The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is urging businesses to protect themselves from rogue business rates agents.New rateable values for business properties came into effect in April 2023. Councils used these new values to calculate business rates bills.Businesses can challenge their valuation if they think it’s incorrect. They can use a rating agent do this.But some rogue agents submit inaccurate information. This could result in penalties or increased rates bills.Be cautious of anyone who guarantees they can secure big business rates reductions.Alan Colston, Chief Valuer at the VOA, said: “The vast majority of agents are reputable and provide a good service....

07 June, 2023

Rushden Lakes are hosting an exclusive Blue Light Card Member Day on Wednesday 26th July, in partnership with Blue Light Card, the UK’s number one discount service. From 10am – 3pm, members from in and around Northamptonshire are invited to meet the Blue Light Card team and explore unique discounts, offers and giveaways from participating retailers.Located in the Central Boulevard and the Boardwalk, the Blue Light community including the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces, can attend the one-day event and shop special savings from the likes of Mountain Warehouse, L’Occitane and MOOCH. Attendees can also snap...

06 June, 2023

Jim Wright is a remarkable person.Over the past 30 years, Jim Wright has played a leading role in some 200 companies committing to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).That’s 200 companies that have pledged to support the Armed Forces. 200 companies creating environments for hundreds, if not thousands, of existing or prospective personnel to serve, and thrive. And 200 companies inspiring others to do the same. That includes Jim’s own company: Wright Logistics Services.A special commitment for special peopleJim, 69, of Northamptonshire, is quite matter-of-fact about why he actively encourages organisations to be involved: “These are absolutely special people –...

06 June, 2023

Global accreditation body The CPD Group have launched a new accreditation service that recognises the excellent learning delivered via podcasts.The CPD Group is excited to announce the launch of their new podcast accreditation service. This new accreditation provides recognition for quality educational content within podcasts. This accreditation marks a significant milestone in the CPD world as the first dedicated podcast accreditation of its kind.In today's dynamic world, podcasts have emerged as a popular and convenient medium for learning and professional growth in all industries and sectors. The CPD Group recognise the immense value and quality of the educational content delivered...

06 June, 2023

Grants of £10,000 - £50,000 are now available for rural businesses across North Northamptonshire.Using monies received from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, North Northamptonshire Council has launched the grant scheme to support existing rural businesses, with applications now open.The Rural Fund provides capital funding to support rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. This includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams.Further information on how to apply for these business grants is available on the NNC website.  Completed applications must be received by 5pm on 21 July 2023.Cllr David...

06 June, 2023

Last night's NNBN meeting at Chester House saw a great presentation from Michelle Cullington from Lime Design Studio as attendees from businesses, charities and organisations from across Northamptonshire learned more about the services offered by Michelle and some tips around branding.Michelle has been running Lime Design Studio since 2010 and provides a range of services including design, branding, logo design, creating brochures, social media imagery and much more.The services offered by Lime Design Studio cover cover the whole of Northamptonshire and the UK and Michelle has had experience of working with various industries over the years including estate agents, construction,...

06 June, 2023

Communities and businesses in the most remote areas will benefit from better access to wireless networks thanks to plans announced today as part of the government’s wider drive to grow the rural economy.A new £7 million fund will test out new ways to bring together satellite, wireless and fixed line internet connectivity, helping support farmers and tourism businesses to access lightning fast, reliable connectivity in remote areas for the first time.The results of the new approaches will also help rural businesses in trial areas make the most of new agricultural technologies by improving connectivity on their land, for example using new drone technology to...

06 June, 2023

In this week's NNBN Insight, we ask the question - how can businesses measure the success of their customer service efforts ?Here are some ideas for you.1. Customer Feedback:One of the easiest and most effective ways to measure customer service success is to collect feedback directly from the customers. This can be done through various methods such as surveys, feedback forms, suggestion boxes, etc. This feedback can be used to identify areas of improvement and make necessary modifications to the customer service practices.2. Response Time:Another important metric to measure customer service success is response time. Tracking the response time from...

05 June, 2023

In today's fast-paced business environment, customer service is no longer just a nice-to-have; it's an essential part of any successful business operation. However, providing high-quality customer service can be a challenge, especially for businesses operating on a tight budget. Fortunately, it's still possible to provide excellent customer service while managing costs effectively. Here are some tips on how to give great customer service on a budget.1. Listen to your customers:Listening to your customers is the first step in providing excellent customer service. Take the time to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns. Use this information to identify areas where you...

05 June, 2023

Schemes offering people shares in their employer are set for a shake up as the government explores changes that will help boost business growth, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.Simplified schemes offering people shares in their employer set to support business growth Comes as new figures show 81% of scheme users confirm they have helped retain staff and boosted business Changes also aim to boost participation among low earnersIn a call for evidence launched today (5 June 2023), the government wants to hear views on Save As You Earn (SAYE) and the Share Incentive Plan (SIP),...

05 June, 2023

A new logo, which celebrates the rich history of one of Northampton’s oldest stores, has been unveiled to mark its 125th anniversary.Melissa Bratton, a student from the University of Northampton, designed the logo after entering a competition organised by Bell of Northampton in partnership with the university. Her winning design, chosen by Bell from 18 entries, was inspired by the original Bell logo which she enriched with a gold centrepiece to make it fitting for a celebration.Melissa, who studies interior architecture at the University of Northampton, said: “It has been wonderful to be involved in this project and to see...

02 June, 2023