The final Learning Lunch of the year is a festive get together, come and join other local businesses to network and celebrate 2024.

What do our attendees say “Learning lunches are great, a brilliant networking opportunity and a lovely way for businesses to share their knowledge freely.”

We look forward to seeing you there!

Redhill

• Risbridger Ltd have one the 2024 APEA Innovation Award.
• Global Burgers in The Belfry Shopping Centre is now hiring.
• Redhill Library is now open at the Belfry Shopping Centre
• Congratulations to Include who won the Community Hero Award at the Surrey Business Awards 2024

Reigate

• 1st Stop Stationers on the high street has changed ownership.
• Charlwood-based, kitchen design studio, Murray Designs, has opened a showroom in Reigate High Street in the unit formerly occupied by Gerrards.
• Indulge, Dessert Parlour, is now open in West Street
• Parkside is the new trading name of Cullenders which is under new ownership.

Banstead

• Paul Jaconelli from Romans International scoops Lifetime Achievement honour at the Used car awards

Wednesday 4 December 12.00-13.00 NTRUST EVENT, 5 Cool things to do with Copilot Book now

Wednesday 11 December 08.30-11.00 Accelerate Growth and win more customers, Nutfield Priory Book now 

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

Thursday 16 January 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate know your worth, hear from France Du Buisson, FDB Associates. Knowing your worth is key to a profitable business, not only to price your services or products correctly, but also to promote yourself and to negotiate on the best footing. Book now

Thursday 27 March  12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate Understanding the psychology of sales, with Joe Cheal, Imaginarium  Discover the key principles and strategies behind successful sales techniques, and learn how to apply them to your own business.  Book now

Thursday 22 May 12.00-1400 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate Learn how to attract new customers and create loyal fans with effective marketing strategies PLUS network with other local businesses with Nicola Macdonald, Attractive Marketing Book now.

Thursday 19 June 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Town Hall, Reigate Maintain drive and focus for a winning mindset with  Frank Sinclair, Fit with Frank Book now

Read our latest blog featuring Simon Walter, Director Reigate Architects to hear why he loves his job and experiences he has had along the way. To find out more about local job opportunities, 

Leadership and Management Programme 

Fully Funded by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

Who should apply?

• Businesses that can demonstrate an average annual growth in employees or turnover greater than 20 per cent per annum over a three-year period; or
• Businesses who do not quite fit this definition but have strong growth potential as well as the desire to achieve scale-up growth in the short term.
• These participants will need to exhibit a can-do attitude and a real appetite for learning and developing.

The programme will provide:

• Regular and confidential peer support from a network of like-minded business leaders to learn from, share knowledge, ideas and experience
• Personal one-to-one leadership development and training from experienced professionals
• Practical ways of unlocking barriers to growth
• New ideas and takeaways to implement in your business
• Access to an infrastructure that supports your innovation and growth

Commencing : 

January 2025 (week commencing January 27^th – date tbc.)

Finishing :

December 2025

Are you a small business owner looking to grow your team, upskill your workforce, and invest in the future of your business? Taking on an apprentice could be the perfect solution. Reigate & Banstead Borough Council can support you with funding to make it happen.

Why an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way to bring fresh talent into your business or upskill your existing workforce. Whether you're in retail, construction, IT, hospitality, apprenticeships can be tailored to meet your needs. 

Financial Support for Small Businesses

Reigate & Banstead Council is offering financial assistance to help cover the costs of training an apprentice, through the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer which allows us to transfer part of our levy funds to local businesses.

If you are interested, please contact us and we will send you the relevant application form: economicprosperity@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

You can strengthen your future workforce through student work placements. Partnering with colleges like East Surrey College (ESC) gives businesses access to young talent eager to gain experience and support company growth.

Courses such as T Levels, a Level 3 qualification equivalent to three A Levels require students to have work placements. These placements range from one day to several weeks, giving students hands on experience in a real work environment. Young people bring fresh ideas, assist with digital technology and help with long term business planning.

Businesses can also contribute by offering talks or workshops at the college, building relationships and enhancing student learning.

Interested? Contact the ESC Careers Team.

The recent Supported Internship Forum was a joint venture between Surrey Choices and West Sussex County Council held at London Gatwick Airport. It was brilliant to see members of the local Business Community coming together with Disability Inclusion advocates, educators and providers of Supported Employment programmes to share ideas and address questions related to Supported Internships. 

Providing a placement to a young person who is neurodiverse or disabled, can be life changing for them and have a positive impact on your business.

For help with putting your Disability Inclusion Policy into practice and information on how get started with supported employment.   Please contact email Surrey Choices

Over the course of December 2024, Surrey will be engaging with creative producers, employers and stakeholders from education and the public sector across the Surrey and surrounding areas to understand current and future skills needs, as well as opportunities for collaboration and growth. Bookings are now open for the following:

• Surrey+ Cultural, Creative & Media Workshop - Tuesday 3 December 2024, 1000 – 1130 (online – register here)
• Surrey+ Games, Interactive and Convergent Screen Technologies Workshop – Monday 9 December, 1400 – 1530 (online – register here)
• Surrey+ Tech Sector Workshop – Wednesday 11 December, 1500 – 1630 (online – register here)
• Surrey+ Exploration & Exchange event – Thursday 12 December, 1030-1200 (The Wells at UCA Epsom – register here)

These workshops build on the 2023 Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and look to leverage unique strengths in creative, cultural, media and industries along the Surrey+ Creative Corridor to foster partnerships among businesses, education and government, driving a coordinated approach to boost the growth and resilience of the local creative economy and increase opportunities for the creative workforce across the region.

A FREE business education resource which is available to you for a limited time.  

You may have retail premises or sell only a few items on social media. This is a voluntary opportunity to increase your understanding of product safety regulation, and the programme has three elements:  

1. An initial conversation with a Trading Standards Officer 
2. Participation in free training workshops delivered by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)
3. A final conversation between you and a Trading Standards Officer 

No personal data or information will be reused for any other purposes outside the pilot.  

If you require further help contact business.advice@surreycc.gov.uk or 0300123 2329 or find out more about trading standards on  website. 

All our networking events can be viewed on Eventbrite our Supporting Local Business web pages for the latest business updates.

Information about Council services can be found on our website.

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Business Support Grants (BSGs) provide up to £1,000 to enable local businesses to start, develop and grow.  We recently contacted businesses who had previously received a BSG and found that 90% of applicants found the process really straightforward:

"The support from the grant team was exceptional, offering clear guidance and timely communication."

And its given them a real business boost:

“A fantastic opportunity to grow your business either quicker than expected through the benefits of the grant, or in ways you may not have been able to afford otherwise.”

"The grant not only provided the financial boost I needed but also gave me the confidence to innovate and grow my business. I would highly recommend this grant to others."

If you would like to find out more about the Reigate & Banstead Business Support Grant, click on the link below.