Watch a quick summary of this week's news from Nicky here:
Join FSB for free of charge networking and presentations at The Foundry, Poole
4pm to 6pm – Wednesday 6th March
We’re delighted to be hosting this event as part of a series of free in-person FSB events at the Eagle Lab - The Foundry, Poole. Everyone is welcome whether an FSB member or non-member. The session will include both opportunities to network and presentations focusing on local information and topics of interest.
This month, our speakers are Daniel J. Moore of Iron Dragon who will be speaking about ‘Building a Brand that Lasts’, and James West of ONLE Networking talking about ‘Networking: The Overlooked Marketing Superpower’.
Book your free place here.
Dorset Digital Skills Hub - Royal Arcade, Boscombe
- Employers’ Breakfast – ‘All you need to know about the 2024 labour market’
- Monday, March 4 8:30 - 10am at the Digital Skills Hub
- Join Kaddi and the team for a free breakfast and learn valuable info on the 2024 job market – tackle recruitment and ensure your business thrives in 2024! Book your free place here
- Monday afternoon Business Advice Clinics
- Weekly, 1-4pm at the Digital Skills Hub (Just turn up on the day)
- For skills development, support signposting and networking for enterprises in Boscombe and beyond. More information here.
Funding and support for Test Valley businesses
Test Valley Borough Council has a small economic development team and can be contacted at [email protected]. They produce a monthly newsletter ‘Business Matters’ which includes details of new initiatives and support as they arise. You can sign up to TVBC updates, selecting the ‘Business matters’ option, via this link.
The Council offers a number of business support services and grants:
- A free business support service Small business support service | Test Valley Borough Council.
- Small start-up grants for brand new full time businesses within the borough Business Incentive Grant | Test Valley Borough Council.
- Grants for businesses moving into vacant premises in Andover or Romsey town centres Independent Retailer Grant | Test Valley Borough Council.
- An advice service and small capital grants for rural businesses seeking to decarbonise Rural net zero support | Test Valley Borough Council and Net Zero Business Support (incuhive.co.uk)
- Capital grants for: small scale investments in rural micro and small enterprises; development and promotion of the visitor economy; and growth of the local social economy. Rural England Prosperity Fund | Test Valley Borough Council.
- An Andover Skills Training Fund for Andover businesses training Andover residents Andover Skills Training Fund | Test Valley Borough Council
- An events diary highlighting local networking and training opportunities Business Meetings and Events Diary | Test Valley Borough Council
*Please sign up to your local council’s business newsletter to hear about schemes in your area.
Bournemouth B2B Expo
7 March – 10am to 2pm The Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Join hundreds of local businesses at the Bournemouth Business Expo. Enjoy the opportunity to network with over 250 attendees from across Dorset at Bournemouth's largest business show, whilst exploring the exhibition packed with a variety of local exhibitors showcasing their services and promoting their latest products. As well as a busy exhibition, there will also be free seminars and workshops from Dorset's leading keynote and business speakers as well as a speed networking session. Book your free place here.
Booking links for our upcoming (free) events:
6 March 4pm to 6pm – Networking at The Foundry, Poole
8 March 9am to 10am - Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight Virtual Networking
22 March 9am to 10am - Hampshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight Virtual Networking
27 March – 9am to 10.30am – Networking at Basepoint, Havant
27th March – 4pm to 6pm – FSB Talks: Southampton (Eagle Lab)
24th April – 9.30am to 2pm - FSB Bootcamp ‘Make your business fly’ (The Army Flying Museum, Stockbridge)
