Category: Uncategorised

Sandwell welcomes six guests from Hangzhou, China

Posted on by Marie

This week, Sandwell Council welcomed six delegates from Hangzhou in China.

Our guests came as part of a wider four-day, self-funded research trip to the UK. They visited Sandwell to see how a UK local authority functions and how it provides social services for residents. As deputy directors for municipal departments looking after veterans’ services, they especially wanted to learn about veteran welfare services in our area.

In turn, we were keen to build on our established relationship with our Hangzhou visitors’ region of China. We are always looking to raise Sandwell’s international profile and explore further ways to establish cultural, economic and academic links between here and the rest of the world.

About Hangzhou, China  

Near to Shanghai, Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. It borders the Yangtze River and has hills to the west.

The Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone became a national development zone in 1993. It has five pillar industries: machinery and electronics, biology and pharmaceutical, high-tech chemistry, textile and chemical fibre, and food processing.

The visit to Sandwell

The Sandwell Business Growth Team was responsible for hosting our guests’ visit to Sandwell Council. In preparation, we engaged with partner organisations Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Defence, as well as our council colleagues involved with homes, communities and public health. We also carried out fact funding into local support for ex-force personnel and veterans, to help our visitors get useful information from their visit.

Xu Huashui, Wang Jiang, Xu Jianxiang, Lu Qiliang, Liu Hongyin and Lan Hongxing came to see us at Sandwell Council House on Tuesday 24 October. We hosted them in the Mayor’s Parlour where Shokat Lal, chief executive of Sandwell Council, held a welcome speech. Jenna Langford, our Regeneration Manager, was among the people to make a presentation. She focused on Sandwell Council’s business support, our borough’s regeneration pipeline, and inward investment. We also heard from representatives from the Armed Forces Covenant and Stepway, organisations supporting military veterans in civilian life.

Our visitors from Hangzhou with Sandwell Council colleagues in the Sandwell Council chamber, Oldbury

Previous visits from China: a timeline

2015: Sandwell Council welcomed its first Chinese delegation from Pengzhou City.

2016: We had our first visit from delegates from the city of Jinhua. Jinhua Municipal People’s Government Mayor, Ji Junmin, and the Leader of Sandwell Council signed a Friendship Agreement. This is to promote friendly exchanges between the two regions and an exchange of cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, culture, education, sports, health and personnel for the good of common prosperity and development.

2017: In May 2017, delegates from the Shanghai municipal government made a visit to the borough.

2018: In 2018 we had a return visit from the city of Jinhua to strengthen our business and friendship links.

2019: In July 2019, Sandwell hosted a visit from two Jinhua schools. St Michael’s CE School in Rowley Regis and one of our Q3 Academies welcomed school children and their teachers. They enjoyed activities together that included a visit to Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre and Sandwell Valley Park Farm.

[Feature picture: Xu Huashui from Hangzhou exchanges cultural gifts with Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council.]

Go to our international trade page
Go to our international trade page

Your social enterprise in 2024: new support from SWEDA

Posted on by Alex Taylor

SWEDA, SEBFWestMids and DCMS are partnering to offer a raft of new support opportunities for social enterprise entrepreneurs in Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

The West Midlands Social Enterprise Boost Fund (SEBFWestMids) is a programme that aims to accelerate social enterprise in the region. The fund offers a range of grants and targeted business support to help new and existing social enterprises start up, scale up and grow.

There are three main strands of support:

  • Fired Up – a series of sessions for new social entrepreneurs, to answer common questions about organisation structures, markets, costings and stakeholders.
  • FUSE – a twelve-week course designed to take local entrepreneurs from idea to launch and beyond. It includes masterclasses, confidence building and a live pitch-up event. It will run on Thursdays, from 10am to 1pm, starting on Thursday 11 January 2024.
  • Social Enterprise MOT – a programme aimed at more established social businesses that are ready to expand. The sessions will cover topics such as business development, people management and governance. The programme will run on Tuesdays, and starts on Tuesday 9 January 2024.

One-to-one support available

SEBFWestMids also offers one-to-one business support, networking opportunities and the chance to apply for up to £10K of grant funding.

For more information, including eligibility criteria, and to register your interest, visit the website or email sweda@sweda.org.uk.

Social enterprise support
Social enterprise support

West Gate Plaza: retail business opportunity in West Bromwich

Posted on by Kate Christie

A ground floor commercial property has come up for sale at the popular West Gate Plaza in West Bromwich.

Commercial property agent Bond Wolfe is inviting offers based on £695,000 for the long leasehold on the retail property in West Gate Plaza.

The property is an investment opportunity in a popular retail parade, with residential accommodation above. It is situated on the ground floor opposite the police station at 4 Moor Street, West Bromwich.

The 939 square feet property is let to a regional pharmacy for 25 years from July 2007 at a passing rent of £54,120 per annum. This reflects a net initial yield of 7.4 per cent after usual purchaser’s costs.

