Help for Moorlands businesses as restrictions ease

BUSINESSES across the Moorlands are being offered support as Covid-19 restrictions ease further.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is working with the Stoke & Staffordshire Growth Hub and Staffordshire County Council to support them through the next stage on the national roadmap by offering a range of funding, support and advice to help businesses meet the ongoing challenges they face.

Councillor Sybil Ralphs, leader of the council and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It’s great news that our businesses and services are re-opening as restrictions begin to ease but we are acutely aware that the impact of Covid remains particularly difficult and challenging for them.

“That’s why our focus continues to be on supporting small businesses and people who have seen their jobs or employment prospects affected by the pandemic.

“I would urge existing business owners, employers, entrepreneurs and those with sound business ideas to research what is on offer and take advantage of what’s available.” There is lots of help available from the Growth Hub who can help advise on business resilience, access to finance and funding and the council itself continues to make grant awards for re-starting to businesses in eligible sectors and is working with the county council and Growth Hub to support the Staffordshire Means Business Programme.

The Staffordshire Means Back to Business programme offers an enhanced package of funding including:

Small Businesses to Thrive grants of £2,000 to £5,000

Start-up Scheme and loans of £3,000 to £5,000 to help you set up and survive the first critical months

Free training Top-up for Employers offering grants of up to £5,000 towards training or upskilling costs.

There’s more information about all these schemes online: https:// www.staffordshire.gov.uk/business/ Coronavirus-covid-19-supportfor-businesses/staffs-means-backto-business-support-scheme.aspx

Additionally, in the Moorlands, the council is offering microbusinesses a year’s free membership to the Federation of Small Businesses where they will be able to access a wide range of support including tax and legal advice and a discounted workplace pensions scheme.

A series of online fact sheets are also now available with lots of hints and tips covering topics ranging from health and safety to digital and contactless payments at: www. staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/article/426/ Business-support-and-advice