Business Information Point

Practical AI Skills for Work: Microsoft Copilot and Beyond
2026-01-27 09:30 - 11:30 (Europe/London) | Yeovil Innovation Centre, Copse Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8RN, United Kingdom
Explore how the free version of Microsoft Copilot can help teams work more productively, focusing on practical, everyday tasks.

In this session, you’ll explore how the free version of Microsoft Copilot can help teams work more productively. The workshop focuses on practical use of Copilot for tasks such as document creation, project coordination, and team communication, while highlighting techniques that can be applied across other AI tools as well.
This workshop is also part of the Somerset Start & Grow programme, a fully funded initiative supported by Somerset Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Participants will gain not only AI skills but also insight into resources and guidance available to help local businesses grow.
What You’ll Learn:

How to use the free version of Microsoft Copilot to automate routine tasks
Ways Copilot can assist with project organisation and team collaboration
Real-world examples of Copilot improving productivity, with techniques transferable to other AI tools

Why Attend:
Discover how AI can streamline workflows and save time while accessing additional support and guidance through the Somerset Start & Grow programme.
Who Should Attend:
Managers, team leaders, and business owners interested in improving productivity with AI tools, while exploring fully funded business support opportunities in Somerset.
Attendance Options:
This is a hybrid workshop – attendees can join in-person at the venue or online via a live stream. Ticket types are available for both options.
If you are attending the online live stream, the link and joining instructions will be sent to you 48 hours prior to the event. Please check your spam folder if you can’t find the email.

The Future of Farm Business: Profit Without Subsidies
2026-01-27 18:30 - 21:30 | Tedburn St Mary Village Hall, Saint Marys Close, Tedburn St Mary, Devon, EX6 6DZ, United Kingdom
Join us to hear the latest farm funding news and discuss how to maximise farm profitability while protecting soil and water.

As part of our Water Wise Farming project, this workshop provides a chance for farmers to come together to discuss the latest government changes and how these affect your farm business. As well as updates on farm funding and the opportunities available to supplement farm incomes, we will discuss:

How to manage and maximise farm productivity and profit, especially in the current financial climate
Practical measures to manage farmyard manure and slurry, including the regulations you need to be aware of
Everyday actions to manage your soil health and protect water from pollution.

Hot drinks and food provided.
About Water Wise Farming
The Water Wise Farming Project offers free support to maximise your farm’s potential, including a one-to-one on-farm review, free slurry or muck testing, expert land management advice and guidance on funding opportunities. There is no cost to farmers – the project has been funded by the UK Government, and it is being delivered by Business Information Point.

If you have any questions please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk. Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.

Building your Farm Business & the Latest in Farm Funding
2026-02-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Online, United Kingdom
Hear the latest farm funding news & discuss how to protect your farm’s productivity while protecting soil & water.

Join us to hear the latest farm funding news and discuss how to protect your farm’s productivity and profitability while protecting soil and water.
As part of our Water Wise Farming project, this workshop will:

Discuss the latest government funding announcements
What the recent changes to inheritance tax now mean for your farm succession
The core activities you can be doing on-farm now to safeguard your farm business.

This workshop will be held online via Zoom. A link to join will be emailed to you within 24 hours of the event starting. Please check your junk mail if you can’t find the email.
About Water Wise Farming
The Water Wise Farming Project offers free support to maximise your farm’s potential, including a one-to-one on-farm review, free slurry or muck testing, expert land management advice and guidance on funding opportunities. There is no cost to farmers – the project has been funded by the UK Government, and it is being delivered by Business Information Point.

If you have any questions, please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk. Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.

Beyond the Farm Gate
2026-02-10 11:00 - 14:00 | The Gotland Gin Company Ltd, 3 Church Road, Highampton, England, EX21 5LS, United Kingdom
Showcasing the behind the scenes of local farms and food producers.

Beyond the Farm Gate is a winter event series coordinated by Business Information Point in partnership with The Apricot Centre and funded by South Hams and West Devon councils.
In this 4-part event series, we hope to showcase the behind-the-scenes of local farms and food producers. We will discuss how to build a brand, process products on-site and sell direct to a diverse customer base.
Join us at Gotland Gin where we will hear about their journey raising Gotland sheep, selling their sheepskins and products direct to customers, and diversifying into producing handcrafted small batch gin on-farm.
To find the venue easily, please use what3words: muscular.thud.edgy
The event is open to farmers and landowners and is free of charge with lunch included.
Please dress appropriately and wrap up warm for this event, as it might be cold!
If you have any questions, please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk.
Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.

