In summary
This month we’re gearing up for the 10th Leicester Business Festival, while neither rain nor puddles could dampen the spirits of the business owners who braved the rain to meet for Networking at the Farm. This month our local lobbying and campaigning continues on high streets, rural businesses, and innovation support. We’re always looking for local FSB ambassadors to help raise awareness of our work, get in touch if you can help.
Featured news and events
Leicestershire Business Festival programme launches
The Leicester Business Festival is an annual fortnight of business events, held right across Leicester and Leicestershire in the Autumn. In it’s tenth year, the 2024 festival will run from November 4th to 15th, featuring over 70 business events.
The core aim of Leicester Business Festival is to celebrate the work that businesses in the region do. It is an opportunity for organisations to share their expertise and knowledge to create forums for networking and growth.
Events are free and anyone can attend. They vary in type, structure and size, across digital and in-person platforms, and from workshops and seminars to product demonstrations, showroom tours and round table debates, to name but a few!
FSBs Jennifer Thomas has been involved since the first year of the Festival, and now sits on the board of the LBF Community Interest Company. She said “An enormous amount of work goes into the business festival each year to bring opportunities to businesses across the whole county. I would encourage everyone to take a look at all the free events going on, and get involved. Whether you’ve got time to attend a range of face to face events or just to get involved in the conversation on social media, take advantage of the activity and help keep the spotlight on our region!”
DON'T MISS! 30th January
FSB Business Bootcamp: New Year Refresher- The biggest event of the local FSB calendar, be part of a room full of business owners and entrepreneurs. Discounted FSB member and earlybird tickets, plus Expo stands and sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Jennifer Thomas for more sponsorship information.
The day features two events, Breakfast Speed Networking and the Business Bootcamp full day programme. We had a packed room of 100 business owners in 2024, this is not to be missed- Energise, Strategise Thrive! Fuel your Mind, Body and Business for 2025.
In other news
Work starts on Leicester and Leicestershire Business Board
The newly-formed Leicester and Leicestershire Business Board (LLBSP) has held its inaugural meeting.
Senior leaders came together at City Hall this month to represent local authorities, business, education, and the third sector, with local Development Manager Jennifer Thomas representing small businesses and the FSB.
The Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership (LLBSP) is a collaborative initiative led by the city and county councils, designed to enhance the economic growth, business support and development, and skills improvement within the Leicester and Leicestershire region. By strategically planning and implementing initiatives, facilitating collaboration, advocating for regional interests, and supporting innovation, the partnership aims to create a thriving economic environment that benefits businesses, individuals, and the community at large.
Jennifer will be representing the FSBs two thousand members in the county, as well as the wider small business and self-employed community. Learnings and evidence from the FSBs regular research and member engagement activity will be key to this, so please continue to take part in FSB surveys and events and contact us with any issues to raise.
South Midlands devolution bid on the cards for Northamptonshire
North and West Northamptonshire Councils have partnered with four other authorities in the South Midlands on an expression of interest to Government toward devolution.
Government announced in July that devolution would be a central strand for boosting economic growth inviting local leaders to identify regional partnerships which could benefit from enhanced powers in areas such as transport, housing, skills and employment.
Councils in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and North and West Northamptonshire have successfully worked together for many years as part of the Central Area Growth Board, more recently becoming the South Midlands Authorities (SMA). They have worked jointly on a submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
As well as enhanced powers, a devolution deal could also leverage in millions of pounds of future investment into the area.
Following on from the expression of interest, government will produce a framework which will provide more detail on how and when devolution could become a reality and what the specific benefits could be for the SMA.
Both North and West Northamptonshire Councils, along with the other four SMA authorities, have already approved the establishment of a Joint Committee governance model for the area as part of their South Midlands Authorities management of the former Local Enterprise Partnership functions.
The new governance model replaces the current Central Area Growth Board and in particular its decision-making powers.
More information and quotes from Northamptonshire council leaders here.
The Small Business Index survey for Q3 is now live and we need your views!
