In summary
It’s hard to believe 2024 is coming to an end! It’s been an eventful year– we had the European Championships over the summer; the UK general election took place, and now we have a new government; and there was the US presidential election. We hope it’s been a positive one for you. To conclude this year, our regular events are planned this month. Hopefully see you at one of these events!
Featured news and events
FSB Scotland responds to Draft Scottish Budget
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland has welcomed the extension of business rates relief to most of Scotland’s hospitality sector, but condemned the failure to include small retail and leisure businesses as “a bitter pill to swallow.”
Read the full press release here.
Lanarkshire in-person networking event 17 December
Join our Lanarkshire #FSBConnect Networking this month as we celebrate our 50th year. An ideal opportunity to develop and grow your business contacts! This face-to-face meeting will be held at EK Collective, a local small business. It's free to attend and is open to FSB members and non-members. New FSB members are especially welcome. Book here.
In other news
Helping your businesses stay warm for less this winter
During colder months, even the smallest inefficiencies will waste hard-earned profits, increase carbon footprints, and impact a business and its staff’s comfort and productivity. So, to help businesses stay warm for less, Business Energy Scotland’s advisors have put together a new guide packed with quick and easy tips that businesses can start implementing right away to save energy and money. They are also offering a series of free training webinars designed to help businesses learn practical ways to reduce energy use, cut costs, and stay comfortable through the colder months. For more information, click here.
Glasgow City Centre Improvement Grant Fund
The Glasgow City Centre Improvement Grant Fund has been established to assist organisations and communities in Glasgow city centre to create meanwhile use spaces, deliver small projects, and undertake minor improvement works. The grant will fund proposals able to demonstrate a positive impact on the city centre, enhancing its attractiveness and inclusivity. The Improvement Grant Fund is designed to address two key issues: improving the look and feel of the city centre and finding productive uses for vacant property. The maximum grant amount will be £20,000.
Still in the news
Get up to £8,000 recruitment incentive through Glasgow Guarantee
Glasgow Guarantee is a highly regarded employment programme with a track record of supporting local businesses to recruit. If you are a Glasgow-based small business, the Glasgow Guarantee offers an Employer Recruitment Incentive that can be used to source a new member of staff or modern apprentice. For more information, click here.
Make sure your business benefits from the Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Card
With the festive shopping season arriving very soon, small businesses across Glasgow are being urged to ensure they can benefit from a multi-million-pound injection into the Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Card. The gift cards can only be spent with local businesses and are a way by which people can show their support for those around them, locking money into the local economy. Over £9m already loaded onto the Glasgow Gift Card to date, it could provide a significant boost for your business. But in order to benefit from that boost– and those of the Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Card, which can be bought by anyone– businesses must be registered to accept them. For more information, click here.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for the West of Scotland is Hisashi Kuboyama. 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: [email protected]
- follow us on X: @FSBHisashiK
- follow us on Facebook
- connect with me on LinkedIn: Hisashi Kuboyama