West Devon Tourism Business Symposium
2026-02-23 10:00 - 14:30 | Kilworthy Park, Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0BZ, United Kingdom
Get your voice heard. For businesses in the tourism industry, have your say on issues affecting you and help shape future support & funding.

Tourism is at the heart of the South Hams and West Devon regions. From independently-owned holiday rentals and cafés to hotels and visitor attractions, the tourism economy supports jobs, communities and the character of our area. Now is your opportunity to help shape what comes next at this free symposium event.
BIP are working with South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils to support their in-depth study of the visitor economies in both areas. So if you run a local business operating in the tourism industry then we would like to invite you to have your voice heard and share your thoughts, issues and suggestions.
The aim is simple but powerful: to understand what’s really happening on the ground, identify the biggest barriers facing tourism businesses, and ensure future investment and support genuinely meets local needs.
Already supportive of their visitor economies through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) initiatives like investment for small businesses and promotion, they want to go further by highlighting the most significant barriers to the sector and consulting on how future funding can be shaped to better support and enhance the economic situation of the local sectors.
Attendees will be asked to participate in two breakout sessions, allowing you to share your feedback and suggestions. On registration you will be asked to choose two out of the three options below:

The impact of recruitment and seasonality in tourism – facilitated by DWP
Is Tourism being held back in Devon – facilitated by LVEP/Visit Devon
Supporting the future of tourism – facilitated by LVEP

We would also like you to participate in a short survey which will be sent to you on registration.
Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided free of charge and there will also be an opportunity to network with other local business owners and meet a range of suppliers who will be exhibiting.
This is a fantastic opportunity to have your say and help strengthen and grow the local tourism sector.

Beyond the Farm Gate
2026-02-25 11:00 - 15:00 | Fowlescombe Farm, Fowlescombe Farm, Ugborough, England, PL21 0ZG, United Kingdom
Showcasing the behind-the-scenes of local farms and food producers.

Beyond the Farm Gate is a Winter event series coordinated by Business Information Point in partnership with The Apricot Centre and funded by South Hams and West Devon Councils.
In this 4-part event series, we hope to showcase the behind-the-scenes of local farms and food producers. We will discuss how to build a brand, process products on-site and sell direct to a diverse customer base.
Join us at Fowlescombe Farm, where we will hear from the farm manager, Rosie, about their mixed organic farming system and selling direct through their onsite accommodation and local pub. We will also be joined by Alex from Rare and Pasture, a charcuterie business operating from the farm, who will be sharing their story and process of sourcing and curing organic and Pasture For Life certified meats.
The event is open to farmers and landowners and is free of charge with lunch included.
Please dress appropriately and wrap up warm for this event, as it might be cold!
If you have any questions, please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk.
Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.

South Hams Tourism Business Symposium
2026-03-02 10:00 - 14:30 | Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5NE, United Kingdom
Get your voice heard. For businesses in the tourism industry, have your say on issues affecting you and help shape future support & funding.

Tourism is at the heart of the South Hams and West Devon regions. From independently-owned holiday rentals and cafés to hotels and visitor attractions, the tourism economy supports jobs, communities and the character of our area. Now is your opportunity to help shape what comes next at this free symposium event.
BIP are working with South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils to support their in-depth study of the visitor economies in both areas. So if you run a local business operating in the tourism industry then we would like to invite you to have your voice heard and share your thoughts, issues and suggestions.
The aim is simple but powerful: to understand what’s really happening on the ground, identify the biggest barriers facing tourism businesses, and ensure future investment and support genuinely meets local needs.
Already supportive of their visitor economies through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) initiatives like investment for small businesses and promotion, they want to go further by highlighting the most significant barriers to the sector and consulting on how future funding can be shaped to better support and enhance the economic situation of the local sectors.
Attendees will be asked to participate in two breakout sessions, allowing you to share your feedback and suggestions. On registration you will be asked to choose two out of the three options below:

The impact of recruitment and seasonality in tourism – facilitated by DWP
Is Tourism being held back in Devon – facilitated by LVEP/Visit Devon
Supporting the future of tourism – facilitated by Visit England

We would also like you to participate in a short survey which will be sent to you on registration.
Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided free of charge and there will also be an opportunity to network with other local business owners and meet a range of suppliers who will be exhibiting.
This is a fantastic opportunity to have your say and help strengthen and grow the local tourism sector.