Next to the Lyng Medical Practice, its appeal is enhanced by being surrounded by residential properties. It is also conveniently located a short walk from both the tram and bus station.

For more details, visit the Bond Wolfe website, email jmattin@bondwolfe.com or call James Mattin on 0121 525 0600.

Find more business opportunities
Find more business opportunities

‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ Awards entries open in November

Posted on by Kate Christie

The Department for Business and Trade’s 2024 ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ Awards will open for entries on Friday 10 November. 

The Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards recognise and celebrate the global trading success of SMEs from across the UK.

The opening entry date for the awards is Friday 10 November, during this year’s International Trade Week (6 to 13 November 2023).

Award categories

There are ten award categories and this year’s categories are: 

  • Agriculture, food and drink 
  • Consultancy and professional services 
  • Creative industries
  • Education and edtech 
  • Financial services and fintech
  • Healthcare 
  • Infrastructure and engineering 
  • Low carbon energy 
  • Manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and construction 
  • Retail and consumer goods.

There will be one winner from each category and up to three highly commended businesses.

To find out more about the awards and read about 2023’s winners visit the Made in The UK, Sold to the World website.

Entries for the 2024 awards close on Sunday 14 January 2024.

See our international trade resources
See our international trade resources

Four workshops in AI innovation: how to sign up

Posted on by Kate Christie

Digital Catapult is holding a series of AI innovation workshops between October 2023 and January 2024. The workshops are designed to empower AI developers and adopters within the agriculture, creative, transport and construction sectors.

The AI innovation workshops will encourage collaboration, explore responsible innovation, dive into data excellence, and uncover investment opportunities for AI-driven start-ups. There are four workshops in the series, each focusing on a different element of AI innovation.

What is Digital Catapult?

Digital Catapult is a UK authority on advanced digital technology. It is dedicated to accelerating industry adoption and driving growth and opportunity across the economy. It is part of the Catapult Network, a network of leading technology and innovation centres established by Innovate UK.

Its goal is to accelerate new possibilities for businesses. To achieve this it aims to break down barriers, open up markets and responsibly shape the products and services of the future.

Workshop 1

Cultivating synergy: strategies for effective AI startup – industry partnerships

When: Friday 20 October or Wednesday 29 November, 9.30am – 4pm 

Where: Digital Catapult Offices, London

About the event

This workshop looks at partnership value and co-creation, addressing barriers that hinder collaboration. The aim is to help bridge AI capabilities and industry needs. There will be interactive activities offering insights into sustainable growth through partnerships. 

Attendees can explore how startups’ innovations meet industry players’ demands, shedding light on AI’s dynamic interplay between supply and demand.

Who should attend?

  • AI Developers: Startups, micro and small enterprises with AI-relevant products or services. Those seeking to enhance their understanding of collaboration with industry end users and interested in establishing potential new partnerships
  • AI Adopters: Medium and large organisations (industry end users) looking to integrate AI solutions into their operations, collaborate with startups, micro and small enterprises, and explore innovative solutions and partnerships to enhance the company’s offerings.

What you’ll gain

  • Leverage industry expertise while connecting with agile partners to spark innovative collaborations.
  • Explore a variety of partnership models aligned with your growth objectives, ensuring the perfect fit for your strategy.
  • Acquire practical strategies for overcoming technical and business challenges, from regulatory compliance to scalability.
Register for Workshop 1

Workshop 2

Minimum viable ethics: An introduction to responsible innovation

When: Wednesday 4 October or Tuesday 16 January, 1pm – 3.30pm 

Where: Digital Catapult Offices, London

About the event

This two hour workshop will explore the risks associated with AI. It will uncover responsible innovation solutions through creative and hands-on exercises.

The aim is to empower attendees with the knowledge and tools to make strides in maximising the benefits of socio-technical systems. It will provide an opportunity to grasp the fundamentals of AI risks and responsible innovation in a creative and interactive environment.

Who should attend

  • AI Developers: Startups, micro and small enterprises with AI-relevant products or services. Those seeking to enhance their understanding of collaboration with industry end users and interested in establishing potential new partnerships
  • AI Adopters: Medium and large organisations (industry end users) looking to integrate AI solutions into their operations, collaborate with startups, micro and small enterprises, and explore innovative solutions and partnerships to enhance the company’s offerings.

What you’ll gain

  • Grasp the significance of responsible innovation in today’s fast-paced digital landscape
  • Develop the ability to systematically identify and address the pertinent risks associated with responsible innovation
  • Ensure your projects are both ethically sound and effective
  • Acquire an introduction to the world of Responsible Innovation interventions and solutions – equipping yourself with actionable knowledge that can positively impact your AI-driven initiatives.
Register for Workshop 2

Workshop 3

Digital transformation: Data excellence and data ethics 

When: Wednesday 4 October or Tuesday 16 January, 9am – 12.30pm 

Where: Digital Catapult Offices, London

About the event

This workshop focuses on digital transformation, data maturity and readiness. It looks at how to adopt AI in the right way.

The session will explore the potential of AI, its advantages, and the hurdles faced in its adoption. It will answer questions such as: 

  • What is digital transformation?
  • Why do most AI projects fail?
  • What are the right steps towards AI adoption?

The session will include interactive discussions and activities. It will explore how data-driven technologies can augment products or services and identify the data readiness and maturity levels needed to achieve data excellence.

Who should attend?

  • AI Developers: Startups, micro and small enterprises with AI-relevant products or services. Those seeking to enhance their understanding of collaboration with industry end users and interested in establishing potential new partnerships
  • AI Adopters: Medium and large organisations (industry end users) looking to integrate AI solutions into their operations, collaborate with startups, micro and small enterprises, and explore innovative solutions and partnerships to enhance the company’s offerings.

What you’ll gain

  • Immerse yourself in an engaging and practical workshop environment that encourages active participation, making the learning experience dynamic and enjoyable
  • Acquire access to a comprehensive approach for successful AI adoption that spans across digital transformation, data excellence and ethical considerations
  • Join a vibrant community of fellow AI adopters and developers. Foster networking opportunities and connections that extend beyond the workshop to enrich your professional journey.
Register for Workshop 3

Workshop 4

Fundraising for AI driven startups 

When: Thursday 26 October or Tuesday 21 November, 2pm – 5pm 

Where: Digital Catapult Offices, London

About the event

This workshop will explore the fundraising landscape for AI-driven companies. It will cover relevant funding opportunities in the UK and beyond, as well as looking at key considerations to weigh up when selecting the best investment option for your business.

The aim of this workshop is to provide businesses with the tools to confidently approach fundraising activities. It will provide top tips for approaching a fundraising process and pitfalls to avoid.

Who should attend?

This workshop welcomes participation from early stage AI-driven SMEs, founders and startup operators within the agriculture, creative, transport and construction sectors who are thinking about selecting the right funding growth engine for their business.

What you’ll gain

  • Develop the skills and knowledge needed to confidently approach fundraising activities 
  • Gain a clear understanding of which funding route aligns best with your company’s goals
  • Gain valuable insights into the investment landscape and dynamics of the AI market 
  • Explore the pros and cons of various investment routes. Gain the knowledge to weigh the benefits and drawbacks which enable you to make strategic choices that best suit your business growth aspirations.
Register for Workshop 4

Birmingham Tech Week 2023 is nearly here

Posted on by Alex Taylor

Birmingham Tech Week is the UK’s largest regional tech festival and conference. This year, it takes place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 October, with online, in-person and on-demand sessions.

The event will feature over 100 speakers across five days, including Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, Paul Scully MP, and leaders representing dozens of high-profile tech companies. Sessions include dinners, social events, discussions, networking and presentations on a wide range of tech-related topics, including:

  • Sustainability
  • Training and education
  • Championing start-ups
  • Data in real estate
  • New developments
  • Pitching
  • Investment
  • Global growth
  • Health care
  • Women in technology.

The programme culminates in an awards dinner on Friday 20 October.

Prestigious venues for Birmingham Tech Week

The in-person sessions will be held in a variety of Birmingham locations including HSBC headquarters, Birmingham Rep, BT, University College Birmingham, Albert Schloss restaurant, iCentrum, The Exchange, the Ivy, X+Why, The Bond, Shakespeare Martineau, STEAMhouse, BGF, Enterprise Wharf, the ICC, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Hub and Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

For more information, and to sign up, visit the registration page. Fill in your contact details then click ‘next’ to access the full list of sessions.

Resources to help you grow your business
Resources to help you grow your business

Sandwell Start-Up Hub: your business co-working environment is now open

Posted on by Marie

Our new co-working environment in Oldbury is open. The Sandwell Start-Up Hub is a spacious, welcoming place for local entrepreneurs and businesses to network, plan, collaborate and learn.

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub is on the top floor of Jack Judge House in Oldbury, opposite Sandwell Council House. Our aim is to help small local businesses on their journey to success by providing an open-plan office with 60 workstations, collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, event space and free WiFi.

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub is a co-working environment where entrepreneurs and business owners can collaborate, network, and receive advice and support from the Sandwell Business Growth Team and partner organisations. More on that support soon!  

Within the Sandwell Start-Up Hub are three areas:

  • Collaboration Zone: for networking and collaborating
  • Quiet Zone: for focused work
  • Event Zone: hosting informative sessions by business support organisations on various topics.

“Get inspiration and share knowledge”

Carlene Taylor and Nasteha Isak are the founders of We Are Able CIC, helping parents and carers of children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities with impartial guidance and advocacy services. Carlene and Nasteha attended the launch event at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub on Tuesday 26 September. They had accessed support from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team earlier in the year.

