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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on the Oxfordshire Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) at the Oxford Westgate Library, available for businesses in South and Vale to access for free. Full details can be found below.
We're also highlighting South Oxfordshire District Council's Everyone Active grant scheme, Constant Contact's Small Business, Big Break TV competition, the single-use vapes ban deadline, the County Council Election, planning your Easter holidays via the Visit Southern Oxfordshire website, applying for The Beautiful South Tourism Awards, the first AI roundtable event in Culham, Enterprise Oxfordshire's net zero webinar and OIEP's supporting care leavers into employment event.
Plus, follow us on Facebook and X to be kept up-to-date in between our weekly newsletters.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.
- South and Vale's Economic Development team
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Have you visited the Oxfordshire Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC)?The centre offers personalised support to new and existing business owners across Oxfordshire to start and run their business.
The team helps people by providing a helicopter view of their business and assisting them in understanding if their business is a viable idea.
The following resources are available to access for free:
- 1-to-1 business planning sessions and support, increasing sales and reducing risk
- Co-working desks and meeting booths
- Valuable Market Research Databases that feature lead generating, funding, sector insights and how-to guides
- Marketing suite equipment for professional headshots, product photography, video introductions, social media, website content and more
- Workshops, networking events and activities to help start, grow and innovate your business
- A range of the latest business books, magazines and reports.
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Everyone Active grant scheme – now openOrganisations from the voluntary sector are invited to apply for grants of up to £1,000 for projects that encourage South Oxfordshire residents to get active. Applicants can apply for revenue costs or capital items. Projects could include buying leisure/sports equipment; introducing new or improving physical activity projects; a training course or gaining coaching qualifications to upskill volunteers in improving physical and mental wellbeing; projects promoting greener ways of travelling, and setting up or improving a community/sensory garden or orchard. Who can apply?
- Not-for-profit groups and sports clubs
- Town/parish councils and parish meetings
- Not-for-profit preschools, PTAs and local authority-run schools or Academies can apply for non-statutory elements of the education programme that are not already funded through school budgets and are out-of-hours provision.
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Small Business, Big Break
In collaboration with Enterprise Nation and Channel 4, Constant Contact is offering small businesses an incredible opportunity to boost their brand's visibility like never before.
Businesses can now apply to win a share of £300,000 of TV advertising, including full TV production costs, the chance to work with a top-tier video production agency to create your dream TV ad, the opportunity to consult a full team of experts on how best to reach your target audience across Channel 4 live and streaming services to make sure your business truly shines on screen, and an exclusive package of marketing tools and expertise, to take your marketing to new heights.
Plus, ten businesses will each win an exclusive marketing package, worth £4,000.
The competition closes for applications on 15 May. Enter via the Enterprise Nation website.
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Single-use vapes ban deadlineThe Government is reminding high street shops and convenience stores to deplete their stocks of single-use vapes ahead of new legislation coming into effect, banning their sale.If businesses have any single-use vapes in their possession after 1 June 2025, they will not be able to sell them to shoppers and must ensure they are disposed of safely.With under two months until the ban comes into effect, businesses must take action now to ensure they are prepared for its implementation. This includes ensuring all remaining stocks of single-use vapes are sold and only buying vapes that follow the new regulations.Businesses that fail to comply with the ban could face a stop notice or a fine of £200 in the first instance, with all products seized by Trading Standards. If any further infractions occur, they could be hit with an unlimited fine or be prosecuted.
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County Council Election – Thursday 1 May 2025On Thursday 1 May 2025, residents in Oxfordshire will be able to vote in the County Council Election. In this election, you will vote to elect the individual to represent your electoral division on Oxfordshire County Council to help make decisions locally, on important issues such as adult and children’s social care, education and learning, fire and rescue, and public health and prevention. For more information, visit the South Oxfordshire or Vale of White Horse website.
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Make this Easter half-term one to remember!Whether you’re looking to get out and about in the sunshine or prefer to find things to do indoors over the Easter holidays, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have something for everyone. Take part in outdoor Easter trails, meet newborn lambs, get creative with arts and crafts, watch a pantomime, go wild at soft play centres or splash into fun at local leisure pools. Whatever the weather, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained!Check out our Easter page to see what's on over the holidays. Plus, if you're hosting an event, or know of one we should be promoting, submit an event listing and we will feature this on our website.
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Apply for The Beautiful South Tourism AwardsThe Beautiful South Tourism Awards are open for entries, and we're encouraging hospitality businesses across South and Vale to apply. Categories include:
- Unsung Hero Award
- Business Events Venue of the Year
- Tourism Event/Festival of the Year
- Visitor Information Service of the Year
- Wedding Venue of the Year
- Accommodation
- Experiences and attractions
- Food and drink
Virtual workshops will be held to help with Awards entries, one to help first time entrants with what’s involved and how to submit entries and one for past entrants to share top tips on completing the best entry forms and answer any queries. These will take place on Tuesday 15 April and Wednesday 23 April.
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Oxford Innovation Space hosts first AI roundtable event in Culham
Following the government’s announcement that the first AI Growth Zone will be based in Culham in Oxfordshire, Oxford Innovation Space has organised the first in a series of special AI roundtable events to bring together likeminded SMEs working in complementary fields of AI.
The inaugural event recently took place at the Culham Innovation Centre. Meeting every six weeks, the group aims to create an inclusive community engaged with the new AI Growth Zone at Culham, to develop a dynamic cluster of AI-focused companies, stakeholders and investors, and to create a local directory of AI-focused companies. Businesses gathered together to network, exchange knowledge, discuss practical challenges and key issues such as cyber security, data sovereignty, copyright and ethics.
Companies operating in the AI sector can register their interest in attending a future roundtable via the Culham Innovation Centre website.
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Get Your Business Net Zero Ready!Market pressure is mounting and this is only going to increase. Every supplier to the NHS (with a contract over £10,000) now has to have a carbon reduction plan and commit to net zero. Soon enough this will spread to every contract and market across the UK and beyond. Every customer will expect you to be taking action! But, don't panic - there are tools available to help small businesses take action to become net zero, and Enterprise Oxfordshire's webinar will walk you through a selection. Tuesday 15 April | 9.30am - 11.30am
Expert 1:1 support is available after the workshop to help you to firm up your plans for net zero action. Register for your free place via Eventbrite.
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OIEP HR Network workshop - Supporting Care Leavers into EmploymentCare Leavers face disadvantages in securing employment compared to their non-care experienced peers. Statistics from Home for Good show that 39% of care leavers aged 19-21 are not in education, employment or training (NEET), compared to just 13% of those without care experience. Join the Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) to explore how Oxfordshire businesses can support care leavers into employment and create opportunities for a more inclusive economy. Monday 28 April | 10am - 1pmOxfordshire Youth
This HR network event will bring together local Oxfordshire businesses to learn about the importance of supporting care leavers and the transformative impact this can have on the lives of young people. Attendees will hear from national experts, care-experienced professionals and the County Council care leavers team, to share best practices and gain a deeper understanding of how care leavers can be assisted in the workplace.
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Boost your business success – stay connected with us!
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We’re here to provide the tools, insights and resources you need to succeed.
Follow our social media channels for:
- The latest business news
- Important events
- Practical advice and guidance
- Opportunities for businesses.
Follow us on our new Facebook page and X account to keep up to date.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge or just a little extra motivation, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help your business thrive - one post at a time!
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