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Introducing the Test Valley Business Newsletter. This is the first in a series of regular business newsletters which will provide topical and helpful information for Test Valley businesses. It also gives you the chance to tell us what you would find helpful to your business. The newsletter will include material on marketing events, local business success stories, as well as information on grants and funding.
Test Valley Borough Council has introduced a new business support service delivered by Enterprise First, with whom it has a long established relationship in promoting economic development services.  www.enterprisefirst.co.uk
For more information click here
Test Valley Business Awards 2016
Now in its 12th year, the Test Valley Business Awards initiative has become a well-established platform to promote business excellence and shine a light on new and small businesses. The Initiative, which is run by a group of volunteers and supported by Test Valley Borough Council, enables small enterprises to gain the recognition and exposure they need to grow. The 2016 Test Valley Business Awards concluded with a Gala Dinner and awards ceremony at The Lights, Andover, on 22 September with guest speaker Chris Packham. Pictured above: New Business of the Year award winner James Dawes of Dawes Highway Safety Ltd. If you would like to find out more, please contact dgleave@testvalley.gov.uk and visit www.tvbawards.org.uk
Did you know... Test Valley's rate of jobs growth is nearly 3 times that of Great Britain!
Government recently released its 2015 Business Register & Employment Survey which provides information on Jobs. Between 2010-15 Test Valley's employment grew by 9,200 employees. This significant job growth has come from both existing and new businesses. Test Valley is ranked 4th in new business formation (2010-2016) among the 13 Hampshire districts with a 19% rise in its business base.
January will see the launch of the 2017 Test Valley Visitor Guide and will showcase the fantastic attractions the area has to offer. Copies are available online here, at the Tourist Information Centre in Romsey or at 9 tourist information points at visitor attractions across Test Valley.
 
News
TVBC encourage business success with the launch of the Business Networking Diary. Test Valley Borough Council has approached local business networking groups across Test Valley to ascertain information on local networking events and has collated all the information in one place in the form of a diary. Please click here to view the full diary on our website.
Do you know your new Rateable Value?
Check the ‘rateable value’ of your property - this is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and used by the Council to calculate your business rates bill.
Click on the link
www.gov.uk/voa/revaluation.
 

LEADER is a 6 year EU funding programme for rural businesses. It aims to boost new jobs and encourage communities to come together. LEADER provides grants for farming, forestry and tourism businesses. Test Valley is covered by three LEADER programmes, each with a budget of about £1.5m:

 

New Forest – covers southern rural Test Valley

North Wessex Downs covers Bourne Valley north of Andover and

Loddon & Test covers the remainder.

 

Test Valley Borough Council is keen for local businesses to take advantage of the funds. Click here for further information and guidance on whether you may be eligible for funding.

Footfall is up!
Romsey has seen an increase in footfall of 22% in August 2016 compared to August 2015. This year could see an even greater increase due to the Romsey Arts Festival which should draw in crowds and support businesses this summer. The festival takes place every 3 years and expresses the town's love of the arts. Please see the link for more information. Meanwhile, Andover businesses are considering the possibility of becoming a Business Improvement District. For more information please contact David Gleave, Economic Development Officer at TVBC. dgleave@testvalley.gov.uk
"Chris, who started enJoy! Raw Chocolate just over 12 months ago in premises located in Picket Piece,  Andover is growing his business by networking through local contacts and with the help of TVBC. Chris commented that "being part of a Test Valley business community is enjoyable but makes absolute business sense, particularly as there are non-competing businesses that sell into the same markets."
 
Like many new and small businesses Chris uses local services: for his premises, printing and book keeping and supplies local outlets including Weyhill Farm Shop, Leckford Farm Shop and Peaberry Coffee. Crucially, he is teaming up with other Andover companies in order to sell into a wider combined customer base . The result -  everyone benefits and local connections are reinforced.
 
Test Valley has many formal and informal business networks and by working together local businesses can grow stronger."
 
TVBC is helping support businesses on the Portway and Walworth Business Parks with the role out of super fast broadband. Virgin Media Business recently held two breakfast events to help promote the product to businesses and inform them on how they can register their interest. For more information please click here.

Totcity based in Andover, is a new play centre for toddlers and pre-schoolers.  The centre has six play areas all aimed to promote imaginative play. Recently opened, Enterprise First helped support Totcity in the lead up to its opening through the Start & Grow programme.

As well as a dedicated business adviser, Totcity will receive ongoing support for the next three years.  This partnership between Test Valley Borough Council and Enterprise First, supports starts up and existing businesses by offering a range of free services including:

free one to one meetings with a business adviser, a start-up pack for anyone thinking of starting a business and a book full of hints and tips about being in business.

To find out more about the business support services visit www.enterprisefirst.co.uk  Find out more about Totcity at www.totcity.co.uk
TVBC and Kier are very proud to advertise the completion of Evolution 50. The new industrial warehouse is now being marketed and TVBC encourage businesses to come and view the building. If you would like to arrange an exclusive viewing please contact Kier on 01264 355841.
A note from Councillor Giddings, Economic Portfolio Holder at Test Valley Borough Council
Welcome to our first business newsletter which we hope offers you a wealth of useful information to businesses across Test Valley. We have teamed up with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, networking groups and Enterprise First to bring you updated information which will aid your business and hopefully help make it even more of a success. If there are particular subjects which you would like more information on then please let us know.

Thanks,
Councillor Giddings.
Economic Development Portfolio Holder.
If you found this newsletter helpful you may wish to forward this on to a friend?
Copyright © 2016 | Test Valley Borough Council, All rights reserved.
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Test Valley Borough Council · Beech Hurst · Weyhill Road · Andover, Hampshire SP10 3AJ · United Kingdom

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