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
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...
Sharma leads economic recovery roundtables
16 June 2020Business Secretary Alok Sharma chaired a series of economic recovery roundtables over the last week (10-13 June), bringing together businesses, business representative organisations, regulators and leading academics. Discussions focused on the measures necessary to support economic recovery and ensure we have...
Carry on KuKu Passes Sixty Business Daily Updates
15 June 2020KuKu Connect, a business membership service which connects businesses and entrepreneurs from across the East Midlands, has posted its sixtieth business-focussed daily update video bulletin whilst simultaneously helping thousands of businesses from across the East Midlands stay in touch...
New fund to support dairy farmers opens on 18 June
12 June 2020A new dairy response fund will open for applications on 18 June. With some dairy farmers facing financial difficulties and excess milk due to the coronavirus outbreak, the new fund will provide up to £10,000 each to help those...
£63m for local authorities to assist those struggling
11 June 2020An additional £63 million has been confirmed by government today (Thursday 11 June) to be distributed to local authorities in England to help those who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to coronavirus. Local authorities are...
Non-essential retailers to reopen from 15 June
10 June 2020It has been confirmed that shops in England selling non-essential goods will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June. High street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and...
Covid-19 employment and benefits support from DWP
10 June 2020The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new campaign around Universal Credit and COVID-19. A new website has been launched to provide information on employment and benefits support with advice on housing, furlough, sick pay and self-employment,...
2020 Leicester Business Festival applications open
10 June 2020Businesses have the chance to take part in the 2020 Leicester Business Festival (LBF) as the application process to host an event has now opened. The LBF fortnight – now in its sixth year – will be taking place...
Working groups to help unleash Britain’s growth potential
8 June 2020Five new business-focused groups are to be created to unleash Britain’s growth potential and create jobs, as part of the government’s plans to help the economy bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. Announced today (8 June) by Business Secretary,...
RAPID Challenge has £50,000 prize package
5 June 2020TBAT Innovation Ltd are proud to be part of The RAPID Challenge for 2020. Joining Founding Partner – Prodrive, TBAT are this year’s Lead Partner, offering their expertise in funding innovation through UK & EU Grant Funding and R&D...
Employee expense & benefit support during covid-19
4 June 2020The government has released information about how to treat certain expenses and benefits that could be applicable to certain employees during covid-19. You’ll be able to find out about taxable expenses and benefits, when they are paid to employees,...
£750 million for voluntary groups & social enterprises
4 June 2020The government has pledged £750 million to ensure voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE) can continue their vital work supporting the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including £200 million for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, along with...
Discretionary Grant Fund Launches
2 June 2020The Discretionary Grant Fund, which is being managed by local authorities is now live and has been set up to support small and micro businesses that are not eligible for other grant schemes. The grant fund is limited and...
Self-Employment help extended & change to CJRS
1 June 2020The government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will be extended, giving more security to individuals whose livelihoods are adversely affected by coronavirus in the coming months, the Chancellor announced on Friday (29 May). Those eligible under the Self-Employment Income Support...
29 May: Changes to furlough scheme
29 May 2020Chancellor of the Exchequor Rishi Sunak today announced changes to the furlough scheme. Currently, the scheme involves the payment of 80% of workers’ wages by the government. From August, the scheme will be adjusted so that employers must pay...
Reopening High Streets Safely – Fund Guidance
28 May 2020On 24 May the government launched its £50m Reopening High Streets Safely Fund. Councils across England are to share £50m of additional funding through the ERDF National Reserve Fund to support the safe reopening of high streets and other...
NHS test and trace: workplace guidance
28 May 2020The NHS test and trace service will help to manage the risk of the virus re-emerging as restrictions on everyday life are eased, as far as it is deemed safe to do so. It is vital that employers play...
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme open
27 May 2020Small and medium-sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, can now apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees. Employers will be able to make claims to the...
Innovate UK Smart Grants open this week
27 May 2020The next round of the Innovate UK Smart Grants, which are open to all industry sectors have been announced, offering £25 million in funding for innovative projects, and are due to open on Friday. This is an opportunity for...
Shops allowed to open in 3 weeks
25 May 2020At today’s government briefing, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that all non-essential retailers will be able to reopen in England from 15 June, as part of plans to further ease the lockdown. However, retailers will have to...
Employers share experience of implementing Covid-19 workplace measures
22 May 2020The Business Gateway Growth Hub has led a webinar featuring local employers speaking about how big business ideas can apply to small businesses when it comes to restarting and beginning to trade again. Over 90 delegates registered for the...
Support package for sustainable transport
21 May 2020Due to restrictions and safeguarding measures around the coronavisrus crisis, many traditional forms of transport may be off-limits for large numbers of workers. With this in mind, Choose How You Move is looking to support businesses to encourage workers...
