Member Article

Warwickshire businesses in their early stages continue to benefit from support as funding agreed

Warwickshire businesses in their very early stages can still access help to grow – after a new round of funding was agreed.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s business support team is offering businesses that are less than two years old access to online workshops and masterclasses on everything from financial planning through to digital marketing as well as one-to-one sessions with an adviser. During the course of the last three years of support, the Warwickshire start-up service, which is delivered by the Chamber on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, has helped more than 400 start-up companies to start and grow, from graphic designers through to manufacturers.

The Chamber’s support for start-ups and early phase businesses was previously part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) but that ended in June following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The new round of help is part-funded by the UK Government as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding via Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council and Warwick District Council. Funding has also been provided by Warwickshire County Council, which is co-ordinating the contract on behalf of the local authorities in Warwickshire, and Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

This means support will continue until at least September and business owners are being urged to make the most of the help on offer. Keely Hancox, Head of Operations at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very pleased to continue our start-up and early-phase business support programme across Warwickshire. “The county has very strong levels of business start-ups and it is crucial that individuals can get the help they need and sometimes that is most important when they are one or two years in. “At that stage, they have got themselves established but then realise that they need help with some business fundamentals to be able to keep going and – crucially – keep growing. “By offering masterclasses and workshops, business owners can benefit from really sound advice in several areas that will help them in their day-to-day operations. “On top of that, we have a team of advisers – who have all run their own successful businesses – who are on hand to offer one-to-one support and that is something that we’ve had very strong, positive feedback on over the course of our most recent programme.

“For our region to continue to be successful and keep growing, it’s important that we nurture our start-up businesses as they are the job and wealth creators of the future – and so support such as this is vital.” Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy & Place, Cllr Martin Watson, said: “The first two years of running a business can be immensely challenging in many ways as entrepreneurs get to grips with the realities of turning their ideas and dreams into successful going concerns. It is vital that they receive all the support they need at this time, and I am delighted that Warwickshire Start-Up Service will continue its excellent provision of this.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .