FSB Wales (Federation of Small Businesses)

Have you seen our monthly update yet? 👀 If you’ve been wondering what Michael Learmond our Senior Development Manager for North Wales, got up to in January, and what exciting things are coming up in February, well now’s your chance to find out! Check out the latest update and stay in the loop!⬇️ "January is usually a relatively quiet month as people return from their Christmas break and get back into the swing of things. So it was great to see record numbers book on for our regular virtual networking events during the month. This is your opportunity to connect with fellow business owners right across the UK (and sometimes even beyond), so why not give it a try by coming along this month? We also held our monthly in-person networking event at Coleg Cambria Northop Business School and we enjoyed a really interesting and thought-provoking presentation on personal and business resilience and leadership from Mark J Kassab FdSc LETAPAEWE MIoL EngTech GIFireE of MJK Fire. Our next event is in Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, Bangor, on February 20. One of the issues we talked about at the business breakfast was keeping your business safe from cyber criminals and we heard some personal stories from victims. Cyber crime and fraud is becoming an increasing threat for businesses, so I have asked Detective Superintendent Paul Peters, Director of the The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) to speak at our next meeting in Northop on 12th March. Also, as a member of the WCRC Advisory Board, I was asked to supply a blog as part of introducing the wider team. Also during the month, we dusted off our stand for the Conwy Employment Hub / Canolbwynt Cyflogaeth Conwy Business Breakfast and we presented our “Power of Creativity” report on the creative industries in Wales to the North Wales Business Council - Cyngor Busnes Gogledd Cymru. Earlier, we toured the wonderful new facilities at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Parc Menai campus, met some students and viewed some state-of-the-art technology including a television studio, theatre training and sound mixing equipment. It was brilliant to see all of this coming to fruition, and backing up the importance of the creative industry sector in Wales which we highlighted in our report. Looking forward to February, we have lots going on, so please do keep checking our social media accounts and regular updates so you don’t miss out" Check out the full 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 for the month here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/et6S6ZUu #WalesMonthlyUpdate #NorthWalesNews #NorthWalesUpdate #SmallBusinessesNorthWales

𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 Ahead of a Senedd debate taking place today, we have emphasised the importance of delivering on commitments made in the Draft Budget to extending business rates relief at 40% for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and capping the increase in the multiplier used to calculate business rates at 1% Rydym yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyflawni'r ymrwymiad yn y Gyllideb Ddrafft i gadw’r rhyddhad 40% ar gyfer busnesau lletygarwch, manwerthu a hamdden Here's why this is so important / Dyma pam mae hyn mor bwysig 👇 Christopher Frost, owner of the boutique guest house Manorhaus 💬 "Small tourism businesses are vital to the fabric of our rural communities, providing essential employment opportunities for residents and attracting visitors who spend money in our shops, cafes, and other local businesses. “The extension of the 40% business rates relief is important for businesses like mine and a vital step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of our fantastic tourism sector. The past few years have presented unprecedented challenges, and this relief provides crucial breathing room as we work to rebuild and recover.” Betina Skovbro, founder and director of The Danish Bakery Ltd💬 “Independent and small shops are what inject vibrancy into our high streets. Cosy coffee shops and bakeries like ours play a vital role, fostering a sense of community by providing a place for people to connect, work, study, and socialise. "However, the current economic climate presents significant challenges for small businesses like mine...In this context, the Welsh Government’s commitment to maintaining the retail, hospitality and leisure rates relief provides a much-needed reprieve. “This isn't just about supporting individual businesses; it's about preserving the vitality of our high streets and our town centres." Ben Cottam, Head of Wales at FSB 💬 “The Welsh Government’s Draft Budget commits to a much-welcomed extension of the business rates relief for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and a 1% cap on the multiplier used to calculate rates for all businesses...Delivery of this key lifeline will be crucial for many businesses in a context of razor-thin margins and soaring employment costs." https://lnkd.in/eM-nxtaD

