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'.
Essex Working Well Programmes
Have you been considering developing a workplace health and wellbeing programme? Maybe you already have a programme and would like either additional support or are looking at awards that recognise the support you provide for employees – potential applicants will research a company’s benefits and rewards!
To find out more about Essex Working Well programmes:
• Mental Health Awareness
• Business Park/Business Centre support
• Small Business Workplace Wellbeing Award
• Healthy Schools Workplace Wellbeing Award
• Working Well Accreditation
To find out more, book your place on either of the upcoming information sessions:
South Essex Business Expo
Taking place on Thursday 14 March from 10am to 3pm at The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood CM15 9NN.
The first-ever South Essex Business Expo is next week. The expo will be the region’s largest business event of the year, giving you the chance to network with 150 exhibitors and an expected 1,000 attendees.
This FREE event is open to all businesses of all sizes, trades, industries, professions and sectors, start-ups and pre starts with something for everyone.
Rochford District Council will be exhibiting at stand 144. Please pop by to see how the council can help support your business to grow in 2024! Book your FREE ticket via Eventbrite
Unlocking Business Grants in Essex webinar
On Friday 22nd March online, from 10 am until 12.30 pm.
Want to find out what grants are available for your business in Essex?
Join Backing Essex Business (funded by Essex County Council) at this FREE online webinar, where they will be sharing the different grants available, help you to understand the process of applying for grants, finding the best ones for your business and the other finance options available! Book your place via Let's Do Business Group website (Part of Backing Essex Business)
Ambitious Women in Essex grant writing workshop and meet-up
On Wednesday 20 March. 10am - 12pm at Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway, Colchester.
Ambitious Women in Essex (AWiE) presents this Grant Writing Workshop, which offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills in securing funding for your business ventures. Learn the art of crafting compelling grant proposals in just one hour, equipping you with the tools to unlock financial support and propel your projects forward.
Following the workshop, you can join AWiE for light refreshments and take the chance to expand your network during their one-hour networking session from 11am. Connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and mentors who can provide you with invaluable insights and support. Book your place via Eventbrite.
Digital skills workshop: Driving traffic to your website
On Thursday 28 March online from 1.30 – 4.30 pm
The course is open to all businesses and residents within Essex and will cover the following topics;
- The essential elements of effective websites
- How to plan your website - tools and tips
- Strategies and tactics to get your website visitors to do what you want them to!
- The basics of great website design
- Some key technology/platforms to consider
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!