£40m boost for cutting-edge start-ups
20 May 2020Innovative businesses and start-ups are set to benefit from a £40 million government investment to drive forward new technological advances. The competition aims to fast-track the development of innovations borne out of the coronavirus crisis while supporting the UK’s...
Future Fund is open for applications
20 May 2020The Future Fund, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 20 April, is now open for applications. The fund was set up in order to provide loans to innovative UK companies with good potential, that typically rely on...
Discretionary Grants available from Local Authorities
19 May 2020Local Authorities have been awarded further funding and can now disburse grants to the value of £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000. The value of the payment to be made to a business is at the discretion of...
Share of up to £30m Air Transportation Funding Available
18 May 2020Businesses can apply for a share of up to £30 million to develop ways to support safe operations of novel modes of air transportation, whilst minimising the environmental footprint and improving connectivity. Flying taxis and drones delivering medical supplies...
70 million face masks for NHS through industry deal
15 May 2020More than 70 million face masks will be manufactured in the UK and delivered to frontline health and care workers following an agreement with a global technology company, the UK government has today announced. FFP2 and FFP3 masks will...
Latest news: 14 May 2020
14 May 2020The UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, has announced upgrades and improvements to the nation’s road and rail networks in response to the coronavirus crisis, and measures taken to speed up the economic recovery. Transport has a...
Growth Hub offers over 40 free business webinars
14 May 2020The Business Gateway Growth Hub has a calendar of over 40 free, easy to access webinars. Business owners and their employees are able to continue improving their skills and knowledge, whilst social distancing and working remotely. The webinar programme...
The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme is open
14 May 2020Self-employed individuals or members of partnerships whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus can now apply for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant, worth 80% of their average monthly trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500),...
Government announces roadmap taskforces
13 May 2020New ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to plan how closed sectors can reopen safely. Five new ministerial-led taskforces have been set up to develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen safely, following publication of the...
Furlough Scheme extended to October
12 May 2020The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor announced today. In a boost to millions of jobs and businesses, Rishi Sunak said the furlough scheme would be extended by a further...
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
12 May 2020The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. This guidance is to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic. These 8...
Festival to re-energise our business community
11 May 2020The Leicester Business Festival (LBF) will be taking place from 2 to 13 November 2020 and this year will be the most important in its six-year history. With the rapidly changing global situation relating to the Coronavirus Covid-19, the...
Businesses call for clear Coronavirus guidance on returning to work
10 May 2020Boris Johnson has unveiled a “conditional plan” to reopen society, but business groups have called for clarity on what will need to change in the workplace. In a television address, the prime minister said those who could not work...
Millions more items of PPE delivered thanks to business
9 May 2020NHS and social care staff in the UK are set to receive millions of items of personal protective equipment (PPE) over the coming months thanks to new, innovative collaborations with a number of organisations, the government has announced. Companies...
Business rates revaluation postponed
7 May 2020A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 to help reduce uncertainty for firms affected by the impacts of coronavirus. Legislation had been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by one year from 2022...
New funding to support dairy farmers through coronavirus
7 May 2020Leicestershire’s dairy farmers will be able to access up to £10,000 each to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The new funding will help support dairy farmers across England – who together continue to produce over...
Self-employed invited to get ready to claim by HMRC
5 May 2020HMRC are beginning to contact customers who may be eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Those who are eligible will be able to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average trading profits up to...
Sky launches advertising support scheme for SMEs
5 May 2020Sky has launched a £1 million support scheme to provide SMEs across the UK with free TV advertising campaigns to support them during the current crisis. The AdSmart SME support scheme has been called the ‘SME100’ and the £1...
Top-up to local business grant funds scheme
4 May 2020A discretionary fund has been set up to accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme. The Business Secretary Alok Sharma and Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Simon Clarke spoke to...
New Bounce Back Loans launch today
4 May 2020Thousands of small firms and sole traders – including high street staples like hairdressers, coffee shops and florists – will be eligible for 100% government-backed Bounce Back Loans to help them make it through the coronavirus outbreak. From 9am...
£6.1 million to boost to help high streets and city centres
1 May 2020Hundreds of local business partnerships across England will share £6.1m of funding to spend on projects that will help their local economies through the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP confirmed today (1...
Lenders provide over £4 Billion through the CBIL scheme
1 May 2020UK Finance has revealed that the banking and finance sector has provided over £4.1 billion to SMEs so far through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) scheme. A total of 25,262 applications have been approved to date, with more...
Free online learning to boost workplace skills
30 April 2020A new online learning platform to help boost the nation’s skills while people are staying at home, has been launched by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. Free courses are available through The Skills Toolkit. The new platform gives people access...
