People are being urged to support small businesses in Staffordshire, and to help boost the local economy ahead of a national campaign day, Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday will take place on Saturday 7th December, with Staffordshire County Council and its partners celebrating successful enterprise taking place in Staffordshire in addition to raising awareness of the broad range of support available across the region.
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub is funded by the area’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and delivered by the County Council, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The scheme offers free advice and guidance on a vast range of business support available to small businesses across Staffordshire – from marketing support, to advise with funding and employment law.
The Hub also runs the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Business Helpline, available on 0300 111 8002.
One of the latest Growth Hub initiatives is the Investment Readiness Programme - this initiative supports businesses in applying for finance packages, such as loans or grant funding, by helping them to prepare the necessary business plans and cash flow projections. Grants between £1,000-£3,000 are available to help fund 60% of professional support services.
For further information on the Investment Readiness Programme email: Matt.hustwit@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Over the last financial year, nearly 2,500 small businesses from across Staffordshire received supported from the Growth Hub. The vast majority of companies were existing businesses (89%) with 8% being start-ups. Queries to the Hub were mostly about financial support, with marketing and operational advice closely behind.
Businesses can find out more information on advice and support offered by the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub by visiting their website: www.stokestffsgrowthhub.co.uk
The hub’s helpline number is 0300 111 8002 or people can email businessenquires@staokestaffslep.org.uk
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub's Business and Enterprise Support Manager, Nicola Kent said:
“There is an excellent range of business support available – the hub helps to ensure each business gets the right support for them. This can range from grant funding to workforce training."
“Small businesses play a vital role in local economic growth, employing thousands of people and supporting larger businesses’ supply chains. We’re pleased that the growth hub is supporting local business to grow and thrive.”