Towards a greener Leicestershire part 1: Tunde Sobola, green entrepreneur
9 June 2021(originally published 28 May 2021) Business Gateway has launched a unique green initiative with Zellar to enable 100 Leicestershire businesses to measure their carbon emissions and take action to reduce them. In this series of articles, we’re looking at...
100 ways to go greener
9 June 2021(originally published 26 May 2021) The Business Gateway is giving 100 local companies the chance to use a brand new digital platform to monitor and reduce their carbon emissions in a pioneering green initiative. The ‘sustainability as a service’...
Online events give property boss breathing space
18 May 2021The commercial property sector has been hit by Covid-19 in different ways. Working from home and flexible employment arrangements have meant the market has contracted, not to mention the unfortunate closure of businesses no longer needing premises. For flexible...
Food photography – engage their emotions
18 May 2021Food and drink producers spend hours perfecting their recipes and creating marvellous things for us to eat and drink. To connect with more people did you know by learning a few simple photography and display skills you can massively...
Tender opportunity to deliver Innovation webinars for Business Gateway
14 May 2021The Business Gateway Growth Hub is expanding the range of webinars on offer to local businesses. We are planning to host a series of webinars focusing on supporting micro and small businesses to embrace Innovation in these challenging times....
Mental health and resilience – are you doing enough in your food and drink business?
14 May 2021As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week we caught up with award-winning health and wellbeing practitioner Tracy Duggan about why wellbeing and resilience support is so important for your employees, especially right now with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grants still available: Green BELLE for low carbon and energy efficiency
13 May 2021Green BELLE grants are specifically for SMEs in Leicester and Leicestershire who would like to install low carbon and energy efficient measures in their premises. These include heating, lighting, insulation, renewable energy and other measures. Grants are between £1,000...
Beat the Street launches in Leicester
13 May 2021In less than a week you’ll be able to collect your ‘Beat the Street’ card to take part in a Leicester City Council initiative which hopes to encourage everyone, including business owners and their staff, to get moving. The...
Grants still available: ‘Growing Enterprise’ grant up to £2,500
13 May 2021We’re taking a look at the many grants available to businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire so that you don’t miss out on the financial support you need to grow your business for the future. First in the series is...
Pay As You Grow Scheme Reminder
11 May 2021If your business has taken a Bounce Back Loan during the Covid19 crisis the Pay As You Grow (PAYG) scheme announced last September by the government allows you different options when it comes to repayment. You can: request an...
New £2.5m Creative Industries Fund launches next week
10 May 2021Innovate UK is launching a new funding competition called the ‘Creative Industries Fund’. It aims to provide a package of targeted support for growth so ambitious, creative businesses can reach their potential. UK registered micro and small businesses in...
Going Green means reducing costs for small businesses
5 May 2021“We can all worry about carbon when we’re flush with cash. It’s much harder when you’re trying to keep your business afloat and we understand that.”
Business Gateway Peer Networks – a sector support network for your SME
30 April 2021We are recruiting for the second Peer Networks scheme and this time there will be 17 cohorts of 11 people, working and learning together with an experienced group leader, to tackle the common issues that they face. Here are...
Leicestershire’s small businesses ‘at risk’ of trading illegally due to lack of EU trading knowledge
27 April 2021Four months since the Brexit deal was signed, there are many hundreds of micro, small and medium-sized businesses across the county who could be at risk of trading illegally, as many are not aware of the full extent of...
We have a vacancy for a Business Adviser
26 April 2021Business Adviser Vacancy East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) Leicester LE3 Temporarily remote £32,000 – £34,000 a year – Full-time, Contract fixed term until 31 December 2021, full time (35 hours per week) – Could be extended to June...
BLOG: Meet our Advisers – Joanna Moore
23 April 2021Here Jo looks back at how Covid has impacted her clients and changed the type of support provided by the Growth Hub, highlighting the difference a Business Adviser can make by listening and supporting, as well as advising and...
BLOG: TRADING WITH THE EU WHILE LEAVING THE EU – PART THREE
22 April 2021In the final part of her blog, Andrea Collins predicts how the situation in Europe will improve and details how Leicestershire’s businesses can get support right now to negotiate their way to continuing trade with Europe. During the programme...
Outdoor seating grants to help local hospitality businesses
20 April 2021CAFES and restaurants in Leicester can apply for grants of up to £4,000 from the city council to buy outdoor furniture. The grants – which have been set up to help businesses operate safely as they begin to reopen...
UK Community Renewal Fund opens to bids from projects in Leicester
20 April 2021INNOVATIVE projects that will support people and businesses in Leicester can now bid for a share of the Government’s £220million UK Community Renewal Fund. Set up to boost the 100 communities most in need across the UK, the fund...
Applications open for medtech and life science manufacturers fund
16 April 2021Life science companies can now apply to a new £20 million fund to expand manufacturing in the UK. The Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund, designed to boost the UK’s ability to respond to future pandemics is open for...