Boost for small business with 100% backed loans
27 April 2020Small firms are to get access to 100% taxpayer-backed loans after raising concerns about slow access to existing coronavirus rescue schemes. The new Bounce Back Loans scheme, announced by the Chancellor today, will allow businesses to borrow between £2,000...
Coronavirus support package for key transport routes
24 April 2020Vital routes for supplies and people have been protected through a coronavirus support package to keep the flow of goods and services running smoothly in and out of the UK, and around the country, throughout the pandemic. The Secretary...
Coronavirus testing made available for key workers
24 April 2020Up to 10 million people qualify for a free coronavirus test after the criteria was expanded to include all essential workers and their families. The list of essential workers is the same as the one used to allow the...
Protection for high street tenants announced
23 April 2020High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic, the Business Secretary has set out today. The majority of landlords and tenants...
New COVID-19 Redundancy and Recruitment Service
21 April 2020A new service has been launched to support people in Leicester and Leicestershire who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Leicester City...
New coronavirus business support finder launched
21 April 2020A new ‘support finder’ tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic. The finder tool on GOV.UK will ask business owners...
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now live!
20 April 2020The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now open for applications. Employers can now go online to claim cash grants worth up to 80% of wages, capped at £2,500 a month per worker. Businesses should note: To receive payment by...
£1.25 billion package for innovation-led firms
20 April 2020UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, the Chancellor announced today. Rishi Sunak said the targeted and tailored help would ensure firms in some of the...
£1.6bn of additional funding for councils
18 April 2020In the government’s latest update on the coronvirus pandemic, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said that government were giving local councils an additional cash injection of £1.6bn, taking the overall total to more than £3.2bn. He thanked all local councils...
Job Retention Scheme extended to end of June
17 April 2020The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today announced the extension of the government’s Job Retention Scheme, also known as the furlough scheme, by one month to the end of June. Businesses facing cashflow issues due to the coronavirus crisis can...
Loan Scheme expanded for large businesses
17 April 2020A government-backed loan scheme for large businesses affected by coronavirus has been expanded to cover all viable firms, the Chancellor has announced. Outlining further details of the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CLBILS) ahead of its launch on...
Lockdown extended for at least another 3 weeks
16 April 2020Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has today (Thursday 16 April) confirmed that the nationwide lockdown, put in place on 23 March, will remain in place for at least 3 weeks more and will be reviewed again around 7 May. The...
Furlough scheme cut-off date extended to 19 March
16 April 2020Thousands more employees will able to receive support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) after the eligibility date was extended to 19 March 2020, the government yesterday. Under the scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month, employers...
New R&D online portal launched
15 April 2020Accountancy firm, Smith Cooper have joined forces with TBAT, the independent consultancy with over 17 years’ experience in working with organisations conducting research and development activities. The collaboration will see a new R&D online portal launched, allowing ambitious owner-managed businesses...
Chancellor provides over £14 billion for vital services
14 April 2020More than £14 billion from the Coronavirus emergency response fund will go towards public services, including the NHS and local authorities involved in the fight against Coronavirus, HM Treasury confirmed yesterday. The funding has included more than £6 billion...
£2 million in online support for domestic abuse
11 April 2020In the government’s latest update on the coronvirus pandemic, Home Secretary Priti Patel said that while total crime had dropped criminals were adapting to capitalise on the virus with losses already exceeding £1.8 million. Due to the number of...
Can your business help the new government PPE Plan?
10 April 2020Health Secretary Matt Hancock has launched a three-step PPE plan to ensure front-line heroes have access to the protection they need. The new plan ensures people are clear about who needs protection, it gets to the right place at...
Latest news: 9th April 2020
9 April 2020Lockdown measures to remain in place across the Easter weekend. The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has stated that the lockdown will not be reviewed until the end of next week, when more evidence as to its effectiveness is available....
Government publishes new guidance for exporters
9 April 2020Central government has released further information for businesses that export goods. They are aware that it is important for businesses to maintain operations across the supply chain, including the requirement to ensure export licence approvals are in place. With...
Call on industry to build COVID-19 testing capacity
9 April 2020Lord Bethell, the health minister leading the government’s testing strategy, is calling on businesses to help develop an antibody test for COVID-19. In a statement released today he says we did not start this crisis with a large diagnostics...
£750m extra funding for frontline charities
8 April 2020The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced £750m of extra funding for frontline charities in order to support the essential work they do. There are 170 thousand charities operating in the UK. Although this is a considerable amount of funding,...
Good mental health while working in Covid-19 crisis
7 April 2020The Mental Health Foundation have issued useful guidance for those working from home, business owners and leaders looking after teams when it comes to mental health whilst dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. IT and technology For many of us...
