My Bookkeeping Lady

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

A new £1.5 million fund to support organisations across Belfast is now open!

The Local Community Ownership Fund (LCOF) will help to transform community spaces or derelict sites - & turn them into sustainable spaces that benefit local people and strengthen neighbourhoods👏

The fund will support projects that can:

✅ Safeguard valuable community assets
✅ Create new facilities and spaces for community groups
✅ Invest in schemes which improve neighbourhoods & deliver positive economic outcomes

The closing date for the Expression of Interest stage of the application process is 12pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026.

Follow the link below to find out more⬇️

12/05/2026

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, and Local Chambers encourage businesses to apply for the Freshen Up Grant 📝

The Freshen Up Grant helps businesses improve the look of their premises through:

✅External painting
✅Power washing

90% grant funding (up to £1,500) Minimum 10% contribution required Active businesses only

Eligible urban centres: Bangor, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood & Newtownards

📍Closing 12noon on Friday 29 May 2026

Find out more and apply: https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/Freshen-Up-Grant

Pictured with the Mayor are (L-R) Frank Shivers, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, Denis Waterworth, Donaghadee Community Development Association, and Helen Aston, Holywood Chamber of Commerce.

02/05/2026

🏪 Freshen Up Grant – Now Open!

The Freshen Up Grant will support local businesses to carry out cost effective shopfront improvements, specifically power washing and/or painting – just in time for summer

Available in Bangor, Comber, Donaghadee, Holywood & Newtownards 90% funding up to £1,500 per property

📅 Open 9am on Friday 01 May – closing 12noon on Friday 29 May (or sooner should all funding be awarded)

Apply now >>>>> https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/Freshen-Up-Grant

Funded by the Department for Communities and Ards and North Down Borough Council.

If you provide painting or power washing services and your business is registered in Ards and North Down, you can add your details to the call off list by emailing [email protected]

21/04/2026

If you’re a small business owner or self-employed in the UK, we want to hear from you! We’re giving away £10,000 to one lucky winner so they can grow their business.

13/04/2026

Go Succeed | Free business events

Go Succeed NI is the business support service led by Northern Ireland's local councils.

A range of events are coming up this month, including:

- Wednesday 15 April - Cost-Effective Traditional Marketing for your Growth Business
- Thursday 16 April - Basic Financial Management for Your Growing Business
- Thursday 16 April - Building Your Start-Up Business Plan
- Tuesday 21 April - How Customers Discover You Online in 2026
- Thursday 23 April - Social Media for Beginners

See the full list - link in the first comment.

08/04/2026

Free webinar: How to Get Ready for Making Tax Digital If You Are a Business | Dates available throughout April 2026

If you have qualifying income from property and/or self-employment that is above £50,000 or above from April 2026, £30,000 or above from April 2027 and £20,000 or above from April 2028 – you will be legally required to use Making Tax Digital.

This live webinar from HMRC covers:

- plan for MTD – understand the rules and work out who will be affected and when
- prepare for MTD – work out who will do what and make informed software choices
- take action for MTD – authorise your agent and sign up to MTD
- use MTD – follow the rules and consider how to utilise any benefits and opportunities

Register now - link in the first comment.

07/04/2026

Statutory Redundancy Payment increases from Monday 6 April 2026

From today, the maximum limit for Statutory Redundancy Payment will increase from £749 to £783 a week.

The maximum Statutory Redundancy Payment payable will increase from £22,470 to £23,490.

The limit on compensatory award for unfair dismissal increases from £118,455 to £123,785.

Read the full details - link in the first comment.

07/04/2026

Statutory Sick Pay | new rate and changes

From today, Monday 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will increase from £118.75 to £123.25 per week.

Other changes to SSP that apply from today include:

- SSP will be paid from the first full day of sickness absence, not from day four as it currently is
- The Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) will be removed, making all employees eligible for SSP

Read all the details - link in the first comment.

29/03/2026

Find out what's available

25/03/2026

🔔 Reminder: The online accounts and Company Tax Return service will close on 31 March 2026.

From 1 April 2026:

• Annual accounts can be filed using software, our web services or by paper
• Company Tax Returns must be filed with HMRC using software

Read more on GOV.UK ⬇️