Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week we're focusing on the fast approaching deadline for our Winter Support Grants that are open for applications from South and Vale based businesses until midday on Thursday 16 December. Find more details below.

Following recent concerns about the Omicron variant and the subsequent announcement of the UK's move to 'Plan B', we're also seeking to understand the economic impact on the area's businesses.

If your business has been impacted by the latest developments, and you would like to highlight your situation within our business intelligence reports, please email details to business.support@southandvale.gov.uk.

Further to this, businesses within the Visitor Economy are also encouraged to provide feedback to Experience Oxfordshire to help aid local recovery plans within the industry. Find out more details about how to contribute within our opportunities section below.

Remember, if you have business news, an event, or opportunity or you would like us to feature, please get in touch.

- Team SVBS

Please note that Team SVBS will be taking a break from 24 December until 4 January and will be unable to respond to any queries during this time. Please get in touch with us before this period if you need assistance.
A note from South and Vale Business Support...
This year has once again been a challenging time for businesses based in South and Vale.

We can't stress enough how vital our Winter Support Grants are for businesses who continue to feel the impact of COVID-19. If your business is eligible, we strongly encourage you to apply before the deadline of this Thursday, 16 December, at midday.

All of the information on these available grant schemes can be found below and on our website. If you need any help with completing an application, please do get in touch with us.

We're also coming to the end of our Digital Carbon Footprint campaign, where we've been highlighting the easy-to-implement changes you can make to help the environment.
If you've actioned any of the steps within our free guide, please let us know as we'd love you feature your business as a case study on our website and social media channels. If you're yet to download the free guide, you can do so here.

Going forward, we have several new business support initiatives planned for launch in 2022. We hope these will offer assistance as businesses across South and Vale continue to manoeuvre through uncertain times. Please continue to subscribe for updates.

- Team SVBS
Businesses based in South and Vale have until midday on Thursday 16 December to apply for our Winter Support Grants.

Successful applicants of the Start-up Grant and the Sector Hardship Grant will be awarded up to £15,000. The final amount awarded will be dependent on remaining ARG funds and the number of successful applicants for the schemes.

Before beginning an application, or contacting the SVBS team for assistance, we encourage applicants to review the scheme FAQs.

If you have any language barriers or learning difficulties that mean you will need some support with completing the application form, please let us know so that we can assist you as soon as possible.
Have your say in the Experience Oxfordshire Visitor Economy

Experience Oxfordshire, the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Oxfordshire, would like to get feedback from as many businesses across Oxfordshire as possible on business confidence to help aid recovery planning.

The organisation is seeking views from industry and business through this survey to gauge what work is required to build back our vital visitor economy as quickly as possible, and to inform their approach to government, national tourist bodies and to future marketing.

Experience Oxfordshire also wishes to know what business support businesses will need to develop and adapt, as we all look to build a year-round visitor economy that thrives.

The survey takes around seven minutes to complete, and the information will be treated as confidential.

Complete the survey on the Experience Oxfordshire website here.
Thame Business Buzz has a new venue!

We're pleased to announce that the SVBS-supported Thame Business Buzz has found a new venue for face-to-face meetings.

The next event will take place at Chinnor Rugby Club on Thursday 6 January.

Date and time:
Every first Thursday of the month
10:00 - 12:00

Whilst we are excited to meet in person again, COVID-19 still exists. Please read the FAQs for all safety measures.

Register for the event here.
Wed 15 Dec: Abingdon face-to-face Business Buzz

Wed 15 Dec: Networking in… “Scaling Up” with Sarah Mols

Thu 16 Dec: Making Ideas Happen: Designing the Journey

Fri 17 Dec: Preventing Financial Fraud & Errors in Your Not-For-Profit Organisation

Tue 21 Dec: Boost with Facebook: Match your ad objective to your business goal

Wed 5 Jan: Networking in… “Build your 2022 Business Plan” with Pete Mols

Fri 7 Jan: Natural Netwalking in Goring and Streatley

Fri 7 Jan: Trade shows- how to plan for success

Thu 20 Jan: Harwell Net Zero Energy Conference

Sat 22 Jan: Enterprise Nation's StartUp 2022

Thu 27 Jan: Access to Finance Conference for Innovators: coaching masterclass
Watch our 'Networking In... with South and Vale' workshop - 'Growing Pains'

Keep up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 guidance

'Greening the web' - download our free guide for businesses

Less than a month until full customs controls are introduced

Thinking of starting your own business? Check out our free guide

Copyright © 2021 South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, all rights reserved.

To find out more about how the council holds, uses and stores your personal data, please click on the appropriate council’s link:


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