In summary
Follow us on socials for updates about business support available for Somerset and Wiltshire businesses, local events and more! There’s a wealth of events on our website available for you to join, do browse on there and come along. There are B2B Expos and business support events in the area too. Read more about what’s going on in Somerset and Wiltshire in our local news bulletin.
Featured news and events
Send less business waste to landfill and more to a good cause
A Good Thing is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation that makes it easy for businesses to donate unwanted items to local charities, providing businesses with access to nearly 3,000 charities across the UK.
A Good Thing is free for businesses to make donations of up to 3 small (less than 5m3) items per month, up to a value of £1500. For larger or high value donations there is a small fee.
According to a recent study, approximately 1.2 million desks and 1.6 million office chairs end up in landfill each year. The study couldn’t count the amount of IT equipment, branded merchandise, surplus products and other items that also go to landfill.
A Good Thing is a simple-to-use app that makes donating easy. Using the app, you input what you have, where you are, what timeframe you’re working to and whether you have any preferences as to the charities you’d like to support. A Good Thing then does the matchmaking by finding a local charity that has a need for what you’re offering.
South West Women in Business Virtual Networking
Our monthly South West Women in Business has merged with Devon and Cornwall’s Women in Business Virtual Networking! Come along for a welcoming hour of networking.
This friendly networking session will usually take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month, 10:30-11:30am. This month’s meeting will be Tuesday 18 February – book onto it here!
In other news
Interactive sessions to help shape Somerset’s economic vision
Somerset Council in partnership with the Somerset Economic Growth Board are holding two interactive sessions to explore local evidence and emerging themes that will inform the development of a new economic strategy for Somerset.
These sessions will take place:
- 10 February from 3.30 to 5pm at Taunton Conference Centre
- 14 February from 2.30 to 4pm at Yeovil College
Chippenham Sustainable Business Event
5.30 - 7.15pm, Tuesday 4 March at Good Energy, Monkton Park Offices, Chippenham SN15 1GH
Learn how to cut carbon and cut costs, at this free event in collaboration with Severn Wye Energy Agency, Good Energy, Chippenham town council and Wiltshire council.
Find out about the steps that your business can take to become more energy efficient, leading you towards cost savings and reduced carbon emissions. This event is free, with sandwiches, light snacks and drinks served.
Find out more and book tickets here>
Swindon Business Expo April 2025
Join hundreds of local businesses at the Swindon Business Expo which is taking place on Thursday 24th April 2025 at the Hilton Hotel, Swindon.
Enjoy the opportunity to openly network with over 300 attendees from across Wiltshire and the South West at Swindon's largest business show, whilst exploring the exhibition packed with a variety of local exhibitors showcasing their services and promoting their latest products.
As well as a busy exhibition, there will also be free seminars and workshops from South West's leading keynote and business speakers as well as a speed networking session.
This event is completely free to attend - simply pre-register online today!
Still in the news
Somer Valley Links
This project aims to improve travel in the Somer Valley and will soon be carrying out a public consultation on the proposals created from their first consultation. This highlighted existing challenges for sustainable travel in the region, including: heavy congestion on the A37 and A367; poor access to bus stops, footways and crossing points; narrow sections of main roads; and cycling options restricted by large vehicles and heavy or high-speed traffic, among other issues.
Wiltshire Business Support Programmes
Wiltshire Council are offering four different business support programmes through their Business fit for the Future programme.
- Fit for Growth is a programme led by BIC innovation offering one to one support to help your business to grow
- Fit for Start Up is designed for new businesses and is accompanied by grant assistance to help you to get going
- Fit for net zero helps you to understand your business’ carbon emissions and provides a free energy survey
- The Rural Hubs Programme supports businesses in rural Wiltshire to help them to grow.
You can find out more about all these free schemes here.
More news and activity near you
Get in touch
Your local contact for Somerset and Wiltshire is Beth Doel. 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: @FSBSomAndWilts
- follow us on Facebook: FSB Somerset and Wiltshire