Business Club: May 2026
The monthly newsletter for businesses in and around Shepperton.
Welcome to the May edition of the Sheppertonian Business Club newsletter. It's been a busy month for local businesses, with elections done, councillors elected and returned, and a couple of practical opportunities to flag before the end of the month.
Don't forget that this month's Shepperton Business Connect networking is on Thursday 28th May at the Ferry Coffee Shop 5-7pm, so hopefully see you then.
Gareth
Local news: your new West Surrey councillors
The West Surrey Council elections took place on 7th May. For the ward that covers us, the results are in.
In the Laleham and Shepperton ward, with a turnout of 53.5% from an electorate of 10,252, the two elected councillors are Maureen Attewell (Conservative, 2,702 votes) and Sinead Mooney (Conservative, 2,046 votes). Reform UK candidates Jason Gelver (1,520) and Amar Brar (1,293) came third and fourth. spelthorne
These are the people who will shape West Surrey Council when it formally takes over from April 2027. Until then, the shadow authority will be setting budgets and governance for 2027/28. It's worth knowing who your local representatives are before that transition begins. Spelthorne Borough Council
Full results for all Spelthorne wards are at spelthorne.gov.uk.
Funding & support
Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2026 - training workshops this month
If you're a shortlisted finalist in this year's Business Plan Competition, mandatory training workshops are taking place on 11th and 18th May at the council offices in Knowle Green, Staines. The Dragons' Den-style final is on Friday 26th June at the bp Research Centre in Sunbury. Even if you're not entering, it's worth being aware of: finalists are often actively looking for local suppliers and partners. Spelthorne Borough Council
Full details at spelthorne.gov.uk
Spelthorne Business Awards 2026 - entries still open
The eighth and final Spelthorne Business Awards are still open for entries. It's free, and the application process is straightforward. Entries close midnight Friday 19th June 2026. Enter at spelthornebusinessawards.co.uk.
Free Business Academy from Business.gov.uk
UK businesses can access free expert-led learning through Business.gov.uk's Business Academy, covering topics from lead generation and grant funding to digital presence and international trade. The platform includes both live events and on-demand videos, and more than 30,000 UK businesses are already using it. Worth a look if you're trying to build skills without the budget for paid training. sbf
business.gov.uk/business-academy
Employment law: what's coming next
The April changes were covered last month. Here are two things on the horizon worth preparing for now.
Unfair dismissal qualifying period - from 1 January 2027
The qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal protection is due to fall from two years to six months from 1 January 2027. That means any employee you hire now could have full unfair dismissal protection within six months of starting. If you're planning to recruit this year, review your onboarding, probation, and performance processes now rather than in December. Longmores Solicitors
Sexual harassment duty - extended in October 2026
From October 2026, employers will be required to take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment, and a new duty will be introduced requiring employers not to permit their employees to be harassed by third parties. This matters if your staff deal with clients, customers, or contractors. Update your policies before October. Longmores Solicitors
ACAS has free guidance at acas.org.uk.
Networking
Big Networking Event - Tuesday 20th May, Shepperton
The Spelthorne Business Forum is hosting a networking event on Tuesday 20th May, 6-8pm, at the Holiday Inn, London Shepperton, Felix Lane, Shepperton, TW17 8NP. It's co-organised with Spelthorne Borough Council, the Spelthorne Business Hub, and Surrey Chamber of Commerce. Details and booking at sbf.biz. Sbf
Shepperton Business Connect - Thursday 28th May
Our next casual networking meetup, co-hosted by The Sheppertonian and nikibakes, is on Thursday 28th May, 5-7pm, at The Ferry Coffee Shop at Shepperton Lock. It's free, relaxed, and open to anyone running or working in a local business. Register your interest here:
B2B spotlight - your space (£50)
This slot is available for B2B advertising. If you provide services to other businesses and want a presence here, get in touch. Contact hello@thesheppertonian.uk to find out more.
In the podcast
Sources used:
- Laleham & Shepperton ward election results: spelthorne.gov.uk
- West Surrey elections results overview: spelthorne.gov.uk
- Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2026: spelthorne.gov.uk
- Business Academy: sbf.biz / business.gov.uk
- Employment Rights Act 2025 (unfair dismissal, harassment): longmores.law / acas.org.uk
- SBF Big Networking Event: sbf.biz
- Shepperton Business Connect: April newsletter
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.
