Tag: business

Scottish Firms’ confidence rises but remains near record low

Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for May 2020 shows: 

  • Overall confidence for firms in Scotland rose 17 points in the past month to -33%
  • Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was -26%, compared with -29% in April
  • Growing number of firms experienced an increase in demand for goods and services

Business confidence in Scotland rose 17 points during May to -33%, remaining near record lows, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects than in April at -26%. When taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -33%.

The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

In an illustration of the impact COVID-19 is having on Scotland’s business, the majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected during May, but with the picture improving slightly since April.

65% experienced a fall in demand for their products and services, down seven points on the month before. Meanwhile, 12% experienced an increase in demand, up on 5% in April.

The number of Scottish firms operating at less than 50% capacity increased 18 points to 43%. A fifth of firms (20%) weren’t operating at all, down from 32% in April.

Of the 75% of businesses reporting disruption to their supply chain during May, 19% expected the situation to improve within three months, while 14% expected it would take more than 12 months to return to normal levels.

Fraser Sime, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Scottish firms have been hit hard by this crisis, but they’re showing resilience in the face of great challenge.

“It’s encouraging to see that some businesses are beginning to reopen as demand creeps back. We’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with companies from all sectors to help them overcome the challenges presented during this difficult time.”

National overview

Across the UK, business confidence held steady month-on-month, dipping just one point to   -33%. The North East and London both saw confidence rise month-on-month, scoring the joint-highest confidence reading at -20%. The South West recorded lowest confidence at         -51%, compared to -35% the month prior.

From a regional perspective, despite all being in negative sentiment, six of the 12 regions reported a higher confidence in May. The North East was the least negative region at -20%. The South West was the most negative region at -51% followed by the South East at -45%.

In May, the construction sector saw the sharpest decline, falling 24 percentage points to -44%. However, all the three other major sectors saw a modest increase. The retail sector increased eight points to -25%, while manufacturing rose to -27% and services saw a small increase of four points to -18%.

Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While May continued to show the unprecedented impact of the shutdown for businesses across the UK, it is important to see that now half of all regions are climbing back from the lowest levels seen last month.

“As Britain sees further easing of measures in the coming weeks, with more businesses re-opening, it is hoped that this will further improve businesses’ confidence. Government schemes and finance options continue to be made readily available to businesses so that they can be best placed and prepared to open once again in the months ahead.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Despite the results partly capturing the period since the Government’s announcement of an initial easing of restrictions, trading conditions remain difficult for most firms.

“Nevertheless, a further relaxation of constraints will enable more businesses to resume their activities.”

Scottish Power signs C-19 Business Pledge

ScottishPower has today signed up to the C-19 Business Pledge, highlighting its commitment and efforts to help customers, colleagues and communities through the COVID-19 crisis and into the recovery phase. 

The Pledge – founded by former UK Cabinet Minister, Rt Hon. Justine Greening and UK entrepreneur David Harrison – encourages employers to pledge to help employees, customers and communities across Britain get through the crisis.

Crucially, businesses are asked to focus on how they will tackle the challenges of recovery as well as the challenges of keeping going through coronavirus. 

ScottishPower Chief Executive, Keith Anderson, signed the company’s networks, retail and renewables businesses up to the Pledge, saying he is proud to highlight the company’s support for its people, customers and communities. 

He added: “Since coronavirus became part of our daily lives, we’ve been working hard at ScottishPower to ensure our efforts provide the right support – not just to see us all through the crisis, but to help get the country back on its feet as well.

“More than ever, we know the difference our help makes and the C-19 Business Pledge is a great platform to showcase all we are doing across all our businesses for our customers, our colleagues and our communities. 

“Our message is clear – we are here for you – whether that’s supporting you to work in a different way, keeping the energy flowing to your homes and businesses, generating the clean energy we all want, helping you manage your finances during these difficult times, or supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. 

“By continuing to work together, we can achieve a better future, quicker which will make a real difference and benefit all of us in the longer term.” 

ScottishPower’s efforts to support customers, colleagues and communities through the COVID-19 pandemic have included: 

Customers

·      SP Energy Networks working round the clock to keep the power flowing to 3.5 million households across the UK, ensuring people can continue to work and stay connected to family and friends as well as going the extra mile to protect power supplies to critical facilities like hospitals, health and social care facilities and essential shops.