Prince’s Trust launches Enterprise Relief Fund
6 April 2020The Prince’s Trust and NatWest will support young entrepreneurs struggling as a result of coronavirus through a new fund. The £5million Enterprise Relief Fund will offer grants to 18 to 30-year olds across the UK who are self-employed and/or...
Businesses asked to donate spare PPE to the NHS
5 April 2020A new campaign has launched, calling on businesses in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to support NHS staff dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The #ppe4nhs campaign is seeking donations of unused PPE...
£20 million to boost UK resilience to outbreaks
3 April 2020Businesses could help boost the UK’s resilience to the long-term impact of the coronavirus outbreak and similar situations in the future, as a result of £20 million government funding announced today (Friday 3 April). Grants of up to £50,000...
Coronavirus emergency loans schemes revamped
3 April 2020The emergency loans scheme for businesses struggling to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic has been revamped following strong criticism. The Treasury said it had received more than 130,000 loan enquires from firms but fewer than 1,000 had been approved....
£85million Business Support
2 April 2020Businesses in Leicester which are struggling due to loss of trade caused by the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access a package of financial help totalling £85million. The Government formally announced the Small Business Grant funding, and Retail,...
Sport England sets out Covid-19 Financial Support
2 April 2020Sport England has confirmed this week that it is making up to £195 million of funding available to help the community sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. The package is additional to any funding support...
Business grant funding sent to local authorities to relieve SMEs
1 April 2020The Business Secretary Alok Sharma has this evening confirmed that funds have been disseminated to local authorities, with a view to allocating them to SMEs and retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in the form of grants. Mr. Sharma also...
Covid-19 grant instructions for Charnwood businesses
1 April 2020From today, 1 April 2020, Charnwood Borough Council is commencing the processing of payments of the recently announced Government grants for businesses. Businesses which are eligible for financial support as a result of the COVID-19 related measures introduced by...
New life-saving breathing aid approved
31 March 2020The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a newly adapted breathing aid developed by University College London and Mercedes Formula One that will help keep coronavirus (COVID-19) patients out of intensive care. The team of engineers...
Remote assistance offer for SMEs from DMU
31 March 2020Do you have technology or business needs that De Montfort University students could provide free, remote help with during the pandemic? Someone to help you use social media or meetings tools? Website development? Hands-on help running your business remotely?...
Covid-19 support for business led by Growth Hub
31 March 2020In response to the coronavirus crisis, the Business Gateway Growth Hub is co-ordinating support for businesses. The growth hub is the first port of call for businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire seeking advice and information in these unprecedented times....
Plans announced to rescue stranded UK citizens
30 March 2020The government has announced a £75m initiative to rescue tens of thousands of British citizens stranded abroad because of the coronavirus crisis. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, announced a mixture of charter flights to priority countries, and subsidies for...
Could your business provide vital support?
29 March 2020Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick has confirmed that millions of urgently needed items of protective equipment and clothing are now being delivered to the NHS. However, the Government is still asking businesses to...
Business Secretary announces changes to insolvency rules
28 March 2020UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma has announced changes to insolvency laws to help businesses “emerge intact the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic.” The new rules will allow companies undergoing restructuring to continue to get access to supplies and...
Frontline health workers to be tested for coronavirus
27 March 2020Michael Gove has announced increased testing capacity for frontline workers at the 5.00pm press conference this evening (27 March). Testing will commence this weekend to see if health workers on the frontline have coronavirus. Tests will be rolled out...
Chancellor unveils support for self-employed
26 March 2020The Chancellor has announced that up to 95% of self-employed workers will be eligible for a taxable grant of 80% of their average earnings (up to £2,500 a month), to help them cope with the financial impact of coronavirus....
Call for rapid sanitising technology for ambulances
26 March 2020Do you have an innovative or novel approach to get ambulances cleaner quicker to help combat Coronavirus? The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is looking for rapid sanitising technology to speed up the time it takes to clean ambulances...
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
25 March 2020Under the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis....
Free R&D Tax Claim for ideas to combat COVID-19
25 March 2020Independent consultancy, TBAT Innovation are now offering free R&D Tax claim for anyone doing novel R&D to combat COVID-19. Over the past weeks the TBAT team has seen several companies releasing inspiring and heartening announcements that they are making...
Updated list of businesses that should close
24 March 2020The list of non-essential businesses that should close their doors due to the ongoing Coronavirus/Covid-19 crisis has been updated by the government. Restaurants, bars, shops, libraries and hotels are classed as non-essential by the government, and are asked to...
