Firms getting support to come back strongly
AS businesses continue to adapt to new ways of working following the easing of some Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is offering a package of support to help businesses to reopen strongly and safely.
The LEP is working with partners at the Growth Hub, Chambers of Commerce, councils and mental health organisations to ensure businesses have the support and advice they need to reopen their premises, welcome staff and customers back on site and create a safe working environment throughout the coming weeks.
This focused support has been developed as a direct result of feedback from businesses across Staffordshire that are seeking advice on issues such as lateral flow testing for employees, what grant or loan funding they are eligible for, or how to support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff. Over 5,000 businesses have engaged so far.
Alun Rogers, chair of the LEP, said: “This targeted support is about providing timely, straight-forward and relevant advice, from business for business, to prepare for the critical weeks and months ahead as the Covid-19 restrictions are gradually lifted.
“We want businesses to have the
The next few weeks will undoubtedly present further challenges, but there is help available. Hannah Ault
confidence to open safely, so the LEP is here to help navigate the challenges the pandemic has presented and find opportunities for businesses to capitalise on new opportunities, adapt to this new agile digital world we are working in, and ultimately thrive. The key to reopening and going onto grow a strong business is to do it safely, and our ambition through delivering this support is to provide all the information needed to do that.” Hannah Ault, director of Valentine Clays and LEP board member, said:
“As a business owner, I have seen first-hand the challenges the pandemic has wrought on the business community. From navigating furlough, to getting lateral flow testing embedded into working practice, there have been many hurdles to overcome. The next few weeks and months will undoubtedly present further challenges, but there is help available and that is why the LEP has been focusing its support to help simplify the landscape and be by the side of business, every step of the way.”
The LEP continues to listen to the business community and understands that many businesses may feel unconfident about the future and need support.
Any company that is looking for advice over the coming weeks and months as lockdown measures are lifted should contact the LEP’S Growth Hub via the Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or businessenquiries@stokestaffslep.org.uk or via the group’s social media platforms. The LEP is currently running a business survey for companies across Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire to have their say on what support they would find most helpful from the LEP, in order to work together to respond and find solutions. The LEP will use this information to tailor its programme of support over the coming months.