·        Our ScottishPower retail business providing residential and small business customers with the flexibility to adjust their direct debit payments to as little as £5 per fuel per month or take a payment holiday of up to two months if they are struggling financially.

·        ScottishPower retail issuing pre-loaded payment keys/cards with available credit or remotely adding credit to meters for prepayment customers unable to top up their meter due to illness, self-isolation, or financial difficulties. 

 Colleagues

  • Introducing an employee volunteer scheme that allows staff to get involved in local and national initiatives both during and outside normal working hours. This has resulted in employees getting involved in the likes of sewing PPE and scrubs for frontline NHS staff across the country and apprentices volunteering with charities providing vital food delivery services.
  • Promoting and supporting positive mental and physical health for employees.
  • Keeping employees informed and supporting them to work well at home and ensuring those performing critical roles are supported to work in line with government guidelines.

 Communities

  • Supporting partner organisations – thanks to almost £2 million previously awarded from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund. This has helped provide the resources and capabilities for partner organisations to respond, enhance and extend their vital services during the COVID crisis. The monies, invested in new electric vehicles and improved infrastructure, are now helping provide patient transport, free transport and bike hire for key NHS workers, as well as essential food supplies to vulnerable people and rural communities.
  • Providing funding of more than £50,000 from our networks business for partner organisations who provide additional support services for vulnerable customers on our Priority Services Register. This has helped them deliver key services such as essential food and medicine deliveries.
  • Donating PPE from ScottishPower Renewables’ offshore wind team to a local NHS hospital in East Anglia.

Over and above this, ScottishPower advocates the importance of a green recovery being at the heart of the country’s economic recovery, providing a driving force that will help us all move closer to net zero.

 The C-19 Business Pledge has now received the backing of employers representing more than three million people, staff and students throughout businesses and universities.

As well as ScottishPower, these include BP, Barratt Developments, Everton Football Club, Compass Group, Coca Cola, Persimmon Homes and Severn Trent Water. It has also received the backing of more than 60 Members of Parliament, across all major political parties. 

Justine Greening said: “With the future of many employers hanging in the balance and incredibly tough times unfolding in sectors across the UK, businesses face many incredibly difficult decisions. But those organisations – who are able to – can have a huge role in battling the impact of coronavirus and make a real difference in these uniquely challenging times. 

“In spite of everything, lots of employers have already shown amazing initiative and commitment to helping people affected by coronavirus. The C-19 Business Pledge is all about encouraging as many businesses and universities as possible to get involved and then helping them do that faster and better by sharing all the great work that’s already been done. 

“The early response from businesses across the UK has been incredible and it is great to see ScottishPower making this commitment too.” 

For more information on what ScottishPower is doing to support people and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, visit https://www.scottishpower.com. 

For more on the C-19 Business Pledge visit www.c19businesspledge.org.

Join the shop local movement!

With physically distant shopping and home deliveries on the rise, hundreds of Capital-based businesses in Edinburgh are reinventing the way they trade during lockdown.

Local gyms are offering virtual keep-fit classes, independent bars and restaurants are delivering to our doors, and small businesses and social enterprises are ramping up their abilities to work remotely.

With more options becoming available for safe shopping – and helpful directories like Localburgh, the Edinburgh Lockdown Economy, Locally and Edinburgh Social Enterprise providing up to the minute information on those who are open for business – we’re calling on residents to support local high streets where they can.

Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “Life during lockdown doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy or support our local high streets and there are now so many ways we can back the Edinburgh businesses we know and love. If you want your favourite places to still be there for you when the outbreak is over, please be there for them now.

“Where I live in Leith, there are dozens of incredible bakeries, bars, cafes and gift shops offering safe ways to collect products for those who are able to visit in person. For those of us at home, we don’t need to rely on multinational companies to deliver what we need. So please, if you’re lucky enough to be able to help, take a look at the diverse options on offer and stay loyal to local.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “Edinburgh has one of the best local business communities in the world and this is the most challenging time these companies will ever go through.

“As a Council, we have been doing all we can to provide advice and business rates support during these difficult days. We’ve paid out £70m in coronavirus business support grants so far to around 5,400 businesses and our Business Gateway service is here with expert support and guidance.

