In this issue we look at the following:
- Rother Christmas Parking Concession Days Confirmed
- East Sussex Digital Growth Series launched
- Small Business Britain Green Growth Awards
- Bubbles and Business Networking Event
- Christmas Crafters Tax Advice from HMRC
If you have a business event that you would like us to promote or a success story that you would like us to share, please let us know at businessalerts@rother.gov.uk
Rother Christmas Parking Concession Days Confirmed
Rother District Council is pleased to announce that people doing their Christmas shopping at local businesses or visiting festive events will benefit from free parking in selected council-owned car parks again during this winter.
Car parking charges will be waived on select days at a number of car parks in Battle, Bexhill, Little Common and Rye during the festive season, either all day or for evening shopping.
The chance for those out shopping or visiting festive events to enjoy free parking during the weeks leading up to Christmas, is aimed to encourage people to support the many great local businesses in the Rother area by shopping locally.
There will be signage displayed in those off-street car parks involved confirming the dates when visitors can park for free, with full details on the Christmas parking concession days also able to be found on the Rother District Council website.
East Sussex Digital Growth Series Launched
A new opportunity for local businesses in East Sussex to strengthen their digital capabilities has launched, via the East Sussex Digital Growth Series which is starting soon.
The fully funded programme, being delivered by Portobello Business Centre in partnership with East Sussex Grown Hub, will provide a series of practical workshops at locations across East Sussex, including in Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Uckfield, between December 2025 and March 2026.
The series of events is designed to boost the digital growth of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), and is free to attend for SMEs in East Sussex.
More details on the East Sussex Digital Growth Series, including the full programme of events starting in early December that are now all available for booking, can be found at the Portobello Business Centre website.
Small Business Britain Green Growth Awards
Small Business Britain is launching the Green Growth Awards, with the chance for successful businesses to receive a grant worth £5,000 to help them boost their sustainability goals.
The opportunity to businesses via the Green Growth Awards, is part of a combined effort by Small Business Britain in partnership together with BT, and goes alongside the Green Growth 100, designed as a celebration of 100 inspiring small businesses in the UK advancing their business growth by sustainable methods.
The Green Growth 100 is intended to promote the stories of entrepreneurs who have shown how their small businesses can drive profitability in a sustainable way, with successful businesses to be invited to an awards event in March 2026 where two firms will each receive a Green Growth Award of £5,000 to further their sustainability goals, with additional non-cash runner-up prizes to be awarded on the day as well.
More details can be found on the Small Business Britain Green Growth Awards webpage, with applications now open until the closing date of 9th January 2026.
Bubbles and Business Networking Event
Kangaroo Connections is hosting a Bubbles and Business networking event, to offer a unique experience for local businesspeople to make connections in a convivial setting.
The networking event, being held at the Bannatyne Hotel St Leonards, is offering attendees the opportunity to enjoy a networking experience in a relaxed setting, with the chance to enjoy a cream tea that will be served as well as drinks such as Prosecco at the event, while having informal discussions with fellow business owners.
More details on the event, which will take place on 9th December 2025 between 12:00 and 14:00, can be found on the Kangaroo Connections website.
Christmas Crafters Tax Advice from HMRC
Christmas crafters selling festive items or running seasonal market stalls are being advised by HMRC to check if their earnings may exceed the £1,000 threshold within a tax year for reporting to HMRC.
The message from HMRC is part of their Help for Hustles campaign, to inform people of the rules around earnings from side hustles, and distinguish between simply decluttering homes by selling unwanted personal belongings, which doesn’t usually require reporting to HMRC, and trading activities like making items to sell for profit, which may be taxable.
The guidance also mentions that there is an online checker available on the GOV.UK website for anyone who may be unsure if they need to report any additional income.
More information on the HMRC guidance on earnings from side hustles including in the festive season can be found at the GOV.UK website.
