More than 50 small businesses in the High Peak have benefited from a pilot grant scheme supported by the Borough Council to help fledgling enterprises develop and grow.
Businesses, ranging from shops to manufacturing companies and creative industries to the service sector, have shared in a pot of £10,000 from the Council towards the cost of professional and business services to enable them to expand and prosper in the future.
The Council joined forces with Business Link East Midlands to run the Business Grants for Professional and Business Services scheme, encouraging existing businesses employing five or less people to apply for a one-off grant of £200.
Grants were offered on a first come first served basis to applicants, who had sought advice from a Business Link East Midlands business adviser since April, and were so much in demand that all the cash was allocated within three months of the scheme’s launch in August.
“We are committed to doing whatever we can to help local businesses and the High Peak economy stay buoyant, and this pilot project has proved extremely popular with small enterprises, keen to both keep and sharpen their competitive edge,” said Councillor Tony Kemp, High Peak Borough Council’s Executive Member for Economic Regeneration.
“The grants are very flexible, and have been used to fund a wide variety of business and professional services – ranging from marketing and website development to drawing up business plans and paying for specific training courses.
“Others have taken advantage of the services of a consultant to help refocus their business and consider what new directions they should pursue. All the feedback we have had so far has been very positive, and we hope that this innovative scheme will help to sow the seeds for future success – both for the businesses themselves and for the High Peak.”
For Ann Roberts, owner manager of Artisan Hair and Beauty on High Street, Buxton, the grant has enabled her to boost her team leadership and customer service skills by studying for a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) 5 in Management.
“I’m using the grant to pay for a training course in Nottingham, as part of a seven-module programme,” explained Ann, who opened her salon three years ago. “Receiving it persuaded me to go ahead and study for the qualification, and I am sure that gaining it will help us improve even further, the high standards we set ourselves.
“It was also easy to access – the application forms were very straightforward, and both the Borough Council and Business Link were very helpful and supportive throughout the process.”
Frances Taylor, of Buxton-based well-being, training and development company, brightspark, invested her award in two half-day workshops with a marketing consultant.
“It was brilliant, and helped me produce a really focused marketing strategy,” explained Frances, who provides customised, practical support for organisations and individuals aiming to reduce stress and promote well-being in the workplace.
“It is really helping me take the business forward, by putting across a more coherent message, creating a link between providing the service and explaining to customers what I do. Getting the grant certainly encouraged me to seek expert help and an outside, professional opinion that is invaluable in developing my business.”
Free, impartial advice is available to businesses across the High Peak, from Business Link East Midlands advisers at Borough Council offices – for full details, call 0845 058 6644.