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| Harborough Business Update |
| Harborough District Council |
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Welcome to the Harborough Business Update. We provide a fortnightly overview of the latest business related news, initiatives and support packages.
For more information on COVID-19 support, visit the Invest in Harborough Website here. |
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Business Recovery Webinar |
Thursday 10 December 08:30 - 10:00. We are holding a Business Breakfast (without the breakfast!) online next week, to interact with and support businesses at the end of what has been a difficult year for all. Why not join us with a coffee and some cereal from 8:30am and leave with a better understanding of some of the major themes effecting businesses right now: - Funding support available for recovering businesses
- EU exit on 1 January
- Continued effects of the pandemic
- Supporting the town centre & local businesses and retailers
- More information on latest initiatives available to businesses
Our event is free to attend and open to all businesses, but particularly if you are - a Harborough District businesses looking to know more about business recovery support
- an independent retailer or town centre shop
- a business needing to prepare for the New Year and EU exit
- a businesses looking to connect and interact more closely with the Harborough District Council Economic Development Team
To find out more and register for this event, follow the link below. |
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Are you Ready? EU Exit: 1 January |
Evidence suggesting that many Leicestershire businesses might not be prepared for the end of the EU Exit transition period has led to calls to action from local community leaders. After officially leaving the EU earlier this year, Britain's transition period officially ends on January 1, 2021, bringing with it a raft of new rules that will apply to businesses from that date. The Local Resilience Forum (LRF) though is concerned that many Leicestershire and Rutland businesses have been so focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, that EU Exit has slipped off their radar completely. Complete the checklist here.
For more details on how to be prepared for 1 January, see the link below. |
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Grants for Businesses required to temporarily close |
If your business has been forced to close since the second national lockdown you will be eligible to apply for a grant to support businesses who pay NNDR (Business rates). This includes non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses who are to receive grants worth up to £3,000 a month under the local restrictions support grant (closed). For information on criteria or alternative grants, click the link below. |
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Our Virtual Advent Calendar is LIVE! |
As part of our Shop Local Campaign this Christmas, we will be highlighting a different local, independent small business each day throughout December.
If you are a retailer or small business and wish to share any offers, services or gift ideas do share with us via our email: business@harborough.gov.uk or send us a message on our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter pages.
To find out more about our Shop Local campaign and follow our Advent Calendar progress, click the link below. |
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Are you a retailer or high street business planning to run extended hours this December? |
We are encouraging local businesses in Harborough District to take advantage of the potential temporary impact longer opening hours may have for significant public interest of providing a safe retail environment in the lead up to Christmas. Any shops opening longer hours should continue to do so, whilst continuing to be considerate to any neighbours. Other shop trading and licensing restrictions that may apply – including Sunday trading - remain in place. For further information on regulations contact the Development Management team: planning@harborough.gov.uk |
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Good News Story: The Birth of a Business in Lockdown |
Like many businesses Sue and her partner were severely affected by the pandemic having recently just semi-retired and set up a couple of little businesses to keep active and busy!
Both of these ground to a halt due to lockdown so therefore they had no income.
After daily walks took them along the canal in Market Harborough they to notice how busy it was around this area.
Coffee is in the couple's blood and they could see a business opportunity to be had. Always up for having a go, they decided it was definitely something to explore.
They did the minimum of market research and due diligence and just went for it! They decided on a tricycle would be unique and a short ride to the canal.
After approaching the owners of the land for permission to trade they eventually received a licence.
So, at the beginning of June, Bespoke Coffee starting serving coffee, homemade cakes and ice cream to users of the canal towpath and surrounding areas.
After a while they decided to offer the pooches something too, being walked by the many dog walkers on the route - Doggy ice cream. It was an instant success and dogs would arrive well in advance of their owners for their delicious treat!
Sue and her partner have built up a loyal customer base over the summer and have decided to carry on (weather depending) all year round.
Bespoke Coffee has been a focus and lifeline during the pandemic providing an income and so much hope and enjoyment.
They are firm believers in supporting local businesses and working with other businesses to be part of a community.
In their words, "Covid-19 made (to coin a cliché) us think outside the box of how we could adapt using what skills and knowledge we had acquired over years of owning and running coffee shops and outside catering.
Now we are entering another lockdown but we are staying positive and hope we can offer the lovely people of Market Harborough their coffee fix and huge slice of cake! As for the doggies they can now devour a yummy pupcake!".
Bespoke Coffee is situated near the canal towpath by the old step bridge number 14, which is now the new road bridge into Wellington Place.
The business is run and owned by Sue Large and Jim Reavill and is open at weekends from 10am-3pm. You can find out more and see what they get up to by following them on Instagram and Facebook @bespokecoffeemh
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Small business Saturday is back for its 8th year!
Whether you are a retailer, wholesaler, family business, local shop, online business or small manufacturer, Small Business Saturday wants you to get involved.
The campaign has grown significantly each year with an estimated £800m spent in small businesses across the UK on 2019's Small Business Saturday, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day!
You can access their marketing pack for businesses, share your plans for the day on 5 September with Small business Saturday and register your business for FREE!
Find out more about how you can get involved! |
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Get in touch to arrange a 1-2-1 meeting with a member of our team. We offer support on a wide range of topics from funding opportunities to digital marketing and more. |
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Received this update from a friend? Subscribe to future editions of the Harborough Business Update here. There is an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email. |
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5 December 2020, All-day event |
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8 December 2020, 2pm - 4pm |
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10 December 2020, 8:30am - 10:30am |
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14 December 2020, 6pm - 8pm |
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26 January 2021 - 23 February 2021, - 5 week programme |
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Do you have any business news or articles you would like to share?
If so, please email and we will look to include in future editions. |
| For more regular updates please join us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn: |
| You can also visit us online to view the range of business support available. |
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| Harborough Business Update |
Harborough District Council
The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7AG UK |
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