Why Every Growing Business Needs a Business Plan in 2026
BUSINESS GROWTH INSIGHT Why Every Growing Business Needs a Business Plan A business plan is more than a funding document. It provides clarity,...
Supported Internships and Working with People with SEND in the Workplace
Employer Webinar Supported Internships and Working with People with SEND in the Workplace DWP and Mencap invite employers to join a practical...
Book Your Free 1-to-1 Business Growth Session
Free Business Support Book Your Free 1-to-1 Business Growth Session Personalised mentoring is available for businesses signed up to the Spelthorne...
Surrey Arts Instrument Hire
Surrey Arts Are You Ready to Make Some Noise? Surrey Arts is expanding its instrument hire service, making it easier and more affordable for...
Hidden Surrey: The Power of Local People
Community Month Hidden Surrey: The Power of Local People Celebrating the volunteers, groups and projects that support communities across Surrey...
Top 10 Surrey Library Events This June
What’s On in Surrey Top 10 Library Events This June Surrey libraries are hosting a packed programme of events this June, from author talks and...
Godstone High Street Reopening
Surrey Highways Update Godstone High Street Reopening Update Repairs to Godstone High Street are progressing, with highways works expected to...
UK business news update
Business News England Latest Business Updates: VAT, Mileage Rates, Late Payments and AI Guidance A round-up of key business updates affecting...
Kathy Kyle Studio High Street Expansion
Surrey Success Story Grant Helps Surrey Artist Take Wearable Art to the High Street Kathy Kyle Studio is expanding from home studio to high street...
Meat Vending Machine at Ivelle Farm
Rural Business Success Meat Vending Machine Coming to Surrey Farm A Cranleigh family farm is bringing customers closer to local produce with help...
High Street Growth Programme
High Street Business Support Surrey Programme Helps High Street Businesses Reach New Customers Independent high street businesses across Surrey have...
Local Businesses Invited to Support 3rd Staines Scouts Summer Fair
Community Fundraising Event Local Businesses Invited to Support 3rd Staines Scouts Summer Fair 3rd Staines Scout Group is calling on local...
Spelthorne Business Awards 2026
Business Awards 2026 Spelthorne Business Awards 2026 Shining a Light on Local Excellence Celebrating local business excellence The Spelthorne...
Pensions Commission Warns UK Is Under-Saving
Finance & Retirement Pensions Commission Warns Millions Are Under-Saving for Retirement An interim report has highlighted major concerns around...
HMRC R&D Tax Relief Advance Assurance
Tax Relief Update HMRC Introduces Targeted Advance Assurance for R&D Claims A new pilot service aims to give SMEs more clarity on complex or...
High Value Council Tax Surcharge Consultation
Property & Tax Update Consultation Opens on High Value Council Tax Surcharge The government has launched a consultation on a new surcharge for...
🚨 Spelthorne Businesses – Important Business Rates Update! If you pay business rates, this is information you can’t afford to miss.
Following the Government’s Budget announcement on 26 November 2025, several changes to business rates will come into effect from 1 April 2026. The tem...
Support for Spelthorne Businesses
Spelthorne Borough Council’s Economic Development team officially launched its new Business Spelthorne website at the Surrey Chambers of...
SBF Chairman Update
Dear Members As I begin my tenure as Chair of the Spelthorne Business Forum, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude and renewed purpose. Many...
DWP Updates
Here is a roundup of the latest DWP news and updates. Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme(link is external) -...
Renée’s round-up of grants and funding – November
Funding and grants Here’s a round up of business grants that have come through my inbox this month, it’s fast moving so check back here every month...
UK Budget 2025 – what will it mean for your Surrey business?
Business news, Innovation, Skills and workforce The UK Budget 2025 was announced today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. But what will it mean for...
FSB win: Day-one unfair dismissal scrapped in favour of six months
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has secured changes to the Employment Rights Bill, replacing day-one unfair dismissal claims with a...
Sanctions and Regulations
Event Time: 09:30 - 12:30 Event Theme: International Trade Price: Member Rate: £75.00 +VAT | Non Member Rate: £125.00 +VAT Event...
