Council teams up with Echo to help businesses

CHARNWOOD Borough Council has launched the Charnwood inBusiness campaign to help local companies connect with their customers as they battle back from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The council has teamed up with the Loughborough and Shepshed Echo, Leicester Mercury and Leicestershire Live, to offer local companies the chance to take a free advert and let tens of thousands of people know that they are very much open for business.

The council will also highlight local businesses, their successes and their stories, on its own social media accounts and website as part of the campaign.

Coun Jonathan Morgan, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “As social distancing restrictions continue to ease, we are keen to support local businesses in any way we can and one key issue for local companies will be about reconnecting with their customers.

“That’s why we are delighted to launch the Charnwood inBusiness campaign.

“We are really pleased to be working with the Leicester Mercury, Leicestershire Live, Loughborough Echo and Fosse 107 and offer companies the chance to reach people through the trusted local media.

“While we still must all follow the latest government advice as we continue to tackle the pandemic, it is also important that we get our economy going again and that means letting people know Charnwood is very much in business.

“We will also use the campaign to celebrate the successes of local companies and share their stories as they make their way back to the ‘new normal’.

“The council is committed to leading the recovery of in Charnwood with our communities and partners and build a stronger future, together.”

Andy Rush, editor of the Echo said: “It’s a fantastic initiative, these companies are an important part of the economic lifeblood of the area and need all the support they can possibly get as we come out of the crisis.”

Since the start of the pandemic, Charnwood Borough Council has supported businesses in a number of ways including the rapid distribution of nearly £30 million of government funding to more than 2,400 local companies. Officers have also taken part in a business support webinar with the Federation of Small Businesses and the council has commissioned Love Loughborough to provide business support to companies across the borough as well as continuing to support its members in Loughborough.

The council has also been helping high streets prepare to welcome visitors back safely by issuing floor social distancing floor graphics and offering advice to local traders. And it is also continuing to work with partners to develop the Loughborough Town Deal and secure up to £25 million of government funding to transform Loughborough’s economic growth.

The Charnwood inBusiness offer of a free advert is only open to businesses based in Charnwood. Businesses can apply online before midnight on June 17 and there is a limit to the number of businesses which can be supported.

To apply and for the full terms and conditions, please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/cib