In summary
This summer, your local FSB team is continuing to help you to connect with the wider small business community and to give you the information your business needs. Join one of our online networking events to build new business contacts from the comfort of your chair and check out the latest news on local business grants and Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone. We’re here to help!
Read on to find out more.
Featured news and events
Fife SME Development Grant
Fife Council’s SME Development Grant provides financial support to help Fife-based small and medium-sized enterprises to develop and grow. The fund provides small non-repayable grants to help with costs in six eligible areas from workforce upskilling to trade development and transition to net zero.
Scotland Virtual Networking
We have a great online networking event coming up on 23 July, hosted by local business owner and FSB member Spencer Thomson. You can be sure of a warm welcome and some great opportunities to network with business owners from across Scotland and beyond. You could generate some new business just by logging on!
In other news
Jury Service
Following an issue raised by an Edinburgh member, FSB Scotland has written to Scotland’s Justice Secretary to highlight the problems that being called for jury service can cause to the self employed and small business owners. Short notice disruption and being forced to spend time way from the business can be costly and inconvenience customers and we have asked the Scottish Government to look again at notice periods and exemptions from jury service.
Don’t forget that FSB jury service cover is one of your included member benefits! Find out more here.
Interest Rates
With inflation haven fallen back to the Bank of England’s target of 2%, FSB is upping the pressure on the Bank to reduce interest rates. High interest rates are undermining growth, particularly among smaller businesses who are struggling to access affordable finance to help them to invest and grow.
Still in the news
Edinburgh Low Emission Zone
Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) commenced enforcement on 1 June, meaning that any vehicle which enters the designated city centre area and is not compliant with the relevant emissions standards will be liable to a fine. While most petrol vehicles made since 2006 will be compliant, we know from the City of Edinburgh Council’s data that many older diesel vans, particularly those made before 2015, are likely to fall foul of the regulations. So if your business requires you to access Edinburgh city centre by vehicle, it’s a good idea to check to see if your vehicle is compliant. Micro businesses within 20km of Edinburgh can also benefit from a grant from the Energy Saving Trust towards the safe disposal of non-compliant vehicles. The LEZ is only one of a range of actions the council is taking to regulate and reduce vehicle usage in the city, many of which are likely to impact the way in which businesses operate in the city.
Learn more about the Edinburgh LEZ here
West Lothian Council Grants
West Lothian Council currently has a range of grant funding available for local businesses, including a Digital Development Grant, a High Growth Start-UO Grant and a Trade Development Grant. If your business is based in West Lothian and you are looking for a cash boost to help it to grow, take a look at the selection of grants on offer.
Check out West Lothian Council’s business grants
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for the East of Scotland is Garry Clark. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
- email: [email protected]
- follow us on X: @FSB_GarryC
- follow us on Facebook
- Follow Garry on LinkedIn