Made Smarter South East – business briefing webinar
Join us for a virtual business briefing webinar on Made Smarter South East about funding & support for manufacturers, makers and creators. In...
Engineering Business Breakfast
The Annual pancake race is back!
Calling all local businesses in Staines upon Thames! Visit Staines and Rotary invite you to take part in the annual Pancake Race, taking place in...
Force For Business: Virtual Networking for Military Entrepreneurs
A friendly, supportive and productive bi-monthly virtual networking event for entrepreneurs in the military community. This is a unique joint...
Save the Date: Mayor of Spelthorne Banqu
Solving the Recruitment Conundrum
There is no question that recruitment can be very challenging currently with many vacancies difficult to fill. On the other hand, there are many...
Networking breakfast: Save the date
Join us for the Spelthorne business forum networking breakfast on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at Hazelwood Community...
Save the date: Annual riverboat cruise
The event of the year returns this September Get ready for an unforgettable start to your day as we set sail on the River Thames for our annual...
Member Spotlight: Companionship Services – “Who knew pre-care could be so powerful?”
In just 18 months, Anja Abaraou has built Companionship Services Ltd., helping older adults rediscover joy andindependence while giving carers...
New Marketing Toolkit Launched to Support Surrey Businesses
Surrey businesses now have access to a brand-new Marketing Toolkit, designed to help them promote their products and services with confidence....
The Thames Club Crowned National Independent Club of the Year 2025 at the UKActive Awards
The Thames Club, one of Surrey’s premier health, fitness, and wellness destinations, has been named ‘National Independent Club of the Year...
CEO sleepover for Providence Row
Ralph Risk of R.R Marketing is taking part in the CEO Sleepout UK for Providence Row to raise awareness around homelessness. He will be...
free energy assessments for Surrey small businesses
Take advantage of an exciting new project being launched by the Sustainable Business Network — a programme offering free energy assessments for...
Two new unitary councils for Surrey as LGR plans confirmed by government
Two new unitary councils will be created in Surrey in April 2027 after ministers confirmed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans. The move...
Small business growth hopes plunge – Chancellor must act in Budget
New figures reveal nearly one in three small firms expect to shrink, sell up or shut down in the next 12 months, while just 18 per cent expect to...
Companies House outlines ambitious long-term vision to support economic growth
A new 5-year strategy sets out the agency’s aims to support economic growth by improving corporate transparency and protecting businesses and...
Grassroots: Sowing the seeds of an active future
Global Aurora Tech Award to Support Women Entrepreneurs in IT
Enter the Aurora Open Call 2026 and bring your vision to the global stage Applications are open for the 2025 Aurora Tech Award, which provides...
Global Start Up Energy Transition Award
The SET Award The SET Award is the ultimate sustainablity start-up competition that empowers climate tech innovators and clean energy startups to...
One-stop shop for training and jobs to help more people in Surrey find work
Surrey jobseekers can find jobs, learn new skills and access employment support in a single, simple and accessible way via Surrey County Council’s...
Realising the Remarkable returns!
Behind every small business is a big dream – and the right support can make all the difference. Enterprise Nation and VistaPrint are teaming up once...
TikTok Shop launches £750k scheme for local sellers
TikTok is hoping to give British SMEs a boost with a new scheme to encourage customers to shop locally. TikTok Shop has announced the launch of Shop...
Sponsor a Poppy with Ashford Wide for £10
Show your support this Remembrance season by sponsoring a poppy to be displayed on lampposts around our town. Whether you’re a local business or an...
How to deal with late payments – advice for Surrey businesses
Late payments cost the UK economy almost £11 billion per year and cause 38 UK businesses to close every day. Government research shows 28% of...
Economic Growth Fund
Funding to drive growth across Surrey is now available to businesses and organisations across Surrey. We have pooled a range of public and...
Small Business Saturday
Each year Small Business Saturday runs a national roadshow that travels the length and breadth of the country to tell the story of the...
Councillor Med Buck Appointed as Chair of Spelthorne Business Forum
The Spelthorne Business Forum (SBF) is delighted to announce the appointmentof Councillor Med Buck, the former Mayor of Spelthorne, as its new...
Member Spotlight: Shepperton Marina Wins TYHA Inland Marina of the Year 2025
We’re delighted to shine a spotlight on one of Spelthorne’s finest Shepperton Marina, officially crowned The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) Inland...
Finalists announced for the Thames Valley SME Growth 100
The finalists for the 2025 Thames Valley SME Growth 100 have been revealed, spotlighting the region’s most dynamic and rapidly growing small...
UK government to fund regional tech programs up to £20m
Local and regional partnerships invited to bid for support for established or developing projects. Local areas can now bid for government support of...
Coworking spaces in Surrey
Coworking spaces in Surrey have never been more popular. We’ve picked out a few of the dozens of premium coworking spaces that freelancers and small...
Gmail users can now send encrypted work emails
Enterprise Plus users will be able to send encrypted emails even to recipients with other email providers, offering some security to counter cyber...
Winners of the Spelthorne Business Awards announced
The winners of the 2025 Spelthorne Business Awards were revealed at a glittering ceremony on Friday 3 October at the Holiday Inn, Shepperton,...
Active Travel Grant Scheme
Boost productivity, cut congestion, and relieve workplace parking pressure by applying for a Smarter Travel to Work grant from Active...
Member Spotlight: Unlocking Peak Performance
In business, momentum matters. But in those moments when progress feels slow, when decisions feel foggy, or when overwhelm starts to creep in that’s...
Jobs guarantee welcome – crucial to get details right
Responding to the Labour Party’s jobs guarantee announcement at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small...
SME exporter grants programme
Heathrow is calling for SMEs in every corner of the UK to come forward and share their exporting ambitions. The UK’s hub airport is relaunching its...
CoSTAR Evolve: Scale your Enterprise
CoSTAR Evolve: strengthening established UK creative technology companies An intensive six-month CoSTAR Enterprise and...
Surrey Economic Growth Fund round one: £2 million funding announced
Surrey Economic Growth Fund round one invests £2 million to Surrey businesses and wider economy. Collectively the grants will provide an economic...
Bookings Now Open for Ashford Wide Christmas Market 2025!
The most magical event of the year is coming to Ashford — and bookings are now open! Join us on Wednesday 3rd December, from 5pm to 8pm, for the...
Member Spotlight: Vintage Chic Furniture Studio – Breathing New Life into Furniture and Creativity
At the Spelthorne Business Forum, we’re passionate about celebrating the incredible individuals and businesses that make our local community thrive....
Final days to change your Companies House login
Changes are afoot as the Government consolidates how it interacts with businesses. The deadline is fast approaching for businesses using a Companies...
Connect to Work launching in Surrey
Business news, Skills and workforce Connect to Work, a major new government programme to break down barriers to employment for thousands of people,...
Epic MegaGrants
Epic Games is offering financial support through its Epic MegaGrants programme, designed to advance innovation in real-time 3D creation. The scheme...
Blair McDougall MP named as the government’s new small business minister
MP for East Renfrewshire Blair McDougall is the government’s new small business minister. He was appointed as a minister in Keir Starmer’s...
Government promises business rates reform
Fixing sudden jumps in business rates when a business opens a second property are among the business rates reforms being considered by the...
Need funding for a local project? Surrey Heath Borough Council wants to hear from you.
Surrey Heath Borough Council is inviting residents, community groups, and local organisations to apply for funding to support projects that improve...
Stanwell Hotel update
The Council has received information that families residing at the Stanwell Hotel were notified they were being moved to a different location...
Surrey County Council: How we are investing in Surrey’s future
We’re making improvements that help communities every day - whether that’s investing in buildings, supporting local projects or making it easier to...
UK startup set to tackle £3bn IT skills gap
A UK startup has unveiled a new platform designed to transform how IT consultancies use and share talent, amid rising concerns about wasted skills...
Contactless payments could go unlimited
Contactless card payments could soon exceed the current £100 cap – and even become unlimited – under proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority...
EDF partners with Federation of Small Businesses to help SMEs cut costs and carbon
Through the collaboration, FSB members will gain access to a dedicated online hub featuring free resources such as guides, blogs, videos, webinars...
