Welcome to the Harborough Business Bulletin. We provide a fortnightly overview of the latest business related news, initiatives and support packages.

The application deadline for the Harborough Rural Grant Scheme has been extended until Monday 30 October 2023. 

Applications submitted by the original deadline, 11 September 2023, will be reviewed with an outcome in September 2023 (Tranche 1). Applications submitted after 11 September and before 30 October 2023, will be reviewed in November 2023 (Tranche 2). If all funds are allocated in Tranche 1, the remaining applications will be reviewed and considered for the next round of funding which will be available from April 2024. 

Eligible businesses located in rural areas of Harborough District could benefit from capital grants between £5,000-£20,000 to support their business to diversify, innovate and grow. 

The grants are being managed and distributed by Harborough District Council using funding received from the government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund which is an extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

The grant covers four themes:

• Farm business diversification

• Innovation and growth

• Green technology/infrastructure

• Rural tourism

Business Gateway is a signposting service for businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire that are seeking advice, information and funding.

In their new video, Ed Tiernan introduces his business Cafe Ventoux, based in the beautiful rural village of Tugby. Cafe Ventoux is a destination cafe with a reputation in the cycling community for great drinks, tasty food and a friendly atmosphere. Ed talks about the advice and support he received through Business Gateway and how this has helped him build both his business and his customer experience.

Cafe Ventoux is also the location for the launch event of Taste the Place, a new campaign that puts Leicester and Leicestershire’s regional food, drink and tourism on the map! This exciting marketing campaign from Visit Leicester inspires and tickles the tastebuds of hungry visitors across 4 key themes:

Businesses across the East Midlands are being invited to learn how they can help the new HMP Fosse Way prison achieve its rehabilitation goals and recruit new members of the workforce at the same time.

The new Category C resettlement prison will cater for more than 1,700 inmates and focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration. Built on the site of the former Glen Parva Young Offenders Institution, its aim is to give prisoners the tools they need to re-join society and prevent re-offending. An important part of this is getting jobs and building skills and that's where businesses across the region come in. Serco are inviting businesses to learn how they can get involved in employing prisoners who are granted Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) as well as on release.

Representatives from firms who have already made that commitment will be on hand to explain their experience and answer questions.

The event is being held on Wednesday 11 October at HMP Fosse Way from 5.30pm to 7.30pm - booking is essential, to reserve a place email: shelley.drew@serco.com

Loughborough University is offering two types of internship programmes through its Talent Match service, designed to help organisations with their recruitment.

The Micro-Internship programme offers businesses support from their first and second year students for 50 hours on a very flexible basis over 4-8 weeks.

The Finalist Internship programme is an opportunity for organisations to take on final year students to work on a key project over a 100 hour internship between January and April.

These programmes allow students to gain valuable work experience while providing businesses with extra support and the chance to 'try before you buy.'

The University also offers Talent Match+, a bespoke tailored recruitment service for organisations looking to recruit students or graduates for short-term internships, year placements, or graduate level roles.

Leading innovation firms, technology businesses and research organisations have been invited to showcase their innovations at the entrance to the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) headquarters, as part of the department’s plans to champion innovation and the pioneering work of UK industry and academia.

The department is marking its six-month anniversary with an invite to businesses and organisations from across the country to exhibit within its new headquarters, giving their work prominence and visibility to ministers, businesses, government officials, and influential individuals who will visit the area.

It gives the department another opportunity to showcase the very best of British innovation, design, technology and science. Those selected to exhibit will be promoted across the department’s social media channels as well as at internal events.

The first exhibitions are expected to begin early in 2024 and interested participants will be asked to outline how they are helping the UK to cement its position as a science and technology superpower. They will also be asked to show how their organisation will deliver improved public services, create new better-paid jobs, and grow the economy. Each exhibit will be in place for around one month.

Businesses and organisations who are interested in exhibiting at DSIT's London headquarters can contact exhibit@dsit.gov.uk for more information.

Both Leicester Castle Business School (part of De Montfort University) and the University of Leicester School of Business are offering fully-funded places on the Help to Grow: Management course.

Accredited by the Small Business Charter, the course runs for 12 weeks online and includes webinars, in-person workshops, peer support and networking, and one-to-one mentoring to develop a personalised business growth plan. The course is designed to fit around existing work and personal commitments, providing time away from the challenges of running a business to invest in your leadership, and to learn how to take your business to the next level. Modules cover strategy, innovation, digital transformation, employee engagement and much more to help leaders position their business for success.

The Help to Grow: Management course is for senior managers and business owners in businesses, social enterprises and community interest companies with 5-249 employees that have been in operation for at least one year.

Leicester Castle Business School's next Help to Grow course starts on 1 September. The University of Leicester's next start date is 21 September.

Market Harborough's Avatar Dining has won Best Fine Dining Restaurant at the English Curry Awards 2023. The awards took place in Birmingham City Centre and celebrated quality, innovation and consistency within the UK’s curry industry.

Avatar Dining, located on St Mary's Road, said the win was "such a proud moment for us" and thanked their valued customers and hardworking team. The Nepalese and Indian restaurant prides itself on "combining characteristics from Asian cuisine to create foods that are rich with flavour and culture."

Another business celebrating is Market Harborough Honey Co., which has received a Great Taste award for its soft set honey.

Thomas Lamble-Dun from Market Harborough Honey Co. said: “We have dreamt of this moment and are so proud to be adding the prestigious black and gold Great Taste badge of honour to our honey pots! Being recognised with a Great Taste Award means so much to independent producers such as us, as it makes all the hard work and determination worth it!"

Harborough Honey has around 100 bee colonies in the local area, and also produces spirits, candles, beeswax and gift packs. Their products are available in selected local and online retailers.