What's the link between House of the Dragon, Sex Education and His Dark Materials? They all filmed scenes in stunning locations across Wales 📽️ Our recent report on Wales' Creative Industries called for more to be done to utilise this fantastic sector to strengthen the creation of a distinctive Welsh brand so we're pleased to see that Visit Wales Industry / Diwydiant Croeso Cymru has partnered with VisitBritain to launch the #starringGREATBritain campaign 🐉 This is a global screen tourism campaign to boost inbound tourism, using the hook of films and TV shows to attract international visitors and drive their spending, boosting local economies. Want to learn more about how we can support Wales' creative small businesses? Find our report here: https://lnkd.in/eeCA_9h6 Beth yw'r cysylltiad rhwng House of the Dragon, Sex Education a His Dark Materials? Maen nhw i gyd wedi ffilmio golygfeydd mewn lleoliadau godidog ledled Cymru📽️ Roedd ein hadroddiad diweddar ar Ddiwydiannau Creadigol Cymru yn galw am wneud mwy i ddefnyddio’r sector gwych hwn i gryfhau’r broses o greu brand unigryw Cymreig, felly rydym yn falch o weld bod Croeso Cymru a VisitBritain wedi lansio’r ymgyrch 'GREAT Britain' yn serennu🐉 Mae hwn yn ymgyrch twristiaeth sgrin i ddenu twristiaid o bob cwr o’r byd, gan ddefnyddio ffilmiau a sioeau teledu fel bachyn i'w sbarduno i wario a rhoi hwb i economïau lleol Creative Wales / Cymru Greadigol #visitwales #filmtourism

Have you heard about the new Fair Payment Code by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner? It encourages big businesses to support the small firms in their supply chains by paying them quickly, proactively, and without invoice-chasing. The Code will award best practice, using three categories: 🥇 Gold – For companies paying 95% of their suppliers within 30 days. 🥈 Silver – For companies paying 95% of their small business suppliers within 30 days and all other suppliers within 60 days. 🥉 Bronze – For companies paying 95% of suppliers within 60 days. ⏰This is a major development that FSB is proud to have helped deliver. We believe that all small suppliers should be paid within a maximum of 30 days, and the Fair Payment Code provides a benchmark for all large businesses to meet, and strive to exceed. Apply to become a member of the Fair Payment Code ⬇️ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/egAp64Vq Ydych chi wedi clywed am y Cod Taliad Teg newydd gan Swyddfa’r Comisiynydd Busnesau Bach? Bydd yn annog busnesau mawr i gefnogi’r cwmnïau bach yn eu cadwyni cyflenwi drwy eu talu’n gyflym, yn rhagweithiol, a heb fynd ar ôl anfonebau. Bydd y Cod yn dyfarnu arfer gorau, gan ddefnyddio tri chategori: 🥇Aur – Ar gyfer cwmnïau sy’n talu 95% o’u cyflenwyr o fewn 30 diwrnod. 🥈Arian - Ar gyfer cwmnïau sy'n talu 95% o'u cyflenwyr busnes bach o fewn 30 diwrnod a phob cyflenwr arall o fewn 60 diwrnod. 🥉Efydd - Ar gyfer cwmnïau sy'n talu 95% o gyflenwyr o fewn 60 diwrnod. ⏰Mae hwn yn ddatblygiad pwysig y mae FSB yn falch o fod wedi helpu i’w gyflawni. Credwn y dylai pob cyflenwr bach gael ei dalu o fewn uchafswm o 30 diwrnod, ac mae’r Cod Taliad Teg yn darparu meincnod i bob busnes mawr ei fodloni, ac ymdrechu i ragori arno. #FairPaymentCode

Thank you Kontroltek Ltd for an insightful visit with Chris Elmore MP It's fantastic to see how Kontroltek are able to support other companies to adopt a more sustainable approach by repairing equipment instead of it being replaced, and to learn more about their move towards an Employee Ownership Trust. Diolch Kontroltek Ltd am ymweliad diddorol gyda Chris Elmore AS. Mae'n wych gweld sut mae Kontroltek yn gallu cefnogi cwmnïau eraill i fabwysiadu dull mwy cynaliadwy trwy atgyweirio offer yn lle prynu offer newydd, ac i ddysgu mwy am eu symudiad tuag at Ymddiriedolaeth Perchnogaeth Gweithwyr.

