newsletter for regenerate pennine lancashire
SEPTEMBER 2011: Issue 95

Events

Making your Web Business Work

The next event from Regenerate's Lancashire Innovation Network.

At this FREE breakfast event, Leon Calverley from Door4 presents a 60 minute guide to succeeding in a commercial world which is increasingly digital in its nature. Understanding how to connect to your customers, how to develop your website and how to promote it is vital for businesses in the electronic world.

The presentation explores topics crucial to achieving differentiation on a crowded web, converting visitors efficiently into customers, and ensuring that they come back again.

Date: Thursday 27th October, 8:30am-10:30am
Venue: Lancashire Digital Technology Centre, Bancroft Road, Burnley BB10 2TP....Find out more and Book Online

International Trade Awareness Open Day

This event is designed to help raise awareness of international opportunities that are open to companies, in conjunction with UK Trade and Investment, local partners and service providers. It aims to help existing companies gain the knowledge to confidently progress into new markets and start exporting.

Date: 14th October 2011, 10:00 to 14:00
Venue: Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire, Red Rose Court, Clayton Business Park, Clayton-Le-Moors, Accrington BB5 5JR...Find out more and Book Online

News

What's new in Finance & Services

Regenerate has developed an online directory called Finance & Services which contains information on local grants, loans and funded services. Here are some of the latest schemes available to local businesses;

Innovative services ideas for older adults

Do you recognise the commercial opportunity of an older consumer market? Are you in the business of developing innovative services that connect people? Would you like funding to develop your ideas?

The Keeping Connected Business Challenge is a national challenge run by the Technology Strategy Board and the Design Council with £495,000 in funds to stimulate the development of innovative services for older adults. The aim is to develop innovative services that create, improve and sustain connectedness for older adults to friends, family, the community and younger generations. The challenge is open to businesses and designers of any size and from any sector....Read More

Free business training for young employees

Do you employ young people between 16 and 18 years? Chamber Business Training has secured a limited amount of funding to offer two days of FREE business training for young people who live or work in Lancashire.

Delivered by professional training consultants these courses will significantly enhance young people's skills. Choose from a selection of courses including CIPS Level 2 Certificate in Purchasing & Supply, Transform Your Junior Workforce, Introduction to Working/Business Etiquette. Presenting Masterclass, SIA License Training......Read More.

What's new in the Library

Regenerate have created a Library section on our website which houses any useful articles, downloads or links. Here is one of the latest articles;

Changes to Tax Returns

With the 31 October deadline for paper tax returns just weeks away, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging you to get your paper tax return in on time, or face a penalty.

If you send in a paper tax return on or after 1 November, you will now be hit with a £100 penalty - even if there is no tax to pay or the tax due is paid on time - following the introduction of a new penalty regime this year. The longer you delay, the more you'll have to pay, as there are further late-filing penalties after three, six and twelve months....Read More

Innovation & Technology Case Studies

Rags to Riches

James Lyons established Shop 2 Wear in 2010 in Poulton le Fylde to ensure a cost effective and reliable national clothes recycling service to local authorities, waste management companies and charities.

As well as environmental benefits, the recycling of clothes has an important social and economic role to play. Clothes' recycling in the UK provides an affordable source of clothing to disadvantaged people in the developing world and emerging countries in Eastern Europe.

New contracts had been offered to sell certain items to third world countries but the company needed to design a unique bailing machine to comply with the contracts. James contacted Regenerate's Lancashire Innovation Network for assistance......Read More