This month is packed with events and support to help your business grow, read on!






Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].

c1


*Newsletter **of the Nottingham City Council *

*UKSPF Business Growth Hub Team*



________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



4
Meet Esther Chan

UKSPF Business Account Manager, Nottingham City Business Growth Hub Team & Chartered Marketer, MBA

Esther Chan is a collaborative and results-driven Business Advisor with over 15 years of experience in marketing, customer service, sales, and strategic planning. Esther combines creative thinking with analytical insight to help businesses grow with purpose and adaptability. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, she is passionate about supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting inclusive economic growth.

Esther has recently played a key role in supporting two Nottingham-based businesses: *Mooboo Nottingham*, a vibrant bubble tea shop in the city centre, Esther provided a comprehensive business health check, access to relevant training programmes, and invitations to local networking events. Her guidance helped the owner, Tom Yu, identify strategic growth opportunities and build the skills needed to scale the business. Esther also supported *The Seafood Guy*, a restaurant founded by Johnny C. K. Tam after relocating from Hong Kong. She helped Johnny secure a Business Growth Grant and provided tailored advice to support his ambition of expanding online sales across the UK and internationally. 

Esther’s approach blends client-focused perspective with strategic insight, earning praise for her practical, impactful solutions. Whether navigating funding or embracing digital tools, she empowers entrepreneurs to thrive in a fast-changing market.

 

Connect with Esther today for tailored advice and support at: [email protected]

Check out the two businesses mentioned above: Mooboo Nottingham [ [link removed] ] & The Seafood Guy [ [link removed] ]

 



________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



1

Adding Christmas specials to your menu?

The festive rush brings new menus, seasonal staff, and more customers than ever, which means food safety has never been more important.

Whether you’re serving Christmas specials, catering office parties, or running a festive market stall, the Food Standards Agency is here to help. Their *free training, checklists and guidance* make it simple to stay compliant and protect your customers.

 

From allergen management to hygiene checks, every good food business knows that safety and reputation go hand in hand. To get your free resources and make this festive season a safe one for your business.

Visit FSA's Website: Safer Food is Better For Business [ [link removed] ]

 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________


2
Mastering Graphic Design with Canva and Adobe Express

?? 10 December 2025* | ??*9:30am - 4:00pm| ?? Holiday Inn Nottingham

 

*NEW Exclusive workshops for Nottingham Businesses. **Want to design professional graphics, social media posts, and animations — all in-house and on a budget? *

Join this exclusive workshop to discover how to use Canva and Adobe Express to transform your visual marketing. Led by expert Paul Ince, you will learn practical techniques and tips.

 

By the end of the session you will walk away with:

✅ A fully branded Canva & Adobe Express setup

✅ Ready-to-use marketing templates

✅ Animation & motion design skills

✅ Flyers, business cards & more

✅ Confidence to stay consistent across all your channels

You will need to bring your laptop as you will be working directly in Canva and Adobe Express during the session.

 

Register Now: Master Graphic Design with Canva and Adobe [ [link removed] ]

?? Open to Nottingham businesses only. See website for more details.

 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



1

Business Planning Essentials Group 4

?? 19 December 2025  | ??9:30am - 3:30pm |??Online

 

*Creating a Plan for a Profitable Business*

Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Or looking to strengthen your existing venture?

Our one-day comprehensive Business Planning workshop is your roadmap to build a successful business plan. We will give you the practical skills and confidence you need to thrive.

 

*What You'll Master*

Our course covers the essential pillars of effective business planning, with a focus on practical, real-world application. You'll get hands-on experience with:


* Financial Fundamentals: Ensure you understand key financial areas like tax, National Insurance (NI), and VAT.
* Marketing and Customer Connection: Learn how to research your industry, competitors, and potential customers to inform your strategy, identify your ideal customer, and reach your audience
* Start-up and Beyond: Get a clear picture of Start-up and Running Costs you need
* Personal Financial Planning: Create a realistic Personal Survival Budget to support yourself while your business grows.
* Forecasting for Success: Master the critical skills of Cash Flow Forecasting and Profit and Loss Forecasting to predict and manage your business's financial future.
* Securing Your Funding: Explore various sources of funding and learn how to secure the capital you need to succeed.

 

*Who this workshop is for?*

This workshop is perfect for individuals who have already attended the NBV Business Start-up Essentials workshop and are ready to take the next step, whether that’s developing a business plan or creating one to support a funding application. It's also ideal for early-stage business owners looking to develop their business through a structured planning process.

 

Don’t let the numbers hold you back, build a solid foundation for long-term success.

