Some info and links from the Senior Business Advisor at North Yorkshire Council
Free accountancy & business advice – business essentials & drop In – 8th May 10:00am – 1:00pm Harrogate, Co-Lab
Join us for a free workshop and free business advice from accountant, Jo Tomlinson, owner of Business Works UK. The workshop (10-11am) will cover choosing which type of business you should be (sole trader, limited company), whether you should register for VAT, how much to charge for your goods or services, what records you need to keep, whether you should employ staff and what your responsibilities are if you do, how to tell if your business is doing well. There’ll be time afterwards to ask Jo questions relating to your business. She’s also a great person to speak with about accounting software. Details & booking here.
New funding – could you sell your products or services abroad?
A new grant opens next month to help with the costs of reaching new overseas markets. A generous 75% grant will help with costs for things like:
The above list is not exhaustive. Maximum grant is £10,000. To qualify, you must have been trading for a minimum of 12 months and be able to demonstrate a keen interest in exporting (if in doubt, let’s have a chat). All projects must complete by March 2027. The first round of grants opens in May and closes in June. Other rounds will be available going forwards. Full details here (page 16)
New funding for manufacturers
A new programme of support has started, helping manufacturers achieve the benefits of digitalising their operations – be that data, systems integration, AI etc. The programme comes with training, intensive tech support and a grant to help implement the changes. More details here.
Do you operate in a priority sector which would benefit from working more closely together?
There’s grants available (£3,000-£50,000) to help create and grow geographical clusters of businesses within the YNYCA’s high growth sectors: Health & Lifesciences, Bio-Economy, Agri-tech, Digital & Creative, Manufacturing & Rail, as well as the Marine sector in North Yorkshire and the Business & Professional Services sector in the City of York. More details here (page 10).
Funding & support for early-stage engineers & tech entrepreneurs
Regional Talent Engines is a unique 6-month programme designed to help early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs build the foundations for a successful start-up. You’ll receive expert mentoring, practical training, and £20,000 funding to support your progress. Current applications close 6th May, however, these do tend to reopen every year. More details here.
Engineering / tech leadership training
For engineering or tech businesses with annual sales of £1million+, the Royal Academy of Engineers is offering The Shott Scale Up Accelerator – a twelve-month programme that develops, nurtures and strengthens the leadership capabilities of senior decision-makers in high-growth engineering and tech SMEs to scale their business to the next level. We know the leap from technical expert to business leader can be difficult to navigate on your own. Support consists of 36hrs of training by tech leaders, coaching & mentoring, plus a £10,000 grant for leadership training anywhere in the world. Participants can expect a lifetime of support through connection to an exceptional community of engineers and innovators, mentors, coaches and over 500 Enterprise Hub Members and Academy Fellows. More details here
US tariffs – have your say!
The government is calling for businesses to give detailed information on what impact the increased tariffs will have on the items you trade with the US. This survey is open until 1st May. Access here.
For more information about the impacts and a webinar 28th April (practical impacts / how to navigate the new rules) go here.
Do you have a high street business?
You might be interested in signing up for the highstreetpositive newsletter and checking out their past monthly issues. The company is dedicated to changing the negative narrative about declining high streets with positive examples of businesses doing well, new initiatives and listing retailers who are looking for space on high streets around the country. Sign up to their newsletter here
Vibrant & Sustainable High Streets Funding
Phase One received 42 applications which are currently being appraised and discussed with applicants. If you are interested in applying for the next round of funding, but aren’t part of a necessary collaboration with other businesses /local organisations, please let me know. There is a way for you to register your interest – when enough other businesses in your area register theirs, you can be connected. Phase Two is expected to be open to applications in the Summer, with a further round of funding offered again in January 2026. This fund is for all communities, no matter what their size, to fund initiatives to boost local business.
Do you have a project that needs some dedicated expertise? Do you need a temporary person to help?
The University of York has senior students studying all kinds of subjects, who are seeking internships – biology students, natural sciences, business management, software and app development, market research, digital marketing etc. Projects could range from digital transformation, to software development to conducting some useful research to implementing a social media strategy! Placements are for 4 to 12 weeks, throughout the course of the year (not just Summer). They can be full time or part time, hybrid, remote or in-person, whichever is preferred. The University team will help you to scope a suitable project and they provide a full recruitment service, managing all the admin for you. They even pay the interns from the University payroll, meaning that you do not hire them onto your own books. Interns are paid £16.12ph e.g. 6 weeks at 15hrs per week = £1450. There are some small grants to help towards the cost. You can find more details here.
Do you have multiple companies? Did you know that the tax rules have changed massively?
