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TOMORROW: Deadline for Business Support Grants
Please note that applications to the Business Support Grants, Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund and B&B & Serviced Accommodation Hardship Fund will close at 5pm tomorrow (10/7/2020). 

You can apply to these grants via East Lothian Council's website. 
CLOSED FACEBOOK PAGE FOR BID MEMBERS
We have a closed Facebook page for BID members! We hope this group will be a good way for members to collaborate with each other but also a new way we can share information with you all, quickly and easily.

We cannot send invites for your businesses pages to join, but you can request to join the page by searching 'East Lothian Food and Drink Members' on Facebook. 

Look forward to seeing you all on the page!
Expert Help Programme
East Lothian's Expert Help Programme offers local businesses up to 3 days free specialised advice in the following areas:
  • SALSA
  • Product packaging
  • Waste minimisation and energy efficiency
  • HR - management of employees
  • IT Security, cyber crime and GDPR
  • Branding
  • Marketing including Social Media
  • Sales
The product packaging consultant is currently available for online sessions. If you would like to find out more about how to apply for support with product packaging, please email Gemma at gslight@eastlothian.gov.uk. 
 
Consolidated ordering
After careful consideration, the BID has decided to discontinue its consolidated ordering system. 

From the 13th of July, we will redirect any sales from our customers to individual producers. Over the past few weeks we have also provided contact details of our producers to our customers. 

A huge thank you to all of our members who participated in our consolidated sales system ​over the past few years. We hope that you will be able to work on direct promotions with each location and continue to grow your relationship with the buyers. 

 
Taste of Grampian
This year's Taste of Grampain festival will take place online via a virtual platform from Friday 18th of September to Sunday 20th of September. 

They have various sponsorship and exhibitor packages available. To  find out more about these packages,  email carole.bruce@ajl.co.uk
Stirling University Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science
Are you using your data to its fullest potential? Data Science is about extracting impactful information from your data. By developing and using scientific methods, processes and algorithms to analyse large sets of raw and structured data, data scientists provide new solutions to business problems.
 
Effective data science is transformative for businesses. By extracting insights and trends, data scientists support their organisations by:
  • Enhancing productivity and efficiency
  • Delivering business knowledge through trend and pattern analysis
  • Understand consumers and enhance the customer experience
This autumn, the University of Stirling is introducing a Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science. This innovative model was designed in collaboration with and is funded by Skills Development Scotland, and builds on the existing success of Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships by providing a degree level qualification.
 
With the fees covered by SDS, this programme provides an attractive and cost effective route to upskilling your existing workforce or recruiting motivated new talent. Graduate Apprentices study for a BSc in Data Science while also working as a valuable employee, with ever increasing capabilities and receiving the guidance and support of the University’s academics. Spending 80% of their time in the workplace, and 20% engaged in study, Stirling’s Graduate Apprentices will learn how to collect, manage and analyse big, fast moving data for science or commerce, while solving the problems unique to your organisation. With a blended delivery model built around online teaching, this course is open to new and existing employees throughout Scotland.
 
To find out more about data science and the Graduate Apprenticeship scheme, contact Fiona McMillan on 01784 466145 or Fiona.mcmillan@stir.ac.uk.
East Lothian Council's Guidance for Reopening
East Lothian Council have a section of their website with guidance and information for businesses that are re-opening, including donwloadable 'Stay safe, Support Local, Love East Lothian' posters.

Click here to visit the page. 
General Guidance
1) The Scottish Government's advice on business and physical distancing guidance 

2) Food Standards Scotland have information and Q&A about Coronavirus and food as well as covid-19 guidance for food business operators and their employees. 

3) You can find out information about the support available from Companies House for businesses here

4) You can download a copy of Scotland's route map through and out of the COVID19 crisis here. 
Financial support
Please note that local businesses DO NOT need to hire any agents or third parties to claim the government COVID-19 grants. Economic Development and the Business Rates teams at East Lothian Council can assist you. Contact economicdevelopment@eastlothian.gov.uk if you require any assistance.

findbusinesssupport.gov.scot is an up to date source of information for businesses in relation to Coronavirus. 
 
Support for Employers
Skills Development Scotland have created a portal to advertise immediate job vacancies. You can find out more here.

Advice on redundancy is available here or by calling 0800 917 8000.

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal have created a job vacancy site. For more information, click here

The Employer Recruitment Incentive is still available to employers who are hiring East Lothian residents with multiple barriers to employment. If you would like to find out more about this, contact East Lothian Works - elworks@eastlothian.gov.uk


The Festival of Enterprise have a series of free business webinars available. To find out more, click here. 

ACAS have published advice for employers and employees on Coronavirus

HR Dept have information on Coronavirus for employers on their website. This includes a useful FAQ and a news section.   
Marketing Opportunities
Scotland Food and Drink have launched a Support Local directory.

The Support Local directory allows the public to search by region and by product type and purchase directly from a business via website or telephone. The directory will be supported with a ‘Support Local’ communications campaign led by Scotland Food & Drink and the wider Partnership through various consumer-facing channels.

All listings are free for businesses. You can find out more here. 
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