Farm Funding Update: Grants, Schemes and SFI in 2026
2026-03-05 11:00 - 14:00 | Great Bowley Farm, Great Bowley Farm, Cadbury, Tiverton, Devon, EX5 5LA, United Kingdom
On 24 February Defra made a major announcement on funding for 2026. This included details of the SFI scheme opening on 1 June, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opening on 17 March and the Capital Grants scheme opening in July.
Join this free workshop to get up-to-date information on all the latest funding schemes and news from Defra, how this applies to your farm and what you can do to prepare and plan your next business steps.
We will also be discussing the challenges for farmers today and the practical steps being taken to combat these, while protecting soils and water resources.
What we’ll cover

Farm funding scheme update – find out what has changed and what we know about the latest SFI, Capital Grants and FETF schemes available in 2026 as well as how these could work for your farm.
Real-world challenges facing farmers today and how these are being tackled
Practical steps for protecting farm soil and water, and why this is critical for long-term business security

Who should attend

Anyone wanting clarification on farm funding available now and coming soon
Farmers and land managers looking for practical ideas and inspiration to apply on their own farms

Why attend

Get clarity on upcoming funding schemes which could benefit your farm
Ask questions get advice from experienced farmers and advisors

Leave inspired with ideas and practical next steps you can apply to your own farm business

Timings

11.15am – Arrival: Introduction to Great Bowley Farm – James and Louise Norman (what we’re doing, ambitions, successes and challenges)
12pm – BIP: farm funding streams available now and coming soon

12.30pm – Pasty lunch

1pm-2pm – Farm walk

How to find Great Bowley Farm: Use What 3 words: //bonnet.passively.vessel
If you have any questions, please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk.
Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.

Farm Funding Update: Grants, Schemes and SFI in 2026
2026-03-10 11:00 - 14:00 | Springwater Farm, Springwater Farm, Columbjohn Farm, Rewe, Devon, EX5 4ER, United Kingdom
On 24 February Defra made a major announcement on funding for 2026. This included details of the SFI scheme opening on 1 June, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opening on 17 March and the Capital Grants scheme opening in July.
Join this free workshop to get up-to-date information on all the latest funding schemes and news from Defra, how this applies to your farm and what you can do to prepare and plan your next business steps.
We will also be discussing the challenges for farmers today and the practical steps being taken to combat these, while protecting soils and water resources.
What we’ll cover

Farm funding scheme update – find out what has changed and what we know about the latest SFI, Capital Grants and FETF schemes available in 2026 as well as how these could work for your farm.
Real-world challenges facing farmers today and how these are being tackled
Practical steps for protecting farm soil and water, and why this is critical for long-term business security

Who should attend

Anyone wanting clarification on farm funding available now and coming soon
Farmers and land managers looking for practical ideas and inspiration to apply on their own farms

Why attend

Get clarity on upcoming funding schemes which could benefit your farm
Ask questions get advice from experienced farmers and advisors

Leave inspired with ideas and practical next steps you can apply to your own farm business

Timings

11.15am – Arrival: Introduction to Springwater Farm – Amelia Greenway (what we’re doing, our ethos, our wins and our struggles)
12pm – BIP: farm funding streams available now and coming soon

12.30pm – Pasty lunch

1pm-2pm – Farm walk

How to find Springwater Farm:What 3 words: //thrusters.enter.sticking
If you have any questions, please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk.
Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.

Bacon Butties & Business: Future-Proofing Construction in West Devon
2026-03-16 08:30 - 10:30 | A30 Business Centre, Higher Stockley Mead, Higher Stockley Mead, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1BG, United Kingdom
Join us at the A30 Business Centre, Okehampton, for a free informal breakfast session.

Join us for bacon butties, coffee and straight-talking insight into the future of construction.
We’ll explore what “future-proofing” really means for small construction businesses — and what it means for you, right now.
On the agenda:

What rising energy efficiency standards mean for your projects
How changing client expectations are shaping demand
The growing opportunity in retrofit and low-carbon work
Skills gaps, workforce changes and what’s coming next
Local training, funding and business support available to you

Hear short, practical insights from industry experts — with no jargon and no hard sell.
This is a relaxed, informal session designed to:

Help you stay competitive
Identify new opportunities
Win more work
Prepare for changes already underway
Connect with others in the local construction sector

Just useful information, good conversation and a chance to build valuable connections.

