Tidal stream supply chain: Meet the buyer

Two supply chain webinars are planned for 10 and 15 June, where project and technology developers from tidal stream sites in France and the UK will share the details of their forthcoming development and procurement plans. Both events will take place at 9.30am to 11am BST.

Sign up here

Trading with the EU? Register for a webinar

If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules.

Your business will be affected by the new rules if you:

  • buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK
  • send goods you’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country
  • haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment that you use for your business, between the UK and the EU

HMRC is offering to help you in a number of different ways.

You can now apply for the SME Brexit Support Fund. Smaller businesses can get up to £2,000 to pay for practical support, including training or professional advice to adjust to new customs, rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU. Applications must be received before 30 June.

You can attend webinars to help adjust to the new rules and keep your business moving.

More information

Awakening your entrepreneurial potential

The University of Portsmouth is offering a short online course and practical experience to give you motivation, confidence and skills to build up your entrepreneurial potential. There are spaces for 10 participants only.

As a result of this free two-month programme, running from 21 June to 6 August, you will:

  • understand your strengths and entrepreneurial potential
  • build your personal brand to differentiate yourself in the market
  • develop confidence to start your own business
  • acquire skills and experience necessary to start up an entrepreneurial venture
  • receive a personal evaluation report and certificate of completion

Find out more

Could you become a Portsmouth Champion?

With many of the city’s top attractions now reopened and ready to go for the summer season, Visit Portsmouth is calling on people to become cheerleaders for the city and is re-launching its free, online training scheme, Portsmouth Champions.

The scheme is designed to ensure everyone working or volunteering in customer-facing roles across the city has the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm they need to promote everything Portsmouth has to offer.

The training can be done by anyone. Participants complete a free online course with a certificate.

Find out more

Deadline for grant applications is soon

The ARG restart grant scheme is mainly to support businesses to re-start and recover if they are not eligible for the business rate payer restart grant and were required to close by law, or were severely impacted by restrictions, over the period 5 January 2021 to 31 March 2021.

Closing date for applications is 4pm on Monday 14 June 2021.

If you have any questions, our business helpline is here to help you. Just call 023 9284 1641.

See our business grants page

Don’t miss Portsmouth’s business week

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the Portsmouth Business Strategy Leadership Group are inviting you to the launch of the first annual Portsmouth and District Business Week.

Taking place from 5 to 9 July, the week will bring together key partner stakeholders from across the city and neighbouring business communities to share their expertise, advice and know-how in a grand celebration of enterprise.

This launch event will be hosted by Aaron Butson, assistant principal business, employment and skills at HSDC and chair of the Portsmouth Business Strategy Group. He will be joined by Ross McNally, executive chair of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Cllr Ben Dowling of Portsmouth City Council, who will be giving their perspectives on the significance of the week’s events.

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Funding for businesses taking on apprentices

Employers of all sizes can apply for extra funding to help them take on new apprentices, in a drive to revolutionise skills and training across the country.

This boost to the apprenticeship incentive scheme was confirmed by the Chancellor in the Budget in March. Businesses can now apply to claim £3,000 for each new apprentice hired as a new employee from 1 April until 30 September.

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