Our upcoming online Business Bitesize: Local business updates and insights networking events are about sharing key business updates and opportunities for each county, including info on the local economy, business support, and upcoming projects so please come along for your county: Leicestershire, Rutland or Northamptonshire.
FSB comments on closure of City centre M&S store:
“Businesses on the high street will always be positive and optimistic, as well as adaptable and determined, if not, they wouldn’t be there! They’re able to look at the positives of this situation.”
Jennifer Thomas spoke to BBC Radio Leicester about how FSB members are reacting to the closure, including their optimism that there is still plenty to visit the city for, and what support small businesses need from government- from support with rent and business rates to schemes to increase footfall.
Listen here.
Confidence Rebounds amongst East Midlands small businesses
Small business confidence in the East Midlands made a welcome return to positive territory at the beginning of 2024, according to the Federation of Small Businesses’ East Midlands Small Business Index (SBI) for Q1 2024.
The headline confidence measure rose from -32 for the final quarter of 2023 to reach +21 points in the first three months of 2024. This is the first positive outturn since Q1 2023, when the index stood at +7 points.
Despite tough trading conditions for the first three months of 2024, which saw a slight worsening of net revenue generation and employment levels, plus small increases to staff costs, regional small business owners expressed a new-found confidence for the future.
Read the report here:
FSB-5823-EMids-SBI-Q1-2024-Report.pdf
.
Coffee prices going up - at what cost?
FSB Development Manager for Leics, Rutland & Northants, Jennifer Thomas, spoke to BBC Radio across the East Midlands about rising costs for businesses, on the back of news that coffee prices have gone up thanks to poor weather abroad. More information is here.
FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards- East Midlands Champions head up to Blackpool for UK Final
Good luck to all those representing the best of the East Midlands at the glittering final event at the Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens, Blackpool on 9th May - our regional winners are:
- Innovation Award - URocked
- Expansion and Growth Award - The Parmar Collection
- Sustainability Award - Sweet Lounge
- Family Business Award - TekShop (Save On Electronics LTD)
- Micro Business Award - Engravers Guild of London
- Self-employed / Freelancer Award - Ask the Chameleon
- Young Entrepreneur Award - Ava Whetsone-Magee of Avalanche equestrian
- Start-up Business Award - Vets4u
- Franchise Business Award - Ignite Dating
- Community Award - Vintage Guru St Giles Street
- Diversity and Inclusion Award - L.A. Solutions Training Ltd
- Service Excellence Award - Optimise by Recruitment
You can watch their interviews here.
Events Spotlight: May 2024
Leicestershire networking with Sir Thomas White Loan Charity - 16 May
UPDATE: This event is now sold out but you may join the waitlist:
A free, evening event where you’ll meet FSB manager Jennifer Thomas along with a room of successful entrepreneurs and new startups, making connections and highlighting business support offers from across the county. Details here.
Leicestershire Business Bitesize - 21 May
Exclusively for Leicestershire businesses, join this productive lunchtime meeting, especially focusing on business improvement tips and the free support to ‘Start, Grow or Improve’ your business from Leicestershire Business Advice Service.
Business Update: Gau Naik, Leicestershire Business Advice Service
Networking Discussion: Innovation and competitive edge
Rutland Business Bitesize - 22 May
An update for Rutland businesses and self-employed people on our local economy and key opportunities - including an economic overview from Rutland County Council, shaping business skills and opportunities for the next generation, and free support to help your business grow and increase productivity through the latest technology.
Speakers:
- Our Future Economy: Presentation from Penny Sharp, Strategic Director- Place, and Hayley McHugo, Sustainable Business Manager, Rutland County Council
- Business Support to Grow and go Digital with Business Lincolnshire
- Skills and opportunities for Rutland's young people: A new project. Joanna Aitkens, Aitkens Media
(Also Northamptonshire Business Bitesize event: Local business updates and insights is on 19 June).
Find us at Blaby Business Fair - 7 June, 9.30am-12.30pm
This exciting event promises a day of valuable connections, insightful sessions and a chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs, FSB and key council representatives. More details here.