Plum Play: The family-run business which has seen sales rocket

Active garden sets such as climbing frames and trampolines have surged in popularity as parents have been forced to find ways to keep children active at home thanks to lockdown restrictions and limited access to outdoor and indoor play areas. One Lincolnshire-based family company says that the new-found popularity garden play sets has seen sales … Read more

The ins and outs of intellectual property and how small business owners can protect theirs

There are more than six million privately owned businesses in Britain, ranging from restaurants to independent financial advisers and from fashion brands to pet groomers. While many will sell similar products or services, others may have a more unique offering and these types of businesses have been launching aplenty over the past 12 months to … Read more

Community Ownership Fund: Could it help save your local pub?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a £150million Community Ownership Fund was a largely unexpected one.  It means communities have been given a financial lifeline to protect their favourite local pub or sports ground from being sold for housing or going bust.  He said: ‘Whilst local assets around the UK have been at risk of vanishing … Read more

Female founders share business inspiration on International Women’s Day

One in five women are considering starting their own business this year, according to new research from support network Small Business Britain. Despite the coronavirus pandemic having severely damaged some long-standing businesses, and led many to lose their jobs or a large part of their income, budding entrepreneurs are looking to make the most of … Read more

Budget verdict that counts – from small business bosses

From shop owners to personal trainers, hotel managers to wedding planners, small businesses and sole traders up and down the country eagerly watched last week’s Budget to find out what was in store.  For many, it has only been the financial support from the Government over the last 12 months that has enabled them to … Read more

Newer self-employed eligible for SEISS but millions remain excluded 

Newly self-employed people will be breathing a sigh of relief today as the Chancellor confirmed that those who traded between and have completed a tax return for 2019 to 2020 are eligible for help.   The group, which includes more than 600,000 people who went self-employed last year, was unable to access the first three instalments … Read more

New cohort of self-employed are now eligible for SEISS but millions still remain excluded 

Newly self-employed people will be breathing a sigh of relief today as the Chancellor confirmed that those who traded between and have completed a tax return for 2020 to 2021 are eligible for Covid subsidies.  The group, which includes more than 600,000 people who went self-employed last year, was unable to access the first three … Read more

What’s on the small business Budget wish list and what’s likely to happen?

Millions of Britain’s small and medium-sized businesses are awaiting the Budget with anticipation as any announcement could mean help or a serious struggle for survival. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ revealed last week will have raised hopes as tentative dates for slowly reopening the economy were given. However, it is Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s … Read more

Events industry urges Rishi Sunak to help it ‘avoid collapse’ as 93% of workers see income plummet

The live events industry has launched a hard-hitting campaign highlighting the turmoil its workers are going through,  and urging the Government to act now and safeguard the sector’s future. The campaign, ‘The Government Can’t See Us, Can You?’ or #GovCantSeeUs, shows the devastation the coronavirus pandemic has wrought on the live events supply chain.  Professionals … Read more