August 2026

The Business Bulletin is produced by the Economic Development Team and brings together relevant information for business across the Harborough district. It is your essential monthly update with information from Harborough District Council and our partners across the county.

Quick wins this month

Hospitality Grant Fund Now Open

Are you an independent hospitality business in the Harborough District looking to upgrade your facilities, increase capacity, or improve energy efficiency? 

The Harborough District Hospitality Grant Fund opens on 24 August 2026, offering capital grants of £5,000 to £25,000, covering up to 75% of eligible project costs. Funding can support: 

• Outdoor dining expansions 

• Energy-efficient kitchen upgrades 

• Green technology installations 

• Accommodation improvements 

• Accessibility enhancements 

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and the fund will close once all funding has been allocated. If your business has been trading for at least 12 months, now is the time to start preparing supplier quotes and project plans. We strongly recommend discussing your project with the Economic Development Team before applying. 

FREE Workshop: Cut Overheads & Drive Commercial Value

Discover practical ways to reduce costs, improve sustainability, and create added value for your customers. Delivered by Now or Never, this interactive workshop will help businesses: 

• Identify quick-win sustainability measures 

• Reduce operational costs 

• Engage staff and stakeholders in green initiatives 

• Turn sustainability into a compelling commercial proposition 

Workshop Activity Participants will complete a Value Proposition Mapper, helping them identify a sustainable change and understand how it can reduce costs whilst increasing customer value. All attendees will receive a Fast-Track Sustainability Guide packed with practical actions for achieving immediate commercial impact.

📅 Thursday 3 September 2026 

🕧 12:30pm - 3:00pm 

📍 Harborough Innovation Centre

Save the Date! Netwalking - Foxton Locks

Join us for a relaxed, informal NetWalking event at Foxton Locks, networking with a walk at one of Leicestershire’s most iconinc waterways.

📍Canal & River Trust Welcome Point (Top Lock Cottage)

🅿️Paid parking is available on site.

FSB Subsidised Membership

Subsidised FSB Membership Available 

Take advantage of subsidised membership through the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and gain access to expert business advice, networking opportunities, legal support and more. 

Inspire the Next Generation with Working Wonders

Harborough District Council has launched Working Wonders, a new initiative connecting local employers and professionals with secondary schools across the district. 

Whether you're a tradesperson, professional, entrepreneur or business owner, your experience can help inspire young people as they explore future career options. 

Ways to Get Involved 

• Careers talks 

• Mock interviews 

• Mentoring 

• CV workshops 

• Workplace visits 

Participation is entirely flexible and there is no obligation after registering. 

Benefits for Employers 

• Raise awareness of your sector 

• Inspire future talent 

• Support corporate social responsibility goals 

• Strengthen links with local schools

Opportunity to contribute – Q3 2026 Economic Survey

Support for Farmers Facing Future Drought Conditions

The Government has announced a package of measures to help farmers across England manage prolonged dry weather and prepare for future drought conditions. 

Support includes: 

• Temporary flexibility within Environmental Land Management (ELM) agreements 

• Additional £50 million funding for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 

• Up to £15 million through the Water Management Grant for on-farm reservoirs

• Support for improved water storage and irrigation infrastructure

The measures apply to eligible SFI, Countryside Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship agreements. 

Farmers are encouraged to review current opportunities and available funding support. 

• New drought support for farmers – Farming 
• Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)

Let's Go Networking at Harborough Innovation Centre

Looking for a different kind of networking event? Join us for an enjoyable evening of games, networking and new connections, featuring the innovative Let's Go Games platform. 

What's Included? 

✔ Interactive games and friendly competition 

✔ Informal networking opportunities 

✔ Complimentary snacks 

✔ Bring your own drinks (alcohol permitted) 

✔ Completely free to attend 

Whether you're looking to expand your network, meet collaborators or simply unwind after work, everyone is welcome.

Leicestershire Business Gateway

Want to get your business featured in the media without spending thousands on PR?

Join our Essentials: PR Necessities for Business Growth workshop and learn how to spot PR opportunities, write stories journalists want, and gain valuable publicity for your business. 

 📅 1 September 2026 

📍 Market Harborough 

🎟️ Free to attend (open to any business from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland)

Guidance for Businesses: Temporary restrictions on the supply of disposable barbecues

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade has issued statutory guidelines concerning the supply of disposable barbecues in Great Britain in response to the ongoing drought and heatwave conditions and the associated risk of wildfires. 

The guidelines must be taken into account by retailers and distributors of disposable barbecues. 

Information for Business regarding Disposable Barbeques

Disposable barbecues should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time and until the guidelines are withdrawn. 

The Office for Product Safety Standards (OPSS) and local authorities have powers to enforce the requirements in the General Product Safety Regulations; this includes a requirement for products to be safe. (The Government's view is that disposable barbecues cannot be considered a safe product in the context of the ongoing weather and environment conditions). 

For more detailed information in relation to these guidelines and your responsibilities please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statutory-guidelines-on-disposable-bbqs 

If you wish to inform us about a business, you believe is supplying disposable barbecues in contravention with these statutory guidelines please visit https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/trading-standards/online-reporting-form

Networking Groups

1-2-1 Business Meetings

Whether you need help finding funding, locating property, or connecting with local suppliers, our Economic Development Team is here to support you.

Stay Connected

Notice something different? We have recently switched to a new newsletter distributor, so our layout might look a little new to you this month.

Share your news or advertise with us: Have a story you'd like to feature, or want to reach over 1,500 local businesses? Email us at: business@harborough.gov.uk 

Stay in the loop: Follow us on Social Media for updates, or sign up for the Harborough District News e-newsletter for wider council news.

Harborough District Business Bulletin from Harborough District Council 

 The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7AG

Click here to unsubscribe from the Business Bulletin.