Following the first successful Harborough Go Green Business Convention in 2022, the event is back to share ideas, tools and resources to support your business on the journey to Net Zero!

The day will include a variety of sessions including an overview of Net Zero Leicestershire, realising the impact of your digital carbon footprint, support from local universities and more! The full agenda is to be announced soon. 

This is also a great opportunity to network with like minded businesses in the Harborough District.

This event is free and open to all businesses in the Harborough District. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided.

Last week, on T Level Thursday as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, a package of significant additional funding was announced to support T Level providers and employers. 

These include: 

• A one-year Employer Support Fund to enable providers to reimburse employers for costs incurred in delivering Industry Placements in the 2023-24 financial year, worth around £12m

• Careers Guidance Funding for T Level Providers - the government are giving all providers delivering T Levels in the 2023/24 academic year a one-off grant to support the provision of additional careers guidance

• A 10% Uplift on T Level funding for the 2023-4 Academic Year - worth around £30m. Providers will see this in their 16-19 funding allocations 

• At least £80m in Specialist Equipment Allocation to be allocated to providers delivering T Levels in 2023. Providers will receive a letter setting out their allocation later this month.

Enterprise Nation and VistaPrint have joined forces to provide a cash grant programme worth £150,000 that will help budding entrepreneurs grow their ventures. 

The programme will see 20 small businesses from across the UK each win £7,500, alongside marketing and design support and expertise, to help their business thrive. 

Twenty small businesses will each receive £7,500, as well as:

• A free subscription for 12 months to VistaCreate Pro, Vista's graphic design software

• £500 to spend on VistaPrint UK site

• Access to 99designs by Vista silver logo and brand guide package

Call for details of Analysis, Programmes and Support facilities on 01788 860879 or reach Kathy direct on 07770 583223

The Business Gateway is working with Microsoft to provide free productivity tools aimed at micro, small and medium-sized businesses from any sector.

The new initiative is a suite of free resources, including advice and training, made available by Microsoft to support small business productivity.

The resources support technology and software, from the thought stage through to implementation and training of your team via virtual workshops, online courses and thought leadership material. Support ranges from everyday Office tools to complex transformations – including everything in between.

Visit the Microsoft Small Business Resource Centre or book a business consultation below. The resources are available to all so please share them across your networks.

Small business resource center:  https://aka.ms/LEPSMB
Business Consultations: https://aka.ms/LEPConsultation

Many businesses already have Microsoft products available yet do not utilise these to their optimum potential.  This initiative will go some way to addressing that and allow SMEs to use these tools to their full capability, with ongoing learning available via monthly newsletters and virtual workshops.

In addition, businesses will also have an opportunity for one-to-one business consultations with a Microsoft Business Adviser to identify their specific needs and tailor their requirements.

Harborough District Council is adopting a new Housing Enforcement Policy which outlines how it intends to tackle non compliance with housing related legislation. The policy states the legislative powers available to the Council and its incremental approach to enforcement.

The Housing Enforcement Policy, which aims to ensure that there is transparency for owners, landlords, agents and tenants of private sector and social housing properties, does not place any additional legislative burden on landlords who should already be compliant with the relevant legislation.

As well as the Housing Enforcement Policy, the Council is looking to introduce financial penalties as an alternative to prosecution for specific offences under the Housing Act 2004. The Civil Penalties Policy sets out the financial penalty calculation methodology.

People can have their say on the consultation until 8 March 2023.

Local entrepreneur Imogen Watts successfully received financial support for her new business venture, Wright Studios, through The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free business loan. 

“I am so grateful that I found The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity”, Imogen began when discussing the impact of the Charity on her business.

“I was working at a jewellers in Leicester as a sales assistant. I enjoyed my time at the jewellers, but I knew it wasn’t a forever role for me. However, I was lucky enough to have access to a very small office space that I could use as a studio and started photographing families, children, and babies on the side of my full-time job.

“Now, as I got busier with this, I knew it was time to take the plunge and start looking into the process of setting up a fully functioning studio and making it my full-time job. This is when I found STWLC. With their help, I was able to set up Wright Studios.”

To learn more about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free business loans, which are available up to the value of £20,000, please click here.

The Harborough Big Comedy Weekend is returning for 2023 as the Leicester Comedy Festival celebrates thirty years of laughter!

Plans are set to get you laughing and entertain you with various acts, artists and shows returning across a host of venues and locations in Harborough District from 11 - 20 February 2023, including the popular shows at the transformed Harborough Market Hall!