County leads the way with free business advice

BUSINESSES with between one and four employees can benefit from 12 months’ free business support to guide them through the pandemic recovery.

Through the Uk-first partnership between Staffordshire’s county, borough and district councils, micro businesses can get essential advice and guidance on a variety of areas through a free 12-month membership package with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Staffordshire County Council is pooling its resources with each district and borough council to offer the membership places.

It is the first arrangement of its kind nationally for the FSB – where county, district and borough councils have worked together to offer its expert support.

To take advantage of the scheme, businesses must not be a current FSB member. Memberships will be awarded on a first-comefirst-served basis for eligible applicants. Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “Micro businesses have been greatly impacted by the pandemic though many have shown incredible resilience. “By providing free expert advice, we can remove an additional burden and allow them to concentrate on their operations.

“We’re pleased to be able to direct our businesses to industry advice that could make a critical difference as our economy recovers and that as a county, we have led the way with this initiative.” Karen Woolley, development manager for FSB for Staffordshire and the West Midlands, said: “FSB is proud to be partnering with Staffordshire County Council and all district and borough councils on this crucial initiative to get robust, onthe-ground and immediate business support to local small businesses to help them not only survive these crises, but to go on to revive and then thrive.” Applicants will need to contact their district or borough council in the first instance.

Information about this and a wide range of other targeted support programmes can be found by contacting the Stokeon-trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub at www. stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk