Member Article

Business Growth Hub launches in Cheshire

ALMOST 300 businesses gathered at locations throughout Cheshire this week to hear about plans for a new Growth Hub for Cheshire and Warrington.

The Government-backed Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub was launched at events taking place in Chester, Warrington and Tatton Park.

The Growth Hub will be a first stop shop for businesses of all kinds to easily access a wide range of advice, expertise and funding to accelerate their growth.

Councillor Samantha Dixon, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, told the event at Chester Town Hall that the Growth Hub would bring together a comprehensive network of local, regional and national business support services from both the public and private sector. She said the hub would complement the existing services provided by local authorities, adding: “This is such an exciting time to launch the hub, given the major developments taking place here in Chester.

“The Growth Hub will help to encourage, sustain and drive local businesses forwards to growth.”

The Growth Hub, which will be overseen by the LEP’s Business Growth Strategy Board, expects to support some 2,500 businesses with advice over the next two years.

It also expects to provide grants to 250 businesses showing growth potential. An initial grant funding pot of £600,000 will be become available early next year.

Business Strategy Board Chairman Nigel Schofield told the Chester gathering that the hub would aid the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP’s) ambition to make Cheshire and Warrington a £50bn economy by 2040.

He added: “Cheshire and Warrington offers strong business heritage and the kind of quality life which assist businesses in attracting and retaining talent. We are ideally positioned for growth and the growth hub will play a key role in supporting SMEs in their growth ambitions.”

Howard Hopwood, deputy chairman of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, told the audience at Tatton Park that SMEs would be at the heart of economic growth.

He added: “Our ambition is to create 127,000 new jobs in the next 25 years. We are very confident and very confident also that the Growth Hub can play its part in assisting businesses to grow and prosper.”

Heather Hayes, Chief Executive of the Growth Hub, added: “The Growth Hub is about offering a simple solution to those wishing to navigate the sometimes complex network of business advisory services which are out there and is a critical part of our ambitions to encourage enterprise and grow the local economy.”

The Growth Hub will support and advise businesses in these areas: • Access to finance including grants and loans • Skills, training and employment • Exporting and new markets • Sales and marketing • Finding the right location • Growth mentoring and coaching • Starting a business

Businesses looking for advice should call 03300 245007 or email support@candwgrowthhub.co.uk.

For further information go to www.candwgrowthhub.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Henry Roberts .