Helpline for firms affected by Carillion liquidation announced

On Monday 15 January it was announced that Wolverhampton-based Carillion was going into liquidation. The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has set up a dedicated helpline to support businesses that have been affected by this announcement. 
 
If you are a business and would like support or have any questions relating to the situation at Carillion, please call 01902 912322 or email carillionhelp@blackcountrychamber.co.uk.
 
The helpline comes on behalf of the Carillion taskforce, which includes representatives from the City of Wolverhampton Council, Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Department for Work and Pensions, West Midlands Combined Authority, Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
 
We urge all firms affected by the news to contact the helpline for support and guidance relating to the situation at Carillion. The Black Country Chamber of Commerce will be operating the helpline to support with the troubling time, sharing the latest updates of the situation as it develops, taking the key concerns to the Carillion taskforce group.

“WINNing Innovation” event comes to Wychavon

An event that aims to promote the innovative business activities being delivered in the region is coming to Wychavon in June.

WINN – which stands for Worcestershire Innovation – is the European funded programme delivered by Worcestershire County Council and their partners, which includes the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and district councils.

Great things happen when people get together, and the WINN programme acts as a catalyst and brings innovative people together so that they can connect and collaborate across the diverse business landscape in Worcestershire.

Wychavon’s WINNing Innovation event is taking place on Wednesday 13 June at Evesham Football Club, Cheltenham Rd, Evesham, WR11 2LZ from 5.30-8pm, refreshments will be provided.  View Map.

The event will highlight innovative activities being delivered in the region, whilst also covering the ‘hot topics’ that are on people’s minds.

The ‘hot topic’ sessions will each last 15 minutes and will be led by local businesses and organisations. The topics being covered will include:

• Idea generation (Blue Moon Creative)
• Intellectual property (Indelible IP)
• Collaboration and connections (WINN)
• Funding (British Business Bank)
• International growth (Department for International Trade).

Register now

Check out

Investing in Growth. Investing in Worcestershire

Are you an SME with plans to expand your business, develop new markets and create more jobs? Looking for the best source of Investment?

The Investing in Growth Programme will provide a bespoke support package for Worcestershire businesses to ensure they are investment ready in order that they may access local, regional and national funding programmes to reach their growth potential.

For more information, download the fact sheet  by clicking here.

Funding

The Deadline is approaching to express interest in the LEADER programme

The deadline is fast approaching for rural businesses and community groups to express their interest to receive funding from the Worcestershire LEADER programme.

The programme is delivered locally by the county and district councils as part of the Local Action Group on behalf of Defra and

is designed to help communities contribute to the local economy and help businesses to grow and create additional employment.

Expressions of Interest for the funding must be made before 25th May. After May the scheme will officially close and will remain closed, unless further funding becomes available.  The grants already awarded range from between £2,500 - £20,000 for capital equipment.

Many Wychavon businesses have benefitted from the programme including Spot Loggins.  An £11,660 grant from LEADER allowed Spot Loggins, a family-run ice cream company based in Worcestershire, to increase production four fold and take on two new workers.  Spot Loggins was founded in 2004 and produces luxury ice cream using organic milk from the 800-acre Bretforton House Farm.

Phoebe Appleby from Spot Loggins said:

"LEADER has enabled us to take a giant step forward. We were treading water as far as our business development was concerned. In order to move on we needed to invest in new equipment to enable us to produce more ice cream in less time which, in turn, enabling us to approach larger customers and increase our sales and turnover."

For more information regarding the project, please contact LEADER@worcestershire.gov.uk

New Start-up funding available

BCRS Business Loans is delighted to be able to offer its support to viable, post-revenue start-up businesses operating in the West Midlands and environs.

This has been made possible since being confirmed as manager of the West Midlands Small Business Loans fund for the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. As part of this commitment, BCRS Business Loans have been allocated £17 million to support the growth of start-up and existing businesses.

For more information, download the fact sheet by clicking here.

£60m farming productivity fund launched 7 February 2018

A new £60m grants scheme where farmers can bid for cash to buy new farm equipment has been announced by Farming Minister George Eustice.

Farmers can apply online to the Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme.  The page includes links to the Handbook and a portal to a very simple online application form.  Grants are available for a specified range of equipment.  DEFRA has listened to feedback, and has simplified the application process.  Applying online takes just a few minutes.  

The initial offer is for £15 million of small grants of between £3,000 and £12,000 for a range of equipment and technology to be used on farms with applications due in by 14 March 2018.  Applications will be scored after the closing date and DEFRA expect to be able to let applicants know soon afterwards whether they have been successful. 

The intention is that there will be further rounds of grants later in the year.

Further information about other Countryside Productivity grants can be found here.

Skills Support

Free Pesticide Spray Training at Pershore College.

Spray Operation - NPTC Level 2. For more information, click here

Useful information

Business Rates Consultation Presentations 2018

The annual Business Rates Consultation Breakfast meeting was held on Wednesday 24 January 2018. The presentations at this meeting can be downloaded as PDF's below.

Business Rates Update 2018-19

General Meeting Presentation

Worcestershire County Council Growth and Investment Team presentation

Wychavon District Council's Skills Officer presentation

Wychavon Business News e-newsletter

The Regeneration Team produce a regular newsletter, including updates on a variety of items including the latest activity, recent news, funding opportunities, networking events, important changes and other relevant communications.

To subscribe to this newsletter, please sign up by clicking here.

Our latest business services leaflet

An overview of the services  Wychavon District Council provides businesses in a convenient leaflet.

Contact

Details of the Regeneration Team