“But we all need to work together to support each other and our communities right now. If you aren’t able to financially support a business, why not leave a positive review or drop your favourite places an encouraging email of support and solidarity.”

Garry Clark, the East of Scotland Development Officer for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Shopping locally, online or otherwise, has been a firm feature of lockdown and is likely to remain with us for some time to come.

“Small local shops are ideally placed for the increasing number of people staying at home right now and there is huge potential for this to become part of our lives when the lockdown process eventually begins to unwind. Supporting local businesses has never been more important but it has never been easier either.”

Claire Pattullo, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Social Enterprise, said: “Social Enterprises rely on trade rather than grants or charitable donations to support their social benefits and they are being particularly hard hit at this time.

“Please make a conscious choice to support Edinburgh’s Social Enterprise sector and help protect the vital services they provide and that are even more in demand than ever.”

Edinburgh has a diverse Social Enterprise sector selling goods and services ranging from bespoke handmade furniture to recycled bikes, venue spaces and mental health first aid training.

All profits support their social benefits, such as homelessness; training and employment, and at the moment making sure vulnerable individuals have access to food and relief from the effects of isolation. When you buy from a member of Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network or where you see the Buy The Good Stuff logo, you are supporting social good.

Information on the support available to businesses in Edinburgh is available on the Council’s dedicated coronavirus webpages and from the Edinburgh Business Gateway.

Financial aid for residents and information on the help available to you if struggling financially is also available on the council’s website and through the Advice Shop.

Details of Edinburgh’s Social Enterprises can be found on the ESE website or you can contact them direct on info@edinburghsocialenterprise.co.uk.

Garden centre stays in bloom through coronavirus crisis

A local garden centre and tearoom is brightening up lockdown for its customers by offering a delivery service during the Coronavirus crisis, thanks to CBILS support from Bank of Scotland.

New Hopetoun Gardens in Broxburn was forced to close its doors to the public and furlough 28 of its 36 staff following the government’s announcement of a UK-wide lockdown.

The centre features 18 individually themed gardens and offers the largest range of plants for sale in Scotland, a tearoom and an award-winning gift shop.

April and May are the business’ busiest months with at least 10,000 people visiting each month to buy gardening essentials including potted plants, shrubs and pots.

Due to the current crisis, restrictions placed on the general public to avoid non-essential travel and purchases means the business can no longer rely on its usual income from customer visits.

In order to continue paying suppliers, provide care for the plants and deliver orders to customers during this unprecedented time, the business approached Bank of Scotland for support.

Within two weeks, New Hopetoun Gardens received a £195,000 CBIL funding package to assist with operations and an additional £110,000 CBIL earmarked for the end of the year should the lockdown continue beyond May.

Morag Macrae, joint owner of Hopetoun Gardens, said: “This should be our busiest time of year, but people simply aren’t allowed to visit us. To overcome this challenge, we’re focusing on home deliveries and currently send 15 orders a day to customers across Edinburgh.

“When the lockdown was announced we went through a lot of scenario planning. The deliveries do bring in a small amount of income, but we knew we’d need further support to pay our suppliers. We have a long-standing relationship with Bank of Scotland and thanks to the funding, we’re able to keep seven members of staff on board to deliver the plants and take care of the stock we still have.

“The support also gives us the flexibility required to make it through the quieter winter months. I hope our deliveries will continue to provide a bit of solace for our customers and brighten up what is a difficult time for all.”

Stuart McNaughton, relationship manager at Bank of Scotland, said: “With the general public unable to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, a lot of businesses that rely on customer footfall are experiencing large decreases in income.

“For some however, there are alternatives. New Hopetoun Gardens is a great example of a business that is adapting and working to safely deliver plants to their customers.

“At Bank of Scotland we’re committed to supporting businesses as they navigate these challenging times.”

£100 million funding package to help Scottish business

A £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people has opened for applications.

The announcement will see 3,784 Edinburgh businesses receive £49.45 million cash support to help them through the coronavirus crisis.

The three separate funds will be administered by local authorities and Scotland’s enterprise agencies and will begin to pay out grants in early May.

They include a £34 million hardship fund for the newly self-employed, a £20 million fund for small and micro enterprises in the creative, tourism and hospitality sectors and £45 million for viable SMEs crucial to the Scottish economy which are vulnerable.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Our economy has been hit hard by this crisis and previously profitable businesses have seen demand dry up overnight. Our support will help alleviate the hardship those individuals and companies are facing.

