In summary
Wishing all our members a Happy Christmas, and a prosperous New Year 2025, with the hope that you can take some time off from your business during the festivities, however brief, to reflect on your achievements this year, during tough trading conditions.
Thank you for the inspirational contribution that you have made as a small business owner to the local economy in York & North Yorkshire in 2024, and for being an FSB member.
Featured news and events
Update to one of the Mayor's priorities
The Carbon Negative Challenge Fund seeks to support the development and delivery of projects that can help York and North Yorkshire become England’s first carbon negative region. The goal is for projects to be innovative in nature; for example, trialling new approaches or technology, serving as a “demonstrator” project that others can replicate, or projects that will enable systems change across the region. An indicative £10 million funding across 2024 to 2028 approved in principle.
- Funding - £10 million from February 25 – October 27
- A combination of revenue and capital funding will be available
- Funding limits for individual projects. Revenue: £20,000 – £250,000. Capital: £150,000 – £1.5 million
- For revenue projects, 20% of total project costs must be match funded
- For capital projects, 40% of total project costs must be match funded
Key Outcomes -
- Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions
- Strengthening communities to take climate action
- Improved climate adaptation
- Established pipeline of investable projects
- Proof of Concept and Demonstrator Projects.
New Year’s resolutions – Make the most of your membership
Make the most of your membership in 2025 – time to make a new year’s resolution to “remember you’re a member” whenever you need help in your business – check out the FSB resources via your member log in and you’re sure to find support. Still not sure? Pick up the phone to us, or drop us a message and we will try and get you help.
Look out for our regular “making the most of your membership” webinars to explore more about the benefits, they are always updating and changing to offer more. Did you know we can help with R&D tax credits, Healthcare, and Franchising, alongside our built in protections worth up to £200000 which we hope you’ll never need, but are there when you do?
We would also like to introduce our new membership advisor Sarah Barrowby, who is joining Arminder and Howard to help reach more small businesses in North Yorkshire, so if you know a small business owner who is struggling, let them know to contact us, so that we can offer support, advice and practical solutions, and a representative voice, with a membership of FSB.
North Yorkshire Google Digital Garage Events
We are running a high quality "Google Digital Garage" series of training with expert trainers from Google unlocking how to succeed with your digital marketing and to boost your small business, they started on 20 Nov with a "Boost your productivity" webinar, continuing until 4 Dec ending with "Grow your business brand" in another virtual session. There will be a further 2 face to face Google events in Ripon and Tadcaster in January featuring 1-2-1 mentoring alongside 4 learning sessions on hot topics from Google to help your business, 9.30am to 2.30pm. You can find more information about the series - which is free to attend for any small business - and other local expert training courses between now and March, run in partnership between FSB and North Yorkshire Council and funded through the UKSPF. Please share this information widely and book your place now, a waiting list will operate in the case of these being oversubscribed - it is a great opportunity to access funded training on your doorstep and online.
In other news
YNYCA wants to hear from you!
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority are asking residents how they would describe being from York and North Yorkshire.
Your insights will help to shape an understanding of how York and North Yorkshire is perceived.
Please take a few moments to complete this short survey. There are only 6 short questions, so this won’t take long, and your feedback is invaluable.
Complete the Survey here>
Unlock Talent, Solve Recruitment Challenges, and Foster Inclusion
In a competitive market, finding skilled, reliable, and motivated employees can be challenging, especially for SMEs. At the same time, young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and Autism, are seeking opportunities to showcase their talents and thrive in meaningful careers.
The York SEND Employment Forum is working to bridge this gap.
Becoming a more inclusive employer doesn’t just address recruitment challenges; it also unlocks a wealth of hidden talent. Research shows that inclusive workplaces experience higher employee retention, enhanced innovation, and improved customer trust. By opening your doors to talented young people with SEND, your business gains loyal, dedicated team members who bring unique perspectives and skills to the table.
The Skills Team at City of York Council is part of the York SEND Employment Forum and supports SMEs by providing specialist support, resources, and connections to create tailored employment opportunities. These can include Supported Internships, work experience, apprenticeships, or supported employment.
Contact the Skills Team today for a no obligation chat, and/or ask to come along to a SEND Employment Forum meeting.
Still in the news
Good Business Charter
Did you know that York was the UK’s first Good Business Charter City?
We partnered with The Good Business Foundation to adapt the Good Business Charter accreditation and make it accessible for small businesses. This streamlined version of the GBC allows smaller firms to stand out from the crowd and lead the way on a range of important issues, from ethical employment practices to prompt payments.
Founded by Julian Richer, of Richer Sounds hi-fi retailer, the Good Business Charter is an independent not-for-profit organisation with a mission to encourage and recognise responsible business practices. To sign up to the charter, a business must meet, or be working towards meeting, the ten components of the charter.
Being part of the Charter demonstrates a clear message to current and potential customers that your business is committed to operating responsibly and treating staff with respect and fairness. With accreditation, you're part of a bigger movement to change business for the better
Read more about how you can get involved as a small business here We would love to see even more York businesses and North Yorkshire based small businesses use the framework to do more “good business” in the region.
A message from York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith
I’d like to wish FSB a happy 50th anniversary. As Mayor of York & North Yorkshire I value the voice of business which the FSB provides, representing a wide range of small businesses and the self-employed. I’m determined to make ours a Mayoral authority which listens and responds carefully to the needs of all local businesses, both directly and through well-established business networks like FSB.
I know from my personal experience running a business just how important our small businesses are. They are at the core of our economy and at the heart of each one of our communities. I will champion small businesses regionally and nationally, developing funds and support to help them thrive. This will be done through regular engagement with businesses to co-design both strategy and delivery.
As we drive investment and growth across York and North Yorkshire in partnership with the business community, our region is in the spotlight and rightly so. It is time to be confident, ambitious, and champion our region’s businesses to help us all reach our full potential. To quote the FSB since 1974, helping you “achieve your ambitions” as small businesses.
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Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for North Yorkshire is Carolyn Frank. 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]
- follow us on X: @FSBNorthYorks
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.North.Yorkshire
- join me on LinkedIn: @Carolyn.Frank