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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on the Councils' list of services and advice to help local residents and businesses cope with the winter months. Further details can be found below.
We're also highlighting the Regional Defence and Security Cluster, protecting your business with the Cyber Action Toolkit, guidance from the Food Standards Agency, free funding from the King's Trust to train or start work, helping to improve GOV.UK guidance, Visit Southern Oxfordshire's Christmas initiative, Airbnb's Best of British fund, Tap Social's new venue at Milton Park, Oxfordshire County Council's Movement and Place Plan for Science Vale, the Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture & Creative Industries Symposium and ROBIN's Christmas networking event.
Plus, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to be kept up-to-date in between our 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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Winter in South and ValeNow that the weather has taken a turn, the Councils have put together a list of services and advice to help local residents and businesses. Topics include:
- Energy saving advice
- Health advice
- Warm spaces
- Extreme weather
- Disruption to waste services
- Winter activities and events
- Supporting rough sleepers.
Visit the South and Vale websites for tips on dealing with the upcoming winter months.
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Join the Regional Defence and Security ClusterSouth and Vale businesses looking to explore opportunities in defence and security are invited to join the growing Regional Defence and Security Cluster for Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the Chilterns (OBC RDSC). With a specific focus on start-ups and SMEs, the cluster aims to bring together regional organisations, including government agencies, universities, research organisations and a diverse range of businesses, to tackle the UK's defence and security challenges, while enabling economic growth. Find out more via the OBC RDSC website or join their upcoming event, 'Routes to the UK Defence Market for SMEs', to understand how your business can prepare for successful engagement with the MOD.
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Protect your business with the Cyber Action Toolkit1 in 2 UK small businesses identified a cyber attack last year, and around 1 in 4 UK small businesses experienced a cyber crime. To prevent this from happening, the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Action Toolkit provides clear, bite-sized actions to protect your business' money and reputation from cyber criminals. You'll get a list of actions handpicked for small businesses by government cyber security experts for small businesses. Starting with low-effort, high-impact actions, the toolkit walks you through each one step-by-step. The toolkit is free, easy to follow and quick to start, even if you're new to cyber security. Get started via the Cyber Action Toolkit website.
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Christmas guidance from the Food Standards AgencyAdding Christmas specials to your menu? Catering a Christmas party? If so, you'll need to make sure your menu follows the Food Standards Agency (FSA)’s allergen guidance and that your Christmas staff are up to date on food safety training. The FSA offers free online food safety and allergen training to help your team get prepared for the holiday season. The website also has information on starting a food business and setting up your premises, food hygiene ratings, recalls and incident guidance, and more. Find out more on the FSA website.
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Free funding to train or start work
Financial barriers can make it difficult to learn new skills or get the job you want. The Kings Trust's Development Awards can help you overcome these barriers and achieve your goals.
Development Awards are small grants for young people who need financial support to access education, employment, training or structured volunteering. If you're aged 16 to 30 and not currently working or in education, you could be eligible.
A Development Award can cover costs up to £500 for course fees or expenses related to joining a course or starting work. Examples of costs that can be covered can be found via the King's Trust website.
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Help improve GOV.UK guidance
Are you starting a small business in the next 6 months, or have you just started a business?
If this is you, researchers from the Department of Business and Trade would like to chat with you about your experience with regulatory guidance on GOV.UK. The team want to understand what works well and what could be improved, so they can enhance the content and better support businesses in navigating regulations.
Sessions will last for one hour and participants will be compensated for their time.
Complete the form to apply to take part in the research.
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We've launched a new initiative to support small, independent businesses this Christmas.Local businesses and event organisers are invited to promote their festive events and activities for free through our Visit Southern Oxfordshire Christmas page, ensuring they reach hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors across the districts’ market towns and surrounding areas. These festive happenings can include anything from Christmas markets and wreath-making workshops to late-night shopping evenings, carol singing and crafts. We'll promote these events across our social media channels and in local and regional media outreach, including magazine, website and outdoor poster advertisements, providing invaluable marketing support during the critical festive trading period.
Residents are also encouraged to make the page their first stop for planning festive activities. The page offers a comprehensive, up-to-date calendar of everything happening locally and is frequently updated.
Take a look at our Visit Southern Oxfordshire Christmas page to get started!
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Best of British grant fundingWith rising costs and competition from other destinations, 1 in 3 hospitality businesses are now operating at a loss. With the closure of local businesses, the things that make British towns, cities and villages so special are at risk of being lost. Airbnb is launching the £1 million Best of British fund to help support the stays, experiences and attractions that make Britain great. If you are, or if you know of, a historic home, an unusual stay, a local festival, a breathtaking outdoor adventure or the best place to get a world-class meal, Airbnb want to hear from you. The application deadline is 11.59pm on 23 November. Apply via the Airbnb website.
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Photo credit: Aurélien Langlais
Tap Social Movement brings 'Day Release' to Signal YardThe multi award-winning Oxford social enterprise brewery and bakery, Tap Social Movement, has announced it will be opening a brand-new venue at Milton Park (Oxfordshire)'s Signal Yard. Day Release is Tap Social’s fifth Oxfordshire community venue and the first to bring all Tap Social brands together under one roof, delivering the company’s trademark mix of independent beer, fresh pastries, creativity and community spirit to one of the region’s most exciting new destinations. At its heart, Tap Social provides training and employment for people moving through the criminal justice system. To date it has created more than 100,000 hours of fairly paid work to prison leavers and people on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL), a number that stands to grow significantly with the launch of Day Release at Signal Yard. Read the story in full via Milton Park's website.
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Movement and Place Plan: Science Vale Oxfordshire County Council has launched a public consultation for the Movement and Place Plan (MAP) for Science Vale.The plan aims to make public spaces better for the community and upgrade travel routes and infrastructure, making it easier for people to get around, improve the environment, and help make life better for everyone who lives, works or visits Science Vale.OCC are keen to hear your views on:
- The overall vision for the area
- The objectives set out in the MAP Plan
- The actions to take to meet these objectives
- How often the plan should be reviewed and updated.
There will be a public consultation event where you can learn more about the plans and share your views in person at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, on 26 November from 10am – 3pm.If you are unable to attend, you can have your say via the Let's Talk Oxfordshire website. This consultation will run until 11.59pm on Monday 1 December.
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ROBIN Christmas networking
ROBIN's annual Christmas networking event is back for 2025, taking place at the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO) in Woodstock.
Tuesday 25 November | 5pm to 7pm
ROBIN (Responsible Oxfordshire Business Involvement Network) facilitates lots of introductions, powerful collaborations and partnerships.
Come along to the Christmas Drinks event to mingle with ROBIN's growing network of businesses, charities, social enterprises, voluntary groups and educational institutions, in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Booking is essential. Register for your free place via Eventbrite.
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Help Shape Southern Oxfordshire's Cultural Strategy
South and Vale District Councils are holding a Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture & Creative Industries Symposium to gain feedback from local businesses, particularly those from the creative industries sector, on their priorities before they're shared with the wider community in early 2026.
Wednesday 26 November at 5.30pm
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Consultants Flying Geese will lead the session, kicking off with a short presentation on the new cultural strategy, followed by an interactive workshop designed to capture your expert insights.
This free event will conclude with light refreshments and informal networking. Secure your place now and help define Southern Oxfordshire's next cultural chapter!
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Boost your business success – stay connected with us via LinkedIn!
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 LinkedIn page to be kept 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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Know someone else who could benefit from the above information? Forward this newsletter and help us spread the word!
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