Council team offers the nuts and bolts for businesses

A series of workshops designed to give new and existing businesses the low-down on everything they need to know is being run by Plymouth City Council.

The events are being organised by the Council’s public protection team and the first one of the series will be held on Thursday 31 October at the Lower Hall of the Guildhall.

They are being put together to help companies tap into the wealth of support and guidance available to businesses from the Council as well as other agencies, and to encourage businesses to grow and thrive.

Sessions include:

• ‘We’ve got your back’ – a speedy introduction and networking session from organisations who work with the business community.
• ‘Crossing the i’s and dotting the t’s’ – companies and sole traders can hear from Council teams about regulations that affect how they operate. This includes talks about Trading Standards, health and safety, business rates, commercial waste and the laws surrounding it, business rates, planning, age restricted sales and licensing.
• Getting sorted – four workshops which look at topics including using social media to help business, funding and finance opportunities for Plymouth’s small businesses, food hygiene ratings scheme and how to do business with big city organisations such as the Council and the University.

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: “We have Council teams who make sure laws are followed, but we are also more than happy to advise businesses and arm them with everything they need so that they can avoid problems.

“These events will give companies and individuals a chance to talk to relevant teams about the regulations that affect the way they run their business. But it will also help open eyes about the variety of support on offer from the Council and other city organisations which are keen to help businesses to grow.”

Council leader Tudor Evans added: “Our small businesses are the backbone to our economy and we need to do all we can to support them. There is a lot of support available for businesses of every type, but people are simply not aware of them. We are here to help.”

Organisations expected to attend include the South West Investment Group, Frederick’s Foundation, Plymouth Pat Lib, Prince’s Trust, Plymouth City College and Working Links.

Places will be limited to 200 and anyone may attend, however invites to new food businesses and low scoring businesses will be invited to attend one of the workshops.

This is the first of four events with others scheduled to run on 23 January, 24 April and 24 July.

For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/environmentalhealthevents.

To book a place visit eventbrite at nutsandboltsplymouth.eventbrite.co.uk.