In summary
Here is a round up of business news and business support initiatives in the Surrey region. Don’t forget to come along to one of our events, meet the team, share your business story and network with other local members.
We have some great events coming up and I hope to see you at one soon!
Featured news and events
New M25 Closure dates announced for A3 Wisley Interchange
National Highways is closing slips roads at the M25 junction 10 gyratory for three weekends this autumn. Both the M25 and A3 will remain open during these weekends, but drivers will not be able to leave or join the M25 or A3 at junction 10.
Dates for the three weekends are:
- 9pm Friday 4 to 6am Monday 7 October - closure of all J10 M25 and A3 exits.
- 9pm Friday 18 to 6am Monday 21 October closure of all J10 M25 and A3 exits.
- 9pm Friday 1 to 6am Monday 4 November closure of the M25 east and westbound to A3 North bound movement. Post completion all movements return to operation.
The first and second weekend slip road disruptions involve closing all slip roads at Junction 10. The third weekend involves closing only the M25 east and westbound slip roads to the A3 northbound.
These disruptions are required to build the new elongated J10 gyratory which will connect and overlay sections of the existing gyratory. These works will allow all four M25 jet lanes to become operational. Delays are likely particularly on the M25. These are likely to be at both J9 and J11 and Painshill
For more information: M25 junction 10 - National Highways
Surrey Networking, by FSB and HSBC
You are invited to attend our networking breakfast event at the fantastic Login Lounge in Camberley, a multipurpose dynamic venue that offers co-working, café, bar and live events venue.
In partnership with HSBC and FSB, come and join us to meet other small business owners and grow your business network at this relaxed event.
The event is free and open to members and non-members.
The event will take place at Login Lounge, 34 Park Street, Camberley, GU15 3PL from 8am with tea & coffee and pastries available free of charge at the venue.
Find out more and register here.
In other news
Surrey businesses gain a greater voice in local economic decision-making
Businesses across Surrey now have a much greater voice in guiding the growth of the county’s economy thanks to the relaunched and revitalised Surrey Business Leaders Forum.
Just weeks after the government handed Surrey County Council greater strategic powers to support economic development across the county, steps have been taken to ensure the private sector has a stronger voice and is right at the heart of local decision-making.
The Surrey Business Leaders Forum brings together close to 40 individuals representing a diverse range of businesses.
From SMEs to Surrey-based multinationals, and including businesses from Surrey’s priority sectors alongside employer representative bodies including the FSB Surrey Development Manager
The Forum will be a driving force to help raise awareness of local business and economic needs. It will also act as a local business champion, ensuring businesses have a voice in decision-making that impacts the local economy.
Acting as an independent advisory group, the Forum will ensure businesses can input, challenge, and guide the Council’s approach to growing the economy.
Boost business performance by improving your staff’s number skills with Multiply
If your workforce doesn’t feel confident with numbers it could be holding your business back without you even realising it.
Studies have shown that almost half of the UK working population lack confidence using numbers – so it’s likely that this could apply to some of your own team. But upskilling your staff by improving their number skills can help reduce number-related errors, increase productivity, improve staff retention and even increase profits.
You can see the full list of available courses on the Multiply website.
If you’d like to find out more about arranging bespoke courses for your organisation, email [email protected]
Still in the news
Electric vehicle grants of up to £10,000 available for businesses
Businesses ready to make the switch from diesel vans to electric, and who use the A3 regularly, can apply for electric vehicle grants of up to £10,000 to help fund the purchase.
The A3 Electric Vehicle (EV) grants for electric vans offer £5,000 towards the cost of a small new electric van and £10,000 towards a medium or large electric van.
The A3 EV grant is being introduced to help lower air pollution levels on the A3 road by Guildford.
To be eligible for support, applicants must:
- own a roadworthy, business-insured diesel van;
- drive at least 3 single journeys a week or 150 per year on the A3 by Guildford, between Woodbridge Hill A25/A322 junction and A31 to Farnham junction.
If your business meets these criteria you can apply online on the Surrey County Council website before you purchase or lease your new electric vehicle through an accredited dealer.
You can apply for up to 10 grants per business per year.
Digital Skills Centre opens at Guildford College in boost to Surrey economy
A new Digital Skills Centre has opened at Guildford College as part of wider efforts to bolster digital and creative skills in Surrey.
National figures show there are currently 2,500 vacancies in data-related roles across the county.
Activate Learning – which runs Guildford College – is working with local employers and strategic bodies like Surrey County Council to address immediate and long-term skills shortages in the data, tech, and cyber sector.
The new cutting-edge Digital Skills Centre at Guildford College is key to those efforts. It has been developed with £800,000 funding from the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF).
More news and activity near you
- Kent and Medway
- Sussex
- More from FSB South East England
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Surrey is Tracey Carter. 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]
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- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Surrey