business

March 16 2020

Government has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses including:

a statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs
a Business Rate Relief for small businesses and pubs
small business grant funding of £3,000 for all business in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) and Rural Rates Relief
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support long-term viable businesses who may need to respond to cash-flow pressures by seeking additional finance
the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

Find out more

March 12 2020

Growth Curve is a fully funded programme for high growth businesses based in the South East Midlands

Providing a minimum of 12-hours of tailored support, clients receive a mix of one-to-one meetings with high growth business advisers, a university masterclass with access to the programme peer-to-peer network upon completion.

The masterclasses are run in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire, Cranfield University and University of Northampton. They each provide a different syllabus that is tailored to the business stage and experience of the client attending to ensure maximum learning to bring back to the business. Your High Growth Business Adviser will work with you to identify the course that is right for you. Find out more

March 12 2020

Have your say on future training available to businesses and employers in the South East Midlands and Northamptonshire

South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and the Skills Support for the Workforce programme are currently undertaking research with businesses in the region. This survey asks about digital skills shortages and gaps that may exist within your business and the training that may be required as a result both now and in the future.

Your feedback will help to inform the region’s future skills strategy, funding and what interventions may be needed in the future to deliver relevant, funded skills-based training in your area.

We welcome contributions from a range of organisations, from start-ups to well established businesses, operating in every sector. As the recipients of future skills training, employers are vital in informing this survey. This is a real opportunity for employers to influence the future skills development and support in the region.

Serco, who deliver the SSW programme in the area, have commissioned Winning Moves, a social and economic research company, to gather this information. This survey will close on Tuesday, 31^st March 2020.

Take the survey

BOOK NOW

February 10 2020

A day of inspiring talks, networking and market place event designed to get your business idea off to a flying start!

Don’t miss out on this great event at Kettering Library on the 26 March 9:30am – 1:30pm. You can visit for a particular event or stay the whole day, it’s up to you. Book onto the event

Agenda:-

Welcome, networking and refreshments – 9:30am to 10am

Arrive early to network and secure your seats.

How to make your branding stand out in a crowded market place – 10am to 10:45am

Trudie Avery, owner of Avery Creative will explain how to attract the right clients or customers to your business start-up through your branding and design.

How to borrow for your business – 11am to 11:45am

Finance is an important consideration for successful startups but many entrepreneurs have limited knowledge of finance and the sources of funding available to them. Jacquie Impey, owner of Absolute Business Consulting LTD will explain the reasons why businesses need to borrow and the type of facilities that are available including matching the facility to the need.

How to succeed in business – 12:00pm to 12:45pm

Marie Baker, of Poppy Design Studio, a successful Northamptonshire business will be talking about her business journey and how the company got to where it is today.

Networking and market place event – 12:45pm to 1:30pm

November 15 2019

Applications open for Business, Food and tourism funding

Applications are now open for the The RDPE Growth Programme, which provides funding for projects in England that create jobs and growth in the rural economy. Under the RDPE Growth Programme, there are grants available to businesses for:

Business Development: Helping small rural businesses grow and create more jobs.
Food Processing: Helping businesses to grow and creating more jobs

Rural Tourism Infrastructure: encouraging more tourists to come, to stay longer and to spend more money in rural areas

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) delivers the grants, working with ESIF sub-committees in Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) areas. RPA’s role is to assess applications for grants, with advice from the ESIF sub-committees. SEMLEP’s role is to decide local priorities for the grants.

Find out more about local priorities and how to apply

October 14 2019

SEMLEP launches business survey

The 2019 Business Survey aims to gather views of a representative sample of over 1,500 businesses on a range of issues about economic performance and the future of the South East Midlands’ economy.

What’s the survey for?

The results of the survey will inform the area’s priorities for government-funded investments and interventions made to strengthen the area’s economy. The results will be used to help them shape local economic strategies and initiatives.

Questions asked will focus on what you think about local economic and business issues, what’s good and works well for you and, what can be improved. This survey is a chance for you to talk about how you want to grow and what you need from your Local Enterprise Partnership, Growth Hub, local councils and partners to help you achieve it.

We encourage all businesses contacted to participate in this telephone interview to ensure your business views contribute to future investment decisions made. Businesses of all different sizes and sectors will be called throughout October and November 2019. We anticipate the survey to take approximately 25 minutes.

Businesses can also contribute views via an online version of the survey, open until 8th November. To contribute, please click here: Business Survey 2019

October 14 2019

Businesses recognised at Kettering Awards

Businesses from across Kettering Borough have been recognised at the annual Kettering Awards at the R Inn Bar & Grill in Desborough.

Over 130 people were treated to an enjoyable evening of entertainment and fun, and, of course, recognised for their efforts this year by receiving Awards across ten categories.