“I am particularly pleased that we will be able to help the newly self-employed who do not qualify for the UK’s scheme and are facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“We also recognise the particular impact of COVID-19 on our creative, tourism and hospitality sectors at what would normally be their busiest period. This fund is intended to relieve the hardship of smaller firms that are ineligible for other forms of support.

“As well as dealing with this immediate crisis, we must look to the future. We must ensure that viable and vital businesses in all sectors with a part to play in strengthening the resilience of Scotland’s economy survive this crisis and thrive in future, which is why £45 million is being allocated to support those firms.

“We continue to engage with businesses on a regular basis to understand their needs and press the UK Government to deliver for them.”

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald (above) has welcomed new figures showing that 3,784 businesses in the capital have received Scottish Government grants to support firms through the coronavirus crisis.

A total of £49.45 million has been awarded in Edinburgh through a Scottish Government scheme to support small businesses and the retail, hospitality and leisure sector.

The small business grant is worth over £1 billion to business, and is part of the wider business support package worth £2.3 billion.

In order that funding can be distributed as quickly as possible, eligibility for the grant scheme is linked to the non-domestic rates system.

Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “This is a very difficult time for businesses.

“This Scottish Government funding is designed to support firms and ensure that our economy is on the best possible footing when we get through this health crisis.

“Our support for business is now worth £2.3 billion. This is more than the Scottish Government has received from the UK Government and actively works to fill the gaps in the UK schemes with tailored support for the Scottish economy.

“I encourage all businesses across Edinburgh to ensure they are receiving the support they’re entitled to.”

Applicants can access these funds and more via the www.FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot website. 

Businesses rally to the cause in the battle against coronavirus

The First Minister has praised those manufacturers and businesses which have stepped in to support frontline services by diversifying production lines, increasing capacity and exploring new distribution routes during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Continue reading Businesses rally to the cause in the battle against coronavirus

Getting tourism ready for recovery

A call has gone out to those with skills, expertise and experience, who are currently ‘furloughed’ or on a reduced working pattern, to help address the challenges facing Scotland’s tourism sector. 

In 2017, the sector provided employment for eight out of every 100 Scottish workers, but thousands of tourism business owners are naturally feeling anxious about the future in the wake of coronavirus.

The call to arms – ‘Getting ready for recovery’ – has been championed by around 120 alumni of the Destination Leaders Programme (DLP), a joint initiative for tourism industry professionals delivered for the past seven years by Edinburgh Napier University and Scottish Enterprise.

DLP alumni to mentor furloughed tourism workers along the road to recovery

The aim of the furlough initiative is to help small tourism businesses recover by providing targeted support and mentoring that can enable them to take forward identified actions, outputs and outcomes during this period of enforced reflection.

Professor Jane Ali-Knight (above) of Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School, explained: “It is intended that involvement will fall under the acceptable category of professional training for ‘furloughed’ professionals, and will help maintain and extend their professional skills, expertise, experience and network.”

This will mean projects taken up will be focused on objectives that underpin The Scottish Tourism Strategy to 2030, as well as wider destination leadership, development, management, industry resilience and recovery, and destination promotion.

Aileen Lamb from Scottish Enterprise said: “The objective is to support recovery and potential restructure of the Scottish tourism industry. We want to use this opportunity to encourage innovative thinking across a range of themes.

“Most importantly we want to encourage the supportive and adaptable nature of tourism professionals to shine. The initiative will include a weekly online session called DLP Assemble giving businesses a collaborative place to gather regular updates on initiatives and government funding as we look towards the point when restrictions can be lifted.”

Ali-Knight says: “We will guide participants on themes and tasks arising through the DLP Assemble initiative, to help form project groups with a good mix of experience and expertise, and to match groups with mentors and professional support.”

Kenneth Wardrop, a fellow DLP founder, says: “We want to act quickly, working with existing groups such as ETAG [Edinburgh Tourism Action Group] and STERG [Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group] in order to start applying practical thinking and solutions in response to the evolving and devastating impacts on Scotland’s tourism industry.”

Edinburgh Napier University is also running a free online course through FutureLearn to help small tourism businesses understand the power of data they hold or can access in helping them market themselves more effectively at this critical time.

