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Free Grant-Funded GenAI Support for Local Businesses
PLUS: QA Christmas Gift Drive, Live Music, Comedy Nights & This Week in Pompey
Pompey Scoop
November 21, 2025
Good morning, Pompey. It’s Thursday Friday!
Apologies for sending this a day late; it’s been a really long week. One that started in the Midlands and is now wrapping up here in our good old Pompey!
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In today’s scoop:
Grant-Funded GenAI Support for Local Businesses
H&M now open!
Food Vouchers to help this Winter
Live music, comedy & lots to do
Right, let’s get into it!
In the news this week:
The annual Christmas Light Switch-on kicked off yesterday in Palmerston Road, Southsea. If you missed out on that don’t panic, the next one’s at Cosham, 5:00-6:30pm today, and Commercial Road, 4:30-6:00pm on Saturday. Both evenings are packed with all sorts of family fun. Get the full Christmas in Portsmouth programme details here
Portsmouth’s planning future is up for discussion again, the Council has opened a final round of public consultation on its updated Local Plan, running from 18 November 2025 to 8 January 2026. This version includes a new draft policy for Tipner West (designed not to mess with nature), plus a few tweaks to line up with new government planning rules. You can review it online here or in person at libraries across the city, and there’s even a drop-in event at the Mountbatten Centre on Tuesday 2 December, 2–7pm. If you’ve got thoughts about how the city should grow between now and 2040, now’s your chance to have a proper say, before it's all set in stone. Read more here
If you run or know a local business that's been curious about AI but unsure where to start, this one’s for you. Applications are now open for the ATC GenAI for SMEs Programme, a fully funded initiative helping small businesses in the UK get to grips with practical, productivity-boosting AI tools. The six-month programme includes expert-led training, tailored GenAI tools, and mentorship to help you actually use AI to grow and streamline your business. And it is free! If you or someone you know runs a small business in Portsmouth or nearby, this could be a real leg-up worth passing on. To apply or read more, go here
After about 4 months closure to undergo major transformation, H&M Commercial Road is now open! It opened yesterday and will offer customers a new, fresh interior. The makeover also introduces H&M HOME for the first time locally, so you’ll find modern homeware alongside the usual fashion picks for women, men, kids, and beauty lovers. The new two-floor layout features self-checkouts, click & collect lockers, and a more open, relaxed shopping experience. It’s probably worth a look if you’re heading into town this weekend.
Portsmouth families with little to spare this winter could get a helping hand: the Council’s food voucher scheme is back. If your child gets free school meals (benefits-related), the school will automatically send you a £30 supermarket voucher in early December — no need to apply. If your kids aren’t in school or don’t qualify but your household earns £1,870/month or less, you can apply for a £30 voucher starting 18 December. Pregnant households, home educators, and families with under-5s or older teens can apply too. The scheme is open until 26 February or until the funding runs out. Full details and how to apply are here
🗓️Things To Do
Friday, 21st
Standing with Giants - For Your Tomorrow | Fort Nelson | Multiple dates - Time TBC | More info here
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop | High Street, Portsmouth | 7:30pm | More here
Recovery Festival | Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Make Merry at Making Space | Making Space | 4:00pm | More here
Saturday, 22nd
Make Merry at Making Space | Making Space | 11:00am | More here
Towards the Unkown - Portsmouth Choral Union & Medici Choir | St Mary’s Church | 7:30pm | More here
Sunday, 23rd
Make Merry at Making Space | Making Space | 11:00am | More here
Monday, 24th
Grrls to the Front | Wedgewood Rooms | 7:00pm | More here
Tuesday, 25th
The Vicar of Dibley at Christmas | The Barn Studio Theatre | Multiple dates and times | More here
Fuego Salsa Class - learn to dance, have fun and socialise | The Gaiety Southsea | 7:30pm | More info here
Wednesday, 26th
Life Solved Live: Seeing the hidden pollution, hearing distant stars | Richmond Building | 6:00pm | More here
The Lady Vanishes - Derek Webb | St Georges Church Hall | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Speed Dating in Portsmouth (30s & 40s) | The Monarch | 7:30pm | More here
👨👩👧👦Things To Do - with Kids
Friday, 21th
Christmas Lights Switch On Parties | Cosham High Street | 5:00pm | More here
Home Ed Skate & Social | Pitt St. Skatepark | 11:00am | More here
Roller Disco | Temple of Wheels | 7:00pm | More info here
Saturday, 22nd
Christmas Lights Switch On Parties | City Centre, Commercial Road | 4:30pm | More here
Standing with Giants – For Your Tomorrow | Fort Nelson | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Santa’s Toy Maker Workshop | Spinnaker Tower | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Christmas Illuminations | Southsea Castle | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Christmasville at Gunwharf Quays | Gunwharf | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Portsmouth Christmas Market | Commercial Road | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Portsmouth on Ice | Guildhall Square | Multiple dates & Various times | More here
Love Southsea Daylight to Twilight Market | Portsmouth Cathedral | 12:00pm | More info here
Family Session | Pitt St. Skatepark | 10:00am | More info here
Royal Armouries - Fort Nelson | Fort Nelson, Fareham | Multiple dates - 10:00am | More info here
Sunday, 23rd
Early Bird Beginners | Pitt St. Skatepark | 8:00am | More info here
October Sunday Service | Deeper Life Bible Church, Buckland | 10:00am | More info here
🎭Live Events
🎙Rob Lamberti - Perfectly George | Guildhall Square | Fri 21st, 7:00pm | More here
🎙Two Wheels Good - Martin McAloon of Prefab Sprout | Portsmouth Guildhall | Fri 21st, 8:00pm | More here
😂Babatunde Aleshe: High Expectations | New Theatre Royal | Fri 21st, 10:00pm | More here
😂LOL Comedy Club | Portsmouth Guildhall | Sat 22nd, 8:00pm | More here
🎙The Stylistics | Guildhall Square | Sat 22nd, 7:00pm | More here
😂Ross Noble: Cranium of Curiosities | New Theatre Royal | Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd, 8:00pm | More here
😂Ola Labib: Dispersible | Portsmouth Guildhall | Sun 23rd, 7:30pm | More here
🎙Flook - Celebrating 30 years | St James Church | Weds 26th, 7:30pm | More here
Opening Soon!
Check this space every week for restaurants, shops, etc., opening soon
Weather
Today 🌞7°/0°
Saturday 🌧10°/5°
Sunday 🌧10°/5°
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Let’s do this again next week!
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