Nasteha said: “We are really looking forward to taking advantage of the resources and support on offer here. It’s incredible that we get the chance to have somewhere where we can work from, rather than having to use our homes, and we can get inspiration and share knowledge with other people while we’re here.”

Sandwell, the home of start-ups

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. He said: “The Sandwell Start-Up Hub will be more than just a workspace. It is the Business Growth Team’s plan to create a community of businesspeople who can collaborate, network and learn from one another – as well as from guest organisations delivering useful business workshops and talks.

“One of Sandwell Council’s priorities is to promote inclusive growth that raises people and communities up alongside thriving businesses. The Sandwell Start-Up Hub offers a physical space in which that success can be incubated. With this innovative new Hub, Sandwell will truly become the ‘Home of Start-ups’ for the West Midlands, where entrepreneurs from all sectors are welcome.”

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub will be free for local businesses and entrepreneurs to access until September 2024.

Learn more Book your desk


Pictured left to right: Nasteha Isak of We Are Able CIC, Helen Peach from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team, and Carlene Taylor of We Are Able CIC.


“Start Small; Dream Big”: help children in our primary schools to achieve their potential

Posted on by Marie

The Careers and Enterprise Company has selected Sandwell-based SIPS Education to deliver its ‘Start Small; Dream Big’ programme for primary schools in the Black Country. Now SIPS Education is looking for local businesspeople to inspire the next generation. Will you take part in employer encounter experiences for our young people?

Studies show* that, by the age of six, children have already started to adopt limiting stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity and social background. By age nine, some have already started to abandon their biggest ambitions.

Start Small; Dream Big is a £2.6m pilot project, funded by the Department for Education, set up to address these findings. It aims to raise awareness among primary school-aged children of the world of work, raising aspirations and combatting stereotypes. Delivered overall by the Careers and Enterprise Company and Teach First, its aim is to reach 600,000 children in 2,250 primary schools across the country, between now and 2025.

The Careers and Enterprise Company has selected SIPS Education as its delivery partner for schools across Sandwell and the rest of the Black Country. The West Bromwich-based not-for-profit organisation will play an important part in encouraging children from disadvantaged backgrounds to dream big about their future careers. SIPS’ work will include supporting senior leaders, teachers, parents and children with information and resources. It will build children’s understanding of the links between the things they learn in school and the world of work.

Serving schools across the region: about SIPS Education

SIPS Education (www.sips.co.uk) started in 2013. It provides professional services for secondary schools, primary schools, nurseries and special schools across the region. These include HR, financial services, software support, IT technical support and project work, catering delivery and consultancy, health and safety consultancy, data protection consultancy and support, school improvement solutions, managed work experience, and music and arts services.

SIPS Education is a co-operative and therefore governed by its members, not shareholders. CEO Brian Cape previously told us: “Our people feel it’s important to be able to put schools (members) first and we’re proud to be part of an organisation that doesn’t make profits from children”.

Brian, who is also a Sandwell Business Ambassador, explained how Start Small; Dream Big will work.

“Start Small; Dream Big will integrate with children’s learning by linking lessons to careers. It will also give them an opportunity to explore different jobs and meet inspiring employers.

“We want children in our region to reach their full potential by finding something they love, and pursuing it with confidence and ambition. So I would love to see local employers and entrepreneurs get involved and help to dispel those limiting beliefs and stereotypes that hold children back.”

How you can support the programme

SIPS is asking employers to pledge a number of days/hours for their teams to support Start Small; Dream Big. You could support multiple schools at both school-based and regional events, or one school within your local area. SIPS is keen to stress that any time you can give is valuable to our amazing young people.

So can you pledge a day or so to help SIPS and our local primary schools with Start Small; Dream Big? Please email wrl@sips.co.uk for more information. Tell them the Sandwell Business Growth Team sent you!

Or you can sign up for the information sessions in late January and February 2024.

SIPS is also looking for suitable people to become Enterprise Advisers. As well as local organisations that can offer work experience placements. Again, email wrl@sips.co.uk with your details.

* PDF opens in a new tab: ‘What works? Career-related learning in primary schools’ – Dr Elnaz Kashefpakdel, Jordan Rehill and Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE.

We amended this article in January 2023 to include the information sessions and remove a mention of SIPS’ provision covering Coventry.

More ways to give back
More ways to give back

Apply now for the Amazon Innovation Accelerator

Posted on by Marie

Amazon is looking for Midlands businesses to enrol on its Innovation Accelerator programme. Successful companies will get tailored, practical workshops to help them innovate, adopt new technologies and implement more sustainable practices.

During the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme, one senior representative from each participating business will attend two all-day workshops. These will take place on Tuesday 17 October and Wednesday 15 November at Amazon’s fulfilment centre, just outside Sutton Coldfield. Attendees will also get three hours of free mentoring with a member of Amazon UK’s senior leadership team.

The programme combines the expertise of Amazon, Amazon Web Services, the Growth Company and Made Smarter. The latter is a government-backed initiative that helps local manufacturers overcome operational challenges through digital technology.

