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Welcome to the March edition of Stockport Business Bulletin, providing an overview of business news and networking opportunities in Stockport.
If you’d like to continue receiving the daily ‘Coronavirus Business News’ as well as the monthly Business Bulletin, please sign up via Marketing Stockport
Welcome from the Stockport Economic Alliance
We heard some fantastic news this week about regeneration programmes in Stockport town centre. As well as the next phase of Stockport Exchange, work has started on the Transport Interchange and this month Stockport was successful in securing funding to help further regenerate parts of the market and Underbanks area. The £2.63 million grant from DCLG will be used over the next three years to create spaces for businesses, training and events and developing a digital arts neighbourhood which will complement the existing activities in the already thriving Market Place.
The funding will support new co-working spaces, contribute towards a new innovation centre, enable digital skills and leadership training and will include a new programme of digital arts activities. I for one am excited to see how the area is further transformed and to see more of our innovative digital and creative businesses attracted to the town centre.
More good news is the launch this month of the Stockport Business Awards 2022. Led by Clarke Nicklin, the Awards ceremony will be held on 6th October at Edgeley Park. This is an event we all look forward to as a celebration of success in Stockport. To find out more about getting involved go to stockportbusinessawards.co.uk
Steve Oliver, Chair of Stockport Economic Alliance & CEO musicMagpie
Business Support and Funding News
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Green Heat Network Fund
The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a 3-year £288 million capital grant fund that will support the commercialisation and construction of new low and zero carbon (LZC) heat networks (including the supply of cooling) and the retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks
The Green Heat Network Fund will be open to public, private and third sector applicants from 14 March 2022 and is anticipated to run to 2025 and will support projects where a central energy source provides heat to multiple properties and businesses.
Levelling Upstarts Programme
Virgin Money have launched Levelling Upstarts, an innovative new digital programme which gives businesses the opportunity to partner directly with MBA and master’s students from leading universities.
The programme is aimed at supporting SMEs across the country to digitise, upskill and improve productivity. Businesses are encouraged to apply if they think they have a challenge that MBA and master's students could help solve. The programme will be delivered digitally meaning that there are no barriers with location.
Help to Grow: Management
Aimed at senior leaders in small and medium businesses, this 12-week course covers strategies for growth and innovation, leading high-performance teams and digital adoption, as well as financial management and responsible business practices. Business leaders will hear from inspirational business leaders and learn alongside local peers, with access to a national alumni network. By the end of the programme they will develop a tailored business growth plan to increase productivity and grow your revenue, and help take your business to the next level.
Safe Urban Driving Training
TfGM is working with Nationwide Cycling Academy (NCA) who will be delivering courses to support drivers to feel equipped sharing the road safely with vulnerable road users, including cyclists. This one-day course designed for professional LGV, HGV and Passenger Carrying Vehicles is heavily subsidised, costing only £10 per person.
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Innovation Loans
Innovate UK is offering up to £25 million in loans to SMEs. Loans are for highly innovative late stage research and development projects with the best potential for the future. There should be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.
Projects must lead to new products, processes or services that are significantly ahead of others currently available or propose an innovative use of existing products, processes or services. It can also involve a new or innovative business model.
Recipe for Success
Recipe4Success is a comprehensive programme of support for Greater Manchester-based SME food and drink businesses* (pre-start and early stage businesses - 0-3 years) with the aspiration to grow.
The programme comprises a series of food and drink specific workshops and networking events designed to help you overcome barriers and succeed and culminates in an exciting opportunity to pitch your product to a panel of buyers, ranging from hyperlocal to nationwide chains.
Start Up Vision
Start Up Vision is a brand-new initiative, aimed at pre-start or early-stage businesses (less than 1 year old) based in Greater Manchester, which is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to take the next steps in driving their plans forward. Programme participants will get fully funded access to practical, hands-on advice and support from a designated, experienced business adviser. Together, you will develop a personalised action plan for your new business to enable you to take the next steps to success.
COVID-19 Additional Relief Scheme (CARF)
Businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic who have not been eligible to claim financial support through previous government grant schemes can now apply for Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF). The deadline for application is 15th April 2022.
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Other News
Cultural Development Fund
Stockport Council has been awarded £2.63m of Cultural development funding to deliver a brand new Creative Campus in the heart of the town centre to improve access to the arts, create digital skills & safeguard our cultural assets.
Led by Stockport Council, Manchester Metropolitan University and MadLab, the aim is to provide a three-year town centre reinvigoration programme – transforming Stockport’s heritage-rich historic centre into a sustainable, world-leading digital arts neighbourhood.
Funding will support the conversion and re-use of empty properties to help create a cluster of digital creative businesses that will drive wider growth in the economy. The award will also support training and engagement, building skills for the future and ensuring inclusiveness and access to digital art activities.
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Stockport Interchange Ground Breaking
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, and the Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Elise Wilson have officially marked the start of work on the new Stockport Interchange mixed-use development. The pair broke ground and officially launched construction work on the scheme while visiting the site in Stockport town centre.
The multi-million-pound project which represents part of a major £1bn investment in Stockport, is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stockport Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in conjunction with building contractor Willmott Dixon and development partner, CityRise, and will incorporate a new state-of-the-art transport interchange with a two-acre town centre park and 196 new, high-quality residential apartments.
Clean Air Plan Update
Following discussions between leaders in Greater Manchester, the GM Clean Air Zone will no longer go live on May 30, 2022 as originally planned.
Greater Manchester is now working with the government to deliver, by July 1 2022, a new Clean Air Plan for Greater Manchester that tackles the serious public health issue of poor air quality, but which protects jobs and businesses across the city-region.
The new Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan will need to deliver compliance with legal limits for Nitrogen Dioxide as soon as possible - and by 2026 at the latest. Funding for HGVs, including small businesses, and buses remains open to support people to upgrade and help deliver improved air quality.
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Work begins on latest stage of Stockport Exchange
Partners Stockport Council and Muse Developments, have brought forward the latest phase of development at Stockport Exchange – one of Greater Manchester’s most connected business hubs.
This latest phase will build on the success of previous phases and will incorporate a third stunning, high-quality 64,000 sq ft office building, which will sit adjacent to sister buildings 1 and 2 Stockport Exchange, along with an innovative 399-space multi-storey car park for office occupiers, featuring electric vehicle charging points, solar photovoltaics and a green ‘living’ wall. Evergreen funding, secured through GMCA, is also being used to scope options for roof mounted solar PV as part the council’s ambitions for promoting clean growth and its commitment to Stockport’s Climate Action Now Plan.
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards
Sixteen Greater Manchester employers were awarded at the GM Good Employment Charters inaugural Awards. They were joined by Mayor, Andy Burnham, Cllr Wilson, and multiple business leaders. Eight employers took home winning trophies that recognised good employment practice across different categories.
Many congratulations to Stockport based employer One+All in winning the prestigious ‘Employer of the Year’
The Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is a voluntary membership and assessment scheme which aims to improve employment standards across Greater Manchester employers, regardless of size, sector or geography.
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