Open to sben Members and Suppliers Every Thursday | 11-12 PM | Microsoft Teams Learn about interest-free loans of £5,000–£100,000 available to Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent SMEs to support growth, productivity and efficiency. Eligible businesses (trading 3+ years) can access funding for capital projects such as equipment, site development, and energy improvements. To register, email: ScaleUp@staffordshire.gov.uk This promises to be a good opportunity to support your busine

The Staffordshire Green Suppliers Directory has now been live for over 12 months! Over 110 Staffordshire based suppliers are listed, and visitors can find the best local supplier to support improvements to their business to help with future growth - saving energy and waste, installing new technologies and finding advice or training to maximise business potential. Visit sben.co.uk/green-supplier-directory/ to find out more. Staffordshire Green Supplier Directory Celebrates 1s

Businesses across the UK are being encouraged to prepare for significant changes to Companies House accounts filing requirements, set to come into effect from April 2028. Introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, the reforms aim to improve transparency, accuracy and trust in company data, while helping to tackle economic crime and modernise the UK’s corporate reporting framework. The new measures will require all companies to file their annual

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking to procure a framework on behalf of its Repairs and Maintenance division to update the kitchens and bathrooms of their housing stock. The work will involve: Supply and installation of complete kitchen and bathroom replacements, including associated alterations (plumbing, electrics, gas, finishes). Non-licensed asbestos removal and management of licensed asbestos. Structural alterations and demolition works where required. The total value

British engineering company JCB has set a new world land speed record of 406.320 mph with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. The car recorded the average speed 400.623 mph in its first run this morning (11th August) across the Bonneville Salt Flats, and 412.135 mph on its second run, giving the average of 406.320 mph - the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled. In doing so, JCB Hydromax surpassed the 350.092 mph world diesel land speed record set by JC

This year's Leek Show on Saturday, 25th July 2026, saw several thousand visitors to the Dunn Wood estate in Longnor. Temporary traffic lights were set up to help keep the queuing to a minimum. It was a beautiful sunny day as residents and visitors to the area gathered to see and take part in this traditional agricultural show. Leek Churches Together - where visitors could take a break grab a free drink and enjoy a seated activity There was lots to see and do; it was well orga

Report Fraud are warning businesses about ransomware attacks and how to report them, as new figures reveal 323 companies were targeted last year, equating to more than 26 attacks each month. Data from Report Fraud reveals that 323 organisations reported a ransomware attack between April 2025 and March 2026. Of the reports received, more than 50 per cent were from Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) (175 reports). Ransomware remains one of the biggest threats to businesses and

Last month, Cheadle welcomed another lovely business to the town, this time a creative arts space on Cross Street called Studio 15. The Mayor and Mayoress popped in to see owner Kerry Broad to welcome her to the town, and COGNEWS went along too on the official opening day (20th June 2026). L-R: Cllr & Mayoress Zenobia Routledge, Store Owner Kerry Broad, Mayor Phil Routledge Kerry told us, "In 2017, I was where Holly's boutique was as Bless Your Arts Boutique, so this has been

Cheadle is a wonderfully friendly place to visit, and last week our reporter spotted one High Street store going above and beyond in the hot weather. Thank you to Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care 50 High St, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 1AF Phone: 01538 752085, for offering a kindness that goes well beyond a duty of care. Spotted On Cheadle High Street - created 29th June 2026

Almost 800 years of market trading came to an end two years ago when SMDC purchased Cheadle Market. Today, they are opening the doors to everyone to see the market and have their say on the future of this important element of town life. Can it be completed before the likely dissolution of SMDC, which should be decided by October? Will SMDC manage to get their development plans approved now that they don't control the planning process? Might Cheadle Town Council aim to take th

The Depot Charging Scheme - Grant The Depot Charging Scheme helps fleets switch to zero‑emission HGVs, vans and coaches by funding 70% of depot charging infrastructure costs (up to £1 million), with applications open from 25 March to 30 June 2026 or until funds are exhausted. You can find out more here: https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/depot-charging-scheme-1 How to Switch Your Business Fleet to Zero Emissions - created 8th June 2026

sben have announced that the improving Green Spaces Pilot Programme is officially underway, with the first businesses already accepted and beginning their journey to transform underused outdoor spaces. Funded by Staffordshire County Council, the programme is supporting local SMEs with grant funding and expert advice to create greener, more biodiverse environments that benefit both people and wildlife. Although spaces on this pilot are limited, demonstrating demand now could h

Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce: Uttoxeter Business Hub 9.30am – 12.30pm 9 June 2026 Uttoxeter Globe Eco Centre, The Old Mill - ST14 8AG The Chambers are working in collaboration with East Staffs Borough Council, to support businesses within this local authority with business advice & guidance. The Uttoxeter Business Hub meets every 2nd Tuesday in the month at The Globe in Uttoxeter, it’s a drop in session, where businesses are encouraged to take their laptops to work, net

Updated 6th June to include comment from Comment from Cllr Linda MALYON On Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 SMDC opened the doors of Cheadle Market to allow community and business owners along with local councillors to take a look inside and find out what their plans are regarding development. Visitors, gathering on the market square The architect in attendance from Stride Treglown explained their vision to groups of 17 people, this was because they had 17 hard hats available. It w

sben are offering a free workbook is designed to help small and medium size businesses to understand the potential risks of impactful weather. While you cannot prevent flooding, heatwaves, storms, or droughts, you can reduce their impact through preparedness, targeted investments, and effective planning. Get your free copy here: https://sben.co.uk/funded-support/adapting-your-business-to-impactful-weather/ Help Your Business Adapt to Changing Weatherr

Scale Up Staffordshire is a new programme designed to support ambitious SMEs that have been operating for three years or more and are Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire based — or preparing to relocate to Staffordshire or Stoke‑on‑Trent. The programme offers interest‑free loans (subject to status) to help businesses invest in key improvements that drive growth, productivity, and efficiency. Funding can be used for: Site development Energy efficiency upgrades Equipment purchases

Ken Riley of Rileys Watchmakers and Jewellers by the Market Cross on the High Street is retiring this month. We caught up with Ken just before he closed the doors permanently following 4 decades of serving the people of Cheadle. He's seen some changes over the years we chatted with him about few of his special memories. He describes how the first watchmakers’ shop in the town was run by a Mr. Birch, roughly where the Samaritans shop is today. Ken's first shop was behind the

Town historian Mike Plant recently shared a comprehensive history of Cheadle town and how the market developed. A market has been held in Cheadle since the Lord of the Manor, Ralph Basset, was granted a charter for a market and fair during the reign of Henry III in 1250.* The granting of the charter meant that Cheadle was forever a town, rather than a village,* but what of recent history? COGNEWS shares the story so far. Cheadle Indoor Market showcases intricate red ironwork

No Reply on Cheadle in Doom Assets Letter Councillor Bentley asked if a reply had been received to the important letter sent to SMDC last month. He had proposed at last month's meeting that the clerk write to SMDC to ask for the four main assets of the town as well as the costings of running them. The council had authorized this request. The Town Clerk's response was that she has not had a reply. You can see below a copy of the actual letter that was sent and note the differe

This week, a new shop opened on Cheadle's historic High Street. Situated in the old Mother Nature building, "Little Dots" specialises in beautiful fashion and toys for ages 0-6. We met with owner Samantha Rowley-Corns to find out more. Samantha and some of her hand picked British Brands Samantha started her business two and a half years ago, a retail store and play cafe in Stone, when her daughter was just 4 months old. She told our reporter that she was very much inspired by