BLOG: TRADING WITH THE EU WHILE LEAVING THE EU: PART TWO
15 April 2021In part two of her blog, Andrea Collins explores the ways in which leaving Europe impacts UK trade with the rest of the world, the pros and cons of new markets and how companies can educate their European customers...
Invest Midlands will examine how we can move forward post-Covid
14 April 2021Invest Midlands has unveiled an exceptional line-up of speakers for its first virtual conference which takes place on Wednesday 26 May. The event brings together the brightest minds and passionate voices of the Midlands to set the agenda for...
All female team of chemists stick to strategy for greener growth
14 April 2021The Leicester-based team has created an A2 fire-rated greener adhesive and been supported by the Growth Hub and was featured on LeicestershireLive this week. An all-female team of chemists has developed a safer and greener material that can be...
Small business confidence rebounds as shops re-open in England and Wales
12 April 2021The Federation of Small Businesses today issued this press release with positive news about business confidence: Quarterly Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Index (SBI) posts highest reading since autumn 2014 Majority of firms forecast increase in revenues...
BLOG: TRADING WITH THE EU WHILE LEAVING THE EU – PART ONE
9 April 2021Andrea Collins is Managing Director of the Export Department and has more than 24 years of experience in exporting to Europe and Overseas. On behalf of Leicester/shire Growth Hub she has been delivering information sessions and one-to-one consultancy to...
BLOG Meet our Advisers – #2 Altaf Ahmed
6 April 2021We caught up with Altaf Ahmed, our Senior Business Adviser who specialises in supporting the Fashion and Textiles sector, to see what he’s focussing on right now: As we know, the last twelve months have been extremely difficult for...
Recovery Loan Scheme opens to support businesses as they recover from the pandemic
6 April 2021The Recovery Loan Scheme, a new scheme to support access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the pandemic, opens to applications from today. The scheme, announced at the Budget on 3 March 2021, is...
BLOG: Meet our Business Advisers – #1 Matt Bateman
1 April 2021We caught up with Matt Bateman to see who’s been calling him and which issues Leicestershire’s businesses are thinking about, post-Covid.
MEIF invests £100 million into Midlands’ businesses
30 March 2021Midlands Engine Investment Fund hits £100 million milestone Fund has made over 480 investments in Midlands’ small businesses Helped unlock an additional £90 million of private sector leverage £100 million has been invested in the region’s small businesses through...
New to import/export business? SME grants available until June.
29 March 2021The SME Brexit Support Fund could give you up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover. What you’ll be able to...
Tender opportunity: Grant Funding Applications and Access to Finance webinars
25 March 2021The Business Gateway Growth Hub is expanding the range of webinars on offer to local businesses. Resent research and local data is telling us that businesses are keen to kick start their recovery process post the Covid-19 pandemic and...
Growth Hub support for Food and Drink sector is a recipe for growth
22 March 2021Food and drink producers have had to adapt and diversify over the last 12 months in order to survive. Food delivery, selling online or takeaway services are a few examples of changes to business models made necessary by the...
Koi Sports is match-fit for future growth
22 March 2021For many businesses, 2020 was possibly a year they would rather forget. Leicester-based community interest company, Koi Sports CIC, used the time to reflect, plan for future growth and take advantage of the free support available from the Business...
Funding options available for women in business
19 March 2021If you’re a woman with her own businesses and looking to grow, or you have a dream of starting a new venture, the Leicester and Leicestershire Growth Hub is a great place to go for advice and support.
Apprenticeship levy transfer offer from ASDA
17 March 2021The Leicester Employment Hub has been working in partnership with ASDA who are looking to support businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire, by transferring some of their apprenticeship levy to create new apprenticeship opportunities.
Tenants move in to new workspace at Pioneer Park
12 March 2021A NEW hub for business at Leicester’s Pioneer Park is now open and welcoming its first tenants. Work started on the £5m scheme last May, and now developers Brackley Property Developments – working with the City Council – have...
Leicestershire businesses can now get University support for the journey to net-zero
11 March 2021A scheme that has successfully supported businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to reduce carbon emissions and implement energy saving initiatives is now available in Leicestershire, after a successful new funding award of £1.7m. Energy for Business, delivered by the...
Low carbon grants offer way for businesses to save on energy costs
10 March 2021OVER 100 businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire have benefitted from low carbon funding totalling more than £550,000, and there’s still £1million up for grabs. The Green BELLE project can provide grants of up to £7,000 to small and medium-sized businesses...
Positive news for fashion and textile manufacturers
10 March 2021Like most other sectors, the fashion and textile manufacturing industry is experiencing challenging times in the pandemic. On top of this, demonstrating commitment to ethical and social compliance has never been more important for Leicester and Leicestershire firms, together...