A catalyst for growth

Neil Travis, regional operations director at Amazon said: “Amazon has been serving customers in the UK for 25 years and we know how important it is to maintain a start-up mentality and find new ways to innovate. The success of small businesses is vital to Amazon, and we want to use the expertise of our teams to be a catalyst for growth and productivity for more local businesses and have a positive impact on jobs and the community.”

For more information, including an agenda for the first workshop day, visit the Amazon Innovation Accelerator page of the Innovation Alliance website.

To apply, email madesmarter@cwgrowthhub.co.uk. The programme can only take 20 people, so sign up quickly to avoid disappointment.

See more programmes and resources for growing your business
See more programmes and resources for growing your business

Get Connected in Sandwell: first event at our new co-working space

Posted on by Marie

We launched our Sandwell Start-Up Hub this week. But a few lucky people got a sneak preview during Get Connected in Sandwell. This is our breakfast networking event held in partnership with Sandwell College and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

We held our latest edition of Get Connected in Sandwell on Thursday 21 September. It’s an early morning breakfast meeting to get Sandwell businesspeople talking and networking before they start their working day. With our shared belief that we’re stronger when we work together, we run it alongside colleagues from Sandwell College and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

This month, we held Get Connected in Sandwell at our Sandwell Start-Up Hub based at Jack Judge House in Oldbury. This is a new co-working space, opened by the Sandwell Business Growth Team, to give small business owners and entrepreneurs a place to collaborate, learn and work towards growing their Sandwell businesses.

Go to the Sandwell Start-Up Hub page

Nicy Morgan officially launched Sandwell Business Growth (the website you’re viewing now!) during Get Connected in Sandwell. As you may know, Sandwell Business Growth has replaced Think Sandwell as the business support platform of Sandwell Council.

If you haven’t explored it yet, take a look today. Go to our resources for starting a business, growing a business, or managing the everyday running of your business.

Open4Business

One feature of Sandwell Business Growth is our Open4Business funding portal, created by software developers Idox. Using the search function, you can explore current EU, government and council grants, loans, venture capital funds and tax credit programmes.

We were lucky to have Matt Godfrey from Idox to introduce the portal to our Get Connected in Sandwell guests.

‘Breaking the curse of the accidental manager’

We also had an informative presentation from Bridgette Bennet from Sandwell College’s School of Management & Inclusive Leadership. Bridgette’s topic was ‘Breaking the curse of the accidental manager’. She explored the impact on productivity and employee retention when (usually high-performing) team members become managers without due training.

We’ll bring you more information soon on Sandwell College’s support for local businesses.

Winning Moves

Finally, we heard from Maddison Walker from Winning Moves – the business development consultancy we’ve hired to deliver growth support to our local businesses. Maddison shared the ways in which she and her team can help you in the coming months. We’ll also bring you more on Winning Moves very soon – and how you can take advantage of this powerful support.

Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss out.

The next Get Connected in Sandwell will be in December.

Go to our events page
Go to our events page

“Saluting our Sisters”: your stories wanted for Black History Month 2023

Posted on by Marie

Every October, Black History Month is a great time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to British society.

In 2023, the theme is ‘Saluting our Sisters’ – honouring in particular black women and their crucial role in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities. At Sandwell Business Growth, we want to hear and share your stories.

As the official Black History Month website states: “Black people have always been at the forefront of social justice movements, fighting against oppression and paving the way for change. However, despite their countless contributions to society, the achievements of black women, in particular, have too often been overlooked or forgotten. That is why, this year, we will be celebrating the exceptional achievements of black women”.

The ‘Saluting our Sisters’ celebrations in October will showcase black women who have made huge contributions to the world: literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.

So we want to do the same here at Sandwell Business Growth. We are keen to celebrate in particular the achievements of black women business owners and entrepreneurs in our borough.

Celebrating Black History Month in Sandwell

Calling black businesswomen in Sandwell: do tell us if you’d like us to share your stories and successes. We are always looking to celebrate your business and tell people about the brilliant things you do. Drop us a line with your latest updates. Or complete our ‘Made in Sandwell’ form to have your own business profile here on the Sandwell Business Growth website. You can do this any time of year, of course – not just for Black History Month.

Take a look at Black History Month events happening in the West Midlands.

Engaging with black history all year round

The Black Curriculum empowers young people and educators to engage with Black British history 365 days a year. Have a look at the Black Curriculum website and join the movement.

Resources for women in business
Resources for women in business

Bonfire Night, rugby and e-scooters: the latest in Trading Standards Business News

Posted on by Marie

The autumn 2023 edition of Trading Standards Business News (TSBN) is available online.

Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) has published this digital magazine.

CEnTSA is a collaboration between fourteen trading standards services within local authorities across the West Midlands – including Sandwell. Together they aim to maximise the impact that individual services have, supporting businesses in our region to trade legally and fairly while promoting economic growth.