New technology challenge to support isolated
24 March 2020£500,000 of funding is available for technology companies who come up with digital support solutions for people who need to stay at home because of coronavirus. The funding will be available to innovators who can find digital ways to...
PM tells us all to stay at home
23 March 2020In an announcement given at 8.30pm on 23 March, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has told the country to “Stay at Home”. People must stay at home except for shopping for basic necessities as little as possible, exercise outside...
Covid-19 Business Finance Schemes open today
23 March 2020The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) will provide government-backed loans of up to £5 million to small and medium businesses. The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) will provide a quick and cost-effective way to raise...
Launching tomorrow – free business network
18 March 2020East Midlands business network service, KuKu Connect is launching a whole free service to aid and support thousands of businesses to ‘carry on going, carry on smiling & carry on connecting’. KuKu Connect already works with thousands of businesses...
Ventilator manufacturers required
18 March 2020The coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation. It calls for dramatic action, at home and abroad, of the kind not normally seen in peacetime. The Government is working to contain the spread of the...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Support for your Business
16 March 2020The Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to escalate as a global issue. While the main priority is clearly the well-being of individuals affected by the virus, there is nevertheless a growing impact on business. Some of the ways businesses are being...
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
16 March 2020At Budget 2020, the Chancellor announced that a ‘Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme’ (CBILS) will temporarily replace the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), becoming available over the coming weeks. It will operate in a similar way to EFG and be...
New toolkit from LLEP to build future workforce
11 March 2020Last week the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) launched its new toolkit for employers, Building the Workforce of the Future. The toolkit shows employers how they can tap into a future workforce by offering experiences of the workplace....
BLOG: Productivity & Time Management
10 March 2020Adam Payne, Business Growth Coach from the Business Growth Academy, provides his advice to business owners who are struggling to get things done in their business and provides his tips on how to boost productivity and remove all those...
Breaking the barriers to growth
10 March 2020Business owners looking to take their companies to the next level of growth will have access to a new programme of funded events through the Business Gateway. Ready to Grow has been created for business leaders who want to...
Grants and loans available from Invest to Grow
3 March 2020The Invest to Grow programme is a re-circulating finance scheme providing loans and grants to support private sector businesses across the East Midlands to innovate, grow and create jobs. The programme aims to generate economic activity by investing in...
Campaign to make finding business support easier
2 March 2020The Government wants to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business – a place where you can build on your ideas and find success. As part of a new campaign, Government is bringing all of the various support schemes together in one place on...
Funding for student internships
2 March 2020The Leicester Talent Internships Programme offers a great opportunity for local businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire to recruit students graduating in June-July 2020 by providing partially funded internships. The programme will run from mid-June for a duration of 4-8...
Blog: Continuous Improvement
25 February 2020As part of Innovation Week, LLEP Board Member and Chief Executive of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, looks at how putting Continuous Improvement at the heart of a business’ Innovation Strategy can deliver positive business benefits. “Getting...
Could you be a STAR Manager?
21 February 2020The second launch of the Government-funded online training programme to support business growth, STAR® Manager has taken place. STAR® Manager is an award-winning, online training programme developed to improve managers’ competence by enabling them to incorporate coaching-related behaviours into...
QES will establish direction of travel for businesses
19 February 20202019 was another year of political and economic uncertainty for businesses across the East Midlands and the UK, characterised largely by the ongoing negotiations to leave the EU – only resolved in the final month of the year –...
Leicester Innovation Week starts next week
18 February 2020Is innovation a key driver when it comes to growing a successful business? Local business support providers certainly think so as Leicester Innovation Week returns for the third successive year this February promising a programme to inspire, inform and...
WebinArt looking for participants and mentors
13 February 2020WebinArt is Creative Leicestershire’s flagship one-year Professional Development Programme for early-career creatives and artists in Leicestershire. They collaborate with experienced professionals online and in-person to help creative start-ups navigate their way to confidence and success. As the current WebinArt...
New PROSPER support programme launched
10 February 2020Following on from the success of the SING programme The iNet has announced a new package of support for businesses seeking to develop new products, services and processes. PROmoting SME Product Enhancement and Research (PROSPER) will also help small...
Blog: Should your business claim R&D Tax Relief?
10 February 2020Only 2.15% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the East Midlands claimed R&D Tax Credits in Financial Years 2016/17 and 2017/18. There should be 1000s more making a claim. SMEs from our area made up just 6.6% of...
Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award
5 February 2020A new funding opportunity – Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award has been launched, with £140 million over 3 years, to fund and accelerate the testing and evaluation of the most promising AI technologies, that align to the...
Funding for rural growth programme
4 February 2020Updated post: Deadline for Expression of Interest: 16 February 2020 Planning a project that will grow your business, create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy? You might be able to apply for a grant to help...