Opening the evening was Paul Jackson from Kettering Community Unit who will receive the proceeds of the evening promptly followed by the Mayor of Kettering, Cllr Keli Watts and Event Sponsor Robyn Allen from Robyn Allen Solutions.

Enterprise Kettering were delighted to sponsor Community Business Of the Year award and Cllr Mark Dearing presented the winner’s award to Mama Baby Bliss.

Founder Simon Cox said “It was a fantastic event celebrating the success of local business. Thank you to everyone who made the event happen this year with the time, effort and sponsorship and we’ve already started planning next year’s event already so watch this space!”

The Full List of Winners, Runners Up and Finalists are here:

Business of the Year sponsored by the R Inn Bar & Grill

Winner – The Holiday Inn Express

Runner Up – Edmundson Electrical

Finalist – Renaissance Chauffeur Service

Community Business of the Year sponsored by Enterprise Kettering

Winner – Mama Baby Bliss Kettering

Runner Up – Kolaine Beauty Lounge

Employer of the Year sponsored by Holiday Inn Express

Winner – Beauty Bar Desborough

Runner Up – Kettering Park Hotel & Spa

Food and Drink Business of the Year sponsored by Feakins of Kettering

Winner – The R Inn Bar & Grill

Runner Up – The Little Country Smokehouse

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year sponsored by Hair by DG

Winner – Hair & Beauty @ Juncti8n

Runner Up – Allure Hair Extensions & Beauty

Finalist – The Mews Hair and Beauty

Health & Fitness Business of the Year sponsored by Jollyes The Pet Store

Winner – LW Dance

Runner Up – The Mark Method

Finalist – Wellness, Weight Management & Lifestyle Centre

Retailer of the Year sponsored by Cutting Edge Labels

Winner – Jollyes The Pet Store Kettering

Runner Up – The Film Cell

Finalist – Print N Go Shop

Small Business of the Year sponsored by The Federation of Small Businesses

Winner – Billionaires

Runner Up – Little Leaves

Tradesperson of the Year sponsored by Wellness, Weight Management & Lifestyle Centre

Winner – 365 Plumbing

Runner Up – Sew Special Soft Furnishings

September 12 2019

Coming to a place near you…..

The United Kingdom will leave the European Union on the 31 October 2019 and your business will need to take action to get ready.

Join us at a free Get Ready for Brexit business readiness event to meet Government advisers from HMRC, BEIS, DEFRA, Home Office, DIT and DCMS, and find out what your business needs to do to prepare. Sessions include Data and Brexit, Import, export and customs for business, and Employers of EU citizens

The events will combine a keynote address, interactive support, advice stands and in-depth sessions led by subject matter experts. They will provide you with specific business-focused advice and help.
Brexit Business Readiness Events will take place across the UK .
Join us at a location near you to get free help and advice to get your business ready for Brexit. Find Out more

August 23 2019

HMRC ALLOCATES EORI NUMBERS TO ALL POSSIBLE TRADERS

An EORI number is a European Union registration and identification number for businesses which undertake the import or export of goods into or out of the EU. These are essential for businesses who wish to trade with the EU after we leave.

Every business will need an EORI number to move goods into or out of the EU after Brexit. As many traders as possible will be automatically allocated an EORI number to enable them to trade smoothly once the UK leaves the EU on 31 October. HMRC is sending letters to all possible VAT-registered businesses to advise them of their assigned UK EORI number. If your business is not VAT-registered, you still need to register for an EORI number. Getting an EORI number is an easy process that takes 5-10 minutes. Get started here

August 23 2019

Social enterprises are businesses that are changing the world for the better. Like traditional businesses they aim to make a profit but it’s what they do with their profits that sets them apart – reinvesting or donating them to create positive social change. Social enterprises are in our communities and on our high streets – from coffee shops and cinemas, to pubs and leisure centres, banks and bus companies.

By selling goods and services in the open market, social enterprises create employment and reinvest their profits back into their business or the local community. This allows them to tackle social problems, improve people’s life chances, provide training and employment opportunities for those furthest from the market, support communities and help the environment.

Social enterprises exist in nearly every sector from consumer goods to healthcare, community energy to creative agencies, restaurants to facilities management. Well known examples include The Big Issue, Divine Chocolate and the Eden Project but there are over 100,000 social enterprises throughout the country contributing £60 billion to the economy and employing two million people.

They’re creating jobs and opportunities for those most marginalised from the workforce, transforming the communities they work in and making the Sustainable Development Goals a reality. It’s business for good and when they profit, society profits.

Inspire2 Enterprise provide expert local support for anyone looking to start, run, finance or partner with a social enterprise. Part of the University of Northampton, Inspire2Enterprise aims to promote all aspects of social entrepreneurship and champions those who are working to produce positive outcomes for their communities. Find out more