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Working for your Business
Supporting businesses across the Harrogate district
December 2
017
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Seasons Greetings and very best wishes for happiness and business success in 2018!
As well as the usual round-up of opportunities for your business, this pre-Christmas edition of
Working for your Business brings
you the latest economic figures for the district, news about the launch of Harrogate Advertiser's Business Awards, details of new funding opportunities and some not-to-be-missed events for your 2018 diary.
We hope you've found our updates helpful during 2017. We are always pleased to receive any feedback or suggestions - please just contact us via [email protected]
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Getting ready for business
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Thinking of starting up your own business in the Harrogate district? Recently taken on business premises in the area?
Then join us for one of our 'Getting ready for business' workshops, taking place in January, February and March. Delivered by the Enterprise Gateway, the free workshop will give you an insight into what's involved in self-employment and setting up a business including:
- evaluating your ideas
- business plans
- financial forecasts
- marketing
- pricing
- customers and competitors
- legal information including trading styles, business names, HMRC, insurance and licenses.
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| Propertyfinder - our free to search online commercial sites and premises register. |
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Grants available through Ad:Venture
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Start-up grants are available between £500 and £2500 for new businesses, designed to cover the costs of starting up. 100% of the start-up grant will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the investment supported and businesses will be required to contribute 50% of eligible costs.
Growth Grants of between £2500 and £25,000 are also available for business aged between 12 and 36 months. The grants are aimed at capital investment and encouraging and supporting growth and job creation. 75-90% of the business growth grant will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the investment supported and businesses will be required to contribute 50% of eligible costs.
Find out more
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Harrogate Advertiser Business Awards
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The awards are open to businesses in every sector trading in the circulation area of the Harrogate Advertiser, Knaresborough Post, Wetherby News, Nidderdale Herald and Ripon Gazette. Entry is free and businesses may enter as many of the 14 categories as they wish.
The awards dinner will be held at Harrogate's Royal Hall on Thursday 19 April.
You have until Monday 5 February 2018 to submit your entry but why not start preparing your entry now?
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Economic overview - the latest
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We have recently published the latest Economic Overview for the Harrogate district. The headline messages for quarter 2 of 2017/18 were generally positive and included:
- a record high number of both new dwellings and planning applications, indicative of positive construction/development activity.
- an encouraging increase in new business formation (16% year-on-year).
- an encouraging increase in jobs advertised within professional, scientific and technical.
- a low median wage of jobs advertised in the district (£23,200) continues to be of concern, paired with a high median house price (£271,750).
- The number of visitors to TICs and HBC museums decreased year-on-year. However, sessions on www.visitharrogate.co.uk increased.
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Meet the European Food and Drink Buyers
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Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, working in partnership with Department for International Trade (DIT), Deliciously Yorkshire, Enterprise Europe Network, RTC North and Santander, is inviting local suppliers of food and drink to consider exporting to the European markets of France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands or Switzerland.
Local businesses are invited to an event at The Pavilions of Harrogate on Tuesday 16 January 2018 to help explore the opportunities, meet buyers and to participate in a 'marketplace' networking event to showcase your products to a new audience.
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Overseas Market Introduction Service
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If you are looking to enhance your international market research, are after overseas contacts or want to connect with the right people in-market, then the Department for International Trade's Overseas Market Introduction Service could be for you.
They can offer first-hand, impartial advice and provide practical assistance on a range of issues that will help you to succeed in an overseas market.
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Non Domestic Rate Relief Policy - have your say
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Don't forget to complete the short survey to let us know what you think about the proposed new discretionary rates relief policy which is due to be implemented from April 2018.
As a council we are keen to support businesses within the district and also ensure that we appropriately target current economic issues and concerns.
The period of consultation is due to finish at the end of the month.
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