Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're encouraging our local businesses to sign up to the South East Business Portal. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils buy goods and services from a variety of contractors using the portal and if you are interested in selling to the councils, you will need to register below. We're also focusing on our ShopAppy platform for businesses, the Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework (CARF) and a new grant funding scheme from Innovate UK.

We're also highlighting a free workshop from OxLEP Business and the Oxford Business and Intellectual Property Centre, for those who want to start or accelerate their business. Further details and a registration link can be found in our Events section below.

There are lots more opportunities, events and resources to get stuck into this week, but as always, if you'd like to suggest content for the SVBS newsletter, please get in touch with us.

- Team SVBS
The councils buy goods and services from a variety of contractors, ranging from someone who is self-employed to national organisations.

To provide cost-effective services for our residents, the councils often operate a joint procurement process, and therefore award joint contracts.
The aims of the procurement strategy are:
  • to bring value for money to the forefront of any expenditure when procuring services, goods and works
  • to ensure efficient and economic contracts are in place, that are managed well
  • to reduce costs and risk within the supply chain 
  • to ensure council spending contributes to the economic, social, and environmental benefits for our communities
Opportunities for local businesses

Opportunities to supply your services or goods to the councils are often available, either direct or as a sub-contractor.

If you are interested in selling to the councils, you will need to register on the South East Business Portal. Please note that contracts for both councils can be located under 'South Oxfordshire District Council'.

Register for our free online marketplace for South and Vale businesses

We’ve partnered with ShopAppy to pilot an online marketplace for independent High Street businesses located in our districts.

The platform will be free for the area’s businesses to access over the first 12 months of the scheme (excluding bank / card charges). Businesses will need to allocate just 20 minutes a week to managing their profile.

If you're interested in our new online marketplace, you can find further information and how to register on our website.
Have your say on the Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework (CARF)

Vale of White Horse District Council is currently working on a regeneration review for central Abingdon, called the Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework (CARF). The project will include a review of the town centre to identify realistic options for improving buildings, spaces and movement to help make central Abingdon a thriving place in the future.

The council would like to hear from you to inform the work on the CARF project. A four-week online consultation event is now live, and will close for responses at 11.59pm on Friday 15 July 2022.

You can view all the consultation materials and the link to the survey on the council's website here.

£30 million Fast Start boost for cutting-edge start-ups

Innovate UK is launching a brand new series of grants worth £30 million to back innovative UK businesses to expand and develop new products and boost the UK economy.


The Fast Start: Innovation grants will give hundreds of UK small and micro-businesses the opportunity to grow and realise their ideas faster. This exciting new competition opens for applications on 11 July and closes on 26 July.

These grants, of up to £50,000 each, will provide a fast way to boost cash flow, helping to propel those highly innovative ideas that have a clear route to commercialisation. Please note that Fast Start: Innovation grants will only be offered to businesses that have not previously received Innovate UK funding.

Find out if your business is eligible and how to apply here.
'Start & Grow Your Business Now'

In partnership with OxLEP Business, the Oxford Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) is hosting a free workshop for those who want to start or accelerate their business.

Tuesday 19 July  |  9:30am - 4:30pm

The sessions will help you to:

  • Develop your critical thinking skills
  • Develop a collaborative mindset
  • Develop your creativity
  • Develop your understanding of how ideas can become actions
  • Develop your understanding of why businesses succeed or fail
  • Know where to access more support to start and grow your business
You will finish the day with a clear plan on how to move your business forward and reach your next milestone.

Register for the free workshop using Eventbrite.

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South Oxfordshire District Council   | 
Vale of White Horse District Council