In summary
Here is a round up of business news and business support initiatives in the Surrey region. We have some exciting new products and services this year as well as event speaker opportunities so please feel free to contact me for more details.
We have some great events coming up this year so please come along and meet the team. I hope to see you at one soon!
Featured news and events
Find out how you can fund an apprentice in Just a few clicks via the apprenticeship Levy
In the latest Business Surrey blog, Renée Canter, Business Surrey’s Gateway & Monitoring Officer, explains why utilising the apprenticeship levy could help you recruit and grow your business.
What’s stopping your business from taking on an apprentice?
Cost is quite a common concern, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees.
Time is another, with many smaller businesses worried about the paperwork involved.
But what if someone else fills in the forms and foots the training bill for you?
Well, that’s exactly what the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme from Surrey County Council offers – with funding to train dozens of apprentices currently available.
This makes it an ideal way for Surrey SMEs to recruit while providing opportunities to local residents.
Hogs Back Business Breakfast
You are invited to join us at this regular networking event in the FSB diary. This is a chance to meet other business owners and grow your network.
A continental breakfast of tea, coffee, pastries, fresh fruit, granola + Greek yogurt will be served in the room and included within the ticket price. For any guests who would like to ‘upgrade’ and have a full cooked breakfast this is an additional charge of £5 per person which can be paid directly to the breakfast team on arrival with either cash or card.
At this event we are delighted to be joined by member and guest speaker Harry Mansfield whos presentation is The Awareness Key, on 'Power Up Your Mind Before It Powers You Down®'.
Click here to book your ticket
In other news
Creative Corridor – an initiative to grow and recognise Surrey’s creative industries – has launched. And businesses of all sizes are encouraged to get involved.
Surrey County Council has commissioned the University for the Creative Arts to look at ways to bring together creative producers, education partners and production facilities in and around the region.
The aim is to accelerate development of a Surrey+ Creative Corridor. This would recognise the region as a nationally and globally significant hub for creative technology innovation and economic growth.
The first step is the developing a Surrey+ Strategy, looking at the challenges and opportunities of the creative industries in Surrey.
A series of workshops with businesses and partners are taking place this month. View the details below. Or you can sign up via the Fifth Sector website.
DIT’s new plans revealed to help small firms and improve access to cash
New Fair Payments and Disability Finance Codes launched to support SMEs
A package of new measures to support small businesses and deliver growth has been set out today (Tues 3rd December) by the Government.
The package, announced in the run up to Small Business Saturday this weekend includes targeted action to unleash the potential of disabled and female entrepreneurs, and a crackdown on late payments.
Both of these announcements are aimed at providing targeted support to small firms and entrepreneurs right across the UK. With particular emphasis on those firms who usually struggled to get access to finance and support.
A new ‘Fair Payment Code’ is being launched today to address the problems with late payments, with research showing that SMEs are on average owed £22,000 a year. It comes on top of an earlier announced consultation which will investigate the scale of the problem and best solutions.
Still in the news
M25 and A3 closures in 2025
National Highways is planning a series of road closures in the first part of 2025 linked to their works at the J10 Wisley Interchange.
A full weekend closure of the A3 will be first. This will be in both directions between the junction 10 interchange and the B2215/A247 near Send and Burntcommon, from 9pm on Friday 17 January to 6am on Monday 20 January. The closure is to install Cockcrow Bridge which will be the UK's first heathland bridge. This means the work is more weather dependent. There's a risk that the works could be called off at short notice if there are strong winds forecast for the weekend. Please check the National Highways website for the most up to date information.
A series of further A3, M25 and gyratory closures are planned until the summer. There will be a number of full weekend closures, as well as ongoing overnight closures.
National Highways will be releasing more detailed information, including dates and diversion routes ahead of each closure. Drivers are advised to keep checking the National Highways website, Facebook and X account for the latest dates when making plans and before travelling.
Read More here: M25 and A3 closures in 2025 - Surrey County Council
Grants still available to grow the rural economy and communities
Businesses and charities in the rural areas of Waverley, and businesses, charities and community groups in the rural areas of Guildford and Tandridge can apply for a Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant.
The minimum grant is £2,500 and the maximum grant is £50,000. Grants are up to 50% of the project costs. The programme is financed by the UK Government through Defra and the Rural England Shared Prosperity Fund via the district and borough councils.
The objectives of the grants are to support rural development, jobs, growth and community enterprise.
Who can apply?
The types of eligible applicants are:
- Micro or small businesses (less than 50 employees and annual turnover under £8.5 million)
- Voluntary organisations
- Registered charities
- Community groups
For more Information click here.
More news and activity near you
- Kent and Medway
- Sussex
- More from FSB South East England
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Surrey is Tracey Carter. 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: @FSBSurrey
- follow us on Facebook: @FSB.Surrey