TSBN is full of advice to help you and your business thrive while staying on the right side of the law. Each edition covers a wide range of business sectors and signposts you to further information.

The magazine includes articles for retailers, SMEs, food businesses, international traders and entertainment venues. It also has information on seasonal safety and avoiding fraud.

So what’s inside the autumn 2023 edition of TSBN?

You can read the latest TSBN in a browser on your computer or download the TSBN app for Apple and Android devices. The digital magazine content is interactive – so clicking on the web links will take you to the relevant page or website.

The autumn 2023 edition of TSBN contains tips and guidance on Halloween and Bonfire Night safety, general business fire safety advice, plus a focus on health and safety in pubs and bars during the men’s Rugby World Cup.

There is information on cyber security, and the sale of age-restricted items such as knives, fireworks and alcohol. For anyone involved in the food industry, you’ll find guidance on use-by dates and pest control – plus the latest on avian influenza.

Editor Frances Darling said: “Autumn brings with it Halloween and Bonfire Night, both of which have significant safety implications for many businesses, so we have provided relevant product safety guidance to help you stay legal and protect your customers.

“The safety theme continues with articles covering fire safety and regulatory requirements relating to e-bikes and e-scooters; the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries in these products is currently a very urgent topic.”

This edition also looks at the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and gives an update on the work being done to improve compliance levels amongst letting agents.

Where you can read Trading Standards Business News

Read the autumn 2023 edition of TSBN.

Read past editions of TSBN here.

Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Team is here to help
Sandwell Council's Trading Standards Team is here to help

Can you name Lord Combustion Services’ new mascot?

Posted on by Marie

Oldbury heating and ventilation company Lord Combustion Services has a new mascot to promote its work. Can you give it a name?

Lord Combustion Services has been serving customers across the West Midlands since 1982. It now has a team of nearly 50 staff, with clients that include NHS sites, schools and Edgbaston cricket ground.

Lord Combustion’s smiling blue flame character will appear across its website, marketing and promotional materials. There is a different version, too. Whenever the company is promoting its environmentally friendly work, the mascot will appear in green.

Lord Combustion Services’ green credentials

Protecting the environment is important to Lord Combustion Services. You can read about the company’s steps to net zero on its website. In 2021, Lord Combustion Services won the Sustainability category at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards.

Stuart Smith is Managing Director of Lord Combustion Services. He said: “The team at Lord Combustion Services are pleased to welcome our new mascot, who will play an active role in our business by promoting the good work which our teams deliver every day for clients.”

Suggest a name for the new mascot

Suggest a name for Lord Combustion’s new flame mascot.

Go to the Lord Combustion Services website.

Is your Sandwell business going greener? Get ideas for climate resilience here.

Read our #MadeInSandwell profile of Lord Combustion Services
Read our #MadeInSandwell profile of Lord Combustion Services

Skills Bootcamp in Manufacturing Efficiency: join this 16-week programme for free

Posted on by Marie

The Skills Bootcamp in Manufacturing Efficiency is a free sixteen-week programme to help you achieve profitable, sustainable growth for your business.

The Skills Bootcamp in Manufacturing Efficiency is for leaders in the West Midlands who want to upskill and optimise their organisation’s processes and output.

MTC Training is delivering the programme. Thanks to a partnership with Lloyds Bank, it will be free for the cohorts starting between now (September) and November 2023.

About the Skills Bootcamp

Through a blend of in-person classroom and online sessions, you will examine the strengths and challenges facing your manufacturing business. Experts will help you see how they impact your organisation’s ability to execute strategy and become more profitable.

You will also have personal development modules so you can enhance your leadership and management skills to further drive productivity.

About the commitment you need to make

MTC Training has made the learning programme flexible, to minimise disruption to your business. You or your employees can participate without needing to be absent from work too much.

You should expect to commit a total of 65-70 learning hours over the 16 weeks. Twenty-four hours of this will be during week five, delivered in a four-day block at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry. You will spend a further ten hours learning at your own site, to coincide with your usual working pattern. MTC Training will direct your self-study element to the course, but you will have to manage your learning.

How to sign up

Find out more and sign up for the next round with MTC Training.

More ways to grow your Sandwell business
More ways to grow your Sandwell business

FUSE: join this social enterprise start-up programme in Sandwell

Posted on by Marie

SWEDA is running a twelve-week social enterprise start-up programme for Sandwell businesses. Sign up for FUSE and work through the ideas stage of your enterprise, to launch and beyond.

The Skills Work and Enterprise Development Agency (SWEDA) is running a social enterprise start-up programme for businesses based in Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

FUSE is a twelve-week programme to take businesses from the ideas stage to launch and beyond through dedicated business support.

What does the FUSE social enterprise start-up programme offer?

FUSE offers you hands-on hybrid business support to start a social enterprise, with five practical masterclasses on business mindsets.

You can also get access to a supportive community of social entrepreneurs and industry experts.

