We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver the Enterprise For Success Business Start-up and Business Growth programme (2019 – 2022) across Solihull, North Worcestershire, Bromsgrove, Wyre Forest, Lichfield, Redditch, Tamworth & Cannock on behalf of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP.
Director Frazer Kearney states, ‘Blue Orchid has been supporting GBSLEP to foster and grow the local economy through the delivery of assistance to start-ups and young businesses within the current Enterprise For Success Programme including a comprehensive programme of workshops, seminars and one-to-one coaching, and are pleased to have been given the opportunity to continue to provide these services to 2021 which demonstrates the continued quality and value of the services that Blue Orchid provides.’
We are looking forward to continuing to work with Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, Birmingham City University, GBSLEP Growth Hub and the European Regional Development Fund to support entrepreneurs and small business owners across the GBSLEP region. Further information on the Enterprise For Success Programme including how to register for the programme or speak to our team about how we can support you can be found at http://www.enterpriseforsuccess.co.uk
Blue Orchid currently delivers a range of advice, guidance and mentoring services to small & medium sized businesses including the delivery of an EU funded small business grant programme – C&W Growth Hub and Grant Service, which began in 2016.
Our existing VOIP Telephone System & ICT Support & Maintenance which were contracted in 2015 come to and end on 31/03/2019. Therefore Blue Orchid wishes to procure the following telephony & ICT services as 2 Lots:
• LOT 1 – Provision of VOIP telephone system
• LOT 2 – Provision of ICT Support Services
The full tender documentation can be found here.
Deadline for response: 22/03/2019
The project is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Tenders are invited to develop and deliver a summative assessment for the ERDF Project – Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub, Grant & Advice Service (2015-2019) that complies with and satisfies the requirements of the European Regional Development Fund.
The Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub, Grant & Advice Service project provides a first point of contact for SMEs to access advice, guidance and referral into the ecosystem of the business Support services available both nationally and locally. Provision of online resources, telephone support and access to 1-2-1 business advice for SMEs with identified growth potential to support them to develop a plan for accessing the support required for them to realise their potential.
In addition, the core BEIS funding was used as match to draw down ERDF funding and provide additional services to business including financial grants, additional IDB provision and 12 hours specialist consultancy support.
The project has been delivered by Blue Orchid Enterprise Solutions Ltd since 2015 on behalf of the Cheshire & Warrington LEP and included the delivery of;
The successful provider will:
Deadline for response: 21/02/2019
Click here to view the full tender specification & supporting documents.
The project is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Merry Christmas from all the staff at Blue Orchid
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our clients, funders and partners for their contribution to making 2018 a successful year and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Our office will close on
Friday 21st December at 16:00
Re-opening on
Tuesday 2nd January at 09:00
Blue Orchid has successfully delivered the governments New Enterprise Allowance Programme now for several years now and has worked in partnership with some truly inspirational volunteer business mentors who have lent their experience, guidance and insights into various areas of our clients business.
We are always looking out for new business mentors who would be willing to give up a couple of hours a month to provide small groups of new business owners advice and guidance across the following topics:
Our current mentors find this a great way to offer something back to the local business community as well as building up their own business networks.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Volunteer Business Mentor, please contact Director Paul Ward: p.ward@blueorchid.co.uk
Blue Orchid, in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, is passionate about supporting first class businesses in their start-up phase and working with business owners to launch in the most effective way. This is why we are delighted to announce we will once again be sponsoring the Cheshire Business Awards.
This year, the Business Start Up Award will be recognising, celebrating and acknowledging the often unique and significant contribution new business starts make to the Cheshire economy.
Over the recent years it has been fantastic to see so many Cheshire businesses rising to the challenges presented, showing not only how talented they are but also demonstrating their endless determination, entrepreneurial spirit, enterprise, innovation and creativity to make it happen.
Deadline for entries for the Business Start Up Award, or any of the categories is the 27th of July 2018.
To find out how to apply, or find out more about this incredible event, click here: http://www.eventsnorthwest.co.uk/cheshire-business-awards
The Blue Orchid Midlands team have been successfully delivering a variety of Start up and Business Growth support programmes across the midland area for the last 7 years.
We are now looking for an experienced Project Co-ordinator to support our Area Manager in the delivery of our support, based in our Solihull office.
If this full time position is of interest to you, send your CV and a covering letter to HR@blueorchid.co.uk
The closing date is Friday 13th of July 2018
For more information in regards to the role, please click here
What is IR35?
IR35 is the UK’s anti-avoidance tax legislation, addressing those that do not meet HMRC’s definition of self-employment. The purpose is to tax those who are effectively disguising their employment by receiving payments from a client via an intermediary. This could be, for example, their own limited company. The IR35 tax legislation addresses what is effectively “hidden employment” and ensures that those it applies to will be taxed at a similar rate to those employed.
Why was it introduced?
Prior to the existence of IR35, those who owned their own limited companies could receive payments from clients direct to the company. This revenue could then be used in the same way as any small company, such as:
The latter of these two practices is considered to be tax fraud by some government departments, including the Treasury.
How does it affect me?
If you are self-employed and are concerned that this legislation may affect you, then find out more about IR35 by Clicking Here to access the latest information from Gov.uk. Alternatively you can Contact Us and we will direct you to one of our expert advisors.
We are delighted to announce that the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, managed by Blue Orchid, is launching a second round of its highly successful SME Growth Grants.
These grants support small and medium sized businesses to implement bespoke projects and investments that can unlock their growth potential. The grants are designed to help build capability, improve efficiency and productivity as well as support expansion into new markets and sectors.
The grants will:
The flexibility of the grants enables companies to procure services that best fit their requirements and are designed fill gaps in provision from other publicly funded support programmes available in Cheshire.
Since September 2016 the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, operated by Blue Orchid, has provided Growth Grants to over 50 small and medium sized enterprises. A further 200 SMEs have received free access to specialist, independent consultancy support. This has not only led to the development and launch of 30 new products and services but also the creation of more than 50 new jobs along with investment of more than £700,000 in growing local businesses. Grant recipients and the supplier community, 77% of whom themselves have been Cheshire SMEs, have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback for the programme.
The additional funding for the second round of SME Growth Grants was made available by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This resulted from the successful delivery of the first phase of the SME Growth Grant Programme. The additional funding will extend the service to the end of 2018.
For more information on the Grant Programme or to discuss what business support services are available, contact the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub on 03300 245 007 or Click Here to visit the local services page.