Laleham FC scores big with support from local insurance broker
Young footballers at Laleham Juniors FC are celebrating a winning partnership with local insurance broker Howden Staines-upon-Thames, whose support...
Stanwell Hotel update and Extraordinary Council meeting
On the evening of Tuesday 26 August, Councillor Joanne Sexton, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, attended a meeting of the Stanwell Village...
Surrey SMEs will judge red tape cuts on delivery, says Azets
The Government has pledged to cut administrative regulatory costs for Surrey SMEs by 25%, simplify licensing, and modernise corporate reporting...
Warning to Surrey businesses over umbrella company changes
A new southern regional director of payroll covering Surrey has been named by Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs. Chris Waterson,...
Providing ethical, accessible loan finance for Co-operatives
We lend money exclusively to co-operatives. Our approach to lending is ethical, accessible and sympathetic to your co-op’s needs. Co-op Loan Fund is...
UNltd – Awards for Social Entrepreneurs
You have an idea, or you are already creating a positive social impact with your venture and are looking to develop. We combine funding and support...
Epic MegaGrants
Epic MegaGrants, is a program that invests in promising new projects from our community as they push real-time 3D development to new heights. If...
Start-up Surrey launches with expert support for entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses
Budding entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses across Surrey are set to receive a major boost with the launch of the Start-Up Surrey programme....
Companies House ID verification rollout to impact millions of directors
Companies House ID verification rollout will impact millions more people from mid-November. It’s all part of a crackdown on misuse of the UK...
Small Business Plan unveiled by government
The Small Business Plan promising SMEs the tools they need to grow has been published by government. This includes better access to finance and...
Rachel Reeves under fire as UK unemployment set to hit the highest level since COVID
Britain is bracing for a fresh jobs crisis, with experts warning unemployment could soon climb to its highest level since the pandemic. New analysis...
Succession is being overlooked – it’s time to develop a plan
With over half of business owners planning to exit over the next decade, HR professionals must develop effective leadership pipelines, says Flora...
Member spotlight: Inspireful -Helping business owners thrive, not just survive
Inspireful, led by veteran coach Hayley Watts, is all about turning overwhelm into clarity and everyday action into progress. Whether you’re leading...
New Start-Up Surrey Programme launched to support entrepreneurs across Surrey
Budding entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses across Surrey are set to receive a major boost with the launch of the Start-Up Surrey Programme, a...
Member Spotlight: Surrey Films
Five Types of Videos Every Business Needs in 2025 In 2025, video is no longer just “nice to have”, it’s the most powerful marketing tool at your...
Member Spotlight: Meet Timeless IMS – The Security Superheroes for Your Business!
Ever wished you had a team of IT superheroes watching your back? This month, we are thrilled to introduce you to Timeless IMS, the award-winning...
Help to Grow Hits 250 Graduate Milestone
Help to Grow Management is a Government funded programme set up to supportSMEs to grow. Over 10,000 SME leaders have completed Help to Grow...
Work Smarter. Anywhere. Anytime.
The Tecadec Portable Desk Hybrid working has met its match Say goodbye to makeshift workspaces and hello to the future of mobile productivity. The...
Santander X UK Awards 2025
Are you a university entrepreneur, startup or SME with ambitions to grow? Enter your business into the Santander X UK Awards 2025 for the...
Aspiring to Supply Surrey’s Public Sector? Your Step-by-Step Guide
Winning a public contract with Surrey County Council or one of its borough and district authorities can unlock long-term growth and stability for...
New Series Helps SMEs Break Into Public Sector Supply Chains
A new Lunch & Learn series is launching this spring at The Hub, Spelthorne, to helplocal businesses better understand and access public sector...
Ready, Set, Splash! The Big Duck Race Is Back at Staines-upon-Thames Day!
Saturday 29th June | Staines-upon-Thames Day | In support of MidasPlus It’s time to ruffle some feathers, the legendary Big Duck Race is back, and...
Surrey Business Awards 2025
Each year, this highly anticipated annual event celebrates the incredible achievements and contributions of businesses and individuals across...
A new Mayor for Spelthorne
23 May 2025: Cllr John Doran was elected as the new Mayor of Spelthorne at the Annual Council Meeting on 22 May He was first elected as a ward...
