Have you got a great business idea but could do with some help to get your idea off the ground? Why not join this year's Reigate & Banstead Entrepreneur Academy programme? A free, six-month programme giving local residents the opportunity to gain the essential skills needed to set up a business including finance, marketing, networking, business law, and online business promotion.

Redhill

• Creams Dessert Parlour has opened in Redhill
• Peacocks will be opening a new store in Redhill
• Florriescafe has opened in Memorial Park Redhill

• Congratulations to Redhill-based product design and 3D CAD consultancy James Barr Design Ltd who celebrated their 10-year anniversary this week.

• So Online Radio is a finalist in the BBC Making a Difference Awards.

Reigate

• Priory Vets (Reigate/Redhill/Tadworth) has won Best Vets in Surrey for the second consecutive year and are in the top 25 independent practices in the country at the Best UK Vets Awards.
• Opus Technology have won large reseller of the year at the Comms Business Awards 2024.
• Kathryn McMann Consultancy has won an award for the ‘Most Innovative Digital Marketing Agency for 2024’ at the SME Greater London Enterprise Awards.

Thursday 26 Sept 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate - How to improve your presentations and engage your audience, with Anna Randall from The Speaker’s Coach Book now.

Thursday 26 Sept 18.30-21.30 RH Networking special, Reigate Manor Book now

Thursday 28 November 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate  - Cyber security: How to protect your business, with Bill Edwards from nTrust systems Book now.

**NEW**Thursday 24 October 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch, Town Hall, Reigate - Scaling your business - tips and lessons learnt. With Paolo and Luca Malavasi, Monte Forte  Book now 

Thursday 12 December 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate  - Festive get together Book now.

Congratulations to the local companies who have won The Guild of Fine Foods, Great Taste Food Awards 2024:

• Batts Hill Distillers
  • Batt's Hill Spiced Gin (1*)
• By The Horns Brewing Co
  • Hopadelic (1*)
  • Squeezer (1*)
• Lactalis McLelland Ltd
  • 10 Award winning products including a 3* Award for their Seriously Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese
• Rachel's Dairy
  • Rachel's Organic Greek Style Honey (2*)
  • Rachel's Organic Greek Style Yogurt Natural Set (1*)
  • Rachel's Organic Traditional Divine Rice Puddings (1*)

On 20 June, the Council’s Executive agreed to adopt the A23 Great Street Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

This new guidance will help enhance design along a stretch of the A23, between Redhill and Horley.

The A23 Great Street Design Code SPD aims to deliver a more attractive environment for people to live, work and play. The SPD will ensure that local new developments raise the quality of design in the area with a focus on making the area work better for pedestrians and cyclists, and improving access to nature.

Printed copies are available at the Reigate Town Hall reception and at the borough’s libraries.

Don't miss this event which promises a fantastic mix of live global music, street food and drink in Redhill town centre!

Date: Sunday 22 September

Time: 11am to 4pm

Work Wise is a free employment service available to any person with a mental or physical health condition, disability, or neurodivergence, who wants work.

As part of the programme, employers and businesses of any size can also be supported to improve their workforce wellbeing opportunities. The programme will also match clients to fill your skills gaps, and provide training and advice to develop inclusive employee support services.

If you are an employer interested in knowing more, please visit the  Work Wise Employer referral form.

The latest HMRC Employer Bulletin provides updates on:

• PAYE Settlement Agreement calculations 2023 to 2024
• Paying Class 1A National Insurance contributions
• Improving the Self-Serve Time to Pay service for PAYE and VAT customers
  the Self Assessment threshold change
• Spotlight 64 – warning for employment agencies using umbrella companies
• Employment related securities – end of year return deadline for employee share schemes.

The ‘Recruiting with Essential Skills’ Toolkit, aimed at smaller businesses, has been developed in collaboration with Lloyds Banking Group. It provides practical advice and guidance on preparing and selecting the right candidates with the right skills for your business using an essential skills-based approach. The toolkit is free and can be accessed here

A number of changes to apprenticeship funding will come into effect on 1 August for the next academic year. The changes are summarised here: FE News | New Apprenticeship Funding Rules; and the full Government guidance can be found here: Apprenticeship funding rules 2024 to 2025 (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Visit our Supporting Local Business web pages for the latest business updates.

Information about Council services can be found on our website.

Follow RBBC on our social media channels:

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn Business Group

Eligible businesses can apply for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training. This training will support employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI, helping them to develop, deploy, or use AI in their role. £6.4 million of grant funding is available.

Find out more about the Upskilling Fund pilot scheme and the application process.

Application window is open until 18 August

Did you know that Reigate & Banstead has two key grants to help and support your business?

• Business Support Grants (of up to £1,000) are a great way to help your business start, develop and grow.  Find out more and apply
• Business Employment, Growth and Skills Grants (of up to £5,000) are for businesses looking to expand, enter new markets, become more environmentally sustainable, increase their efficiency, or capacity to continue their growth trajectory.  Find out more and apply