The masterclass topics are:

  • Confidence building
  • Business mindsets
  • Social value creation
  • Building sustainable business models finance and funding
  • Digital marketing.

When does the programme run?

The FUSE programme starts on Tuesday 12 September 2023. The masterclasses will take place online on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm:

12 September
26 September
10 October
24 October
7 November
21 November.

Funding for social enterprises

When you complete the programme you will also have the opportunity to access grant funding – if your business is eligible.

The West Midlands Social Enterprise Boost Fund will offer a range of grants and targeted business support to help new and existing social enterprises start up, scale up and grow. The aim of the SEB Fund is to create positive social and environmental impact.

How to register for FUSE

For further information and to express your interest, contact SWEDA on 0121 525 2558 or email sweda@sweda.org.uk.

More support for social enterprises
More support for social enterprises

Celebrating 25 years of SCVO: join the AGM

Posted on by Marie

Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has been supporting voluntary and community groups in Sandwell for 25 years.

You’re invited to join in the celebration at its annual general meeting (AGM) in October.

SCVO has invited all its members, as well as voluntary and community sector organisations, stakeholders and strategic partners, to its AGM on Thursday 5 October. You can celebrate SCVO’s milestone anniversary by sharing your organisation’s own milestones.

SCVO is a charity which supports community groups, charities, not-for-profit businesses, faith organisations and social enterprises in Sandwell. Its vision is that the lives of people in Sandwell will be happier and healthier through having a strong voluntary and community sector.

Connecting, enabling, transforming

SCVO aims to bring organisations together to raise the quality and range of services, influence policy locally and nationally, support the development and growth of community organisations, and ensure all residents have access to the support they need.

The AGM is on Thursday 5 October at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, from 10am to 12.30pm. For your free ticket, visit the AGM Eventbrite page. Please note – there will be cake!

Share your milestones with SCVO

At its AGM, SCVO will display a timeline of the last 25 years (1998 – 2023), highlighting milestones and key achievements from SCVO.  The team invites you to share things that have been significant for your organisation over that same period, too. For example: when your organisation started or key developments, major changes, highlights, awards and successes. 

If you’d like to share anything, please email Leona Bird (leona@scvo.info) by Friday 15 September, with:

  • The year
  • The achievement, milestone or highlight you would like to capture – in no more than ten words
  • Any images/photos/press cuttings to go along with the achievement.

You can send Leona as many achievements as you’d like, but please limit them to three in any given year.

Want to give back to the community?
Want to give back to the community?

Get ready for international trade: exclusive workshops for Sandwell businesses

Posted on by Marie

We’re launching a series of international trade workshops for Sandwell-based businesses, covering a range of valuable topics. Join us!

Has your Sandwell business started its international trade (importing and/or exporting) journey yet? Would you like some guidance for future success?

We’re holding a series of international trade workshops just for you. Over the coming year, we’ll cover:

  • Importing and exporting – a beginner’s guide
  • Ways to improve your import, export and customs procedures
  • Cutting costs and improving productivity through customs
  • Ambition to export: mapping and accessing new markets
  • Reviewing Brexit: customs compliance and audit for UK importers.

Free face-to-face international trade workshops

We’re aiming our free face-to-face workshops at Sandwell-based businesses to support and improve your global trade activities. We’ll cover topics that are suitable for businesses new to international trade – right up to experienced importers and exporters seeking to expand their market activities.

Our first workshop takes place on Friday 22 September at Jack Judge House in Oldbury (soon to be our Sandwell Start-Up Hub!). It’s called ‘The beginner’s guide to importing and exporting worldwide’.

We (the Sandwell Business Growth team) are hosting it and Sam Ballard-Robinson of Falsum Consulting Ltd will deliver the session. It’s a whole-day event, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

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The workshop will introduce you to the world of exporting and importing, focusing on the terms and practices used. Sam will provide an overview of some of the most common international trading areas, such as tariff classification, customs valuation, Incoterms®, and export and import customs requirements.

The session will be ideal for trainees, new starters or individuals returning to the industry.

Further information and registration

At the later events, we’ll cover topics for more experienced import/export companies. All the workshops are for Sandwell businesses.

Register for Friday 22 September

Sandwell Start-Up Hub: welcome to your free, inspiring co-working space in Oldbury

Posted on by Marie

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or do you have a growing business in Sandwell? Come and work in our supportive, innovative co-working environment at Jack Judge House in Oldbury.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub is our exciting initiative, launching on Tuesday 26 September 2023.

Designed to give local businesses the tools they need to flourish, our new hub offers desks, resources, collaborative spaces, free WiFi and networking opportunities.

Free hot-desking and meeting space in Oldbury

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub has open-plan office space within a hot-desking environment, equipped with 60 desks and free WiFi. There, you can work alongside entrepreneurs and new businesses, and access meeting rooms.

