Whilst the weather in August has not been great, it looks like we may be getting a late summer in September! Hopefully this will boost trading levels for all especially our seafront and retail businesses.

As always, there are a number of events being held in Southend in September, including opportunities to see some Classic Cars on City Beach on 20th September and on the same day the Leigh Regatta will be taking place in Old Leigh. Don’t forget about the upcoming Business Partnership Briefing which is taking place on Thursday 24th September at the Genting Club, overlooking the Thames Estuary. Our keynote private sector speaker will be a representative from DP World London Gateway Port.

There are a number of FREE workshops over the coming weeks, so please make the most of them, as they could help support and grow your business. Funding is running low for the broadband voucher scheme. So if you’re an SME in Southend then apply for grants of up to £3,000 to improve your broadband connection, increase your productivity and boost your speeds to get ahead of your competition.

The new BEST Growth Hub was launched on 7th September. Whether you want to start a new business, grow an existing business or find funding for a new venture the BEST Growth Hub Team is here to help you. Visit www.BESTGrowthHub.co.uk for more information.

Congratulations to both Laura from Funky Medical and Rosalyn who are both finalists for two National Awards. Laura has been shortlisted by Tom Pellereau and Jojo Maman Bebe in their ‘Invent with Tom’ competition. To vote for Laura’s invention, please click here . Rosalyn has had 2 pieces of sculpture shortlisted for the National Open Art Competition called Twist and Wisdom. To vote for Rosalyn’s sculptures, please click here. Good luck to both Southend Businesses.

The Partnership is always ready to hear from you and be able to help you grow your business. If you have any questions or issues that you would like to be brought up at the briefing then please do not hesitate to contact the Economic Development Team on: 01702 215000 or email economicd@southend.gov.uk.

Best regards

Murray FosterChairman of the Southend Business Partnership

SEPTEMBER 2015

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EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL & INVESTMENT FUNDS

Apply now to run projects backed by the European Stuctural and Investment Fund (ESIF), includes money from the European Social Fund, European Regional Development Fund and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

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ARE YOU EXPORT SAVVY?UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has just launched a new tool for companies who want to learn about exporting. The service can help your business to get started in international trade and increase export capabilities while helping you save time and money.

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UNIVERSAL CREDIT How Universal Credit can help your business.• Makes work pay• Supports a more flexible labour market• Helps people increase their hours and earnings• Uses PAYE in real time to adjust the amount real time information.

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BEST GROWTH HUBThe new BEST Growth Hub helps businesses realise their growth potential. Essex businesses of all sizes, from innovative young enterprises to long-established firms, can access a new business support service from the BEST Growth Hub.

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PRINCE’S TRUST Could you be a Talent Match Mentor? As a Talent Match Mentor you’ll make a real difference to the lives of young people by providing them with one-to-one support, guidance, encouragement and inspiration.

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MANUFACTURING MARKETING MACHINE

A recent MAS Barometer indicated that 67% of manufacturers find effective marketing a challenge. This event at the Hive in Southend will reveal the ten steps manufacturing companies can take to turn their website into a 24/7 marketing machine.

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SBP BRIEFINGJoin our Briefing on 24th September, which is being held at the Genting Club. We are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker will be Matt Abbott from DP World. You will also have the opportunity to hear the latest Southend news and put your questions to the panel.

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MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNINGFor the 3rd year, the Holiday Inn Southend have organised a Macmillian Coffee Morning on Friday 25th September from 10am until 4pm to raise vital funds for the charity. Would you be kind enough to make either a financial donation or provide a prize which can be raffled on the day?

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CIVIC CENTRE RETAIL SPACE Would you like to hire retail space in the Civic Centre? With booking fees starting from £35.00 and with access to 1500 staff and residents every weekday between 11am and 3pm, you could hire retail space at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue. If you need more information please contact Stephanie Tang on 215883.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNCIL’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM.

THE TEAM OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT TO BUSINESSES:

• Establishing your business in Southend-on-Sea: connecting you with supply chain and local business networks

• Regulatory advice: we can connect you with local regulators like food hygiene, health and safety officers, licensing, trading standards and Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

• Planning: we can connect you with our planning team to ensure any building development is speedily actioned

• Working on your behalf: connecting you with the right people involving a diverse range of services such as transport, infrastructure issues and signage

• Funding and Finance: Information and advice on funding and finance incentives to grow your business

• Access: the team can provide you with useful contacts in other departments such as Business Rates, along with other stakeholders and partners, in order that you have the correct access of support your business requires.

• Market and business intelligence: providing you with access to research and local economic data

• Recruitment: connecting you with those that can help attract the right skills to your businesses, help with training and development of staff and with apprenticeships opportunities

• Familiarisation tours: Southend-on-Sea has a lot to offer and we can support you and your staff with relocation advice, information on schools, housing, healthcare, leisure and other facilities

• Aftercare: our team will stay in touch with you, establishing strong relationships, proactively resolving any issues and helping you grow your business in Southend-on-Sea

• Marketing: Help with raising the profile of your business in Southend-on-Sea through our networks to the local business community

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY We want all kinds of small businesses to get involved, so whether you are a family business, local shop, online business, wholesaler, business service or small manufacturer, Small Business Saturday is supporting you!

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EMPLOYABILITY CONFERENCE This free event on 21st September features leading speakers and a wide range of workshops and will include a networking lunch and a market place with stands and information about the Employability and Careers Centre.

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SOCIAL SATURDAY Social Saturday aims to raise awareness of how easy it is to support businesses that trade quality items/services and invest profits in supporting the local community, international development, and a wealth of other progressive schemes.

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RECRUITMENT & RETENTIONeRisk and reward is a key driver in any successful organisation and this workshop will help you identify how to recruit, develop and motivate your staff to achieve your long term growth plans.

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OLYMPIC COURSE CHALLENGE Join the Corporate Challenge and run or walk either 3 or 5k. You can participate alone or as a team and help to raise money for Haven Hospice. We’re hoping to get even more people involved this year and raise as much money as we possibly can.

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E-COMMERCE WORKSHOP Is your e-commerce business invisible to 70% of the world? If you are running an English based website learn the straightforward steps you can take to become more visible to more customers across the world and win more business at this workshop.

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BROADBAND VOUCHERSLAST CHANCE for SMEs in Southend to apply for grants of up to £3,000 to improve your broadband connection. Increase your productivity and boost your speeds to get ahead of your competition.

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YOUR CREATIVE NETWORKA new networking group called ‘Your Creative Network’ has been set up by the Southend Economic Development team. This group is especially designed to support businesses in the creative and cultural industries.

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RETAIL RATE RELIEFAvailable to ratepayers of certain retail properties with a rateable value of £50,000 or less that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments in each of the years 2014/15 and 2015/16.

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BETTER BUSINESS FOR ALL Better Business for All is a partnership between businesses and councils across Southern England who provide regulatory and planning services and has been set up to improve support and access available to businesses to help you grow and prosper.

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MY SOUTHENDSouthend Council to launch MySouthend from 22nd September 2015. MySouthend is an amazing online facility which has the residents, landlords and businesses of Southend at the heart of its design.

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HELPING YOUNG PEOPLEAged 16-18? Gain valuable skills to help you progress by upskilling your maths and English, completing qualifications in Workskills and Lifeskills and support finding work experience. You can also earn up to £40 a week bursary for attending.

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