Relatively unpublicised, last year, the government brought in new tax rules that will have a massive tax impact on businesses which are classed as associated. The tax thresholds you used to get for one company are now split between any companies that are associated, meaning high tax bills for each. This association could be common shareholders/ premises/ equipment/ management, voting power, assets, trading reliance, inter-company loans, family members etc. If you don’t know about these changes, Accountant, Jo Tomlinson, has delivered a whole series of webinars which I’d highly recommend watching – here you’ll find one specifically on this issue ‘Associated Companies’
Urgent action if your heating / hot water use RTS (Radio Teleswitch Service)?
Some homes and businesses use Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters to run their heating and hot water. This service is being switched off from 30th June and may negatively impact residents and businesses if they have one. In some cases, the switch-off could mean that their heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal, or their energy bills could be stuck at a higher peak-rate. Energy suppliers will be contacting any homes or businesses affected, but as a trusted voice in the community, we are being asked to encourage people to take action if needed. A major national advertising campaign was launched in January calling for RTS customers across Great Britain to urgently upgrade their electricity meters. Smart Energy GB is supporting the campaign, which is being led by Ofgem and the energy sector RTS taskforce. Find out more on Ofgem’s website here: https://bit.ly/RTSmeter
Help shape the new National Business Growth Service
A new National Business Growth Service is being developed and is currently at consultation phase and the Department of Business & Trade is asking businesses to complete their online survey to help shape the service. Your insights as a key stakeholder in the regional business ecosystem are essential in ensuring that BGS delivers real value to businesses and support organisations at national, regional, and local levels. This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between public, private, academic, and third-sector stakeholders to drive economic growth and business success. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey here
Free Marketing Diagnostic Tool
Small / medium sized businesses account for 99% of businesses in the UK but account for only 20% of marketing spend. Finding and keeping customers has never been more important. GrowthBox helps figure out what marketing steps to take and gives you the tools to grow your business. Based on an easy assessment, it provides you with a free ‘marketing healthcheck’ to see where your business is at. ‘GrowthBox makes marketing easier by helping businesses work out what marketing to do and connecting them with marketing experts to get it done’. More info here.
Fun Marketing Opportunities at the Historic Skipton Gala – 14th June
Fancy generating some creative publicity by constructing a float for the gala procession? Or perhaps organising a walking group with some banners? The call is out for businesses to either join the procession or perhaps take a stand at the gala field. Contact the gala team here
Mentoring Support For Young Businesses
The council has procured a programme of mentoring support for businesses under 3 years, to help them thrive. You can find more details here. If this is of interest, let me know and I will introduce you.
Jobs Fair (Ripon area) – Do You Need Staff?
If you’re trying to recruit, we are holding a jobs fair where there will be around 80 staff attending who are facing redundancy. We are looking for businesses who would like to attend. Contact me for more details.
NETWORKING & EVENTS
Skipton Business Social – 29th April 6:00 – 8:00pm, Skipton
Details and booking here.
Skipton Business Breakfast – 30th April, 14th May, 28th May, 11th June, 25th June
Fortnightly membership networking group over a delicious breakfast. Details and booking here.
Face-to- Face Networking At North Bar Harrogate – 1st May 9:30 – 11:00am
Join us for no pressure networking, turn up and mingle in a relaxed and informal environment. Ian and I will be on hand to introduce you so you won’t feel nervous, we promise there will be no wallflowers at our event. You’re welcome to stay for the rest of the day and co-work in this great location, why not grab some lunch too? Details & booking here.
Yorkshire Heritage Symposium – 13th May 1:00 – 3:00pm, Skipton
This Symposium is part of this year’s Yorkshire Heritage Summit in Skipton, organised by The Yorkshire Society. It brings together a number of experts to talk and present around the theme of A SENSE OF PLACE. Discussions and a Q&A will allow attendees to fully participate. More details & booking here.
The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum – 20th-22nd May, Leeds
Huge event, 16,000+ attendees. Meet investors, developers, contractors, occupiers, local authorities, etc. Speakers, workshops, networking etc. Register here.
Leeds Property & Economic Forum – 3rd June 5:00 – 7:00pm, Leeds
Join us at the Leeds Property & Economic Forum to hear about the latest updates in your city. Booking here.
Creative Innovators – Visit the New CO-STAR Live Lab Facilities – 3rd June 10:30am – 14:30pm, Wakefield
Live Lab is part of the £75m government-funded CoSTAR Network, and supports innovation in immersive, multisensory and interactive technologies to transform audience experience, shaping next-generation live experiences for screen, stage and into the metaverse. We invite you to join us for a first encounter session at CoSTAR Live Lab. At this session you will be able to find out more about who we are, what we aim to do, the facilities and expertise that we have and, crucially, how they might benefit you and your organisation. Details & booking here.
