In this issue we look at the following:
- UK Government Consultation on Late Payments
- East Sussex Growth Hub Workshops
- Bexhill Post Office Branch Update
- Emergency First Aid Training
- 18 Hours Festivals Awayday
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
UK Government Consultation on Late Payments and Small Business Plan
The UK Government has announced a consultation on plans to toughen laws on late payments affecting businesses, as part of the launch of its Small Business Plan.
The consultation process run by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), will seek views from businesses on proposed legislative measures aimed to address the impact of late payments on businesses, estimated at costing the UK economy £11 billion a year.
The consultation period will run from 31 July 2025 to 23 October 2025, and the DBT states that views from all businesses are welcomed on the proposed changes.
As well as proposed action on late payments, the UK government has provided some additional details on other planned measures as part of its Small Business Plan, including funding for 69,000 Start-Up Loans for new businesses, and reforms to planning and licensing rules particularly aimed to boost the hospitality and arts sector.
Further details on the late payment consultation process, including how to participate, and the related Small Business Plan announcement can be found at the following links:
East Sussex Growth Hub Workshops
East Sussex Growth Hub are highlighting a range of workshops and training courses available to local businesses in the coming months, to help bolster skills and promote business growth opportunities in the local area.
Courses and workshops highlighted include:
- The Start Smart, Grow Strong programme of free in-person workshops and online webinars for pre-start, start up and micro-businesses in East Sussex.
- A wide range of skills training courses for businesses available from Sussex Chamber of Commerce.
- The UK Export Academy offering free expert-let workshops as part of the Start Your Business series to fuel business growth.
- Digital skills training workshops including the Google Digital Garage event delivered by Google together with Enterprise Nation.
More information on East Sussex Growth Hub, and currently available courses and workshops can be found at the following links:
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/support/east-sussex-growth-hub
Bexhill Post Office Update
There have been further updates recently from the Post Office on planned changes to the Bexhill Post Office branch in Devonshire Square commencing next month.
The Post Office states that plans for the Bexhill branch to be operated by an independent franchise retail partner, ZCO Ltd, are confirmed to be going ahead, with the change to take place in September 2025.
It has also been confirmed by the Post Office that for these changes to be carried out, the Bexhill branch will close early on Thursday 18 September 2025 at 3:00pm, and will re-open on Friday 19 September 2025 at 1:00pm.
The Post Office has also notified of changes to Bexhill branch opening hours, that it is planned will standardise morning opening times at 9:00am Monday to Saturday once the transition has occurred in September 2025.
Considering the importance of the Bexhill Post Office branch to many local residents and businesses in the area, if individuals and businesses wish to make any queries or provide comments on changes to the Post Office, then contact can be made to the Post Office at the following email address: comments@postoffice.co.uk
Further information on current planned changes to the Bexhill Post Office branch can also be found on the Post Office Views website at the following link:
https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/bexhill-on-sea-tn40-1aa-005925/
Emergency First Aid at Work Training
An Emergency First Aid at Work course is being organised by The Friends of Conquest Hospital to help raise funds to support the Conquest Hospital.
The 6-hour course is suitable for participants who are responsible for first aid in the workplace or at events, and participants who successfully complete the course will receive an Emergency First Aid at Work certificate valid for 3 years.
The training course is being run as a one-day event on Monday 15 September 2025, between 9:30am and 4.30pm, at the Conquest Hospital.
Limited places are still available for booking, with further details available at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/emergency-first-aid-at-work-tickets-1501472597959
18 Hours Festivals Awayday
18 Hours have announced that their Festivals Awayday is returning next month, for a day of networking, showcases and workshops for the events community from across East Sussex.
The event will include the opportunity to hear from a range of guest speakers already announced, including Martin Green (Eurovision), Arts Council England, Sho Shibata (Outdoor Arts UK), Dr Mandy Curtis (18 Hours), and Adrian Bossey, who’ll be chairing a panel on Accessible Music.
Attendees will also be able to choose from a programme of workshops at the event, with networking opportunities throughout the day, and lunch included in the ticket price.
The Festival Awaydays event hosted by 18 Hours will be taking place on Friday 12 September 2025, at the Sallis Benney Theatre, University of Brighton.
Further details on the Festivals Awayday, including regarding booking for the 2025 event next month, can be found at the following link:
