The benefits of an inclusive workforce
December 14 12-2pm
Join December's Learning Lunch to hear two speakers share their positive experiences of employing disabled staff and the support available for employers to do so.
Heike Jord Knip, who runs VA Creative Media as a social enterprise, will explain why he recruits from the disabled community as an integral part of his company's social mission.
Tracey Jeal, Disability Employer Advisor at DWP, will discuss the benefits of signing up to the Disability Confident employer scheme and the support available.
Sign-up
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Latest grant round opens today
The Invest4 Grant Fund will re-open on 1 December 2022 for the submission of applications with business grants of up to £20,000 available. There is a limited fund for this round and applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. You can request an application form from the Grant Fund Manager.
The Invest4 Grant Fund has been created to help new businesses to start-up, and to help growing businesses to grow more quickly. The fund is open to most business owners and start-up founders who are based in the Coast to Capital area (which includes Reigate & Banstead). The application process is quick and straightforward, but please supply all the required information with your application.
Find out more
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Shop local this Christmas
It's Small Business Saturday this weekend, and with our towns and villages looking their festive best, there's no better time to enjoy shopping local. Supporting your local town centres is good for local business, good for the local community and benefits the environment too! If you're looking to get into the festive spirit, here are the dates for local Christmas events in towns around the borough:
There will be free car parking in council-run car parks in Reigate and Horley on the day, but we encourage you to walk or take public transport if you can.
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Budget consultation 2023 to 2024
Consultation open until 16 January
We are consulting on our budget proposals for the year ahead (April 2023 to March 2024). Our proposals include some changes in the way the Council charges for and delivers services that may affect you. Like all local authorities, we face continuing and new financial pressures due to a combination of factors. These include no central government funding since 2017, the current economic crisis including inflation, increasing energy costs and some remaining financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of our service review and budget work to meet these financial challenges, we need to reduce costs and increase the amount of income we generate so that we can continue to deliver our high-quality services efficiently. The consultation closes on 16 January 2023.
Find out more
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Local business networking events
A round-up of local business events
14 December: 12.00-14.00 Reigate & Banstead Learning Lunch, Town Hall Reigate
Exploring the benefits of an inclusive workforce. Hear from Heike Jord Knip, VA Creative Media, and Tracey Jeal, Disability Employer Advisor from DWP, discussing the benefits and support available from the Disability Confident Scheme.
Book now
14 December: 17.30-20.00 RB Inspire, Town Hall Reigate
Free business networking event. Book a session with up to three business mentors to help your business thrive.
Book Now
18 January: 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch - Local Business Heroes, Town Hall Reigate
Hear how Lucy developed her passion for cooking healthy food into a growing food business with Lucy's Ladle.
Book now
25 January: 09.30-12.30 Surrey Chambers of Commerce - Customs Procedures & Documentation course, Reigate Manor This introductory course is aimed at anyone involved in international trade who needs to understand customs.
Book now
15 February: 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch - The science to effective networking **rescheduled**
Come along and hear Hilary Nunns from Can Do Courses sharing her top tips for getting the best results from your business networking.
Book now
21 June 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch - how to fast track your marketing skills and get more clients
Nicola Macdonald from Attractive Marketing will share the three most important foundations for your business marketing.
Book now
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Local business news
Reigate
- Farehouse Trading, an independent local food store, will be opening in the High Street. They specialise in selling locally produced, small batch food and drink via their website and their physical stores. Reigate will be their second physical store (the first being Wimborne, Dorset).
- Crumbs Brewing have been running a crowdfunding campaign to scale their business. At the time of writing, they have already raised 98% of their target!
Redhill
- A new bubble tea shop (Mooboo) will be opening in Redhill High Street. Mooboo is the largest bubble tea operator in the UK with more than 90 stores across the UK.
- The new Saltwhistle Business Park is being marketed - a new development of 5 high-quality industrial/ warehouse units on the Holmethorpe Industrial Estate.
Find out more
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Lucy’s Ladle: A soup-er local start up!
Read our latest blog celebrating local businesses
When we first went into lockdown back in 2020, like many of us, Lucy Charlesworth found herself furloughed and at home. Not one to let the dust settle, Lucy hatched a plan to use her skills to give something back to her local community. Little did she know that this would lead to her starting her own business.
Lucy will be sharing her journey at a Learning Lunch at the Town Hall on the 8 January 12-2pm
Read the blog
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Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards 2023
It’s time to nominate your local sporting heroes - the inspirational individuals, teams, volunteers, clubs or coaches - and to celebrate their incredible achievements and dedication. These annual awards recognise activity between 1 January 2022 and 1 January 2023 and the winners will retain their title for the whole of 2023! It’s free to enter, with eleven categories covering nominations for all ages and abilities. Submit your nominations by the 8 January 2023 deadline.
Nominate here
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Looking to expand your market overseas?
Enterprise Nation online webinar
Since the Brexit transition period ended, small companies trading in Europe have had to comply with new exporting rules, including making customs declarations when moving goods between the UK and EU. For many founders, getting to grips with these rules has been complex and costly.
To help business owners navigate these new challenges, and find opportunities from selling overseas, Enterprise Nation’s International Trade Hub, in collaboration with Deloitte and Santander Navigator, provides guidance, advice and regular updates on international trade rules and regulations.
Find out more and book your space
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