Lack of financial education holding young entrepreneurs back
Young people lack the financial education to equip them for entrepreneurship. Almost one in five young people (19%) in the UK say that better...
Base rate cut welcome – but small firms still bogged down by cashflow issues
Responding to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s vote to cut the base rate to 4.25%, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)...
Spelthorne Borough Council’s Bulletin magazine – advertising deadline
The summer edition of Spelthorne Borough Council’s Bulletin magazine is being delivered to all homes in the borough w/c 30 June. We are currently...
Made Smarter Adoption Programme
Made Smarter South East is making it easier for makers, creators and manufacturers in the South East to innovate, upskill and grow their business by...
An Hour a Week, a Lifetime of Impact:
Volunteer to Mentor a Young Person in Surrey with MCR Pathways.MCR Pathways is a national, award-winning mentoring programme. MCR Pathways...
Reciprocal trade tariffs will force UK small firms to quit US market, data shows
Small importers have warned that reciprocal tariffs on the US market would “wreck” their business plans, research by the Federation of Small...
Spelthorne Litter Pickers presented with the King’s Award for Volunteers
Spelthorne Litter Pickers, a local community group dedicated to keeping the Borough free of litter, has been presented with the King’s Award for...
We’re Hiring a New Chair!
Help lead Spelthorne’s business community into its next chapter. After 18 brilliant years of supporting and championing local enterprise, the...
Small business confidence remains sluggish as scale of rising cost crisis revealed
FSB press release New data from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reveals that small firms’ confidence levels are in a rut amid a rising tide...
Applications Now Open: Govt-Funded Software Developer Bootcamp
We’re excited to share that applications are now OPEN for the June 2025 cohort of the Government-Funded Skills Bootcamp in...
New Yoga classes for beginners
New Yoga Sessions Launch at Ashford Tennis Club! We’re excited to announce a brand new addition to the Ashford Tennis Club community, weekly yoga...
Made Smarter expands to the South East to drive UK manufacturing forward with digital technologies, innovation and skills
Advice and support, Funding and grants The Made Smarter Adoption programme is set to revolutionize the manufacturing landscape for SMEs and makers...
New! Boost Your Business in 2025 – Free Expert Guide Now Available
Running a business is full of opportunities—but let’s face it, it also comes with plenty of challenges. Whether you’re looking to grow your team,...
Marketing Toolkit videos for Surrey Businesses
As part of our work to support businesses of all sizes across Surrey, we’ve developed a series of online training videos focusing on promoting and...
Growth gloom means Government must urgently produce pro-small business plans
FSB press release Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, in which Rachel Reeves confirmed a halving of the official growth forecast for...
Spelthorne respond to Best Value Inspection report
17 March 2025: Today Spelthorne has received the letter from the Minister which outlines the next steps for this authority In February 2023, the...
Surrey’s business community asked to have their say on the impact of retail crime in new survey
Retail crime is on the rise, and its impact goes far beyond financial loss. It affects business owners, employees, and entire communities, creating...
Jobcentre Plus: Free Recruitment Support for Spelthorne Businesses
Are you looking to grow your team but struggling to find the right talent? Jobcentre Plus offers free recruitment services tailored to help...
Small firms welcome regulator’s promise to act on card payment fees
Responding to the Payment System Regulator’s final report from its market review of card scheme and processing fees, Tina McKenzie, Policy...
Missed opportunity to remove threats to jobs and growth from Employment Bill
Missed opportunity to remove threats to jobs and growth from Employment Bill Following the Government’s announcement of amendments to the...
Spelthorne Business Awards 2025 Deadline extended
Due to popular demand the deadline has been extended till Friday 4 July 2025. The awards offer a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements...
Council’s Budget and Council Tax agreed
28 February 2025: Councillors agreed a balanced budget and Council Tax levels for 2025/26 at the Council meeting on Thursday 27 February The...
Stand out in construction
Enter the South East Construction Awards Winning or even being shortlisted in the South East Construction Awards 2025 is more than just a trophy....
Skills Bootcamp boosts sales for local business
MTEK Solutions, a local business co-owned by experienced electricians Michael Slatcher and Kieran Tuck, has taken full advantage of Skills...
