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.

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].

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.

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.

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

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.

Maybe* are hosting a free introductory webinar on Wednesday 17 January at 10am.

In the webinar, businesses will learn how just 15 minutes a day invested in digital marketing can bring you more customers and will discover how to access over £950 worth of FREE tools and support.

The social media training and tools include everything from where to get started with social media through to advanced strategies on how to use Facebook ads to deliver winning sales tactics. Register for the webinar to discover how to access this support and level up your social media.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

It’s your last chance to #shoplocal for Christmas and you can enjoy free parking while you do. Free parking will be available on Saturday 23rd and Saturday 30th December, only at NKDC owned car parks in Sleaford. This allows visitors and residents to spend longer in town and to enjoy all that Sleaford offers.

Free parking in Sleaford has been available for all Saturdays in December, firstly to support Small Business Saturday on 2nd December and for the remaining Saturdays to support local businesses and venues during the festive period.

For more information, please visit the Council’s website. If you’re in need of some inspiration prior to hitting the shops, we have some amazing North Kesteven businesses listed on our Shop Local directory.

Business Lincolnshire are running a Starting in Business Programme and have released the programme dates for the new year.

The programme consists of two-day workshops led by experienced business trainers. Sign up to discover how to turn your idea from dream to reality, by learning key fundamentals of how to start and run a successful business.

The following dates are available to book on and will all be held online:

4th & 5th January 9:30-15:30

15th & 16th February 9:30-15:30

26th and 27th March 9:30-15:30

This programme is available to individuals based in Lincoln City, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, West Lindsey and Rutland.