‘Understanding Data in Tourism’ is open now for people to register for the next starting point, on 16 May, by visiting: 

futurelearn.com https://www.futurelearn.com/partners/edinburgh-napier-university

Lifeline support for business confirmed

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has confirmed that grant funding for the newly self-employed suffering hardship and SMEs in distress will be available ‘in the coming days’.

The £100 million fund to support the self-employed and SMEs announced last week will be broken into three separate funds as follows:

• £34 million Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund, managed by Local Authorities, will be allocated to the newly self-employed facing hardship through £2,000 grants
• £20 million Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund, managed by the Enterprise Agencies in partnership with Creative Scotland and VisitScotland for creative, tourism and hospitality companies not in receipt of business rates relief
• £45 million Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund, managed by the Enterprise Agencies for vulnerable SME firms who are vital to the local or national economic foundations of Scotland

The Scottish Government is also providing £1 million to top up Creative Scotland’s Bridging Bursaries in the not-for-profit sector.

Speaking in parliament, Ms Hyslop also confirmed that the grant funding will be open for applications by the end of April, and that recipients will receive funds in early May. She said: “This funding is intended to relieve the hardship of individuals and smaller firms that are ineligible for support from the UK Government or are not in receipt yet of the funds they need to survive.

“Our hospitality, tourism and creative sectors have been decimated by this crisis and previously profitable businesses have seen demand dry up overnight.

“However, because of the decisions the Scottish Government has taken, thousands more self-employed people and small businesses will be able to benefit from support compared with elsewhere, and we have been able to help sectors of the economy that are not being supported in other parts of the UK.

“As well as dealing with this immediate crisis, we must look to the future. We must ensure that those businesses with a part to play in strengthening resilience in Scotland’s economy survive this crisis and thrive in future, which is why £45 million is being allocated to those firms.

“We continue to engage with businesses on a regular basis to understand their needs and press the UK Government to deliver for them.”

Following this afternoon’s announcement, Creative Scotland’s Chief Executive Iain Munro commented:  “We welcome today’s Scottish Government announcement of £100 million funds to support the self-employed and SMEs.

“Creative Scotland will work hard with partners to ensure that those who are eligible in the creative sector can access the new funding as far as possible.

“Today’s announcement also includes the extra £1m from the Scottish Government which we announced yesterday to supplement the Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund and has enabled us to double the budget, providing much needed financial support for freelance creative professionals most deeply impacted and disadvantaged by the cancellation of work due to the COVID-19 emergency.”

More support for Scottish businesses

Around £220 million of further grants are being made available for businesses – including the recently self-employed – to help them deal with the ongoing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The new package of measures includes £120 million to extend the Small Business Grant scheme to ensure that, in addition to a 100% grant on the first property, small business rate payers will be eligible to a 75% grant on all subsequent properties.

A further £100 million fund is also being made available to protect self-employed people and viable micro and SME businesses in distress due to COVID. This fund will be channelled through local authorities and enterprise agencies to target newly self-employed people and businesses who are ineligible for other Scottish Government or UK Government schemes.

Applications for the £100 million fund will be open by the end of the month, and the new arrangements for the Small Business Grant will be in place to receive applications on 5 May.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The Scottish Government’s primary concern remains protecting people’s health, but it is still the case that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is having severe economic consequences for businesses around the country.

“We are doing everything we can to support business at this difficult time and we continue to listen to and engage with the sector.

“Our support for business now exceeds the £2.2 billion passed on from the UK Government and actively works to fill the gaps in the UK schemes.

“Around 100,000 businesses in total are already eligible for our small business grants and from today we will be extending that scheme in response to feedback from businesses on the frontline of this economic crisis.

“The creation of a £100 million fund is to help those micro and SME businesses who face immediate cash flow challenges, are ineligible for other schemes and are the productive base for supporting employment in the future. It will also support those newly self-employed people who are also ineligible for UK schemes and will be a vital lifeline for many businesses and individuals across Scotland.

“With UK Government support not being available until June, we are going further to secure the future economic viability of Scottish firms and applications will be open by the end of the month.

“While many businesses are in difficulty, some are doing better than others or can pull through from their own resources.