£40 million unlocked for Midlands’ businesses
31 January 2020The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) has appointed a new fund manager and made £40 million available to invest in the region’s small businesses. Appointed to address regional demand for alternative debt finance options, The FSE Group will manage...
TBAT support for Innovate UK’s Smart Grants
28 January 2020Innovate UK fund cutting-edge projects via their Smart Grant Competitions. With multiple deadlines a year, these competitions give businesses from all industry sectors the opportunity to submit their innovative project ideas, to be awarded up to £2 million in...
Woman Who Achieves Awards 2020 are open for entry!
28 January 2020The Woman Who Achieves Awards inspire and celebrate the achievements of Women in Business and Rising Stars of the future. Woman Who encourages women to recognise their achievements, celebrate their successes, motivate others, gain confidence through the Awards process and to grow through the experience. The 2020 Awards are now open for entries and...
Get ready for Leicester Innovation Week 2020
24 January 2020Innovation Week kicks off on 24th February 2020 and there are a wide range of inspiring events taking place across Leicester and Leicestershire. Now in its third year Leicester Innovation Week 2020 offers a great opportunity for businesses, universities...
LLEP Welcomes three new board members
24 January 2020The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Ltd. (LLEP) is delighted to announce the names of three new members to its Board of Directors. Rani Mahal, Anne-Marie Hunt and Sonia Baigent have been officially appointed as non-executive directors, after a...
Green grants to improve energy efficiency
23 January 2020Green BELLE supports small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Leicester and Leicestershire to increase their energy efficiency, reduce their energy costs and lower their carbon emissions. Round 2 has opened which means grants of £1,000 to £7,000 are available...
Made in the Midlands Awards- Nominate Now!
22 January 2020Made in the Midlands is now firmly established as the region’s premier celebration of engineering and manufacturing, having attracted entries from some 50 different companies last year. So why should you enter? Firstly it’s free and relatively easy: there’s...
Invitations to Tender – Growth Hub events
20 January 2020Launched in 2014, Growth Hubs are a local public and private sector partnership led by the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) that provide a mechanism for integrating national and local business support, so it is easier for businesses to access...
Blog: Where in the world do you want your business to be?
14 January 2020Laura Howard shares her blog on Brexit In our blog this month, Laura Howard, Head of International Trade at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), discusses the effect Brexit will have on international trade, and how businesses can prepare....
Leading to Grow helps microbusinesses
13 January 2020The Leading to Grow Programme will support small businesses to grow, innovate and increase productivity through adopting digital and new technologies. The programme will help small business owners to explore digital and new technologies suited to their business goals,...
Attend North America’s largest construction expo
10 January 2020Midlands Engine in partnership with Innovate UK is taking a business delegation to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, North America’s largest construction exhibition. This event brings contractors, dealers, distributors, service providers, engineers and producers together. Featuring everything related to construction, the show...
Funding boost for the great British pub
9 January 2020Regulars across the country will be raising a toast to the Great British Pub with over £1 million of new government money for community pubs, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced last month. The funding will help an estimated 100...
Tender opportunity for graphic design and print
6 January 2020To support the marketing communications activities and ensure the successful delivery of both the ERDF-funded Digital Growth Programme and Digital Upscaler projects, East Midlands Chamber is seeking to invite proposals from suitably qualified and experienced agencies. This will be...
Grants on offer to help local business vehicles go green
23 December 2019BUSINESSES in Leicester can benefit from a generous grant scheme that aims to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles and help further improve air quality. Leicester City Council is making grants of up to £15,000 available to...
New Growth Hub Manager for the Business Gateway
10 December 2019The Business Gateway Growth Hub has appointed a new manager to lead the expanded service that offers all businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire a single place to access information, funding and advice to support performance and growth. Jon Egley...
Find the right finance option for your business
10 December 2019The British Business Bank Finance Hub is designed to help businesses understand the financial landscape and ultimately access the right finance for their growth potential. It’s an independent, impartial digital hub designed to raise awareness of the different types...
What does the Sporting Capital Fund offer?
10 December 2019The £3m Sporting Capital Fund offers loan funding of up to £150,000 to eligible organisations. The investment is a simple, repayable, unsecured loan. It has been formed through a pioneering partnership between Sporting Assets and the Access Foundation and...
Blog: What does success look like?
9 December 2019In our blog this month, business author and editor of ‘The Small Business Growth Magazine’ Marc Ford provides his straight-talking advice for business owners that want to move their businesses forward. Warning: this blog is not for the faint-hearted. We...
Remember your auto-enrolment responsibilities
9 December 2019If you’re thinking of taking on seasonal or temporary staff to help you through the festive period, or have staff whose pay and hours fluctuate, be aware that you’ll have automatic enrolment responsibilities. You must assess seasonal or temporary...