Skipton Business Social – Start Your Own Podcast – 10th June 6:00 – 8:00pm, Skipton
Details and booking here.
Racing To Cut Your Energy Costs – 4th June 4:00pm at Ripon Racecourse
Learn how to save money on your energy bills. Hear from inspiring local businesses on ways to save energy costs, access funding, find practical solutions etc. Bringing together businesses who are making changes, industry & sustainability experts. A refundable £10 deposit secures your ticket which will give you free entry to the evening’s racing! Book here
Yorkshire Choice Awards – 6th June 7:00pm-1:00am, Leeds
Our prestigious Awards Gala Dinner is the ultimate celebration of achievement in Yorkshire. Tickets include a 3-course meal, Awards ceremony, and dancing till the early hours. Book tickets here
Craven Business Expo – 18th June 10:00am – 2:00pm
This exciting event brings together local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals for a day of networking, learning, and collaboration. 40 exhibitors & demos, book a slot with one of our Meet The Expert Panel members (HR, Solicitor, Marketing, Business Funding etc.), tours of The Coniston Estate and 20% off food and drink in the restaurant. Details & booking here.
North Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards – 19th June starts 6:45pm, Harrogate
Join us for our 3rd Apprenticeship Awards a celebration of hardworking individuals and businesses that support apprenticeships. Booking here (pricey)
Skipton Business Social – 24th June 6:00 – 8:00pm, Skipton
Details and booking here.
An Evening For CTO’s, Architects & Technology Leaders – 2nd July 5:00-11:00pm, Leeds
Join us for a relaxed evening of drinks, insight, and connection with Yorkshire’s most forward-thinking tech architects, CTOs, and technology leaders. Whether you’re defining cloud strategy, scaling systems, or just want to meet others who live and breathe technology architecture – this is your room. Details & booking here.
Skipton Business Social – Living More Healthy Years – 15th July 6:00 – 8:00pm, Skipton
Details and booking here.
TRAINING
Access All Kinds of Training, For Free & Anytime!
There’s a whole history of past workshops that have been recorded, on all manner of subjects – social media & marketing, sales & business development, managing staff, leadership, recruitment, good financial management practices, raising finance, digital security, mental health & wellbeing, time management etc. You and your staff can search and access them all here for free. N.B. the most recent recordings are last!
Delivering Value to Our Customers – 29th April 9:00 – 11:00am, Bramham Wetherby
‘Having built my own profitable business and working with Global Corporations along with small independents around the world, I have learnt that the basics of selling are no different. In this session we will challenge why all your customers are not equal and identify what customer value is, plus how we develop our value proposition.’ Details & booking here.
Estate and Succession Planning For Business Owners – 8th May 9:00 – 11:00, Leeds
The Autumn Budget, announced on 30th October 2024, proposed large scale changes to inheritance tax, particularly effecting business owners, due to the proposed capping of “business relief”. Business owners who were relying on business relief to pass on their business to their family upon death, tax free, should now re-evaluate their personal situations. Furthermore, the proposed changes to the inheritance tax rules around pensions, will likely create further inheritance tax questions for families. Details & booking here.
Email Marketing For Your Small Business – 19th May 7:00 – 9:00pm, Harrogate
With a multi-million pound business and over 8,000 paying students under his belt, Kennedy knows what actually works…and what’s just fluff. He’s not just an expert. He’s entertaining, straight-talking, and wildly clever when it comes to email strategy. Details & booking here.
Seeing is Believing – 25th June 9:30am-12:30pm – Summerbridge
Hear the exciting story of Christopher Neave, founder of Ultralase, a laser-eye surgery company. From start up, via private equity, to successful exit. And then what happened next – starting with humble ambitions, to being blown away with the incredible impact of their transformational rewilding projects in Yorkshire and beyond. If you give nature the chance, it will bounce back. Come and see it for yourself with an optional tour of the 110 acre site. Details & booking here
Michaela Young
Senior Business Advisor
North Yorkshire Council
Chamber of Trade Members Shepherd Partnership are hosting a free Making Tax Digital for Income Tax advice clinic – aimed at sole traders and landlords. The event is this Saturday morning (17th May) at the Skipton office on Carleton Business Park. The event details and booking link are here… FREE CLINIC: Get Ready for Making […]
Unlock your business potential: Blogging for the Settle Business Community Are you a valued member of the Settle District Chamber of Trade? Then, fantastic news! You have a golden opportunity to shine a spotlight on your business right here on the settle.org – all through the power of blogging. “That sounds amazing, but where do […]
Spring time brings a lot of joy in Settle and the surrounding countryside, we (King William Guest House) don’t hold much knowledge on what the names of various plants are but there is one that comes every year in abundance – Wild Garlic! This year with the very mild conditions from early March the leaves […]