“Just as we ask the public only to buy what they need in the supermarkets, we are asking businesses who do not need this vital help to refrain from claiming additional support unless absolutely necessary so we can direct as much help as possible to those who need it most.”

Bright Red Sparks shortlist announced

The shortlist has been unveiled for the third Bright Red Sparks awards, which showcase innovative products and services developed by start-ups, spinouts, fledging companies and entrepreneurs.

The popular awards, an initiative of Edinburgh Napier’s Bright Red Triangle enterprise hub, will this year move online as a Facebook live event on the evening of Tuesday April 14.  

Trailblazing students, staff and alumni from across the University community will compete for more than £10,000 in prizes, with food, clothing, cleaning and media businesses among a wide range of projects hoping to impress the judges. 

The 19 shortlisted enterprises across six categories will be assessed for everything from the viability of their ideas and clarity of planning to thoroughness of research and potential for growth.  

Nick Fannin, Head of Bright Red Triangle, said: “The Bright Red Sparks Awards are a salute to all the enterprising students, staff and alumni from Edinburgh Napier University. We are in awe of the creativity, determination and energy of all of our University community to solve problems, to capture opportunities and to build businesses with purpose. 

 “Due to the current lockdown we have taken the decision to cancel the awards ceremony but we wanted to announce the shortlist in line with our original timeline as ultimately we want to be able to award the prize money at a time when businesses and self-employed people really need it. 

“It’s great to be able to reward hard work and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from our generous supporters and sponsors, Shepherd and Wedderburn, Morton Ward, Graphic Designer Pro, Santander Universities and the Moffat Charitable Trust.

“The package of support that our sponsors have offered will help our winners at a time when they really need it. We expect great things from all of those shortlisted, so watch out for their names in the future.” 

The 2020 shortlist was drawn up after scrutiny of the entrants’ online application forms, business models and video pitches. 

John Morrison, Senior Associate at law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, said: “This year’s shortlist only highlights the continued quality of Bright Red Sparks entries, a showcase of the drive and innovative thinking that we need, now more than ever, to build successful businesses for the future.  Congratulations to the finalists for reaching this stage, and we wish you all the very best of luck.”  

Ewan Morton, Managing Director at creative agency Morton Ward, said: “‘It is inspiring to see such bold, brave and brilliant ideas coming from the Bright Red Sparks finalists.

“Not only do these entrepreneurial ideas represent sound business thinking but they also offer hope for the future by embracing digital technologies, the circular economy and environmental sustainability.” 

Bright Red Sparks Awards 2020 shortlist 

Bright Ideas (£2000 prize + in-kind support) 

CupClean cleaning product (Ross McFarland), 10T clothing brand (James Marshall), FoxBox tableware hire service (Linda Freimane)  

Going for Growth (£2000 prize + in-kind support) 

MaRobert’s food and sauces (Maggie Mazoleka), High Tide film and video production (Alex Porter-Smith, Eathan Currie), Monstrous Regiment Publishing indie press (Lauren Nickoemus, Ellen Desmond)  

Business for Good (£2000 prize) 

10T clothing brand (James Marshall), Fine Piece homeware from recycled materials (Kirsty McKain & Rebecca Subido), EQUIPLY supply chain equality (Wai Fong Lam)

Active Citizens (£1000 prize) 

Bloody Big Project period poverty awareness (Hannah Stevens, Brogan Henderson, Sam Calder), Towns of Today personalised guides (Rory Cotter, Morgan Tamplin), pRESPECT reducing child poverty (Viana Maya, Karsten Huttenhain)  

Enterprising Educators (£2000 prize) 

Enterprise Partnership Initiative student entrepreneurship (Dr King Omeihe), Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme developing entrepreneurial thinking (Dr Christopher Cramphorn, Dr Rosemary Alford), Built Environment Exchange sustainable construction (Prof Robert Hairstans, Dr Mila Duncheva, Andrew Livingstone, Carola Calcagno, Wojciech Plowas), Design for Professional Practice career development (Ruth Cochrane)  

Freelancer of the Year (£1000 prize + in-kind support) 

Loïc Bauméa web development, Bright Edge Media video storytelling (John Matheson), Charles Seed Media photographer and videographer  

The awards will be shown as a Facebook Live event at 7pm on Tuesday 14 April via the Facebook page @ BrightRTriangle here