One for your weekend playlist 🎧 https://lnkd.in/ezJVYnNj Want to learn more about the Welsh economy in 2025? Listen to Ben Cottam discuss his hopes and ambitions, alongside Rt. Hon. Professor Carwyn Jones, Melanie Jones and Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE For more insights from Ben, check out his Business News Wales article on building a strong business network in Wales 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8-tbQ9i Edrych am sgwrs ddifyr ac eisiau dysgu mwy am economi Cymru yn 2025? Gwrandewch ar Ben Cottam yn trafod ei obeithion a’i uchelgeisiau ar gyfer economi Cymru yn 2025, ochr yn ochr â’r Athro Carwyn Jones, Melanie Jones a Robert Lloyd Griffiths OBE 🎧 Eisiau gwybod mwy? Gallwch hefyd ddarllen ei golofn diweddara yn trafod sut gallwn ddefnyddio rhwydweithiau cryf Cymru, arbenigedd o safon fyd-eang, a chyfoeth o dalent entrepreneuraidd i sicrhau bod ein busnesau bach yn gallu ffynnu 👇

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔 📣 From 31 January 2025, all EU imports into GB will require safety and security declarations. What you need to do: 👀 Visit the safety and security page on GOV.UK to find out more about the information you need to provide and the steps you can take to prepare: https://lnkd.in/dCqfEijK 👀Watch the short video below for further information 👇 𝐃𝐢𝐰𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐰𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐠 𝐢 𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐲'𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨 𝐧𝐰𝐲𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐮 𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐰𝐫 𝐨'𝐫 𝐔𝐄 O 31 Ionawr 2025, bydd angen datganiadau diogelwch a sicrwydd ar holl fewnforion yr Undeb Ewropeaidd i Brydain Fawr 🚛 Darganfyddwch mwy am y camau y gallwch eu cymryd i baratoi trwy ymweld â thudalen diogelwch a sicrwydd GOV.UK: https://lnkd.in/dCqfEijK Mae hefyd fideo byr isod sy'n roi mwy o wybodaeth 🎬 #importexport #safetyandsecurity #GB #EU #smallbusiness #UK #export #businesswales

We have some amazing Welsh language bands and artists here in Wales 🎸   Did you know that this year, Welsh Language Music Day is taking place on 7th February?   Businesses, you can show your support by pledging to play Welsh language music in your branches, office, shop or café on the day or all year round🎶   🎧 Need inspiration, explore this Best of Wales playlist: https://lnkd.in/duNFQRv   Mae gennym ni fandiau ac artistiaid Cymraeg anhygoel yng Nghymru🎸   Oeddech chi'n gwybod y byddwn yn dathlu #DyddMiwsigCymru ar 7fed Chwefror?   Gall busnesau gefnogi trwy chwarae miwsig Cymraeg yn y swyddfa, mewn canghennau, yn y siop neu'r caffi ar y diwrnod neu drwy gydol y flwyddyn🎶   🎧 Angen ysbyrdoliaeth? Beth am wrando ar y rhestr chwarae yma: https://lnkd.in/duNFQRv   #DyddMiwsigCymru

Small business owners - have your say on UK regulation in our new survey! 📑 💭 Click the link below, or check your email for your unique survey link if you're an FSB member, to share your views on everything from business costs to compliance time 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eCQECF_r Perchnogion busnesau bach - cyfle i ddweud eich barn ar reoleiddio yn y DU📑 💭 Cliciwch y ddolen uchod, neu gwiriwch eich e-bost am eich dolen arolwg unigryw os ydych yn aelod, i rannu eich barn ar bopeth o gostau busnes i amser cydymffurfio 👇 #BigVoiceFSB #Regulation #Survey #SmallBusinesses

🗓️ 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 / 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐰𝐲𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐮 🗓️ Don't miss out on valuable networking opportunities across Wales in the coming month👋Take a look at our upcoming events calendar and come and join us 👇 Peidiwch â cholli allan ar gyfleoedd rhwydweithio gwerthfawr ledled Cymru yn y mis nesaf👋Cymerwch olwg ar ein calendr digwyddiadau a dewch i ymuno â ni👇 📍𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐰𝐥𝐨𝐞  🗓️Wednesday 22 January, 9:30am - 11:30am 🎟️https://lnkd.in/eswYfCTC 📍𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 🗓️Thursday 23 January, 9.00am-11:30am 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/eHxTEUyX 📍𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 🗓️Thursday 23 January, 13.00pm-14:00pm 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/eAwYQJi6 📍𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐅𝐒𝐁 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐒𝐁𝐂 🗓️Thursday 6 February, 10.00am-12:00pm 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/eqpv8hze https://lnkd.in/eQX8aQSz #WalesNetworking #BusinessCommunity #InPersonEvents #InPersonNetworking #VirtualNetworking #BusinessNetworking #Cardiff #Ewloe