We are launching an expanded programme of free artificial intelligence (AI) training opportunities for local businesses in June and July 2026.

The training will offer practical guidance, expert insight and hands‑on experience with emerging AI tools, helping to build digital confidence and preparing for the increasing role of AI in the workplace.

The programme begins with an Introduction to AI webinar on Monday 8 June at 10am, a one‑hour accessible session offering an overview of the current landscape and exploring AI’s current everyday organisational use.

For those who have already completed the Introduction, an interactive in-person AI Use‑Case Workshop will take place on Wednesday 17 June from 10am to 12.30pm at voco® Winchester Hotel & Spa. This session will showcase real-world business function AI and will help attendees identify potential applications within their own organisation.

To provide tailored one-to-one support for those who have previously attended both the Intro to AI and AI Use-Case workshops, the programme will conclude with an AI Business Clinic on Wednesday 1 July. Bookable 30‑minute appointments will be available throughout the morning, offering businesses the chance to receive personalised expert guidance.

To find out more, or to discuss which session would work best for your business, contact our Sector Project Officer Emily Reason by emailing ecodev@winchester.gov.uk.

The Help to Grow: Management Course is an executive development programme to support SMEs to boost their business performance and growth potential. Small business leaders will develop their strategic skills to increase their business’s long-term productivity, resilience and capacity to innovate.

The University of Winchester Business School will be running courses both online and face-to-face in a 12-week programme starting in September 2026. The course is 90% government funding, meaning businesses will need to pay just £750. Register now.

Made Smarter South East is a fully funded package of support for makers, creators and manufacturers in the South East to innovate, upskill and grow their business by adopting industrial digital technologies.

SMEs will work with a team of experts to create a detailed action plan to digitally transform your business. You can also access training programmes to increase your workforce’s digital skills, match-funded grants to purchase hardware or software, and leadership development support.

Hampshire County Council’s Skills Bootcamps are a series of training programmes to provide individuals and employers with valuable, sector-specific skills. All courses are flexible and include a minimum of 60 hours of learning across a maximum 16-week period.

Employers can use the Skill Bootcamps to fill current and future vacancies, or as a cost-effective way of training and filling skills gaps within your organisation. For employers wishing to upskill their existing workforce, there is an employer contribution of 10% for SMEs and 30% for large enterprises.

Barclays Eagle Labs has been chosen by the government to help boost small and scaling tech businesses across the UK. This package of support includes a series of business growth programmes, in partnership with industry experts, as well as access to mentoring and educational resources.

Funding Readiness Programme, delivered in partnership with Capital Enterprise, is a three-month series of webinars, networking and workshops to educate founders on funding and help give them the knowledge they need to attract investment and fund their business growth.

Sparsholt College provides Business Training Courses to upskill individuals and grow businesses. They offer a wide range of professional accreditation courses as well as one-day workshops and training courses.

SMEs who don't have enough staff to warrant a specialist course can benefit from workshops and courses with individuals from different sectors and industries, where they can share ideas and best practice with colleagues and bring that back to the workplace. For larger groups, courses can also be run in the workplace.

To get in touch, email business@sparsholt.ac.uk or call 0845 850 0916.

The government announced farmers will benefit from £150 million in new government funding as it opens a round of its Capital Grants offer, supporting sustainable food production and environmental improvement.

The offer funds a wide range of on-farm projects – from tree planting and flood prevention to improved slurry storage and water filtration – helping farmers while protecting the environment.

Farmers and land managers are now able to apply for a total of 78 items, ranging from supporting natural flood management projects to improving water quality on farms under this new round of the Capital Grants offer.

Changes are also being introduced to ensure that more farm businesses can access these grants – making it fairer for farmers by setting funding limits that maximise the number of farms benefiting.

For additional advice, please contact our Economic Development Officer (Green Growth), Suzanne Dixon, via sdixon@winchester.gov.uk.

‘Find a grant’ is a service that allows you to search government grants. You can use this service to:

• Access government grant funding
• Search and filter to find a grant that matches your needs
• Find out if you are eligible to apply for a grant
• Find out how to apply for a grant

Explore all grants here.

Apply for a government-backed Start Up Loan of £500 to £25,000 to start or grow your business. You’ll get free support and guidance to help write your business plan, and successful applicants get up to 12 months of free mentoring.

The King’s Trust Enterprise programme helps young people aged 18-30 in the UK start businesses through mentoring, training, and funding, including Start Up Loans (£500-£25,000) and grants (up to £5,000).