Your intel and ideas help form crucial policy recommendations to decision-makers. The findings of our comprehensive research set out small firms’ recent performance, current circumstances and future aspirations. FSB members check your email inbox for your survey link.
Q2 results reminder:
The SBI survey results In Q2 2024 showed the level of confidence of regional small businesses in the East Midlands declined significantly. It had turned positive in Q1, following seven consecutive quarters of negative results. However, Q2 saw confidence back in negative territory and below the national average. It is of course concerning to see overall levels of confidence amongst the region’s small businesses declining again, after the positive upturn recorded in Q1 2024. We wait to see the results of Q3 to see if the period since the election has raised members’ confidence. See the full Q2 report here:
FSB 6065 EMids SBI Q2 2024 Report.pdf
West Northamptonshire Council Seeks Small Business Input on Local Transport Plan
West Northamptonshire Council is urging local small businesses to provide feedback on its Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) before the consultation period ends on Thursday 17 October 2024.
The LTP outlines the Council’s vision for improving local transport infrastructure, with a focus on Connecting People Better, Shaping Healthier Places and Mobility Enabling Prosperity—all while working towards the goal of becoming Net Zero by 2045.
The plan includes 16 key policy areas and a series of short, medium, and long-term actions that will shape the region’s transport network over the next five years.
Business owners are encouraged to review the plan and share their insights, ensuring that the LTP meets the needs of local businesses and the wider community. FSB have provided feedback using our research on the importance of transport to small businesses, now it’s your opportunity as local businesses to share your insights.
To gather feedback, the Council is hosting a virtual drop-in session on Monday 23 September and an in-person session at Towcester Farmers Market on Friday 11 October.
Consultation documents and the online survey are available on the Council’s website, with hard copies available at local libraries.
For more information or to participate, visit here.
Business growth events launched
FSB has announced a new East Midlands business events programme featuring networking, expos and conferences to inform and create business opportunities for small businesses across the area. Here are a few upcoming opportunities in our local three county area:
10th October: The Big Business Event and Expo- Leicestershire and Rutland. Rutland Hall Hotel
12 November- Networking at Leicester Business Expo.
20 November - East Midlands Networking by FSB and HSBC- Castle Donington
30 January- Business Bootcamp: New year Refresher
For the latest FSB online and in person events across the UK, use FSBs events calendar or your FSB app.
Still in the news
The Future of High Streets revealed
Following months of research with members and council high street teams, FSB’s report on the future of high streets has been launched, and well received by councils and other policymakers who have been in touch with the local team requesting meetings and highlighting good practice.
FSB's Policy and Advocacy Chair Tina Mackenzie said "Our much-loved high streets have long been part of the cultural fabric of the UK. They have seen dramatic change over the decades, with the growth of chain stores, the introduction of out-of-town retail and supermarkets and the arrival of the internet all making their mark. High streets have evolved and will continue to do so, adapting to current challenges and our future needs."
The report is packed with recommendations for local and national government, around key issues such as business rates, tax, support schemes and parking, take a look at the report here and please help us by supporting our recommendations with your own examples or case studies, or simply share the social media messages from LinkedIn or Facebook amongst your networks.
Don't miss out on Government Funds and Support
The FSB is urging its members to check the funded business support programmes and grants from their local councils, before funding ends.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) have replaced the former EU funding which local business support activities relied upon. This funding has been allocated to each council to spend as they see most appropriate to their local community. FSB's local team has been urging our local councils to prioritise SME support and ensure that they communicate the opportunities to as many businesses as possible. The funding will end in March 2025 and there are still projects and grants live in many council areas. Examples including Melton and North Northamptonshire. Check your council’s website or social media, or contact Jennifer Thomas if you need help.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Leicsestershire, Northhamptonshire & Rutland is Jennifer Thomas. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email us: [email protected]
- follow us on x: @FSB_L_N_R
- follow us on Facebook: FSB.LeicsNorthantsRutland
- connect with me on LinkedIn: Jennifer Thomas