Liverpool LEP gives £70k boost to city region SMEs

The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is celebrating after one of its Local Growth Hub programmes hit a new five-figure milestone.

First introduced in December last year, the LEP’s New Markets 2 programme has now awarded over £70k of support to 25 city region businesses, enabling growth and resulting in the potential creation of 30 new jobs.

New Markets 2 allows SMEs with a turnover under €50m (£43m) to access a 35% grant to support their growth strategies. Services available include financial and legal advice and strategic development covering marketing, sales and exports.

According to the Liverpool LEP, the list of companies that have so far benefited from the programme is diverse.

St Helens-based graphics firm Vinyline Ltd gave its online presence a boost with ecommerce and digital marketing support.

Cunliffes, the Bootle-based property and construction consultancy, meanwhile secured funding to implement strategic business planning.

Mark Basnett, the LEP’s executive director, said: “We are delighted our New Markets 2 Programme has helped to equip over 25 companies across the Liverpool City Region with commercial consultancy and support they need to accelerate growth and job creation.

“SMEs are one of the biggest drivers of the economy in the business community, therefore ensuring their longevity and growth is vital to help deliver economic prosperity across Liverpool City Region.”

New Markets 2 is part of a wider European Regional Development Fund-backed support programme.