Thirty small businesses from across Lichfield and Tamworth are currently being offered a free 12-month membership to the Federation of Small Businesses.
Thirty small businesses that operate within Lichfield or Tamworth are currently being offered the opportunity to claim a free 12-month membership to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The scheme follows efforts by Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council to support lives and livelihoods during the COVID-19 crisis, and offers fully-funded membership to the FSB for 12 months (available to sole traders and micro-businesses that employ up to four staff).
The councils have budgeted £2,500 each, £5,000 across both authorities, to cover the cost of membership – aiming to benefit around 30 local businesses. Membership will benefit businesses with access to a range of services, such as tax, legal and HR support, health and safety advice, cyber protection and insurance, local network groups and business banking.
The free membership scheme is being made available to sole-traders and micro-businesses that are located in the district of Lichfield or the borough of Tamworth, and are ineligible for the grants and rate relief packages being offered by the government.
The FSB has a mission to help smaller enterprises to achieve their ambitions by offering a wide range of vital business services to members. Click here for more information on the Federation of Small Businesses.
Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Economic Growth & Tourism, Cllr Iain Eadie:
“It has never been more important to support our local businesses, and I am really pleased we are able to offer these free memberships to the Federation of Small Businesses.
“Membership has lots of advantages and is a valuable resource to call upon, with businesses gaining access to a network of peers, advice, financial expertise and support.
“The federation’s role is to help smaller businesses to survive and achieve their ambitions, and I hope our local micro businesses will jump at the chance to become a member for free.”
The Federation of Small Businesses’s Development Manager for Staffordshire and the West Midlands, Karen Woolley:
“We’re proud to be partnering with Tamworth Borough Council and Lichfield District Council on this crucial initiative to get robust, on-the-ground and immediate business support to local sole-traders and small businesses to help them not only survive this crisis, but to go on to revive and then thrive.
“Both Tamworth and Lichfield have always had a real passion for identifying businesses in need of support, and this partnership will be pivotal in ensuring this aim is met. Membership provides vital support including 24/7 legal advice, a legal hub containing fact sheets and documents, a funding platform, and cyber protection, to name but a few of the benefits which our members are relying on most at this difficult time.
“We look forward to supporting more businesses across the Tamworth and Lichfield areas to weather this crisis.”
To enquire about joining FSB via the free membership scheme, please contact Lorraine Farley at Tamworth Borough Council.
Email: lorraine-farley@tamworth.gov.uk
Telephone: 01827 709525