BLOG: Learn how to identify talent from within your business to reskill
8 March 2021Learn 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
5 March 2021We’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.
4 March 2021Many 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
4 March 2021Innovate 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
4 March 2021Leicester 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?
2 March 2021As 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
1 March 2021Helen 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?
26 February 2021Leaving 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’
25 February 2021‘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
23 February 2021The 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
19 February 2021Small 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
18 February 2021At 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
16 February 2021Adopting 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
12 February 2021The 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
12 February 2021An 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
10 February 2021East 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
9 February 2021Businesses 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
3 February 2021Many 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
1 February 2021The 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
29 January 2021If 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
29 January 2021PUBS 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
29 January 2021British 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
28 January 2021The 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
27 January 2021Employers 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
26 January 2021Sometimes 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
21 January 2021The 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
20 January 2021Local 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
19 January 2021New 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
14 January 2021Following 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
14 January 2021An 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
14 January 2021A 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
14 January 2021In 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
14 January 2021Leicester 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
12 January 2021What 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
11 January 2021Rapid, 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
7 January 2021The 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
7 January 2021The 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
6 January 2021Businesses 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
5 January 2021Rishi 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
5 January 2021The 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
4 January 2021After 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
30 December 2020Health 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!
23 December 2020A 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
22 December 2020Due 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
22 December 2020The 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
18 December 2020New 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
17 December 2020SMEs 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
17 December 2020Chancellor 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
17 December 2020Government 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
15 December 2020Background 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
11 December 2020Business 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!
4 December 2020The 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
4 December 2020EU 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’
4 December 2020Prime 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
1 December 2020In 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
27 November 2020Updated 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
27 November 2020Companies 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
27 November 2020BID 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
27 November 2020A 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
26 November 2020New 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
26 November 2020Chancellor 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
24 November 2020The 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
23 November 2020New 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
23 November 2020Evidence 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
18 November 2020Universities 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
13 November 2020The 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
12 November 2020Communities 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
11 November 2020The 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
11 November 2020East 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
9 November 2020Across 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
9 November 2020The 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
6 November 2020With 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
5 November 2020Workers 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
5 November 2020East 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
4 November 2020Leicester 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
3 November 2020To 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
2 November 2020Leicester 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
2 November 2020HUNDREDS 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
2 November 2020The 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
30 October 2020The 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
29 October 2020The 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
27 October 2020Community 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
27 October 2020An 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!
26 October 2020The 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
23 October 2020Covid 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
23 October 2020A 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
22 October 2020In 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
21 October 2020Black 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
19 October 2020In 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?
16 October 2020The 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
16 October 2020Female 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
16 October 2020A 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
15 October 2020As 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’
14 October 2020A 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
13 October 2020From 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
13 October 2020The 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
12 October 2020Boris 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
12 October 2020The 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?
7 October 2020Leicester 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
7 October 2020From 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?
6 October 2020Here’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’
5 October 2020Melton 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
5 October 2020Further 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
5 October 2020The 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
2 October 2020BID 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?
1 October 2020Collaborating 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
30 September 2020Online 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
29 September 2020The 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
28 September 2020Health 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
25 September 2020Chancellor 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
24 September 2020Chancellor 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?
24 September 2020People 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!
23 September 2020Events 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...
Funding boost for innovative transport tech businesses
21 September 2020Innovative 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
17 September 2020Businesses 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
17 September 2020The 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
15 September 2020HMRC 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
14 September 2020Cast 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
11 September 2020Premises 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
10 September 2020The 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
9 September 2020THIS 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
9 September 2020Shop 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
4 September 2020A 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
4 September 2020Lockdown 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
2 September 2020Applications 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
24 August 2020Businesses 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
24 August 2020East 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
24 August 2020East 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
21 August 2020Charnwood 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
21 August 2020A 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
19 August 2020Nail 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
18 August 2020A 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
17 August 2020If 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
17 August 2020Small 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
14 August 2020Tradespeople 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!
13 August 2020Young 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
12 August 2020As 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
10 August 2020Shoppers 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
10 August 2020Business 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
7 August 2020If 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
6 August 2020If 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
6 August 2020Businesses 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
4 August 2020As 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
3 August 2020The 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?
31 July 2020Steve 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
31 July 2020A 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
31 July 2020Late 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
30 July 2020Thousands 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
30 July 2020The 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
29 July 2020Leicester 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
29 July 2020New 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
28 July 2020UK 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
28 July 2020The 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
23 July 2020Government 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
23 July 2020The 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
21 July 2020Aerospace 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
20 July 2020A 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
20 July 2020Business 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
20 July 2020As 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
16 July 2020Updated 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’
16 July 2020The 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
15 July 2020Health 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
14 July 2020Growth 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
13 July 2020A 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
13 July 2020BID 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
13 July 2020Registrations 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
13 July 2020£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
10 July 2020A 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
10 July 2020Public 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
9 July 2020Beauty 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
9 July 2020Precision 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
8 July 2020The 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
7 July 2020Scientific 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
3 July 2020With 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
2 July 2020Businesses 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
1 July 2020On 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
30 June 2020Small 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
30 June 2020Health 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
29 June 2020Leicester 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
29 June 2020Some 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
29 June 2020Established 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
29 June 2020Innovative 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
25 June 2020The 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
25 June 2020We 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
24 June 2020The 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
23 June 2020The 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
22 June 2020The 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
19 June 2020To 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
19 June 2020WRAP 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
17 June 2020The 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...
