Are you a business leader responsible for the development and delivery of the company business plan? Would you benefit from guidance on producing the ideal business plan for your company? Join Locate East Sussex for their free business planning programme running from 3 February – 10 March 2021. Led by […]
Have you got a great business idea for 2021 but don’t know where to start?
Future entrepreneurs in the Lewes district are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Local Enterprise & Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP) business start-up programme. Applicants will access a package of tailored support and be in with a chance to win a £2,500 grant to start their business. This free programme is funded by Lewes District […]
Ice Cream Concession on Seaford Promenade available for Tender
Seaford Town Council is pleased to invite tenders for a mobile ice cream concession on Seaford’s popular seafront. Seaford Town Council’s highly sought-after Mobile Ice Cream Concession spot, situated on Marine Parade at Bönningstedt Promenade, is available for tender. Bönningstedt Promenade is placed along the western part of the two-mile […]
Maria Caulfield MP welcomes new support for businesses
Lewes MP Maria Caulfield has welcomed new support for businesses announced by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak. The government have already set out the economic package of support for businesses over the Winter, including monthly grants for closed businesses worth up to £3,000 per month, extending the furlough scheme to April […]
New website launches to support local manufacturers
Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council have launched a new website to promote local manufacturers. The new website – www.makelocal.info – showcases manufacturers across different sectors including food and beverage, plastics, chemical and pharmaceutical. Manufacturing is well represented across Lewes District and Eastbourne with a higher percentage of commercial space dedicated […]
SETTING UP SMEs FOR CHRISTMAS
● SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, 65% OF BUSINESS OWNERS FEEL THEIR BUSINESS HAS BECOME BETTER AT COMMUNICATING, WITH 23% AGREEING THAT NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS ALLOWED STAFF TO WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY ● 37% OF STAFF PLAN TO WORK IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THAN THEIR USUAL REMOTE ENVIRONMENT THROUGHOUT THE CHRISTMAS & NEW […]
NEARLY 5,000 JOBS TO BE SAVED AT PEACOCKS IF MANAGEMENT BUY-OUT GETS GO AHEAD
This could be some good news for our local stores. A management buy-out (MBO) proposal has been submitted to the administrators of fashion retailer Peacocks and if successful has the potential to prevent UK-wide store closures and save 4,908 people from redundancy. The bid from a senior eCommerce manager at […]
Greens call for extra support for small business hit by Covid
Lewes District Green Party has called for additional measures to support small businesses that have suffered heavy losses during the coronavirus pandemic, ahead of Small Business Saturday this weekend. As small companies across the district struggle to keep afloat due to the pandemic, local Greens have called for a five […]
New website launches to support local manufacturers
Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council have launched a new website to promote local manufacturers. The new website (makelocal.info) showcases manufacturers across different sectors including food and beverage, plastics, chemical and pharmaceutical. Manufacturing is well represented across Lewes District and Eastbourne with a higher percentage of commercial space dedicated […]
Free business support programme for heritage organisations Heritage Compass is a a brand-new business support programme which will help 150 small and medium-sized heritage organisations from across England to grow and sustain their businesses. Over two years, the programme will be offering tailored training, mentoring, peer learning and strategy development, […]
Applications invited for latest Covid-19 business grants
The application process for the recently announced Local Restriction Support Grants is now open and can be accessed via the Eastbourne Borough Council. Businesses that the government have said must close during the current lockdown can apply for grants of up to £3,000 per month. The criteria for the scheme […]
East Sussex Visitor Summit – Tuesday 24 November at 10am
Ask the experts how they are handling the latest Covid-19 situation This free virtual summit brings together hospitality experts who will be asked by by Rob Cottrill, Chief Executive of Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils on how they built their businesses, and how they are coping with a second […]
Who to contact for business advice
If you need help understanding the schemes put in place to help businesses through the current COVID-19 situation contact Business East Sussex on 01273 335878 or visit southeastbusiness.org.uk/east-sussex. A business advisor will also be able to help you on a one to one basis on a range of matters including business […]
Live Q&A: Support for Businesses and help available through the Community Hubs | Thursday 5 November at 10am
Do note the new day! The weekly Live Q&A will take place on Thursday 5 November at 10am this week, to coincide with the first day of the new lockdown period. This week’s session will focus on the support available for businesses affected by Covid-19, for which Cllr James MacCleary will be joined by […]
How is your business doing in the current climate?
