Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
There are a number of Business Improvement Districts in Coventry and Warwickshire and the FSB urge its members to take an active role in their development.
Businesses are in control of a BID and have the opportunity to vote on its introduction and on how the money will be spent. It istherefore vital thatyou use your vote.
Note: If a BID is introduced all businesses within the BID area will be legally bound to pay a levy.
There are a number of BIDs already in place in our Region, including:
Coventry City Centre BID - CV One
Coventry City-wide BID - Coventry Best 4 Business - DISBANDED
Stratford Town Centre - Stratforward
Leamington Town Centre - Bid Leamington
Rugby Town Centre - Rugby BID
The following BIDs are currently being developed - so businesses in these areasmake sure you have your say - NOW!
Solihull Town Centre - Solihull BID
Nuneaton Town Centre - Nuneaton Town Centre Management
There have been 2 BIDs in our area that were proposed and received a negative vote from the business levy payers. These were in Bayton Road Industrial Estate and Warwick Town Centre.
Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust
Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust is a "not for profit" financial institution providing loan finance to organisations that can be seen to be improving the local economy.
Despite the Credit Crunch and the difficulties that manybusinesses find in raising loan capital at present they can still lend to enterprises needing loan capital to start, grow or develop - if your bank cannot help you then why not contact them and see how a CWRT loan could help.
They are partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Advantage West Midlands and by the Coalfields Regeneration Trustand their commercial loans are available to organisations and individuals who can convince them that theirbusiness plan is viable, they have the ability and intention to repaythe loan, their business will benefit the regionand that they have attempted to raise this finance from amain stream commercial lender.
For more information visit their website Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust.
Enterprise Centres in the Warwick District
Warwick District Council have launched a number of affordable office premises and creative workspaces, with specialist business support services offered as part of the service. The projects are devised to support new and high-growth businesses.
For more information visit WDC Business Enterprise
Fraud Factsheet
Recession brings enormous pressures to businesses and it may be tempting for small firms to treat fraud as the least of their worries. The risk of fraud to businesses is at its greatest in times of economic downturn. Big companies can be badly shaken by fraud; small ones can be destroyed.
Fraud prevention is an essential part of any recession survival strategy.
The Fraud Advisory Panel have produced a 2 page guide to help small businesses protect their business from fraud.
For more information view the FRAUD FACTSHEET
Protection Against Metal Thefts
As metal thefts continue to be a problem for our members, Warwickshire Police have put together three crime reduction factsheets that will help you safely store and prevent metal thefts.
The factsheets can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
1. Metal Theft Advice - Contacts
2. Metal Theft Crime Prevention Advice
3. Metal Theft Crime Prevention Advice for Metal Storage Businesses
Protection Against Fuel Thefts
As fuel prices rise, so does the number of fuel thefts. Fuel is being stolen from vehicles and storage tanks by the use of siphoning equipment that can vary from the basic tube to more sophisticated arrangements involving pumps, and the cutting of fuel lines.
View Warwickshire Police's Fuel Theft Factsheet, to find out more about how you can limit your chance of being a victim.
Business Rates
The Warwickshire and Coventry region of the FSB is warning businesses in the area to make sure they apply for the Rating Relief they are entitled to.
Previously, it was proposed that only firms with a single property of a rateable value under £10,000 would be granted any rates relief.
Information - Small Business Rate Relief