Supporting Staffordshire enterprise on Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday takes place this Saturday 6 December to celebrate and encourage support for local companies. And with nearly 90 per cent of all Staffordshire businesses being SMEs, the county council is urging people to spend locally.

It is also reminding small business owners that the county council is here to support them to grow and thrive. A range of support services and programmes are making a difference to hundreds of businesses every day.

They include both the Get Started and Grow and Succeed and Grow support programmes. Get Started and Grow is for businesses up to five years old. It provides a comprehensive package of support to help them grow and flourish – including advice and guidance on HR, accounting, legal, social media, branding and website design and management. People can find out more on the Get Started and Grow webpage.

Those that have been operating for more than five years outside the county’s main urban centres can access the Succeed and Grow programme. They can benefit from one-to-one drop-in sessions working with business specialists giving specific support on topics including finance, marketing and funding. Coordinators also hold regular advice and networking events across the county.

Businesses supported through the schemes range from structural engineering to luxury rural holiday accommodation.

For cost-saving energy efficiency support, small businesses can turn to the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS). The scheme offers free energy assessments, 50 per cent match-funded grants of up to £100,000, and interest-free energy efficiency loans. They can an arrange for a free energy assessment worth £1,100 as well as start the process to access the grant funding at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/BEAS.

Office and workshop units are available to small businesses across Staffordshire at one of the county council’s eight enterprise centres. They offer high-quality space on flexible tenancies with onsite support, networking and a range of other facilities. Businesses can find out more on the enterprise centres webpage.

Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills said:

Small businesses are vital to Staffordshire’s and the UK economy – making up nearly 90 per cent of all companies here.

We want our residents to go out and support their local businesses – offering all types of goods and services – as they’re employing thousands of people countywide.

We’re also reminding small business owners of our extensive range of business support available right now. This is tailored to them, is easily accessible and can make a huge difference to their productivity and growth.

Our support programme demonstrates our commitment to small businesses here at the beating heart of the UK economy. Small Business Saturday provides us with another opportunity to shout about what a great job they do in Staffordshire.”