The Business Support for Construction programme is fully funded by West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Watch the video that tells you more about Business Support for Construction here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAXFpC5we-U&list=PL5Q_qeqK1hzqOGt6Vw5Zqqls3zaN47Mnt&index=7&t=1s

Create Buzz for Your Business: Canva Marketing for the Devon High Street
2026-03-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Online, United Kingdom
Turn your shop window and social media into a customer magnet—without the designer price tag.

As a high street business owner, your to-do list is long enough. You shouldn’t have to spend hours fighting with complicated software just to announce a sale or post a TikTok. Join us for this free, hands-on webinar specifically designed for Devon’s local high street retailers, cafés, and service providers. We’ll show you how to use Canva to create professional, big-brand visuals in minutes, whether you’re working from your laptop or your tablet between customers.
What You’ll Learn:

Social Media That Sells: Create scroll-stopping posts for offers, events, and new arrivals that actually get noticed.
From Digital to Doorstep: Design high-impact window graphics, flyers, and posters that turn passers-by into paying customers.
The In-Store Experience: Elevate your shop with custom-branded loyalty cards, menus, and point-of-sale signage that looks polished and professional.
The Cheat Code to Speed: Learn the secrets of repurposing one design into ten—saving you hours of work every week.

This isn’t a boring lecture. This is an interactive build-along. Use your laptop or tablet to join, and you’ll receive:

Live Support: Get real-time feedback on your designs from a pro.
Tailored Advice: Tips specific to your business—whether you’re a boutique in Sidmouth or a butcher in Plymouth.
Print-Ready Results: Learn how to export your work so it looks just as good on paper as it does on a screen.

By the end of this session, you won’t just know Canva—you’ll have a library of professional marketing materials ready to launch. Boost your visibility, increase your footfall, and reclaim your time.
This is an online event held via Zoom. You will be sent a joining link via email 24 hours before the workshop. Please check your email’s junk folder if you can’t find the email.

Starting Your Own Business Workshop
2026-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Online, United Kingdom
If you’re thinking of starting your own business in the construction industry, then this free workshop is for you.

If you’re thinking of starting your own business in the construction industry, then this free online workshop is for you.
We will guide you through the process in bite-sized chunks, and you will be shown step-by-step all the aspects needed to ensure your business gets off on the right foot. Having helped thousands of people take the leap into running their own business, we know exactly what it takes to plan and launch a successful and sustainable business, as well as avoid the common pitfalls.
You’ll get practical advice on a variety of vital business basics such as choosing the right business structure, managing finances, start-up funding, and dealing with tax and National Insurance. We’ll then cover how to find customers and market your business effectively, including areas such as market research, identifying your customers and considerations for sustainability.
Finally, we’ll dive into the importance of ‘green’ construction practices, retrofitting and health and safety.
We’ll cover:

Business types – self-employment vs limited company
Understanding your finances and setting prices
Funding options for your business, such as loans and grants
Business planning and viability
Marketing basics and how to attract customers
Setting business goals and pitfalls to avoid

This is an online event held via Zoom. You will be sent a joining link via email 24 hours before the workshop. Please check your email’s junk folder if you can’t find the email.
The Business Support for Construction programme is fully funded by West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Securing the future of Bodmin Moor: Lessons learned from Warleggan Down
2026-03-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Warleggan Jubilee Hall, Warleggan Jubilee Hall, Mount, Mount, England, PL30 4ES, United Kingdom
The Warleggan Downs Resilience Project is a FiPL-funded, joint venture.

The Warleggan Downs Resilience Project is a Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funded, joint venture between West Country Rivers Trust, Business Information Point, and the active graziers on Warleggan Downs.
Through this project, we have been exploring the specific challenges and opportunities of farming on Warleggan Downs, while advising farmers and landowners on steps they can take to build long-term financial and environmental resilience. We are now keen to share what we have learned with the wider Bodmin Moor community.
In this workshop, we will cover:

The specific conditions, challenges and opportunities that make Warleggan Downs unique within Bodmin Moor
The recommendations we have identified for protecting and enhancing the Warleggan Downs landscape
Funding opportunities that may be available and suitable for farm businesses on Warleggan Downs
How these recommendations could be applied elsewhere on Bodmin Moor, and the potential benefits they could offer

Timings:

Light supper and drinks from 7pm
Presentation to start promptly at 7.30pm

Location: Warleggan Jubilee Hall, Mount, PL30 4ES

What3Words: ///scorpions.denim.regarding
If you have any questions, please call us on 01837 659 059 or email team@businessinfopoint.co.uk.
Please check our privacy policy to see how we store and manage your submitted data.
