Sedgemoor Newsletter 15/11/2022

South West How’s Business Survey

Tourism businesses across the South West are urged to complete a survey regarding their performance.

This is the only survey that provides a real time indication of business levels in our region and with limited national data and hardly any regional data available since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever that we try to collect robust, local data regarding business performance in the South West.

The importance is underlined by the feedback received so far this year which suggests that for many businesses it has continued to be another very challenging year to date for our industry.

Fix a date with Fixy

Businesses in Somerset are invited to Fix a date with Fixy and benefit from the new initiative helping prevent electronic and smart tech from going to waste.

Fixy is encouraging sustainable consumption and promoting the repair and reuse of electricals and smart tech.

Any tech items your company no longer needs or aren’t working can be donated, either to the Fixy van when it visits your area or at a designated drop-off point.

Fixy’s partner company, DonateIT will repair or refurbish the items, making sure they are in full working order before giving them to people that need them. If they cannot be fixed, they will be recycled responsibly.  Donate IT securely cleans all memory so no data is left on the devices. It then donates items to school children, refugees, the elderly and isolated people, helping address the digital divide.

Items accepted include smart phones, laptops, tablets, digital cameras, PCs, hard drives, servers and routers, and relevant power cables.

Businesses can also arrange a visit from Fixy at which Coordinator Rob can:

•      Take one-off donations of unwanted electrical/smart tech
•      Host a one-off smart tech amnesty for your staff to bring in items from home
•      Talk to staff about repair and reuse opportunities at Somerset’s network of repair cafes.

Making VAT Digital

VAT-registered businesses must use Making Tax Digital compatible software for their VAT returns from 1 November 2022.

By law, all VAT-registered businesses must now sign up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) and use compatible software to keep their VAT records and file their returns.

If businesses do not file their VAT returns through MTD-compatible software, they may have to pay a penalty. Even if a business currently keeps digital records, they must check their software is MTD compatible and sign up for MTD before filing their next return.

Innovation Loans

A new round of IUK’s Innovation Loans Future Economy Competition Launched

Innovate UK is offering loans between £100,000 and £2 million to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome barriers to their innovations becoming a successful, commercial reality.

The aim is to make a considerable economic impact which results in significant, sustainable business growth. Loans are for highly innovative late stage research and development (R&D) projects with the best potential for the future. There should be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.

The deadline for applications is 9 November 2022.

Volunteer opportunities helping schools and colleges shape futures

Somerset is part of Heart of the South West Careers Hub, the Hub is looking for employee volunteer Enterprise Advisers to support a local school or College in developing their careers programme.

With support from the careers hub team, you’ll use your skills, experience and networks to support a school to develop a strong careers programme to guide students in considering their next steps in life.

Click below to find out more about this rewarding role.

International Trade Week

From 31 October to 4 November 2022, International Trade Week is back and set to showcase a brand-new series of events designed to help businesses of all shapes and sizes maximise their global potential.

One year on from the launch of the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Export Strategy, these events will help businesses understand how to capitalise on opportunities secured by our new trade deals.

Businesses will be able to find out more about key Export Strategy initiatives, such as the Export Support Service and the Export Academy.

Thanks to our partners from across the business community, businesses of all sizes can also get practical advice on how to unlock their global potential.

Look out for highlights including:

• Export Academy LIVE!
• Green Trade and Investment Expo
• Growing your Agri-Tech Business – Does your business have what it takes to take flight?
• DIT Education Day
• DHL Global Trade Webinar on trading with Canada
• The Export Shed: Leveraging the benefits of the Japan Free Trade Agreement
• Exporting – hassle or high income?

Events will take place in-person and virtually, providing helpful and informative advice on how to trade internationally or expand your global footprint. Please register your details to sign up to the events on offer.

Somerset Net Zero Business Workshops

Following the Somerset Business Climate Summit there are several FREE workshops being held across Somerset between October and December 2022 as part of ongoing networking and best practice sharing for Somerset businesses offering insightful practical steps to reducing your carbon footprint and becoming more sustainable:

Sustainable Future Food Business

Thursday 3rd November, 9.30am -12.30pm, J24, Bridgwater

Led by The Field Works and Maia Growth. A fast-paced half-day session through 5 modules covering customers, community, colleagues, governance and the planet.

Book here

Sustainable Transport for Business

Wednesday 16th November, 9am – 1.30pm, Yeovil Innovation Centre

This event gives the opportunity for businesses to consider transport developments and actions to achieve sustainable transport solutions.

Book here

Building Greener Businesses, one habit at a time

Monday 28th November, 10am – 12noon, Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton

Led by My Carbon Coach. This workshop will explore some of the changes you can make on a daily basis within your business that will reduce your carbon footprint and add more depth to your sustainability policy.

Book here

Net Zero and Sustainability for Business

Friday 9th December, 10am – 12noon. Albert Goodman, Taunton

Led by Albert Goodman and SCC. This workshop will provide an introduction to net zero and the different scopes of carbon emissions as well as some discussion around why this is relevant to all businesses. We will also review wider sustainability regulations, and goals, outside of just carbon enabling all organisations to find an area of sustainability which could become a focus for their business.

Book here