In summary
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Welcome to January’s FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Small Business Bulletin! The new year is finally here and FSB is continuing to provide you with unrivalled business support, networking and educational opportunities – as well as representation in national and local government. Read on to find out about how we’re championing the interests of YOUR business, and FSB Merseyside and Cheshire’s fantastic events that are coming up. Get those dates in the diary now! Read on to find out more. |
Featured news and events
Start 2025 in style with FSB networking!
Join us this January for amazing online and in-person networking, brought to you by FSB Merseyside and Cheshire. On Tuesday, 14 Jan we will offer a warm welcome at FSB’s Liverpool City Region Connect Virtual Networking from 11.30am – 12.45pm. Hosted by your local team, hear from a fantastic speaker and promote your business in 30 seconds, teeing you up for more intimate networking in smaller breakout rooms. The following day, Wednesday 15 Jan, we have our Cheshire Virtual Networking from 11.30am-1pm under the same format, hosted by Membership Advisor Darren Gallimore. The following week, we kick off a hat-trick of face-to-face collaborations with The Business Network on Monday, 20 Jan with Network Alderley Edge, held at [ONE] London Rd from 5-7pm. Then on Tuesday, 21 Jan it’s Altrincham Networking at Rasassi Restaurant, before we’re up close and -in-person again on Wednesday, 22 Jan at our Chester Networking at The Queen at Chester Hotel, also 5-7pm. To find out more about our popular events and networking sessions taking place across the North West and the UK each month, where you can learn new skills and connect with like-minded business owners, keep an eye on FSB’s Event Calendar.
Supply chain masterclass for Liverpool City Region businesses
The Liverpool City Region Supply Chain Readiness Programme - Introduction to Tendering Workshops help businesses get to grips with effective procurement. The workshops, which will run to March 2025, offer business owners in-person and online guidance and one-to-one help from specialist advisors. Some will be focused on Key LCR sectors. They will allow businesses to:
- Gain a clear understanding of the types of opportunities available;
- Create a draft strategic plan for tendering;
- Identify new opportunities for diversifying revenue streams;
- Understand how to navigate procurement processes and the language used;
- Have a process for deciding which tenders to go for;
- Develop a plan to become ‘Tender Ready.’
Designed specifically for businesses looking to navigate the tendering landscape with confidence, this programme, delivered by RTC North in partnership with the Combined Authority’s business support service - Growth Platform, will help you uncover exciting new growth opportunities – locally, regionally, nationally, and beyond. This introductory-level programme is for businesses that are completely new to tendering or looking to refine their previously unsuccessful processes - and ready to explore new avenues for growth and plan effectively to achieve it. Places are limited - register your interest here>
Sign up for FSB’s AI Bootcamp in St Helens
On Thursday, 1 May, FSB’s NW team will put on a special event delving in to the world of AI for businesses like yours! Join us at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens - home of the storied ‘Saints’ rugby league club - where we’ll shine a spotlight on the latest developments in this new, ground-breaking tech with a raft of industry experts on hand for a full day of learning and networking where you can discover more about AI and what it can do to transform the way you’re working today. We’ll explore the here and now of AI tech, as well as looking into the future to see what’s coming down the road, with five handpicked speakers focusing on how businesses across the globe are turning to this new tech to save time, increase productivity, and learn new ways of working in areas such as social media marketing. We’ll also be putting on a mini-AI trade show so if you’re a business that would like to tap in to an AI interested audience.
In other news
Cheshire West & Chester climate emergency action plan - have your say
Cheshire West and Chester Council is asking local business owners to share their views on its Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2025 – 2030. The plan, which will be used as a guide to support the council’s target to reach net zero by 2045, follows work with communities earlier this year to understand the opportunities and challenges the borough faces as it works towards a greener, healthier and more resilient future. The draft plan is available for residents and businesses to complete and sets out priorities for the borough and key actions the Council, partners and communities can take under six key theme areas:
- Business and industry;
- Transport;
- Housing;
- Energy;
- Land use and adaptation;
- Waste and the circular economy.
This is the second Climate Emergency Response Plan prepared for the borough following a Climate Emergency declaration in 2019. The consultation process included in-person drop-in sessions at libraries across the borough in the run up to Christmas, where residents were invited to speak to the Council’s Climate Change team. The consultation runs until 12 Feb 2025.
Birkenhead businesses to share £44,000 in grants
Ten small businesses in the Argyle Quarter in Birkenhead, Wirral, will share £44,000 in grants to give their shopfronts a facelift. The Argyle Quarter Commercial Property Improvement Grant Scheme, which was launched in September this year, offers grants of up to £5,000. The scheme aims to improve the look of the area and support business growth. Many of the businesses in the area are either listed or fall within a Conservation Area, and supporting the retention of historic shopfronts and encouraging high-quality design of new frontages is a key component of the programme. It also aims to ensure an approach to security, lighting and signage that respects the character of the conservation area. In Market Street the recipients are Make It Happen, The Lunch Bunch, Wirral Mencap, More Than Just Cleaners, and Face Kandi Medical Clinic. Recipients in Argyle Street are Istanbul Barber, Phoenix Legal Solicitors, Wish Upon A Party Entertainment, WEB Merseyside and Argyle News. Their proposals cover improvements such as replacement of awnings and external fixtures, swapping external shutters out for toughened glass and access improvements, plus improved health and safety measures.
Still in the news
Navigate regulations and get to market with the AI Digital Hub
The Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) is a non-statutory, voluntary forum comprising four UK regulators - CMA, FCA, ICO and Ofcom - to drive greater regulatory cooperation and deliver coherent approaches to regulation for the benefit of people and businesses. Its AI and Digital Hub is a free, informal advice service to support innovators with complex, cross-regulatory queries by providing tailored responses through a single point of access. Ultimately this helps new AI and digital products and services reach market safely and quickly. The Hub is open to any cross-regulatory queries from organisations of any size and in any sector, providing four eligibility criteria are met:
- the product, service or business model must be digital or use artificial intelligence;
- must be innovative (a new or adapted way of conducting an activity);
- must benefit consumers or contribute to the UK’s economic growth;
- and the query must fall within the scope of at least two DRCF member regulatory remits.
To ensure you receive tailored informal advice you will need to provide the following details:
- Your contact details;
- Previous engagement with regulators (if relevant);
- How you meet the eligibility criteria;
- Your cross-regulatory query and any challenges you are facing.
Jobcentre Plus - support for employers
Jobcentre Plus is offering a tailored service supporting employers with recruitment, advice and a helping hand to grow your business. A network of local Employer Advisers helps you find the right people and provides assistance with job descriptions, more efficient recruitment processes and promoting vacancies in local Jobcentres and on social media – plus, Jobcentre Plus offices are available for interviews and local recruitment events. Schemes include a sector-based Work Academy Programme to match skills with vacancies. Lasting up to six weeks, the programme is comprised of pre-employment training matched to business needs, a short work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview.
Jobcentre Plus organises work experience placements for young people aged 18-24, and those aged 25 and over who don’t have recent work history. In addition, work trials are short unpaid periods of work you can offer jobseekers, who keep their benefits, to see if the job is a good fit. It also supports businesses with Apprenticeships, paid jobs with training. Apprentices are employed at various levels, from school leavers and graduates to people wanting to further their careers or change direction. You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee. Funding from Government can help with the costs.
More news and activity near you
- Lancashire and Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- More from FSB North West
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Merseyside & Cheshire is Phil McCabe. 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 us: [email protected]
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