Join the Harborough District Employer Forum, an essential event for connecting with key organisations and discovering ways to support your business and employees. Attendees will hear from Harborough District Council, Job Centre Plus, Healthy Workplaces, and Leicester College. The event will highlight the key support available for businesses and employers in the Harborough District.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday 11 September 2024
• Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
• Location: Market Harborough Building Society, Newcombe House, Unit 16 The Point, Market Harborough, LE16 7QU

This forum provides an opportunity to network with local employers, learn about valuable resources, and enhance workplace well-being.

Looking to expand your business? If you have decision-making responsibilities in a company with five or more employees, the Help to Grow Management Course could be exactly what you need.

This 12-week programme is tailored to enhance your leadership skills and improve your business performance. It features a blend of online and in-person sessions, personalised 1-to-1 mentoring, and opportunities for peer networking.

Harborough District businesses can join the next cohort starting on 2 September.

Harborough District Council invites residents to a dynamic breakfast workshop to shape the future of Harborough District through the Economic Development Strategy 2024-31. This is your chance to play a key role in the district’s exciting future.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday 29 August
• Time: 09:30 - 11:30 am
• Location: The Symington Building, Market Harborough

Join this important conversation, share your ideas, and help guide our community’s growth. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a real impact! Please register your interest if you would like to join the conversation. 

Following Rupert Matthews' re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner, the new Police and Crime Plan for 2024-2028 is in development, with a survey created to gather business input.

Business crime, particularly in retail, is increasingly affecting local businesses, prompting targeted action. The plan seeks to build on previous efforts to support businesses of all sizes.

Your feedback on collaborating with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Leicestershire Police is welcomed.

Key Focus Areas:

• Expand systems to reduce shoplifting.
• Improve crime reporting efficiency.
• Target prevention efforts for the most affected.
• Reduce assaults on shop workers.

Your suggestions on reducing business crime are appreciated. Please complete the survey by 30 August 2024. 

The Hive, based at Harborough Innovation Centre (The HIC), offers a positive and flexible co-working environment, perfect for those needing to escape distractions and boost productivity. In addition to The Hive's hotdesking space, The HIC offers private offices (short and long-term), virtual office services, and meeting rooms, all tailored to meet diverse needs.

Flexible workspaces like The Hive help balance work and personal commitments, reduce commute times, and improve job satisfaction. They can also lead to cost savings for organisations by optimising office space and reducing overheads.

For more information about The Hive, please get in touch.

Sign up to receive a three-day series of emails and learn how to harness TikTok's vast potential when it comes to marketing your brand.

Sign up to the course in the month of August and you'll be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a £1,000 grant to help you boost your TikTok presence.

Five people will also win a vlogging kit to help you get started. The winners will be randomly selected and contacted by email on 2 September 2024.

The Sky Zero Footprint Fund: ‘Local Heroes’ rewards businesses dedicated to sustainability within their communities. The scheme offers a platform to help these businesses grow and promote their sustainable message through local TV advertising with AdSmart from Sky.

Nine businesses across the UK and Ireland will receive £20,000/€20,000 in media value for a local TV campaign, along with up to £2,500/€2,500 for ad creation by a local production agency.

Eligible businesses must be based in the UK or Republic of Ireland, have 500 or fewer employees, and have been trading for over 12 months. Start-ups are not eligible.

Winners will have:

• Demonstrated strong sustainability practices.
• Developed a product or service that encourages green consumer behaviour.
• Made significant progress in sustainability.
• Positively impacted their local community.

The application deadline is 29 October 2024.

A brand new networking group is launching at Harborough Innovation Centre, led by Marc Finch from Forever Home Mortgages and Gemma Finch from 1PCS Creative.

Would you like to attract more customers? This is an opportunity to introduce yourself, connect with local businesses, and celebrate the launch of Market Harborough’s new networking group.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday 22 August
• Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
• Location: Harborough Innovation Centre

Funding of up to £2,000 for Business Growth

Local grants have reopened for businesses in the Harborough District to help them grow. Need support to elevate your business? Planning a project that needs extra funding? Apply now!

Eligible businesses can apply for grants up to £2,000. Open to any business in the Harborough District with a qualifying project.

Harborough District Council is distributing these grants, using £46,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Following the successful 2023 UKSPF Grant Scheme, grants are available in three categories:

• Go Green: Reduce carbon footprints, increase energy efficiency and lower fixed costs.
• Go Digital: Improve business performance with digital technology and enhance online customer access.
• Go Innovate: Support new products or methods to boost efficiency and growth.

Applicants must complete the Leicestershire Business Advice Service (LBAS) programme and upload an LBAS action plan. Start with the LBAS service here.