Rochford District Council’s Events Programme
The Economic Development Unit offers various FREE events and training throughout the year, which provides useful information and support to local businesses.
If you would like to be notified of events, training and initiatives you can join the Rochford Business Network. Please sign up online via 'Tell Me More'.
Get Set Grow Business Support Programme
Are you planning on starting a business, or have a side line that you want to take to the next step or maybe you have been trading already for less than 2 years?
GET SET GROW is a new, FREE and exciting business growth programme from Rochford District and Brentwood Borough Councils, funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund. Delivered by a team of award-winning business coaches from The Consortium and is designed to help you start-up your business.
GET SET GROW comprises of FREE 4 x 2 hour virtual group business coaching sessions, plus 2 hours of one-to-one support. In addition, you’ll have the chance to win prizes valued at £1,6000 if you are chosen to pitch your business idea to our panel of experts. (Rochford’s very own Dragon’s Den). Together with a year’s free FSB membership and exclusive access to financial experts at the British Business Bank, this is a chance not to miss.
This 4-week programme is open now for applications from Rochford District based businesses:-
On Wednesdays 10, 17, 24 and 31 January 2024 (4-week programme)
10am – 12pm each week online via Zoom
To find out more about the programme please download the prospectus.
Apply now for the Get Set Grow Business Support Programme.
Group2Grow - the Essex peer network programme
The FREE Group2Grow Peer Network Programme is coming back to Essex in Autumn 2023. The peer groups bring together cohorts of business professionals to learn, grow, and solve common problems using each other’s knowledge and experience, with the support, guidance, and mentoring of a Business Coach.
Over 8 x 2 hr group sessions and 3 hours of individual 1:1 sessions with an expert mentor Backing Essex Business will through discussion and discovery, uncover the challenges faced by your business and work together to find logical and practical solutions. Fully funded by Essex County Council, so no cost to your business!
Applications to join the new Group2Grow Programme are now open. For further information, visit Backing Essex Business website
Southend & Rochford Sales Club
On Friday, 1st December. 9.30 am – 12 pm at Launchpad Southend, Airport Business Park, Rochford.
Sales club is a Sales Geek creation to support the growth of local business with great sales strategy and networking for FREE!
They will be exploring a range of topics designed to help you sell more stuff and change the way you perceive sales.
Book your place now for the Southend & Rochford Sales club
Rochford District Christmas Meet-Up
On Wednesday 6th December at 1 – 3 pm at The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh.
Rochford District Council look forward to welcoming Ambitious Women in Essex to South Essex. It's FREE to attend so come and join us!
Open to all our fantastic Get Set Grow cohorts of female led businesses too! See you there!
Book your place now for the Rochford District Christmas Meet-Up
3 Chambers Connect Professionals
These are regular informal, Professionals business networking events, with no fees or commitments, held on the last Friday of each month in Rayleigh.
Connect Professionals is the network for you if you are in; Accounting, Coaching & Training, Digital & Creative, Employment & HR, Financial Services, Health and Medical, Legal, Management & Consultancy, Marketing & PR, Property.
It's a great way to meet up with like-minded professionals from your area. These ’get togethers’ are about getting to know people and sharing knowledge and experiences. The event is free of charge as a cash bar is available. Just turn up any time between 12.00 - 2.00pm and get involved. 3 Chambers look forward to welcoming you. Register via Eventbrite.
Rochford District Business News
Rochford District Council is committed to supporting local businesses. We have set up the Rochford Business Network to enable us, the Economic Development Team, to make contact with local businesses, to provide information, help and support and to deliver this to the local business community.
Since launching the network , now rebranded 'Tell Me More', over 3000 businesses have joined and are enjoying the benefits the network has to offer. The Tell Me More service is free to join, and as a member you will have access to:
- E-bulletins detailing events and campaigns that assist local businesses
- Regular emails that include local and national information (including opportunities for grants and funding)
- Receive notification of business support services and initiatives that may help your business
- A support structure for local businesses to connect with each other
- Opportunities to engage with local businesses, business support agencies and Council Officers
- Consultations taking place in the District
To join all you need to do is sign up to Business News through the Council's 'Tell Me More' service
You can also keep up to date with all business related news by following us on twitter @Business_RDC
UK Imports and Exports
From the 1st January 2022 new rules apply for UK business operations regarding imports and exports.
Register now for HMRC live webinars - HMRC will explain existing guidance and answer general questions about the content. They’re unable to answer questions specific to the items you import or export on the webinars:
- Importing – steps you need to take before making your supplementary declaration – get advice on how to make a supplementary declaration and how intermediaries can help
- Customs Import Declarations: an overview – of the whole declarations process
- Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving – covering zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations
- Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary – your responsibilities if using an intermediary to complete import or export declarations
- Importing food and drink, and animal products from the EU to Great Britain – DEFRA webinars about upcoming changes and how to register and use the import system IPAFFS (Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System).
You can also find webinars and videos from other government departments about trading with the EU.
Cyber Security
Studies have shown that historically there has been a rise in cybercrime following large notable events impacting the UK as criminals capitalise on any possible confusion such as a global pandemic.
Taking time now to review your businesses cyber security provision and colleague education will help to protect your business from any future disruption from a cyber incident. You may find the Metropolitan Police’s website a useful resource as well as the websites listed in Related Content section.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has created a tool that every small business should use to make sure you are #CyberAware - get your free Cyber Action Plan today by visiting the NCSC website here!