Start. Scale. Succeed with NatWest
9 December 2019NatWest’s Pre-Accelerator programme has been tailored to empower entrepreneurs at an early or pre-start stage and offers a variety of opportunities. It’s fully funded, and you don’t have to be a NatWest customer to take advantage. They have a...
Council flexible workspace boost for Fenwick revamp
3 December 2019PLANS for a major revamp of Leicester’s historic former Fenwick building are set to get a boost with £450,000 of council investment for a new flexible workspace. Leicester City Council has announced plans to create almost 12,000sqft of...
Network for Food and Drink Manufacturers
3 December 2019Food and Drink Manufacturers are being offered membership of a network to help them stay informed of industry information, funding, trends and other sector-specific news. There are three levels of membership: Free, Business and Consultant with different benefits. The...
Give and Take Leicester looking for ‘rewards’ from local businesses
3 December 2019Give & Take Leicester is a new community initiative, designed to provide opportunities for volunteers to earn rewards by volunteering. The initiative, hosted by Vista, the local sight-loss charity, will be able to match a volunteer’s skills, talents and...
22 years of pension savings gone in 24 hours
21 November 2019Victims of pensions scams could lose 22 years’ worth of savings within 24 hours, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR). New analysis as part of the regulators’ joint ScamSmart campaign reveals that it...
Improving productivity through technology grants
20 November 2019Companies looking to grow in the next six months can still take advantage of the Digital Growth Programme’s Technology Grant with grants from £2,000 to £25,000 available – subject to conditions. The grant supports firms with the introduction of...
Leicester Start-Up Week offers new opportunities for young businesses
18 November 2019This week – November 18th to the 24th – the University of Leicester and De Montfort University along with businesses and organisations across the city will unite for the second annual Leicester Start-Up Week. The programme of events, led...
Smart Grants from Innovate UK
12 November 2019Smart Grants provide an opportunity to apply for a share of up to £25 million to deliver ambitious or disruptive R&D innovations that can make a significant impact on the UK economy. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and...
Chamber’s Quarterly Survey gives you a say
12 November 2019The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the biggest business survey of its kind in the East Midlands. The results provided are analysed by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) in order to help shape crucial policy discussions locally, regionally...
Search for our region’s innovators is on!
12 November 2019There is no shortage of talent, ideas and innovation in Leicestershire. Inventors in the county are thriving are a result of their own creations – just ask the innovators behind HedKayse. The ground-breaking company was created by two former...
Boost to business support for Leicestershire
8 November 2019Business owners across Leicester and Leicestershire, looking to expand and grow their enterprises, now have access to an enhanced service through the Business Gateway Growth Hub, including the addition of a £1.4 million pot of grant funding. The Business...
Funding opens for rural growth programme
4 November 2019Updated post: Deadline for Expression of Interest: 16 February 2020 Planning a project that will grow your business, create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy? You might be able to apply for a grant to help...
Support for micro businesses announced
4 November 2019Universities have been awarded funding to support 50 micro-businesses to engage with technology to boost their productivity. Leicester Castle Business School at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and the University of Leicester School of Business are part of a...
The Customer is always right
22 October 2019The Customer is Always Right, is a BBC series which celebrates small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people that are proud and passionate about their products – and producers are on the hunt for people to take part.
Leicestershire’s Largest Careers Speed Networking Event Returns
21 October 2019More than 300 students from 20 schools and colleges are set to take part in the region’s largest careers speed networking event.
New electric bikes could be your Wheels2Work
14 October 2019EIGHT new electric bikes are part of a fleet of cycles and scooters available to hire from the city council for people who need help getting to work, training or education. The Wheels2Work scheme offers low-cost loans for electric...
New business park in Coalville has lift-off
7 October 2019A new £5.5m industrial park in Coalville, set to create 120 jobs, is now open for business. Apollo Court Business Park – developed by Leicestershire County Council – will boost business in the town by supporting start-ups and firms...
UK:100 chooses Leicester for first green energy
7 October 2019Partners from across the Midlands have come together to discuss initiatives, infrastructure and investment in the green economy at the first step towards commitments to 100% clean energy by 2050. Organised by UK:100, a consortium of local authority leaders from...
New office scheme at historic Friars Mill wins regional planning award
4 October 2019A £2.3million office development at the heart of Leicester’s Waterside regeneration area has won a regional planning award. The new Fabric and Riverside office buildings at Friars Mill were awarded the Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy prize...
Skills for the Future focuses on manufacturing to link careers to the classroom
2 October 2019On Thursday 26 September, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) hosted an event aimed at linking careers with the curriculum. Skills for Tomorrow saw over 80 attendees from the worlds of education and business meet to share experience...
Discovery at Loughborough University leads to breakthrough in forensic tech
1 October 2019A discovery made at Loughborough University is set to revolutionise forensic science, as a cutting-edge fingerprint development technology becomes commercially available. The technology is being developed at the LLEP area’s Loughborough University Science and Enteprise Park (LUSEP). RECOVER is...
Large business holds the key to auto skills training for a generation
30 September 2019Automotive sector businesses that pay the Apprenticeship Levy are being urged to use their funds to upskill their workforce, take on new apprentices, or help other organisations to do so. Under new arrangements now in place, levy-payers can share...
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL COMMENDED FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
27 September 2019Marion Plant, OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College has been recognised with an award for lifetime achievement at a glittering ceremony in Leicester. The award was made in recognition of Marion’s business skills...
BID Leicester launch Independent Leicester campaign
27 September 2019BID Leicester has launched an exciting new ‘Independent Leicester’ initiative using the slogan “We’re in” as a rallying cry for indie companies. The campaign, delivered in partnership with BID Leicester and a host of local independent businesses, has been...
LLEP Hosts event to nurture the skills of tomorrow
26 September 2019On Thursday 26th September, senior school leaders, teachers and careers staff will attend a free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event called Skills for Tomorrow, hosted by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). The event, at Leicester’s City Hall,...
Social care work opportunities on offer at careers event
26 September 2019Job seekers and students from across the city and county considering careers in social care are invited to attend a specialised careers event next month. The Social Care Experience is open to people of all ages, from 12pm to...
Space-themed events bring Moon landing story to life
25 September 2019THE 50th anniversary of the historic Moon landing is being brought to life with an exciting series of space-themed activities taking place in Leicester city centre during the half term holidays. The ‘One Giant Leap’ programme of events will...
Space Park Leicester receives boost from global brand
24 September 2019The University of Leicester is pleased to announce that Airbus plans to re-locate their Leicestershire based Earth Observation expert team to Space Park Leicester when their current lease expires. The Space Park is an ambitious initiative that will develop...
Green Fox Community Co-op wins £100,000 to develop zero-carbon schools in Leicester
23 September 2019LOCAL group Green Fox Community Energy Co-operative has been awarded £100,000 by a national charity to develop a dedicated zero-carbon energy system for Leicester schools. The local group teamed up with the Attenborough Learning Trust and Leicester City Council...
APC Technology Developer Accelerator Programme for automotive industry
19 September 2019The APC Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) supports micro, small and medium-sized companies that are developing technology, products and services which are relevant to the automotive industry. The programme targets Technology Developers (TDs) with early-stage (TRL 1-4) low emission...
Midlands Engine deepens ties with China
16 September 2019Ties between the Midlands and China have received a further boost with the signing of a new agreement to promote science and technology co-operation between the Midlands Engine and the Province of Zhejiang. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was...
New Online Magazine examining Britain’s Regional Performance
13 September 2019If you are interested in how your region is performing statistically versus other UK regions that you can browse www.thestateofbritain.co.uk/stats to find out. The State of Britain is a subscription free monthly online magazine that critically explores how the major economic issues...
35 Year discovery that changed criminal investigations forever
10 September 2019At 09:05 on Monday 10 September 1984, a discovery in a laboratory at the University of Leicester changed the way criminal investigations were carried out. The discovery, made by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys who had his eureka moment when...
Over 300 local firms benefited from Collaborate support
9 September 2019Leicester City Mayor, Peter Soulsby welcomed over 120 business people to the King Power Stadium last week as Collaborate for Growth, the Leicestershire business support project, celebrated supporting hundreds of local businesses. The event provided inspiration and information to...
Brewery crafts out new products with support
9 September 2019Langton Brewery is a small local brewery historically producing traditional beers. When the brewery first started in 1999 it operated from the back of the Bell Inn, East Langton and only intended to produce enough beer to supply the...
New service will help hundreds of homeless people into work
6 September 2019A new college for people experiencing homelessness is set to open in Leicester’s Dawn Centre in the New Year. The St Mungo’s Recovery College is a pioneering skills and employment service which aims to support people into work,...
Planning permission for new unit puts JLR in the fast lane to new jobs
4 September 2019Jaguar Land Rover has had planning application for a major new storage unit in Leicestershire approved. The unit is planned for the area around junction 11 on the M42 near Ashby, and will be built by IM Properties. It...
New Labour Market Dashboards Available
3 September 2019We have released our latest labour market dashboards for September 2019. These provide a valuable snapshot of the area. Information contained in the dashboards relate to employment, unemployment, claimant rates and more. Labour Market Dashboards are released on a monthly...
