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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're focusing on our Visitor Economy survey and how our local businesses can help us to capture visitor data, plus the new TechX Clean Energy Accelerator programme.

We're also highlighting the Enterprise Nation Fund, preventing Legionella in the workplace, ShopAppy's product loading sessions, selling to the councils and the launch of the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

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
In collaboration with Tourism South East Research, we are inviting visitors to South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse to participate in a survey centred around our local visitor economy.

We're asking our local businesses to help us to capture visitor data to allow us to gain a better understanding of the sector, identifying the challenges faced by businesses and uncovering exciting opportunities for the future. The findings from this research will help us to shape support for the tourism sector.

There are three ways that businesses can help with our study:
  1. Display our promo poster in any high-traffic areas, or areas with longer dwell times, including cafes and restaurants
  2. Print out hard-copy questionnaires and encourage completion
  3. Share Tourism South East's social media posts
Find out more on the Tourism South East website.
Apply for the TechX Clean Energy Accelerator

Are you a technology start-up with a game-changing idea?

Applications for the Net Zero Technology Centre’s award-winning TechX Clean Energy Accelerator are now open. The 15-week programme supports disruptive start-ups that have clear potential to accelerate the future of clean and affordable energy.

The programme will equip start-ups with the funding, tools, resources and training they need to evolve and grow, accelerating their path to commercialisation and beyond.

Successful applicants will receive up to £100,000. They will also be able to:
  • Accelerate technology development
  • Receive tuition and support from expert partners and mentors
  • Become investor ready
  • Shape their commercial strategy
  • Grow their team
  • Continue to scale up
Find out more and apply via the Net Zero Technology Centre website.
Apply for the Enterprise Nation Fund

Enterprise Nation has set up a fund to recognise small business owners whose work is driven by their values.

The competition categories are Entrepreneurial, Trusted and Community-led. There will be one winner for each category. Winners will receive:

  • A £5,000 grant to fuel your business growth
  • Monthly mentoring sessions for 12 months with an experienced entrepreneur
  • A meeting with a dedicated TikTok Ads Specialist at TikTok's London office, where you'll create a tailored media plan
  • A Dell Technologies XPS laptop, worth up to £1,000 (Model subject to availability)
  • £500 credits to spend on VistaPrint.co.uk
  • Santander Navigator 'Prepare' package, worth £1,800 of international growth support
  • A 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps membership, worth £596
The competition closes for entries at 11.59pm on 14 September 2023.

Apply for the fund via the Enterprise Nation website.
Preventing Legionella in the workplace

Recent checks by the South and Vale Food and Safety Team have revealed that some businesses may be failing to comply with health and safety requirements to manage the risk of Legionella. 

Workplaces must have a suitable risk assessment for Legionella and appropriate controls in place. 

While the risk of catching Legionnaire’s disease is low, if someone does get it at your workplace, they could become seriously ill. 

To find out about your requirements and the controls you should put in place, visit our page about Preventing Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease on the South or Vale website. 
ShopAppy's product loading sessions

The ShopAppy team are hosting free sessions to show businesses how they can upload their products and use the platform effectively.

Every Monday   |   2pm - 3pm

During the session, businesses will learn about ShopAppy, how the platform works, how to get started with the platform and how to upload your own products.

You will be able to ask questions and learn how to get the most out of the platform.

Businesses can register to attend this free session via ShopAppy's website.

To find out how you can get involved with our ShopAppy scheme, visit the South Oxfordshire District Council or Vale of White Horse District Council website.
Selling to the councils - register for the
South East Business Portal

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.

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'.

A list of contracts shortly up for renewal can be found on the South Oxfordshire District Council website.

Further information can be found on our dedicated webpage.
Empowering Oxfordshire Businesses – The Launch of the Local Skills Improvement Plan

Oxfordshire LSIP, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Department for Education are hosting an online webinar to unveil their tailored Local Skills Improvement Plan to bridge the skills gap, nurture talent and drive economic growth.

Tuesday 12 September   |   10am - 11am

The session is ideal for all Oxfordshire employers and training/education professionals. Come along and gain valuable knowledge and discover strategies to shape the future.

Register for your free place via the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce website.

Copyright © 2023 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:


South Oxfordshire District Council   | 
Vale of White Horse District Council