We understand the importance of having a productive workspace so we’re excited to provide it to local businesses at no cost for the first year (until September 2024).

Interior of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, with clean open space, round tables and a communal kitchen

Jack Judge House: location and layout of the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

The hub is on the top floor of Jack Judge House in Oldbury (B69 2AJ). This is the former Oldbury library building, opposite Sandwell Council House (where the library is now housed).

It has three areas:

Collaboration Zone
Where entrepreneurs can engage in meaningful networking and spark collaborations.

Quiet Zone
For focused work, allowing you to immerse yourself in your tasks without distraction – for maximum productivity.

Event Zone
Where we will host business support organisations to deliver informative sessions on a variety of topics.

Grow together at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub

We’ve designed the Sandwell Start-Up Hub to be more than a physical space. Together we will build a community of like-minded individuals, supporting one another’s growth.

Whether your small established business is looking to collaborate, or you’re a new entrepreneur seeking resources, we want this hub to be your gateway to success.

To find out more or register for the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, contact the Sandwell Business Growth Team at Sandwell_StartupHub@sandwell.gov.uk. We will send you a registration form to complete. Eventually, you will be able to book your desk through the MySandwell app.

You can also join the launch event on Tuesday 26 September. We’re holding this from 9.30am to 11.30am at the hub. Find out more and sign up at Eventbrite.

Black Country Chamber Business Awards 2023: submit your entries now

Posted on by Marie

Don’t miss your chance to submit an entry for the Black Country Business Awards – celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

The annual Black Country Chamber Business Awards will this year announce winners in thirteen different categories. The awards are free to enter and the deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 11 September. For 2023, the theme is celebrating ‘talent, tenacity and transformation’ in our region.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday 9 November.

Dudley-based MET Recruitment won last year’s Excellence in Professional Services Award. The company’s commercial director Nella Share said: “Our experience has been so valuable. It has opened doors to new relationships and allowed us to demonstrate the high standards we offer on a regional stage.”

Lisa Cowley, CEO of the Beacon Centre (the 2021 winner of Large Business of the Year) echoed Nella’s words. Lisa said: “Both the event and the award have led to opening doors to new local connections and supporters, as well as providing a fantastic news story for us to share across all of our channels and giving a boost to employee morale. If you are considering entering your organisation, I would really recommend doing so.”

Celebrating social value at the Black Country Chamber Business Awards

James Cash is managing director of Superfast IT, which won Outstanding Support to the Armed Forces in 2022. He said: “I strongly encourage other companies to explore these opportunities and enter the awards. Winning isn’t just an honour, it reflects alignment with values that strengthen our community and drive progress across the region.”

Halesowen BID won the Business Commitment to the Community Award in 2022. BID manager Vicky Rogers said: “As an organisation dedicated to developing and providing local services and support, awards like this strengthen our commitment and motivate us to continue our work.”

This year, Sandwell Council is sponsoring the Business Commitment to the Community award. We believe that giving back and doing good are important cornerstones of any successful business. You can read how this plays a key role in our tendering and contracting process on our brand new CSR and social value page.

Will it be a starry night for our Sandwell business community?

At the 2022 Black Country Chamber Business Awards, at least one Sandwell organisation was represented as a finalist in each of the fourteen award categories. Five Sandwell businesses were overall winners, while four took ‘highly commended’ awards. We’d love to see you shine again this year!

For more information, and to enter the awards, visit the Black Country Chamber Business Awards website.

Go green, save money: new UK Business Climate Hub

Posted on by Marie

The government’s new UK Business Climate Hub gives you practical advice for reducing your business carbon footprint and saving on energy bills.

Through the hub, you can get advice on everything from paying less for electric vehicles and sourcing products from green suppliers, to installing solar panels and making money by selling green energy back to the grid.

The website includes a free carbon calculator and other tools to help your business measure, track and report on emissions.

Research shows that 90 per cent of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, but don’t know how or where to start. Also, 85 per cent of customers are more likely to buy from businesses with a reputation for sustainability. So going greener makes good commercial sense.

Graham Stuart is Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. He said: “More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so. The hub also has the opportunity to empower small firms to take ambitious steps towards net zero, ultimately ensuring that they also benefit from the economic opportunities created in a net zero economy.”

‘A valuable tool for business leaders’

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group chief executive and co-chair of the Net Zero Council, said: “None of us will get to net zero without all of us getting to net zero, so ensuring that every business and every sector has a clear plan for delivering this non-negotiable target is key. I hope the UK Business Climate Hub will be a valuable tool for business leaders looking for guidance and support in this vital endeavour.”

The Broadway Initiative is managing the UK Business Climate Hub. The collaboration developed it in partnership with associations such as the Federation of Small Business and the Institute of Directors. They had support from the British Business Bank, HSBC, NatWest, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid and National Grid. The hub is the UK partner of the international SME Climate Hub.

Find out more at the UK Business Climate Hub website.

Visit our climate resilience page
Visit our climate resilience page