The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 14: Winter 2019 | Page 8

INVEST IN BATH Delivering tailored business support to help you grow in Bath & North East Somerset How will Bath’s clean air zone affect you? Businesses in Bath are being advised to check their vehicles and consider what support they’ll need to get compliant, well ahead of the clean air zone’s launch at the end of 2020. The class C charging zone will charge most higher emission vans, taxis, private hire vehicles and minibuses £9 a day, and higher emission buses, coaches and HGVs £100 a day to travel in the zone. Cars - except taxis and PHVs - will not be charged. Only pre-euro 6 diesel (older than c.2015) and pre-euro 4 petrol vehicles (older than c.2006) will be charged. But the council strongly advises that euro standards of vehicles are checked without delay as dates vary. A team of advisors will be in place from the New Year to explain the support on offer, and whether you could be eligible for financial assistance to upgrade non-compliant vehicles. The aim is to help every local business to reduce NO ² emissions and improve carbon footprints. Reducing air pollution is especially important for children and vulnerable people suffering from asthma and other lung and heart problems. So if you’re keen to talk to an advisor, or you want to be first in line for financial assistance, please go online to register your interest. Businesses regularly coming into Bath from neighbouring authorities may also be eligible for support. The team is here to help, so please register your interest now at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/cazsupport BATH DIGITAL FESTIVAL SUCCESS As the dust settles following the 2019 Bath Digital Festival, attendees, sponsors and organisers have been reflecting on the best festival to date. Invest in Bath supported the seventh iteration of the festival and partnered with the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol & Bath Creative R&D Network to host three full events covering smart regions, Bath’s creative talent and a new digital placemaking funding call. Our event on fostering creative talent in Bath brought with it lively debate, chaired by Emma Shaw of the University of Bath. Topics covered included how Bath is marketed and perceived, support for entrepreneurs, workspace provision and form, access to funding and how to best develop our existing talent. The panel agreed to tackle these issues over the coming year and report back at the 2020 Bath Digital Festival, so watch this space! One way Bath Digital Festival is seeking to tackle pertinent issues is by hosting Third Thursday drinks. The new monthly event is a free inclusive networking opportunity for people from all background and disciplines to come together and collaborate on tackling issues facing the city. The event will ensure the festival takes a more active year-round presence and increases its reach to a wider audience. Do check the festival’s communication channels to see when the next Third Thursday is taking place. Call for 2020 Participants The festival is already looking ahead to October 2020 and would like businesses to contact them regarding any events or collaborations they would like to organise. Do you have a great idea for the next festival? Then get in touch with the team: Web: www.bathdigitalfestival.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: [phone] Photo: Jon Craig Photography To find out more about Invest in Bath and to be kept up to date with the latest news and information for our area, visit the Invest in Bath website and signup to receive our newsletter. 8 www.tbebathandsomerset.co.uk For more info: www.investinbath.co.uk [email protected] 01225 394285