Commercial

Coronavirus: Expert online events will help businesses recover from coronavirus lockdown

News from Marches Growth Hub

Three special online sessions are being staged to offer expert advice to help Shropshire businesses recover from the coronavirus lockdown.

The Marches Growth Hub Shropshire has teamed up with experts from The Innovation Beehive to run the free, live and interactive events in May and June 2020.

The hub says the online sessions will be open to all businesses in both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to help support the whole county’s recovery.

Emma Chapman, Shropshire Growth Hub manager, said the three sessions on 12 May, 19 May and 2 June would offer a springboard for businesses to prepare for what is to come once the current restrictions are lifted and build a roadmap through the uncertainty the virus had created.

The first session on Tuesday 12 May – Virtual Working at its Best – will examine ways in which businesses can use the skills and techniques developed through home-working during the lockdown when offices reopen.

It will examine how a virtual team can stay connected, engaged and productive, the tools businesses can use to stay connected, how to connect with customers remotely and some of the traits of great remote leadership.

It is aimed at entrepreneurs wanting to connect with their teams and customers remotely, team leaders needing to stay connected with their teams and business leaders who want to preserve the digital capability developed during the pandemic for the future.

To find out more and book a place visit: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IgW9FEUDRYe_cy6TXDtY8g

The second session on 19 May will look at what makes great leadership during a crisis, how these skills will be needed during the various stages of the recovery and the questions leaders need to be answering at each stage.

The final session on 2 June will examine how innovation and creative problem solving will be vital to businesses successfully recovering from the crisis.

To reserve a place on 19 May session visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Jn4oNm0LTFueQyCYI5vSog  and for the June 2 event https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4hX6LmyPToiQTBoFfS-0cw

Coronavirus: £42m of grants paid to Shropshire businesses

Shropshire Council has paid more than £42m to more than 5,600 Shropshire businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, since grant applications opened on 1 April 2020.

The council is working hard to ensure that all eligible businesses receive their payments as soon as possible, with additional staff helping to process remaining applications.

The council has received £91m of funding from the Government to pass directly onto local businesses affected by the pandemic.

Shropshire’s small businesses, and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, can apply for Government funding through the Coronavirus COVID-19 Small Business Grant Fund, and Retail Hospitality & Leisure Grant Fund. Businesses must be business rate payers to apply.

Please forward this to friends or family who may be able to benefit from the scheme.

Coronavirus: grants now available to small businesses and retail / leisure businesses

Shropshire’s small businesses, and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, can apply for Government funding through the coronavirus COVID-19 Small Business Grant Fund, and Retail Hospitality & Leisure Grant Fund.

Funding was provided by the Government to Shropshire Council on Wednesday 1 April 2020 to pass directly onto businesses through these schemes. This is a huge boost for businesses in the county, and a huge undertaking for the council. £91m was received on 1 April, and it is estimated that over 7,000 businesses can access this money, providing they meet the criteria set by the Government. Applications can be made now via the council website – https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid-19-grants


Under the Small Business Grant Fund, all businesses in England in receipt of either Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief in the business rates system will be eligible for a payment of £10,000, providing they meet the eligibility rules.

To be included, a business must be eligible for either relief as at 11 March 2020 and have a rateable value of £15,000 or less.

Under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, eligible businesses in England in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for cash grants of £10,000 or £25,000 per property.

Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000.

Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.

Businesses that don’t pay into the business rates system are not included in this scheme, and there are some other exceptions.

Shrewsbury Park & Ride

FREE park and ride – from Saturday 29 February to Saturday 14 March 2020

To show support for businesses in Shrewsbury town centre affected by February’s floods,  and to encourage people to visit the town, Shropshire Council have announced that Shrewsbury’s park and ride service will be FREE to use for two weeks – from all three park and ride sites – Meole Brace, Harleslcott and Oxon. 

The Bear to Feature in Shropshire Real Ale Trail

The Bear at Hodnet is to feature in September’s, Shropshire Real Ale Trail.
This “one day moving Real Ale festival” is being organised by The Real Ale Trail company, on Saturday 14 September, between 11:00am and 10:00pm. At present a total of 9 pubs are signed up to participate in the event and they will all be connected by a rolling bus service which calls at each pub every half hour to drop off and collect passengers.
Details of this event can be found on the Real Ale Trial website which includes ticket prices. These can be bought at the participating pubs from 1 August or on-line now. A helpful guide to how the day is organised is also available.
If you have any questions please contact The Real Ale Trail company by Click here or phone: 01978-510141.
The webteam has been told that besides The Bear, the following pubs are participating in the festival:

Cock & Greyhound, Whitchurch
Hanmer Arms, Hanmer
Horse & Jokey, Northwood
Dickin Arms, Loppington
Fox Inn, Wem
The Tiddly, Ellerdine
Old Jack Inn, Calverhall
White Lion, Ash Magna

Wanted: Someone to Deliver the Messenger

Drayton Messenger June 2018Could you deliver the Drayton Messenger to homes in Hodnet?
(Do you like walking and would like to get paid for it?)

The next issue of the Messenger comes out in September and we are looking for someone local to deliver. We also have a leaflet drop in July.

The work is offered on a self employed basis. The Messenger comes out four times a year.

Get in touch with Hamish for details. (over 18s only)
email or call: 01630 658001 or 07926 169494

Open Farm Sunday 2018 – Appleby's Cheesemakers

Appleby’s are hosting an Open Farm Sunday again this year, on June 10th from 2pm to 4pm they will be welcoming people from the local area to Hawkstone Abbey Farm SY4 5LN.
There will be a tour of the cheese dairy and storerooms followed by a farm walk.
The Shed will be open for cheese etc and there will be cold drinks available.
Please wear suitable footwear!
For any queries see their website or please get in touch with Sarah 07932-254718 / email

Antiques Valuation Day – November 2015

From 10.00am – 3.00 pm, Thursday 12th November, at The Bear, Hodnet.
Free valuations of collectables, jewellery, ceramics and other antiques.
Hansons and The Bear both support the Midlands Air Ambulance Service and donations can be made on the day.
Items can be accepted into forthcoming Hansons Auctions.
For more information please telephone 01630-685214 or email