Business Club: April 2026
The monthly newsletter for businesses in and around Shepperton.
The monthly newsletter for businesses in and around Shepperton.
Welcome to the very first Sheppertonian Business Club newsletter. Each month this newsletter will land on the third Friday with local business news, networking events, funding opportunities, employment law updates worth knowing about and more. It's free to read, because a well-informed local business community is good for all of us.
If there's something you think should be in here, just reply and let me know.
Gareth
Local news: a new council is coming
The biggest thing on the horizon for Spelthorne businesses is local government reorganisation. On Thursday 7th May 2026, you will be able to elect who you want to represent you on the new West Surrey Council. From April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and borough councils will be replaced with two new unitary councils - East Surrey and West Surrey - covering all local services from waste collection and housing to planning and adult social care.
Spelthorne falls within the West Surrey area. The councillors elected in May will initially operate as a shadow authority, setting budgets and governance for 2027/28 before the council fully takes over in April 2027. You can hear the episode of The Sheppertonian podcast all about it here:
For businesses, the practical message is: your council contacts, planning processes, and business support services will change from April 2027. Nothing changes immediately, but it's worth knowing who your new West Surrey councillors are after the May election. Candidate details for the Spelthorne area will be published at spelthorne.gov.uk. To vote, you must be registered by midnight on 20th April 2026. Source
Funding & support
Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2026 - shortlist announced soon
The entry deadline was 13th April. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to work with experienced mentors before pitching at a Dragons' Den-style final on Friday 26th June at the BP Research Centre in Sunbury. Mandatory training workshops take place on 27th April and 11th and 18th May at the council offices in Staines. Worth watching - this is a good opportunity to see what entrepreneurial talent exists in the area, and finalists are often looking for local suppliers and partners.
Spelthorne Business Awards 2026 - free to enter, final year
The 2026 Spelthorne Business Awards are the landmark eighth and final edition, celebrating businesses of all shapes and sizes - from innovative startups and solo enterprises to established local employers. Entry is completely free, with a simple application process suitable for businesses at any stage. This is the last time this awards programme will run. Enter at www.spelthornebusinessawards.co.uk - entries close midnight Friday 19th June 2026.
If your business deserves recognition, now is the time. Julia Owen from Spelthorne Borough Council joined me on the podcast to tell us all about it 👇
Enter at spelthorne.gov.uk/SBA
Employment law: what just changed
Several significant changes came into force on 6th April. If you have employees, check your contracts and staff handbook reflect the following.
Pay rates: The National Living Wage increased to £12.71 per hour from 1st April 2026, with increases for younger workers and apprentices too. If you have supervisors or experienced staff, check that their pay remains meaningfully above new starter rates - pay compression is a common consequence of minimum wage rises. Source
Statutory Sick Pay: From 6th April the Lower Earnings Limit for SSP has been removed, meaning more employees now qualify. SSP is now a day-one entitlement with no waiting period. Fox HR If your handbook still references qualifying periods or waiting days that no longer apply, it needs updating. Appointments Personnel
Family leave: Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave are now day-one rights, removing the previous qualifying service requirement. Longmores Solicitors
Fair Work Agency: From 7th April, the new Fair Work Agency began operating as the UK's enforcement body for employment rights, with powers to investigate, issue penalties, and take legal action on behalf of employees. Longmores Solicitors
ACAS has free plain-English guidance for small employers at acas.org.uk.
Networking
Surrey Chambers of Commerce runs regular events across Surrey including breakfast networking, skills workshops, and evening meetups. Their monthly Members Networking Evenings run 6–8pm and are open to non-members as a taster. Full calendar at surrey-chambers.co.uk/event-listing.
Business Surrey lists free and low-cost events for Surrey businesses including the Source in Surrey roadshow series.
If you were at Shepperton Business Connect last night at The Ferry Coffee Shop, thank you for coming - it was a great evening. Our next meetup date (cohosted by The Sheppertonian and nikibakes) will be on Thursday 28th May, so get it in your diary! You can register your interest here:
Partner spotlight: The Ferry Coffee Shop
Last night's meetup was hosted by this month's Business Partner, and it's hard to think of a better setting. The Ferry Coffee Shop sits on the banks of the Thames at Shepperton Lock - one of the most distinctive locations in the area. As well as coffee, cakes, and food, the site includes artisan shops in the Courtyard, with free wi-fi, parking, and a warm welcome for dogs. Whether you're looking for somewhere to meet a client, catch up with a colleague, or just work quietly with a view of the river, it's worth knowing about.
Open every day, 9am-5pm. Ferry Lane, Shepperton TW17 9LQ.
B2B spotlight - your space (£50)
This slot is available to businesses wanting to reach local business owners in and around Shepperton. Put your message directly in front of the Business Club readership - the people running, growing, and investing in local enterprises. If you provide services to other businesses and want a presence here, get in touch. Contact hello@thesoundboutique.com to find out more.
From The Sheppertonian this month
The Sheppertonian has been covering the West Surrey elections and what they mean for Shepperton, alongside the latest podcast episodes and the weekly What's On guide. Catch up at thesheppertonian.uk.
The Sheppertonian Business Club newsletter is published on the third Friday of every month and is free to read. To find out about the paid tiers of the Business Club, visit thesheppertonian.uk/business-club.
