Your regular update from the Economic Prosperity team

Learning Lunch -
Creating video content for your website

on 11 March, Jovan Maric from Square Daisy12.15-12.45pm at the Town Hall, Reigate.  Book you space on this months Learning Lunch to hear the charismatic Jovan Maric (left) talk about video content for websites.  There is also the opportunity to network with other local businesses over a light lunch. To book your space email Cath McDermott

Redhill & Reigate Connects
26 March 5.30 - 7.30pm Morrisons Solicitors host this vibrant networking event the last Thursday of every other month at The Jolly Farmers Pub, Reigate. This event is sponsored by HSBC to attend e mail Morrisons by Tuesday 24 March with ‘R&R Connects’ in the subject field.


Take off - Growing your business abroad 

23 March, 08.30 - 1.00pm at the Hilton Hotel, South Terminal, Gatwick RH6 0LL
Gatwick Airport have teamed up with the Government's Business is Great campaign and Barclays to bring you this free event. The event will be split into three themes and provide practical advice from experts as well as real life stories from entrepreneurs who have successfully grown their business abroad. There are more details and you can book your space on eventbrite

Target Business Expo
25 March, Dorking Halls.  Are you a new business looking to gain new clients or a start up looking for new business advice? Come along to this business to business expo, we have a stand at the event and can let you know what business support we can offer your business. Find out more by visiting the Target Business Expo website.

Are you an enterprising woman? 
Enterprising women conference organised by T & T Consulting on 5 March at HG Wells Conference Centre, Woking from 1-5pm. This afternoon conference is an opportunity to be inspired by award winning, internationally renowned entrepreneurs, authors and pioneering business women and leaders. Download the conference flier for more information.

Got a great entrepreneurial idea? 
Need help in turning your dreams into a reality?  Come along to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council's Entrepreneur Academy.  This free course, starting in April, will teach you the basics of setting up a business, from business finance and business planning to marketing and networking.  The Academy runs at East Surrey College once a month from 3-5pm for six sessions. At the end of the course, participants will be able to pitch for £5,000 in a 'Dragon's Den' style competition. To register your interest please fill in the application form.  Spaces are strictly limited to 15.

*FULL * Calling all retailers
The last two workshopd to Develop your Digital High Street Skills are coming up. Funding from the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills means we were able to provide three free workshops at Reigate Town Hall designed to help small business develop their knowledge of the internet, social media and benefits of getting their business online.   Please add your name to the waiting list, you will be advised if a space becomes available.

Tuesday 3 March 16.00-20.00 Develop your business online
Tuesday 24 March 16.00-20.00 Grow your business through social media

Profitnet East Surrey
Last chance to join University of Brighton's Profitnet Group held at East Surrey College in Redhill. The popular groups allow selected business owners and managers to meet in total confidence once a month to collaboratively address real business challenges and help each other seek new opportunities for innovation and growth. All members have access to a wide variety of resources and expertise at the University of Brighton, including student placements and projects, internships, government funded Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, training opportunities and other services. All sessions are professionally managed and facilitated. Find out more

Business funding
Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Enterprises - Artists, designers and performers can win £10,000 (plus runner up prizes), to allow art students to develop creative ideas into sustainable ventures, find out more
Fit for Nuclear - Manufacturers in England can apply for an average £10,000 match funding to enter, or expand their presence in, the civil nuclear sector. Full details can be found on the namrc website

Innovation for Manufacturers - Manufacturers are invited to bid for a share of £1million with £150,000 per project from the UK Commission of Employment and Skills as part of a competition aimed at boosting UK innovation.  The competition closes on 11 March, with successful bids to start in June 2016.

Vibrant Town centres 
Big changes have been happening in Redhill town centre.  The new two way road layout came into effect from 15 February watch the youtube clip of the switch-over.  Although most of the work is now completed some road works will continue until around Easter. There will also be further improvements over the next couple of years. The first phase of work to create a new Sainsburys supermarket, hotel and gym has begun with the demolition of Lombard House. Mar City Homes has demolished the former Liquid & Envy building, retaining the façade, which will be incorporated into the new development.

What has the Economic Prosperity team been up to?
We provided £26,790 of business funding, though our business support grants to 27 local small businesses in 2014
In 2014 we ran nine learning lunches with a combined attendance of 175 local business people.

From August 2011 to February 2015 we hosted Let's do Business New Enterprise Allowance business start up workshops and had:

  • 399 attendees
  • 274 completed business plans
  • 222 confirmed business starts
  • 157 confirmed business's trading for 6 months or more

The start up rate is in line with the regional average.  However, the number of businesses confirmed trading for six months and more is higher than average.

  • In 2014 we helped ten budding entrepreneurs realise their business ambitions through the Entrepreneur Academy, and provided £5k business funding.
  • We work closely with a number of local and regional partners to try to ensure that local business have access to best business support, advice and opportunities.

Be part of the biggest business survey in the UK
Take three minutes out of your busy day to complete the Quarterly Economic Survey. This provides feedback to the Bank of England and the Treasury and will form the basis of all discussions and plans on Britain’s economy, via the British Chambers of Commerce.

Can you help a local 'not for profit' organisation with storage space?
Local not for profit organisation Stripey Stork
who recycle high end baby equipment, clothes and toys to families in need, are in need of more storage space. 

Key requirements:

Minimum of 1,500 sq ft office/storage space
Accessible parking for loading/unloading etc.
Preferably ground floor (but not essential)
Redhill area or in a three mile radius (given the demographic of both requests for help and pool of volunteers)

Are you a business with some spare space you could rent out?  Please contact us and we can pass on your details.

Corporate volunteering  Find out how you and your employees can make a difference by volunteering. The do-it website lists lots of local volunteering opportunities. You are able to search it by area, interest or day to make sure that you get the opportunities that are best for you.

Contact us If you have a question or would like some help, please feel free to contact us:
Simon Bland - Economic Prosperity Programme Manager 01737 276303
Cath McDermott - Economic Prosperity Programme Officer 01737 276008

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