Funding Circle specialises in providing loans and financial services to SMEs, and are known for their fast, flexible service. Businesses can borrow between £10,000 and £750,000 to invest in growth, buy stock, or manage cash flow.

With rising living costs, find out what free information and advice is available for your business.

Relief measures: If your business has a rateable value of less that £15,000, Small Business Rate Relief could help to reduce the amount of business rates that you pay.

Energy advice: The Energy Price Cap means suppliers cannot charge utilities higher than the backstop protection from government for default tariffs. You may also be able to save money by switching suppliers or agreeing an affordable payment plan. Find more free recourses via Ofgem, the RAC, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Energy Savings Trust.

Financial management: Anyone in the Winchester district, including businesses, can access Citizens Advice for free, confidential advice and support. You can contact them for free on 0808 278 7861 or email advice@cawinchesterdistrict.org.uk. Find more free recourses via Business Debtline and HMRC.

Supporting employees: Business in the Community have produced a cost-of-living action plan to provide advice on how businesses can support their employees in the current crisis.

Business Companion offers free, impartial, legal guidance to businesses and individuals that need to know about Trading Standards and consumer protection legislation.

The guidance is divided up into 15 broad Quick Guides, and each one contains several more detailed In-depth Guides. All guidance is written and verified by expert contributors.

The Visit Winchester's Partnership & Marketing Programme offers businesses across the local visitor economy the chance to work more closely with the Visit Winchester team to shape and grow the destination.

By signing up to the Programme, you can grow your business’ online presence, access PR, networking and marketing opportunities, and access a range of digital advertising benefits. Find out more in the Rate Card, and complete the Booking Form to sign up.

The Hampshire Growth Hub is dedicated to empowering businesses across Hampshire to thrive and accelerate their growth.

They provide free expert guidance, valuable resources, and tailored one-to-one support to help you navigate the challenges of running a business and embrace new opportunities to grow.

They have tailored programmes for SMEs, as well as a range specialised business support services on everything from sourcing finance and budgeting to sustainable practices and Net Zero.

IncuHive Hursley is situated within the 100-acre Hursley Park Campus, just outside Winchester. It offers flexible desks, private offices, mentoring, and on-site facilities like a cafe and parking, aimed at startups and small businesses.

The Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is a membership organisation, owned and managed by local businesses whose goal it is to protect and promote business interests. They help to make businesses become more successful by providing networking opportunities, business support and advice.

To speak to someone directly, call  01329 242 420 or email info@hampshirechamber.co.uk

Hampshire Digital is a new and free Hampshire-wide network for marketers, strategists, digital experts, and general business owners to connect, share ideas, meet new people, and help each other out with all things digital.

From veteran digital marketers to those stepping out into the world of digital for the first time, the Hampshire Digital network is a diverse bunch. Anyone in and around the county can join – the only criteria is that you have a genuine interest in digital marketing.

Looking to start your business in the Winchester district? Find out what free information and advice is available to help you get set up.

Winchester district: Find out more about Winchester’s economic landscape and explore co-working and vacant commercial properties across the district on our dedicated ‘Invest in the Winchester district’ webpage.

Business plan: A business plan is a written document that describes your business. It covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts. Get detailed information about how to write a business plan on the Start Up Donut website; download a free business plan template on The King’s Trust website; or you can download a free cash flow forecast template or a business plan template on the Start Up Loans website to help you manage your finances.

Finance: Find out more about Income Tax, National Insurance, business records and expenses guidance from HMRC. There are webinars, video guides and email updates to help you learn your responsibilities if you’re running a small business.

Business rates are collected by local authorities are the way that those who occupy non-domestic property contribute towards the cost of local services. You can manage your business rates online here.

From April 2026, there are significant changes to how Business Rate charges are calculated, which may affect the amount you pay. Winchester City Council will identify which properties are in receipt of these multipliers in line with government guidance.

Regulations now require businesses to separate recyclable materials from their general waste. This is part of the government’s Simpler Recycling policy, designed to make waste collections consistent across the country.

This means that businesses with more than ten full time equivalent staff will need to separate recyclable materials from general waste into 3 separate streams:

• Glass, metal and plastic
• Cardboard and paper
• Food waste 

For further help and guidance on new waste and recycling regulations, please see our Simpler Recycling website for advice and webinar recordings.

Employers have a duty to ensure that a fire risk assessment is carried out.  Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have produced specialised guidance to help businesses understand fire safety law and your responsibilities as a business owner. There is also a guide on how to produce a Fire Risk Assessment.