Book Your Spot Today: Start Planning Your Future! [ [link removed] ]

 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



 

Allia Impact – Tech for Good Business Support Programme

Allia Impact is thrilled to announce the launch of two new business support programmes designed to grow the Tech for Good ecosystem across the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

These programmes form part of the Regional Tech Booster initiative, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in partnership with the UK Tech Cluster Group. Allia is proud to be one of 14 national pilots—and the only one in the East Midlands.

 

*Who can apply?*
Any business registered in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, or Nottinghamshire with a focus on Tech for Good—technology intentionally designed to create positive social, environmental, or economic impact. Sectors may include Education, Health & Social Care, Medical & Life Sciences, Environment, Low Carbon, Financial Services, and more.

 

*Programme Highlights:*
Starting November at the University of Nottingham (Castle Meadow Campus), participants will benefit from:


* Expert-led workshops and one-to-one mentoring
* Guidance to develop your business model and impact strategy
* A supportive community of like-minded founders

 

*Programmes Available:*

*Start-Strong: Tech for Good Startup Programme*


* Who: Pre-registered ideas or early-stage start-ups
* Duration: 5 weeks (Tuesdays, 10am–4pm)
* Content: Validating your idea, Theory of Change, Customer & Empathy Mapping, Marketing & Sales, Financial Management

*Solo to Scale: Tech for Good Growth Programme*


* Who: Registered businesses (12+ months), MVP developed, generating revenue or insights
* Duration: 3-day Bootcamp (Wed–Fri) or Flexi (3 consecutive Wednesdays), 10am–4pm
* Content: Business Model review, Theory of Change, Marketing & Sales, Financial Management, Outsourcing, Recruitment, Team Growth, Self-awareness

 

*Ready to build a purpose-driven venture? Apply now to secure your place!*
*For enquiries, contact Sheridan Chilvers at: [email protected]*

Allia: Business Support [ [link removed] ]

 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________


5
Customer Service Excellence: Getting it Right

?? 18 December 2025  | ??9:30am - 4:00pm |??Derby Conference Centre

 

*Front line staff are ultimately the Ambassadors for the company, whether they are dealing with suppliers, customers, or colleagues it is vital they get it right.*

This highly practical day enables participants to review and explore the true meaning of “excellent customer service”. It focuses on the challenges, and rewards, of managing both internal and external customers effectively face to face and over the telephone.

 

*What’s covered:*


*

Understand the differences between customer service and customer care and why they are so vital to any business.


*

Understand the importance of setting and managing customer expectations and the needs and wants of different customer groups.


*

Be able to communicate face to face with both internal and external customers in a confident and professional manner


*

Understand the importance of creating a good first impression


*

Be more self aware of both the verbal and non verbal signals that they display when communicating face to face and over the telephone with colleagues, suppliers and customers


*

Be able to deal more effectively with “difficult” customers and complaints with a view to achieving mutually acceptable outcomes to ensure continued relationships into the future.

*What outcomes will be achieved?*

This highly practical day enables participants to review and explore the true meaning of “excellent customer service”. It focuses on the challenges – and rewards – of managing both internal and external customers effectively face to face and over the telephone. It is ideal for frontline staff who need to ensure they are offering excellent customer service.

 

Customer Service Excellence: Getting It Right [ [link removed] ]

 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________


3
Introducing the Create Growth Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Networking Grant Scheme! 

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s creative, digital and creative technology sector is vibrant and bursting with talent, and CGN2 is helping these businesses across our fantastic county connect with the support they need to ignite their creativity and succeed.

As part of this, CGN2 is investing in the sector’s future by funding small-scale events and activities led by local organisations – helping bring businesses together, spark innovation and grow the community.

*Grants Available:*
- Small Grant – up to £500
- Large Grant – up to £1,000

Open to registered businesses, social enterprises, local authorities, nonprofits and business network groups based in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire that have been operating for at least six months.

*Apply by 30 January 2026, a**ctivities must be completed by 27 February 2026*

Start Your Application: Create Growth N2 [ [link removed] ]

 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________





_Please note that as part of the wider D2N2 Growth Hub service, Nottingham City Council may share data with partners to allow  businesses to receive updates on support related topics and opportunities. if you wish to unsubscribe then click on link below._



a




Contact the Nottingham team of the D2N2 Growth Hub on 0333 0069178

Visit our website www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk [ [link removed] ]

Follow us on Twitter @GrowingNottm [ [link removed] ]

You have received this email because you are subscribed to Nottingham City Council’s “Stay Connected” service for news and information about council services. You can review which emails you receive from us or unsubscribe by editing your subscriptions [ [link removed] ] - log in with your email address and then make your choice.

________________________________________________________________________

Winter Wonderland Nottingham [ [link removed] ]


This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Nottingham City Council · Loxley House, Station Street · Nottingham. NG2 3NG logo



body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;}