We hope you all had a good Festive season all be it the new year has not started quite as we may have wished the new vaccine provides hope for 2021.
In the run up to Christmas we piloted a 'East Lothian Food & Drink Gift Box' which included a range of products from East Lothian's ambient producers and was available through the Luca's Ice cream shop website. The pilot went well with 80% of stock being sold and importantly, has provided valuable insight on how to expand and better the program going forward allowing us to create more collaborative boxes throughout the year that incorporate a wide range of East Lothian products.
We have also been running a collaborative 12 days of Christmas Festive Competition across our Facebook channel with the East Lothian Gift Card which is due to close on January 11th. This ongoing competition has had fantastic engagement and has reached over 6600 people with an increase in post engagement of 295%!
In other news, We thank Graeme Ford from Premium Bakery for his service as Chair of our board and welcome Chris Luca who is now acting Chair.
We have also said farewell to Rebecca Muir, BID manager and wish her well in her future endeavours and we are currently actively recruiting for this post.
EAST LOTHIAN FOOD & DRINK RENEWAL
East Lothian Food and Drink Ltd was established as a Business Improvement District in June 2016 for an initial term of five years, following a successful vote by local food and drink businesses. As we head in to our renewal year and prepare for renewal ballot we're really grateful for your ongoing support and engagement. Your engagement helps guide the agenda for the next 5 years. If you have not already had the opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions on what you believe our priorities should be then please do get in touch.
Leaving the EU Webinars by Business Gateway
What does leaving the EU mean for your business? To find out what impact the EU exit will have on your business and what support is available you can attend a free webinar on January12th or 18th.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable & practical advice. Book your free place now - these will be popular so please don't delay. Book Now ➞
Funding For Business
East Lothian Council have a webpage that lists COVID19 financial business supports. The web page includes information about the Strategic Framework Business Fund (Business Restrictions Grant and Business Temporary Closure Grant). For more information, click here.
Job Retention Scheme
The Job Rentention Scheme has been extended. You can find out more about the extended scheme here.
Local Food in Schools - Routes to becoming a supplier
Soil Association Scotland hosted an online supplier event on local food in schools and routes to becoming a supplier. The video includes information on how to discover supplier opportunities available through sites such as Public Contract Scotland. Click here to watch the recording of this session https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DrWPZiQXOM&feature=youtu.be
ENTERPRISE NATION
Enterprise Nation have been supporting small businesses and entreprenuers for over 15 years.
They have a range of resources available on their website. Businesses can also register to take part in their Amazon Small Business Accelerator . This is a free, online educational programme for anyone who wants to start a new online business or grow an existing one. You can find out more about the Amazon Small Business Accelerator here.
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.
The recently launched Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment
East Lothian Works are acting as a gateway organisation for the governments Kickstart initiative.
If any businesses are interested in using this program to offer a 6 month placement for a young person (aged 16-24) please contact Daniel Steven by emailing dstevens@eastlothian.gov.uk to register your interest.
Daniel Stevens will answer any queries you may have about the process to hire a young person using the Kickstart program and using East Lothian Works as the Gateway Organisation.
Skills for tomorrow - BT
BT are currently offering a wide range of FREE webinars for businesses.
Topics include Cyber Security, building your own e-commerce website and social media trends.
1) Guidance for workers and employers on returning to work safely can be found on the Scottish Government website. Sector guidance is also available on the Scottish Government Website.
3) You can find out information about the support available from Companies House for businesses 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.
