Advice and help offer to local firms

Companies in County Durham are being offered help and advice to help them adapt and thrive through and after the pandemic.

Business Durham, the economic development arm of Durham County Council, has created a new COVID-19 Business Support Brochure to highlight the support available to local firms.

This guide brings together key information for businesses who are looking for help to navigate the opportunities on offer and focuses on eight key categories of assistance including grants, loans and equity; business support; digital support; innovation; sector support; skills, recruitment and training; business startup and employee welfare.

Sarah Slav en, interim managing director of Business Durham, said :“We decided to create a support brochure to highlight that there’s a range of programmes businesses can access for support.

“We recognise that the months ahead will continue to be challenging, and it is vital that we continue to offer help for businesses to adapt and take advantage of the opportunities that do and will exist to build a stronger, more resilient economy.”

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Our long-term ambition is to create and preserve a thriving environment in which businesses and investors can grow during these times.”

For advice, v is itwww. gov.uk/ government/ publications/ guidanceto-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/ covid-19-support-for-businesses.