FSB Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight

Yesterday, DM Nicky was interviewed on BBC Spotlight about ’s economy.

Isle of Wight Council Would like to consult with businesses about The Street Furniture and Pavement Licensing Policy

The Licensing department of the Isle of Wight Council are seeking the views of island businesses as part of the consultation into the review of the Street Furniture and Pavement Licensing Policy
The Street Furniture and Pavement Licensing Policy regulates the placing of items on the highway, with the Business & Planning Act regulating the placing of tables and chairs along with any other items associated with the selling or consumption of food and drink, and the Highways Act regulating all other non-food and drink related items.

If you would like to comment on these proposed changes please send your comments to [email protected] by Saturday 31 August 2024, or write to us at ; FAO: Licensing Team, County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD. Please note that representations received cannot be treated as confidential.

Employer Led Skills Bootcamps

Skills Bootcamps are available to employers of all sizes and across a variety of sectors.

There are hundreds of Skills Bootcamps available across many areas, like digital, including data engineering, software development and marketing; technical, including construction and engineering; green, including electric vehicle maintenance and heat pump technology; health and social care, including care management and well-being; HGV driving, including if you’re new to HGV driving or want to return; business and administration, including project management and insurance.

Skills Bootcamps take up to 16 weeks to complete and are delivered flexibly.

Click on the links below to find out about Skills Bootcamp opportunities happening in your area:

Dorset: https://dstpn.co.uk/skills-bootcamps/
Portsmouth, Southampton, Isle of Wight: https://solentpartners.com/our-services/business-and-skills-support/skills-bootcamps/
Rest of Hampshire: https://www.hants.gov.uk/business/skillsbootcamp/businesses

Councils give massive boost to green skills and training

Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council are working in partnership with City of Portsmouth College and SERT Group Ltd to provide ‘green skills training’ to help people gain skills for the future.

Using UK Shared Prosperity Funding, this initiative will help prepare those who are self-employed, as well as small to medium-sized businesses by offering free or subsidised accredited courses.
Focussing on increasing skills and awareness of sustainable and net zero skills – some of the courses on offer include:
• Electrical energy storage systems
• Solar PV Installation
• Solar & Battery Combined
• Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) training*
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger point

There are many more courses available as part of this scheme that offer accredited green skills to qualified Electricians and Gas Engineers allowing them to upskill into the installation and servicing of sustainable energy systems.

Businesses wanting to know more information should contact their local Economic Development team:
Havant Borough Council: [email protected]
Portsmouth City Council: [email protected] or call 023 9284 1641

Dorset Growth Hub August Masterclasses

Are you seeking support to grow your business? These events are absolutely free! Explore the list of upcoming events below.

1. Practical AI Solutions for Small Businesses: Online, 8th August @ 10am - 11:30am https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practical-ai-solutions-for-small-businesses-dorset-growth-hub-tickets-927206017157
2. Dorset Business Growth Breakfast: Shaftesbury (Royal Chase Hotel), 15th August @ 8:30am - 10:30am https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dorset-business-growth-breakfast-shaftesbury-dorset-growth-hub-tickets-935663634117
3. Strategies to Minimise Your Carbon Footprint: Online, 19th August @ 10am - 12pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-for-businesses-strategies-to-minimise-your-carbon-footprint-tickets-939708863507
4. Marketing for Business Start Ups: Online, 20th August @ 10am - 1pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marketing-for-business-start-ups-dorset-growth-hub-tickets-927181233027
5. Business Start Up Workshop: Online, 21st August @ 10am - 1pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-start-up-workshop-dorset-growth-hub-tickets-927152386747

FSB In person events in September

4th September – The Foundry - Book your free place here: https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/fsb-networking-at-the-foundry-poole-040924.html
Guest speakers include:
• Mike Bradley about shifting the needle on traction, growth and value
• Rachel Atkinson – The People Choreographer about creating inclusive workplace communities

18th September – FSB Talks: - Book your free place here: https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/fsb-talks-southampton-180924.html

Guest speakers include…
• Sam Sutton from New Forest Activities about Creating Teams that Thrive: The Power of Psychological Safety
• Jane Hodgson about leveraging your growth mindset
• Lee Hallman of UK Business Mentoring about boosting your bottom line

British Business Bank Growth Guarantee Scheme

The British Business Bank has launched its Growth Guarantee Scheme to help smaller businesses access finance to invest and grow. It aims to improve the terms on offer to borrowers. The British Bank accredits lenders who can then be listed on the British Business Bank website.

Businesses can use the finance for any legitimate business purpose. It can generally support up to £2m per business group with terms ranging from 3 months to 6 years and it provides the lender with a 70% government-backed guarantee. Further details can be found here: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/debt-finance/growth-guarantee-scheme

B2B Expos coming up in September

12th September – Farnborough B2B https://www.b2bexpos.co.uk/event/farnborough-expo-september-2024
19th September – Portsmouth B2B https://www.b2bexpos.co.uk/event/portsmouth-expo-september-2024
25th September – Bournemouth B2B https://www.b2bexpos.co.uk/event/bournemouth-expo-september-2024

Networking in
19th September - Gosport Informal Networking (GIN), The Old Bake House

Do you run a business in Gosport or are you thinking of starting one? Enterprise South and their partners, Gosport Borough Council, invite you to this event to help expand your business connections in the area, to get support from your peers and to obtain free business advice. They can even help you with funding.
Book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gin-at-the-old-bake-house-gosport-informal-networking-tickets-93353692407

Networking in
26th September - Langstone Quays Resort, Northney Road Portsmouth PO11 0NQ

The Havant Business Partnership is a networking event coordinated in partnership between Havant Borough Council and Havant & South Downs College (HSDC) for local businesses and organisations throughout the year.

Those attending get updates on local economic development insights and Havant Borough Council initiatives from council leaders, and news and opportunities around skills from HSDC.
Book your free place here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/havant-business-partnership-tickets-885476442877 b

BB2B ExposGGosport Borough CouncilHHavant Borough Council

Here is this week's small business news:

‘Marketing Meet Up’ - Tuesday 25 Jun 2024, 18:00 - 20:00
Clockwise Southampton, Mountbatten House, 1 Grosvenor Square, Southampton SO15 2JU
This first Southampton Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Southampton to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in 'listen' not 'sell' mode.
Book here https://themarketingmeetup.com/events/southampton/

Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp
Starting 25th July in Havant, and then online
This fully funded Digital Bootcamp (subject to some criteria) begins in person, and subsequent workshops will be conducted online. 1-1 sessions with the trainers and tailored discussions on your digital marketing strategy are integral components of this programme.
Register here: https://www.getsetforgrowth.com/getset-for-skills/skills-bootcamps/

B2B Expo Wi******er
Thursday 11th July – The Holiday Inn, Wi******er
Join hundreds of local businesses at the Wi******er Business Expo.
Free to attend - pre-register online: https://www.b2bexpos.co.uk/event/winchester-expo-july-2024

1-2-1 Business Information Clinic at the Business and IP Centre (BIPC) Southampton
Various dates in June and July - 2pm at Business and IP Centre Southampton, Civic Centre Road, Southampton, SO14 7LW
Register here for a free one-hour 1-to-1 Information session with one of the centre's Business Information Advisors: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1-2-1-business-information-clinic-at-bipc-southampton-tickets-669330634947

Opportunity to exhibit at the Farnborough Air Show
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium have an area within the exhibition and are offering businesses the chance to hire a pod for a day. The Wednesday is already taken, but all other days are still free and it is a slightly more affordable way for companies to exhibit. The cost is £1025 plus VAT per day and 2 daily tickets included. Find out more by emailing: [email protected]

Events coming up in July:
3rd July - 4pm to 6pm FSB Networking at The Foundry, Poole
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/fsb-networking-at-the-foundry-poole-030724.html
10th July – 4pm to 6pm FSB Talks: Southampton at Eagle Labs
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/fsb-talks-southampton-100724.html
11th July – 10am to 2pm Wi******er B2B Expo
https://www.b2bexpos.co.uk/event/winchester-expo-july-2024
12th July – 9am to 10am FSB Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight virtual networking
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/hampshire-dorset-and-isle-of-wight-virtual-networking-120724.html
26th July - 9am to 10am FSB Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight virtual networking
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/hampshire-dorset-and-isle-of-wight-virtual-networking-260724.html
29th July – 1pm to 4pm Business Advice Clinic at the Boscombe Digital Skills Hub, Royal Arcade (come along on the day)

Here is this week's local business news for and

Business Support in Hampshire

Hampshire Growth Hub covers all of Hampshire except Portsmouth, Southampton and Isle of Wight council areas. You can access advice and guidance from an experienced business advisor. If you would like to enquire about support, please contact the team at [email protected]. Solent Partners provide business support for Portsmouth, Southampton and Isle of Wight. Find out more about them here https://solentpartners.com/

Free Social Value Webinar

'Social Value' - would you like to know more? The term is becoming more readily used but not everyone understands the main ways it can be embedded in their company to benefit staff, the wider community, and the increase the bottom line.

Does your company tender for Local Authority / government contracts? Are you looking to expand into this arena or form part of a supply chain? If so, this Act will particularly affect your company.

Here is the link for further information https://www.iod.com/events/social_val...

Thrive Together: Small Business Growth Day

As a small business sometimes taking time out of the business is difficult, and although new products, services and training is important sometimes you just don't have the time.

So, what’s the solution? Why not join Solent Business and Skills Solutions at CEMAST on the 27th of June from 9:30 – 15:00 for Thrive Together: Small Business Growth Day.

Thrive Together is more than just a CPD Day; it's an opportunity for small businesses to come together, learn, and grow in a supportive environment. The goal is to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge on key topics such as Marketing, Sales, AI, and more, tailored specifically to the needs of small businesses.

Here is the link to further information https://sbssevents.evolutive.co.uk/ev...

Upcoming events to network and learn

Wednesday 5th June – 4pm to 6pm for Networking and Talks at The Foundry, Poole
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar...

Wednesday 12th June – 4pm to 6pm for FSB Talks: Southampton at Eagle Labs
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar...

Our full events calendar is available here https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar...

Another of our fabulous speakers is Tom Vaughton of Varn, who will be featuring at our 'Make Your Business Fly' at the Army Flying Museum, Stockbridge on 24th April.

Tom will be talking about 'Getting your business visible online' as part of our great line up of talks aimed at self employed and small business owners.

You can read about all our speakers and their topics and book your free place here: https://go.fsb.org.uk/3RGqdow

🔊 Attention everyone! I'm delighted to unveil another of our brilliant speakers for 'Make your Business Fly' on 24th April at the Army Flying Museum.

The fantastic Jeremy Mason - Video Creation Coach will join our programme of speakers.

Jeremy will give you clarity around how to create effective video - that will deliver Return on Investment (ROI) for your business.

Takeaways:
Why you should be making video
How to start making video now
How to create video with your audience in mind
How to talk about the right thing, at the right time, to the right people
Where to get more video support

You can book your FREE place to attend here: https://go.fsb.org.uk/3RGqdow

Here is one of our speakers at our upcoming - Nicky Rudd, Padua Communications, explaining her topic... 'Lift off your small business marketing' and the takeaways that you'll be able to apply to your business...

Our Business Bootcamp is coming up on 24 April at Army Flying Museum - we hope to see you there!

You can book your free place here: https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/fsb-business-bootcamp-make-you-business-fly-24042024.html

I am DELIGHTED to announce another of our amazing guest speakers for hashtag at Army Flying Museum on 24th April...

James West and Kelly West from ONLE Networking will not only be sponsoring the Bootcamp's Networking Lunch, but will be talking about how you can cut through the noise and gain attention for your business without shouting!

The Bootcamp is FREE for all self employed and small business owners and we look forward to an exciting day, packed full of tips, advice and opportunities to learn and develop your business!

You can see our line-up on the booking page here: https://go.fsb.org.uk/3RGqdow