GDP rise is welcomed, but small firms need long-lasting growth actions
GDP rise is welcomed, but small firms need long-lasting growth actions Responding to Office for National Statistics figures showing that...
Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2025
Are you a budding entrepreneur with dreams of starting your own business? The SBF (Spelthorne Business Forum) is excited to announce its takeover of...
Single Surrey unitary ruled out by council leaders
Council leaders across Surrey have agreed to rule out making a proposal to the government for a single unitary council for the county. The agreement...
Have Your Say on the Future of Ashford Town Centre!
Ashford town centre is at an exciting crossroads, and your voice matters in shaping its future! Spelthorne Borough Council has commissioned a...
Do you know a businesswoman deserving of recognition?
SHINNING A LIGHT ON REMARKABLE BUSINESSWOMEN IN THE SOUTH EAST The deadline to enter the highly anticipated 2025 Dynamic Awards, the South...
Free Product safety support
Does your business sell online products which are regulated for product safety? If the answer is yes – then we can offer a FREE business...
The patient cancer support group
Our welcoming support group meet on the second Tuesday of every month in Shepperton. The group was formed in 2018. It offers patients and carers a...
NEW: The Sunflower Cafe
Looking for a welcoming and friendly place to relax with a cuppa and biscuits? Come along to The Sunflower Cafe, specially designed for individuals...
Inspire Surrey’s future workforce in 2025 as an Enterprise Adviser
Put your business experience to great use in 2025 by helping shape the futures of young people as an Enterprise Adviser. Surrey Careers Hub is...
Government announces plan to ‘turbocharge’ AI and drive economic growth
The government has launched a new plan aimed at using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to grow the economy, help businesses scale, deliver public...
Free business decarbonisation course
Have you considered how climate change might affect your business? Are you looking tobe more energy efficient? Do you know your business’ carbon...
The SBF is excited to announce its takeover of the Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2025!
Now in its 11th year, this competition has successfully launched numerous small businesses, many of which have continued to thrive. Originally...
2024 round-up: Celebrating 2024 success and exciting plans for 2025!
As we close out 2024, we’re celebrating a year of growth, connection, and success at the Spelthorne Business Forum (SBF). Together, we’ve achieved...
Gatwick Airport supplier opportunity for Surrey construction firms
Surrey-based construction firms have a unique opportunity to become part of the supply chain for London Gatwick, the UK’s second-largest airport,...
Join Reed’s Christmas Toy Drive: Make a Difference in Our Community This Festive Season
This Christmas, Reed is organizing a Toy Drive to bring holiday cheer to children and families who need it most. Partnering with White Lodge and...
Local Business Leaders Attend SBF Budget Breakfast to Understand Key Changes in Autumn Budget
Hosted at Sytner Jaguar Land Rover, 7 November 2024 Local business owners and entrepreneurs gathered at the Sytner Jaguar Land Rover showroom for a...
River Thames Scheme calls for case-studies from flood-affected businesses
The River Thames Scheme (RTS) is looking for case-studies to emphasise the real-life impact of past flooding on businesses along the Thames. These...
Develop your career
A new career development course starts on 19 September in Egham. If you're aged 45 year or older and struggling to get back into work, or you know...
Skills England must keep small firms’ needs and strengths in mind
Responding to the Government announcement about the creation of Skills England, Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB),...
Maximise Efficiency and Minimise Costs with SustainSpelthorne
Business owners in Spelthorne seeking to reduce costs and enhance sustainability now have a valuable resource in the SustainSpelthorne programme....
Lunch and Learn: A founder’s guide to LinkedIn
In this Lunch and Learn, James Farnfield will show you how to leverage your LinkedIn profile to build awareness, authority and drive revenue from...
Staines-Upon-Thames prepares for summer of Outdoor Theatre
A summer of theatrics is set to arrive in Staines-Upon-Thames this August, featuring a variety of family friendly acts for school holiday...
Renée’s May Funding Round-Up
Funding & Grants Renée’s May Round-Up of Grants and Funding Business Surrey’s latest funding round-up highlights grants, loans and support...