SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS
Latest News for Small Businesses on Surviving the Recession
With the daily developments in the world's economic downturn and predictions that the recession is only just beginning, Horsham District Council has been looking at new initiatives it can introduce to help small businesses weather the storm.
Invoice Payments: In October 2008, the Council's Leader, Cllr Liz Kitchen sent letters to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Sussex Enterprise and Horsham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) as well as other business member organisations, informing them of the Council's newly introduced payment policy for small businesses. A flexible arrangement has been introduced to pay small businesses within a shorter timescale (many in 10 working days), to help with cash flow. For further information, Businesses should contact the Council department that placed the order with them.
Business Rates: Horsham District Council has discretionary powers to offer rate reduction in special circumstances for business premises. Please contact the Business Rates department on 01403 215330 for further information.
Read more on what the Council are doing to help small businesses during the recession.
Home-Based Business Research
Pioneering research was carried out by Horsham District Council in October 2002 to determine the size, needs and issues of businesses operating from homes in the Horsham District and how best the Council could support this sector and encourage growth. Results from that estimated that there are in the region of 15% out of the total of 53,000 households.
An overwhelming majority of respondents said they would like to attend events that would enable them to update their business and work skills, obtain updates on government legislation and network or trade with other businesses. It was as a result of this research that Horsham District Council organised the very first Microbiz event, held in March 2003 and will be entering its 7th year on 14 March 2009.
The home-based business research has recently been repeated using a larger sample to determine how numbers and needs may have changed over the past few years. An analysis of the results will be undertaken in due course.
Microbiz 2003 to 2009
Horsham District Council was the originator of the first MicroBiz Fair in 2003. This annual networking event is aimed at small and home based business and anyone thinking of starting a business. The next Microbiz event will take place on Saturday 13 March 2010. Look out for further details of the event on the main MicroBiz pages.
The Horsham District Food and Drink Festival
Horsham District Council organised the first Food and Drink Festival in 2003, primarily to raise awareness and promote local food and drink through local producers and outlets. The 2009 Festival will run from 5 September to 4 October. Why not view further details about the festival on the main Food and Drink Festival page.
Horsham District Business Directory
The Horsham District Business Directory is one of the best sources of information about local companies in the District. The District Council publishes the directory bi-annually to raise awareness of companies locally, provide businesses with a marketing tool and enable inter-trading within the District. A new directory was produced at the beginning of this year. For further information view the main Business Directory page.
Provision of a Business Information and Signposting service
We are a very small business development section, and whilst we are not directly involved in the provision of many of the services or information you may need – if you do have a query, we are happy to help and can usually connect you with the appropriate specialist help you need.