Updates from Bedford Business

It has been announced that Bedford Borough will receive £22.6 million, following a successful bid for a Town Deal.

In October 2020, the Borough Council and Bedford Town Deal Board submitted their Town Investment Plan as part of their bid for up to £25million from Central Government. The Town Investment Plan put forward a clear vision and strategy for how the money will be used in Bedford and identifies value for money projects that will have a positive impact on the town.

The projects submitted in the plan include regeneration of the Station Quarter and Midland Road, public realm improvements to St. Paul’s Square, improvements to town centre junctions and local pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and investment in Health, Science and Digital Skills and Full Fibre broadband.

The regeneration of the Station Quarter and Midland Road will bring important investment to these spaces as key gateways to the town centre for visitors in Bedford. The regeneration projects will also see investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, which connects the two areas and creates a vibrant corridor to the town centre.

The suggested public realm improvements to St. Paul’s Square will enhance the experience for both shoppers and visitors, increasing the vibrancy of the centre of Bedford and promoting the town as a place to meet friends and family and have fun.

The proposed investment in our roads, pedestrian and cycling network will promote greater accessibility and mobility for residents, while relieving pinch points across the town centre, reducing congestion and creating a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Town Investment Plan also includes a scheme for funding investment in Health, Science and Digital Skills through expanding the current offer from Bedford College to allow them to offer spaces to an additional 250 learners each year and improve the learning environment for current students.

The plan also includes a project to support the rollout of full fibre infrastructure across the urban areas of Bedford by a private provider, helping to attract investment from private sector businesses.

First doses of the Pfizer vaccine are available to all Bedford Borough residents aged 18 and over, with no need to book this Saturday from 1pm to 7pm at the Guru Nanak Temple, 84 Ford End Rd, Queens Park Bedford MK40 4JX.

Bedford Borough has one of the highest rates of infection in the country. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect each other and stop the virus spreading.

Bedford Borough Council, working with Bedford On Call ‘BEDOC’, is urging anyone aged 18 and over not currently vaccinated to come along to protect themselves, their families and their community.

To make it easier for people to get vaccinated the trained staff at the Guru Nanak Temple will be offering the vaccination to everyone that turns up, enabling more people to access the vaccine.

Cllr Louise Jackson, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder at Bedford Borough Council said: “Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things we can do to halt the spread of the virus, protect each other and get us all back to the things we’ve missed over the last year. This is the first time that vaccines have been made available to all Bedford Borough residents aged 18 and over, without a booking. “You just need to turn up at the Guru Nanak Temple this Saturday between 1pm and 7pm and you’ll be able to get vaccinated. We’re hoping as many people as possible will come along, get the Pfizer vaccine and help us drive down the infection rate locally.”

“If you can’t make it on Saturday anyone aged 18 and over can still book to get the vaccine at either the Temple or Kings House on Ampthill Road via the website at www.bedford.gov.uk/vaccinations or by calling 01234 718077.”

As part of the governments Lifetime Skills Guarantee, if you are 19 or over you can now access a course for free. This is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs.

There are 2 options available to you under the Lifetime Skills Guarantee:

–  Free level 3 qualifications: If you are 19 or over and do not already have a full level 3 qualification (equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels) you can now access a free qualification. Some of these qualifications are available to study online or part-time.

–  Skills bootcamps: build up specialist skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer. They are available to you if you are aged 19 or over and are either in work or recently unemployed (some skills bootcamps have additional eligibility criteria). There has been a high demand for places on the skills bootcamps, with new skills bootcamps will be announced later in the spring. More information about eligibility, subjects available, locations and how to apply for skills bootcamps will be added as soon as it is available.

You can access one of the free level 3 qualifications if you are aged 19 or over and want to achieve your first level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or A levels.

More info can be found at: gov.uk/guidance/free-courses

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising and rewarding their outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

The benefits of winning an Award

The Awards can bring substantial benefits to winners, including: increased staff morale; boosts to turnover and international trade, greater recognition and excellent marketing opportunities. Winners are also invited to a Royal reception and have their trophy presented to them at their business premises by their local HM Lord-Lieutenant.

Due to lockdown, some of our recent winners have celebrated the news of their success over video calls, online parties, and even virtual afternoon teas.

This year there were 205 winners across the UK. This included 5 double winners and 92% of the 2020 Queen’s Awards winners were SMEs

How to apply

The next application round will be open from May to September 2021. Almost all UK businesses can apply, and the application process is free and straightforward. To find out more, contact the Queen’s Awards Office or visit their website.

queensawards@beis.gov.uk

020 7215 6880

Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – GOV.UK

Your ability to manage change successfully is critical to the success of your company’s environmental initiatives.

In this Green Business Network seminar on the 30^th June, 2-3.30pm you will:

–  Discover approaches to implementing environmental changes

–  Find out what other companies have done and how

–  Pick up tips and tricks

–  Learn how to overcome obstacles

–  Know what not to do.

GBN Manager Jane Varley will take you through ways in which you can introduce and manage environmental change. You will be encouraged to participate in this session, so come prepared to join in.

After the presentation you can take part in a workshop, where you can share best practice and work through any challenges that changes have brought to your own organisation.

The session is free to GBN members. Non-members are welcome to attend at a cost of £30 +VAT. You can book by visiting their website at: greenbusinessnetwork.co.uk