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Sleaford’s latest networking event

Meet and connect with local businesses at the latest networking event at The Solo Bistro Bar Hotel in Sleaford, brought to you by Wright Vigar and Ringrose Law. The event will take place on Thursday 29th February, from 4pm to 6pm.

Make valuable connections, exchange ideas and encounter new opportunities with local business owners and professionals. Confirm your attendance and RSVP by February 12th.

Zellar helps a local business work towards their goal of being carbon neutral by 2025.

A local business is using the Council’s subsidised access to Zellar, to help them with their target of being carbon neutral by 2025.

Zellar has helped UK Alternative Energy to build an achievable plan to work towards. The business plans to send their sustainability report to support their application for upcoming business awards, where positive sustainability actions are becoming more widely respected.

Read the full case study to discover how your business might benefit.

North Kesteven businesses – claim your free access to Zellar and discover the many benefits of cutting back on your emissions.

The latest Entrepreneurs Connect event

The latest Entrepreneurs Connect event is the ‘Financial Mastery for Entrepreneurs: Navigating the Numbers for Success’. This event aims to showcase the crucial role of financial forecasting in driving business growth, attracting investment and securing the future of your start-up or scale-up.

The session will see a series of experienced entrepreneurs as guest speakers, building on insightful discussions and building on business success.

Save the date: January 25th, 12pm to 3pm.

Please email [email protected] to register your interest and visit the Entrepreneurs Connect webpage for more information.

New Border Target Operating Model import controls

Taking effect from 31 January, there will be new import checks on products from EU, EEC, and European Free Trade Area countries, which will apply to all small importers and import agents.

The Border Target Operating Model sets out the new approach to Safety and Security controls (applying to all imports), and Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls (applying to imports of live animals, germinal products, animal products, plants and plant products) at the border. It sets out how controls will be delivered through simplification, digitisation and the UK’s new Single Trade Window.

For Safety and Security controls, the new model will minimise trader burdens and maintain border security while remaining aligned with international standards.

For more information on the new model, you can view the full guidance by visiting www.gov.uk.

Grant opportunity to support North Kesteven businesses to grow

Businesses in the visitor economy, food and drink sector, manufacturing sector, and other select categories, are all encouraged to apply to the Rural Business Grant.

The grant supports businesses to develop new products & facilities, that will be of wider benefit to the local economy.

Grants are available from a minimum of £5,000 and all projects will have until March 2025 to complete the actual works.

For more information on eligibility and to apply, please visit: https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/ruralbusinessgrant

If you’re unsure if you would be eligible, or for any other queries please do not hesitate to contact us, by emailing [email protected].

Entries are now open for the FSB awards 2024!

The FSB awards are free to enter, and with 12 categories to choose from, there’s a chance to shine a spotlight on all North Kesteven businesses! Entries are now open and will close on 11 February.

Become an award winning small business and meet other like-minded individuals. Visit FSB’s Small Business Award website for more information and to apply.

Have you signed up to the latest Unmissable North Kesteven workshops

Want to drive footfall into your business and attract new customers? Perhaps you should consider developing a bookable experience.

The Unmissable North Kesteven programme aims to support businesses to bring new experiences and products to the market.

Upcoming sessions include a chance to meet your experiential peers, followed by social media sessions to learn how to market your business using social media:

? Networking session one

? Social media session one

? Social media session two

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, delivered by Destination Lincolnshire in partnership with Unmissable England and North Kesteven District Council. More information on the programme can be found on the Council’s website.

New grant scheme for small businesses in North Kesteven!

We’re thrilled to launch our latest grant programme tailored for micro-businesses.

A total of £50,000 has been allocated to the Small Business Grant, with grants available from £500 up to a maximum of £5,000, with a minimum project cost £1,250.

Get ready to take your business to new heights with grants covering up to 40% of eligible costs!

To be eligible, you must be based in North Kesteven or looking to relocate and must be a micro business (1 to 9 full time equivalent employees).

To check eligibility and for further information please visit the Council’s website

A new year calls for a new sustainability plan for your business

Kickstart the new year with a clear and achievable plan to improve the sustainability of your business, with the help of Zellar for North Kesteven SMEs.

Zellar is an online sustainability tool; it helps businesses calculate their emissions and then creates a plan to cut back on energy and costs. To accompany this, businesses will receive a Zellar score that can be shared with customers to demonstrate their doing the right thing.

Claim your free access to Zellar and take your business on a journey towards sustainability. You could also save up to £4,100 in energy bills, to see how, sign up and receive your plan today.

To qualify for a free one-year Zellar licence a business must be a micro-SME (up to 10 employees) or SME (under 250 employees) with a base in North Kesteven.

The offer is available to the first 300 qualifying enterprises that apply before 31 March 2024. For more information please visit our Net Zero page.

Meet your experiential tourism peers

Don’t miss the first Unmissable North Kesteven networking session: Meet your experiential tourism peers.

This session is part of Unmissable North Kesteven, a tourism programme delivered by Unmissable England in partnership with Destination Lincolnshire and North Kesteven District Council.
Taking place on Tuesday 23 January Hub-Sleaford 11am-2pm, this networking event offers a valuable opportunity for professionals to connect, share insights and learn from each other. The session is open to all businesses in the programme and those considering joining.

If you are a North Kesteven based business you can register to attend this free fantastic event.

To view all bookable events as part of this programme, please visit Destination Lincolnshire’s Eventbrite page.