Date: Thurs. April 25th from 07:30 to 09:00.
Host: Bristol City Council with West of England Combined Authority
Venue: Shirehampton JTE Hub, High Street., Shirehampton. BS11 0DE
Thanks to everyone who attended our Business Breakfast on April 25th. It was a well-attended event in Shirehampton JTE Hub – a great space!
Our thanks also to all the speakers, to Bristol City Council and the West of England Growth Hub for hosting, Ruby Jeans for the catering, and of course to Darren and Vicky Moore for the venue and its facilities.
Darren introduced us to the Shirehampton JTE hub and his work there supporting the local community. Whilst a key aspect of the hub is supporting people to develop through jobs, training and enterprise, much of Darren and the hub’s work is also about being there for people who are at their very lowest ebb and helping them back on their feet. It’s clear that the Hub plays a vital role locally, and with minimal funding Darren is giving much of his time on a voluntary basis. The Hub would welcome any support in maintaining their services.
Bethan Walker from Bristol City Council welcomed us all, and introduced us to her colleagues who are offering a range of business support services. We were all very surprised at the breadth of services available and welcomes the chance to learn more. You can also find out more in the attached presentation which is available to download here.
If businesses would like to find out what support is best suited to them, they are welcome to contact Bethan to arrange a short call or meeting on bethan.walker@bristol.gov.uk.
Maria Berryman from BrisBES explained the services offered through the YTKO programme for SMEs. These include 1:1 Coaching and Grants, Training and Workshops and a carbon assessment and reduction support programme. Community Connector Grants are also available for organisations that are able to signpost SMEs into the programme. To find out more see the attached presentation, check out https://westofengland.ytko.com/brisbes/ or email: westofengland@ytko.com
Paul Kelson from BIPC (Business and Intellectual Property Centre) introduced us to their four core services. Its really worth taking a look at the support available which includes free access to £5 million worth of business intelligence resources and databases including market research, grants, company data and reports, business publications, one to one sessions with advisors and experts, workshops and networking events
intellectual property (IP) support to protect your ideas; and spaces to meet, study and research your business planning. Check out www.bristol.gov.uk/BIPC; email BIPC@bristol.gov.uk; call 0117 922 3999; and find out about events here: https://bipcbristol.eventbrite.co.uk
Jacqueline Bond from West of England Growth Hub explained the wealth of support available which is based around five growth pillars: Financial and Business Support, Technology and Innovation (including Business Innovation Grants up to £25k), Leadership and Management (helping to grow management incl. business mentoring and a Productivity Programme), Workforce Development and Green Business Support. Retrofit West may be of interest to repair maintenance and improvement (RMI) businesses to become capable and confident to guide and work with homeowners to retrofit their property.
Find out more: https://westofengland-ca.gov.uk/growth-hub ; email: wearegrowth@westofengland-ca.gov.uk; call: 0117 456 6955.
Matt Landick and Sue Trantor provided an overview of the Low Carbon Business Support available to help SMEs reduce carbon emissions and cut bills. Services available include energy bill advice services, carbon surveys and financial support and grants up to £2.7m. There is also a wealth of resources, guides and case studies available. We would encourage SMEs to take up the opportunity for a free carbon survey to find ways to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions; and this would also support the work being undertaken during 2024 to put in place a Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan for the area.
Grants are also available for rooftop solar and heat pumps. Get in touch with the team at: https://westofengland-ca.gov.uk/growth-hub/green-business-support; email wearegrowth@westofengland-ca.gov.uk; call 0117 456 6955.
Rhianydd Griffith from SevernNet talked about the importance of “Green” skills and support in enabling our journey towards net zero and decarbonisation. Portbury Avonmouth Severnside is going through a major change with decarbonisation and a wide range of skills sets will be required. The importance of this will be incorporated within the LIDP, and we encourage information and feedback on “green” skills provision and demand for upskilling. Contact Rhianydd.Griffiths@SevernNet.org
Rob Hazelton from the City of Bristol College Partners in Bristol mentioned the courses that they were offering and developing.
Mark Pepper from Ambition Lawrence Weston shared (via SevernNet) progress on the plans for the Lawrence Weston Renewable Skills Academy; and he encourages anyone interested to read this update (also attached) and get in touch.
Kate Royston from SevernNet reminded attendees of the need for skills and training support across Portbury Avonmouth Severnside … and the concept of an ‘Academy without Walls’. This is a concept that has been under discussion for several years with West of England Combined Authority and funding is sought to get a pilot off the ground.
Skills provision delivered in the area is critical, and this may be via e-learning or face-to-face. We don’t necessarily need a dedicated new facility, but a dedicated skills and training hub and facilitator(s) able to link and match skills needs, with skills provision and facilities from which to deliver them; exploiting the numerous community and business facilities across the area. This will also help build the much needed sense of place for the area. Get in touch if you’d like to know more or are interested in assisting: kate.royston@severnnet.org
Antony Merritt (West of England Combined Authority) commented that he hadn’t been to a Business Breakfast for a while, and has been rewarded by experiencing the passion of the people attending for Portbury Avonmouth Severnside (PAS); and being able to see how business and community plays out on the ground … making it local. The question is how the West of England Combined Authority can apply its resources to support this.
We look forward to seeing you all at June’s Business Breakfast on Thursday June 27th. Designing out waste and working with the neighbours. We’ll be focusing on the Circular Economy, the outstanding examples of circularity from across PAS, its importance to reducing carbon and climate impact, and opportunities for your business and organisation. You can book here: https://SevernNet-Business-Breakfast-Jun24.eventbrite.com
We would also like to encourage everyone, if your organisation hasn’t already, to take part in the important LIDP survey which you can find here: https://forms.office.com/e/L7wkVLC3Gq. If you would like any help in completing this, please email lidp@severnnet.org
With best wishes,
Kate and the team from SevernNet
SevernNet Business Breakfast’s are an opportunity to meet and collaborate with local businesses and stakeholders. There’ll be an opportunity for everyone to introduce yourself and your business.
A breakfast roll and hot drinks will be provided! Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements at time of booking.