Dear Residents
We have been advised of the following programme for anyone thinking of starting their own business.
“As part of a co-ordinated economic response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the County Council has now launched a new programme to support the development of 200 start-up businesses per year for the next three years.
There is no doubt that coronavirus has had unprecedented effect on the UK economy. We anticipate tough times ahead for businesses, with many needing to make redundancies or putting people’s jobs at risk.
However, looking back to the 2008 recession, the number of start-up businesses in the county increased and so we anticipate it may well be the same over the coming year.
People may be considering starting their own business due to their current employment after years of wondering if making the leap into self- employment is the right thing. We want to offer all the support they need, particularly in getting through the critical first year.
The new Staffordshire Start-Up Programme is a series of online programmes, delivered on our behalf by the Chambers of Commerce, that has the onus on overcoming and thrive in the face of the business challenges that Covid-19 has brought about. That includes finding and entering the right market, how to spot a business crisis on the horizon, training needs, and most importantly, finding the confidence to finally make that leap and register that business. It very much compliments other business support already out there.
Places are limited, but I would ask that you consider any budding-entrepreneurs in your division that may benefit and encourage them to apply to the business advisors at the Growth Hub now. If the Start-up Programme is not for them, they will of course be directed to existing sources of help.”
Applications are only to the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub on 0300 111 8002 or businessenquiries@stokestaffslep.org.uk
More information is also available at https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Business/Coronavirus-COVID-19-support-for-businesses/Support-for-start-up-businesses.aspx
Kind regards.
Mark Winnington
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth
Staffordshire County Council