Your Eastbourne BID, the business-led, business-funded initiative to improve and enhance Eastbourne town centre has launched a business survey. They want to understand your current situation, growth prospects, and where you feel you might need further support. Next month, they will be holding a webinar with Caroline Ansell MP and […]
Got a new business idea? Here is what to do next
To give local residents and businesses more choice in accessing their business support services, Edeal has launched a series of free bite size webinars, and is hosting a free and Covid-secure business start-up workshop in Eastbourne on Monday 16 November. Edeal is funded by Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils to provide free […]
Apply now for the next LEAP business start-up programme
Have you got a great business idea but don’t know where to start? Future entrepreneurs from Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to take part in next year’s LEAP business start-up programme to access a package of tailored support, and to be in with a […]
Second recovery summit: Working together to support people affected by Covid-19 in Lewes district
The second recovery summit for Lewes district highlighted the importance of working together to create new jobs, a more skilled workforce and giving struggling people the support they need in the wake of Covid-19. It was hosted online by Councillor Zoe Nicholson( pictured), Deputy Leader of Lewes District Council, on Wednesday (October 14) to bring together local businesses and voluntary and […]
Series of webinar support for tourism businesses starting tomorrow
To help the tourism sector to rebuild, a series of webinars launching Wednesday 21 October has been created to deliver practical solutions and advice for those in the industry. The first of these webinars, Building Resilience: Seasonal Solutions for Tourism Businesses, will focus on the key to seasonal survival after […]
New networking events for the fashion, accessories and textiles sector
Starting on Tuesday 20 October, South East Creatives has organised two virtual networking events for small businesses and sole traders working in fashion, accessories and textiles.The events will facilitated by Mo Tomaney, Director of Wise Birds Network Ltd, and will cover securing more leads from social media and converting them […]
Forum returns to bring together Newhaven’s champions
After the first successful meeting in September, the Newhaven Enterprise Zone has organised another virtual Newhaven Champions meeting on Thursday 19 November, 4pm – 5.30pm.You’ll hear from fantastic speakers, get the latest on the developments for the town and help be a part of Newhaven’s story.For more information and to […]
The way you hire from the EU is changing
This is something important if you hire employees from the EU. Last week the Home Office launched a new campaign to help employers prepare for the introduction of the UK’s new points-based immigration system. Free movement is ending, and the new system will introduce job, salary and language requirements that […]
ChamberCustoms – Helping traders keep on trading
ChamberCustoms is the customs specialist advisory, training and HMRC compliant service delivered through Chambers of Commerce across the UK. It harnesses the reach, expertise and knowledge of the British Chamber network to offer an unbeatably fast, reliable and compliant service. They are also running four topical and interactive webinars, Countdown […]
Winter Economy Plan
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new package of measures to support businesses with the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It included: A new Job Support Scheme will be introduced from 1 November which will run for six monthsThe Self-employment Income Support Scheme will be extended until 30 April 2021.The temporary 15% […]
New “one-stop” website launches to help local independent shops
Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District Councils have launched a new website to promote the wide array of local independent shops in the area.Shop owners are being urged to sign up to the free website that has been designed to provide residents with a thorough directory of local independent shops across […]
LEAP of faith as council pledges support for business entrepreneurs
Lewes District Council has agreed to continue its business support programmes for a further three years. Cabinet councillors agreed that the Local Enterprise & Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP) had proved a great success, having supported and encouraged more than 250 local people with either a desire to start their own business […]
Yodel workers at depots in London and the South East vote by a landslide to reject pay increase offer and could take strike action in a further ballot.
YODEL staff working from depots in Hatfield, Hayes, Waltham Cross, Basildon & Borehamwood could decide to take strike action along with other staff in Yodel depots across the country over the offer of a disappointing pay rise. The company has put forward a two-year deal starting from July 2020 to […]
Call for business owners to hear about an exciting project in Newhaven
Local businesses and entrepreneurs are being invited to attend a virtual briefing about a potential new project on Railway Quay in Newhaven. A new project that is planned for the site would involve shipping containers being used to create the Railway Quay Hub. It is hoped that these would be used […]
Locate East Sussex continues to deliver support to grow the local economy
Locate East Sussex has smashed its performance targets for the three years up to April 2020, supporting 42 companies that have moved into East Sussex and helping a further 66 local companies expand into new premises.Attracting over 1,300 enquiries, the team delivered 69 tailored packages, each comprising 12 hours of […]
Free social media training for all local businesses
If you run a business or enterprise in Eastbourne or are thinking of starting-up a new venture, you could receive up to 2 hours social media training funded through Eastbourne Borough Council. Make sure your online marketing is working for your business or organisation with social media training. Provided by […]
Maria Caulfield MP welcomes Sussex Chamber of Commerce support for Kickstart scheme
Maria Caulfield MP has welcomed the support of the Sussex Chamber of Commerce for the government Kickstart scheme that plans to invest £2 billion to support young people into work. The Kickstart scheme is a £2 billion fund designed to create hundreds of thousands of high quality, 6-month work placements […]
Green Homes Grant
From next month, the new £2 billion Green Homes Grant will part fund low carbon home improvements for over 600,000 homes however, only registered installers can carry out the work. To take part, all tradespeople must register with TrustMark – the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme giving homeowners reassurance that businesses […]
Self Employed Income Support Scheme
Small and medium sized businesses in the Lewes District can now access Open4Business for free until 31 October 2020. The online funding portal is updated regularly with new local, regional and national funding announcements and can be easily searched by industry, region and business size. The portal then provides information […]
Culture Recovery Fund
For the latest funding streams available under the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund visit here www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-available-through-the-culture-recovery-fund. It includes the Culture Recovery Fund: Grants scheme administered by the Arts Council England. You can apply for this fund if you are a cultural organisation who is at imminent risk of failure. Round two […]
Maria Caulfield MP supports steps to bring key industries closer to trade negotiations
• Department for International Trade (DIT) steps up engagement with British industry and farmers as UK trade negotiations intensify • Eleven new trade advisory groups, covering a range of key sectors, established to provide knowledge and experience • Insight and expertise of top business people being used to inform UK […]
Covid-19 recovery: Council launches FREE fast-track planning advice for business
Lewes District Council has launched a new fast-track planning advice service for businesses to help them adapt quickly to the many challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Covid-19 crisis has created countless challenges for businesses and the council is helping to address these wherever it can. This latest council […]
Climate emergency: Sustainable Business Partnership and 3VA to lead Community Forum
Lewes District Council has appointed the Sustainable Business Partnership Community Interest Company (CIC) and 3VA to lead the Lewes District Council Climate Forum. Designed to enable district-wide ownership of the climate emergency, it is hoped the forum will help focus climate and sustainability issues in the district and provide support […]
Florist scoops £2,500 to grow budding new business
An entrepreneurial florist has won £2,500 towards her new business start-up in the first ever ‘virtual’ final of the Local Enterprise and Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP) annual award. Clare Smith beat the other finalists who all had to present their business plans to a panel of judges in a Dragon’s Den-style competition, which was held online this year due […]
Free licences for outdoor seating to support Lewes district businesses
Lewes and Eastbourne District Councils have announced that hospitality businesses in the district can now apply for free to place seats and tables outside their premises like the Riverside, Lewes in the picture. Businesses serving food and drink – such as pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, snack bars, and ice cream parlours – are […]
Councils’ innovative grants portal showcased for good practice
Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council have been recognised for supporting local business through innovation during the pandemic. The Local Government Association (LGA) has highlighted the councils’ dedicated portal that delivers Covid-19 business grants, as an example of good practice using a digital solution. The new portal was launched […]
Maria Caulfield MP urges Seaford residents to join Seaford Football Club local discount scheme
Maria Caulfield MP is urging residents in Seaford to support their local football club and local businesses by joining the new local community discount card scheme. The Seaford MP joined Seaford Town FC to launch the Community Card and handed out awards to players, alongside Seaford Town Mayor, Cllr Rodney […]