New website to support Portsmouth’s businesses
We’ve launched a brand-new website to help support Portsmouth’s businesses by encouraging residents and visitors to shop local.
The website, rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk, highlights Portsmouth’s wide variety of businesses and features deals, directions and opening hours. Designed for use on the move, residents can use built-in GPS technology to discover businesses near to their location.
Cllr Ben Dowling, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development said, “The pandemic has had a huge impact on businesses across the city and we are keen to support their recovery and protect local jobs. There is so much to rediscover in Portsmouth.”
Businesses in the city can still sign up to be listed on the Rediscover Portsmouth website, which is a free placemaking opportunity, by visiting the website to register.
Southsea Food Festival set to return
The popular Southsea Food festival is set to return on the 16th & 17th July 2022. Local food businesses and traders are invited to attend for this celebration weekend.
The Southsea Food Festival is a popular annual event comprising of over 40 food and drink stalls from local and regional businesses. The event traditionally takes place in Palmerston Road precinct, Clarendon Road, lower Palmerston Road and Osborne Road with some local road closures in place.
The 2022 Food Festival will occupy a larger footprint with additional space for traders to compliment Palmerston Road’s businesses. A live acoustic music stage is also planned to host local bands.
Local businesses and traders who wish to apply for a stand need to contact Portsmouth City Council’s events team
Living with Covid-19
The government has published its plan for living with COVID-19. This means from today:
- You are no longer be legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. New guidance will advise people who test positive to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
- You are no longer legally required to self-isolate if you are an unvaccinated close contact and will no longer be advised to test for 7 days if you are a fully vaccinated close contact.
The current set of ‘Working Safely’ guidance for businesses will be replaced with new public health guidance on 1 April. As with other infectious diseases, there will continue to be actions that the employers can continue to take to reduce the risk to their staff and customers.
Bishops Printers wins prestigious Print Industry Award
Local print and mailing company, Bishops Printers Ltd, has won ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ from the Independent Print Industries Association.
Delivering great products and services always requires hard work. Having those efforts recognised by others against the most challenging market backdrop in the firm’s 35-year history is even sweeter.
A significant local employer, the pandemic hit the family-run business hard. At their height, Bishops were turning over £26 million, printing 288 million sheets of paper a year with a workforce of over 250 people. Like others, they are still recovering from the pandemic but there is good news. Roberts reports that Bishops is hiring again, and their capital investment plans for 2022 include new and improved facilities for their hardworking, award-winning team.
Last chance to enter Business Excellence Awards
We are delighted to sponsor The News Business Excellence Awards this year. After a tricky couple of years for businesses, it’s more important than ever to celebrate the businesses making a difference to their clients, staff and the local community.
The 16 award categories range from Best Business (small, media and large) to Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. The Awards presentation will take place at The Guildhall on 29 April 2022.
Nominations close on 28 February
Doing business in the USA
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce are running a new webinar aimed at businesses who are considering additional growth in the US market. With a dedicated focus on Aviation, Marine, Defence, and Space, the webinar will offer insights into the US opportunities and challenges.
With access to an array of speakers that can support UK businesses with US investment aspirations, this FREE webinar will explore the comprehensive operational support needed to establish, grow and streamline your US business activity.
10 March 2.30pm – 4.30pm online via Zoom
