Two good causes in Portsmouth - the Final Straw Solent and Spark Community Space - set to benefit as firms get support from the FSB

TWO good causes are set to benefit from businesses signing up to get help and support.
Pictured: Emma Weatherstone and Rebecca SimmonsPictured: Emma Weatherstone and Rebecca Simmons
Pictured: Emma Weatherstone and Rebecca Simmons

Emma Weatherstone is the Solent business advisor for the Federation of Small Businesses. She started working at the FSB earlier this year, however she has been a member for 12 years as a small business owner.

Emma said: ‘I worked for AstraZeneca for many years as a sales and marketing lead but unfortunately in the 2008 recession I was made redundant.

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Promote your business with The News with our new Business Bounceback scheme

‘After the initial upset I followed my dream to set up my own business and I joined FSB. FSB has held my hand throughout my business career and gives me the support and infrastructure that I need.

‘It can be a lonely place working on your own especially when things go wrong. Having the support of the FSB helps me sleep at night and has saved me so much time and money over the years!’

Emma has joined forces with The News through the FSB to sponsor its Business Bounceback scheme.

She will be donating 10 per cent of all the FSB memberships generated through the initiative to two charities close to her heart – environmental charity The Final Straw Foundation and Spark Community Space.

Emma said: ‘As a keen sailor and paddleboarder I am concerned about plastic pollution and the sewage pollution in our harbours. I love where I live and want our oceans and beaches to be clean and safe. I have also seen the Spark cafe in action and can see how valuable this is to our community.’

Businesses that sign up to the FSB directly through Emma will be given the choice of which charity they would like to donate to. For more email [email protected] or call 07764432489 or go to joinfsb.biz/

Promote your business with The News

We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.

The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.

As the pandemic ends, there’s never been a better time to promote your business and make it stand out.

Come to us and take up this one-time only opportunity for the lowest-ever cost to appear in the area’s biggest news outlet with authentic, interesting copy.

- How much does it cost?

75 per cent off normal advertising rates. A one off, one time fee, no contract.

- What do you get?

A guaranteed published article in The News - and online at portsmouth.co.uk

- How does it work?

Our business editor Kimberley Barber has been helping businesses to stand out for 10 years. She will help you identify the thing your business needs to shout about, in order to get it noticed.

Whether that’s a new product, an expansion to your team, an award win, or even just simply a change of opening hours - there are many reasons that a business would need to shine a light on itself.

Kimberley will help you to find your ‘top line’ and her team will create an authentic article to appear in the pages of The News.

Your company doesn’t need to employ somebody to find the best news, or even write it, let the experienced team at The News do it for you.

Not only will your article run alongside the daily business page, putting it in the perfect spot to reach engaged readers, it will benefit from the News’ insider track on what makes attractive content that will engage your customers.

- What could happen after appearing in The News?

Our newspaper is read by thousands of people everyday. It’s been the traditional route to reach people in Portsmouth for hundreds of years.

It is read by all major news outlets, and is often the starting point of national stories.

Being in The News gets your story in front of the right people.

If your story has editorial value, it will appear on our website portsmouth.co.uk - reaching worldwide audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.

As well as this, with the right tweaks, it could appear on The News’ Facebook page - reaching a following of 120,000 people who all have an interest in this area instantly.

The News also has Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter followers - if appropriate for these audiences, your story will be shared on these accounts too.

Being published in The News is just the start, with our help, we can get you on the path to national recognition.

- What else do I get?

As well as the pride and prestige of appearing in the biggest and longest-serving news outlet in Portsmouth, you will become part of our network.

You’ll join a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who all have Portsmouth at their hearts.

You’ll also get access to special advertising packages and discounts, should you wish to further promote your message.

Join us, it’s the start of our business community coming together and working together for the benefit of our community.

- How do I sign up?

Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on [email protected] to get signed up

For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489

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