Business@Harrogate - May/June 2019

Supporting enterprise, funding for innovation and diversity in the workforce all feature in this edition of business@Harrogate e-news - please share this local update with your colleagues and clients.

Announcing the Rural Gigabit Voucher

Businesses in much of the Harrogate district are now eligible for additional national funding, towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband to their premises, when part of a group project.

The new Government Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme extends UK wide. Rural premises, experiencing speeds below 30 Megabits per second (Mbps) will be eligible for between £500 and £3,500 per small and medium-sized business.

For details on broadband funding for your business please visit the national website.

Industry placements - support for employers

Preparations are underway across the country for the

roll out of T level qualifications in 2020, with employers being key.

The industry placement is a core part of the T Level, providing practical experience for students and offering businesses an opportunity to build their future skilled workforce.

A new government led package of support for employers will include practical guidance and funding, so they are prepared and ready to offer placements.

Getting Ready for Business: free workshops

There's a new, locally delivered advice service for people thinking of starting a business.

Supported by Harrogate Borough Council and Ad:Venture the Getting Ready for Business is a free to attend workshop. An ideal first step for those starting out in their own business, and a checklist for new businesses, topics include m arketing and pricing.

Bookings are now open for workshops on 10 July and 25 September.

Business Events

3 June - Access Innovation-Private Investment

5 June - Harrogate Digital, Diversity in Digital

10 June - Harrogate District Chamber-Economic Update from the Bank of England

19 June - Supply Chain Programme Awareness Briefing

26 June - Access Innovation-Intellectual Property Event

26 June - Managing legionella risks Businesses with a duty to manage water systems and legionella risks are encouraged to attend this Harrogate District Health and Safety Forum event.

28 June - Planning for Financial Freedom, DSC accountants. To book please email or call Ellie on 01423 560547

10 July - Getting Ready for Business workshop

Useful information

Business support advice - please visit our website or contact us.

Propertyfinder - our free to search online commercial sites and premises register.

Do you support or advise SMEs?

Let's talk more .....

The Leeds City Region Growth Service can help you give your client more support, including selling overseas and supply chain opportunities. For details please contact the Growth Service.

Contact us

[email protected]

Stay connected

Harrogate Welcomes the World - Business Engagement Roadshow 5 June

Preparations for hosting the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in September are well underway - is your business ready?

Local companies are invited to our Business Engagement roadshow in Harrogate on

5 June, for information and ideas on how to make the most of this major sports event.

Held over nine consecutive days, from 21 to 29 September, and attracting thousands of international competitors and visiting supporters, the Harrogate district will be showcased worldwide on television and in the press.

Harrogate Borough Council is helping businesses and organisations in planning for their activities, with our guidance sheets covering pop-up cafes to temporary car parks and camp sites, along with licencing and registration.

For information relating to the UCI Road World Championships, including race timings, travel and transport arrangements, please go to: yorkshire2019.co.uk

Creative digital storytelling - R&D projects fund open from June

XR Stories is investing in Yorkshire as a centre for world-leading, innovative digital storytelling.

Funded as one of the nine Creative Industry Clusters, this new collaborative partnership provides research and development (R&D) funding to progress the potential of immersive and interactive technologies for digital storytelling.

XR Stories Small Collaborative R&D Projects fund will be officially open from June, supported by briefing events around the Yorkshire region. The guidance document for the fund is now available, with the application form, an FAQ and update to follow. For questions on the Fund please contact the XR Stories Team.

Diversity in Digital - Harrogate Digital event - 5 June

According to a recent report from Inclusive Boards, "just 8.5% of senior leaders in technology are from a minority background, while women make up only 12.6% of board members in the sector".

Local networking and information group Harrogate Digital's next event on 5 June looks at how workplaces can be more diverse and inclusive, with regional and local business guest speakers. Free to attend, please register to secure your place.

Innovation and Enterprise survey - creating the right environment

The regional team participating in the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program is seeking the views of successful start-up businesses via an on-line survey (Closing date of 7 June).

The aim of the program, informed by the survey, is to shape future strategies and actions in the Leeds City Region for innovators and entrepreneurs to thrive.