Featured News
Business Ready helps HealthCorm set up to supply PPE equipment to those who need it
“I contacted Business Ready with my idea and the team provided me with the guidance and support I needed to set up the company."
A Warwickshire businessman has received vital support to help set-up a social enterprise supplying PPE equipment, motivated after his brother contracted Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic.
Harris Qais, from Tanworth-in-Arden, has launched HealthCorm Ltd which supplies PPE (personal protective equipment) to businesses and organisations including NHS trusts, care homes, dental care groups and hair and beauty salons.
The business is a social enterprise – which exists to benefit the community – and not only supplies PPE at a reasonable price, but also donates it to small local businesses to support them as they re-open in a bid to help boost the economy.
Harris was inspired to help out after his oldest brother Wais Qais contracted Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic and he began hearing stories about the lack of PPE available and extortionate prices.
Having experience in logistics through his company King of Saffron, Harris decided to look into importing PPE to help support the community.
He sought advice from Business Ready, a programme that delivers support to expanding businesses which is managed by the business support team at the University of Warwick Science Park and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council as part of the CW Business: Start, Grow & Scale Programme.
Business Ready supported Harris in launching HealthCorm Ltd, providing strategic and financial advice to help him set-up and run the business.
HealthCorm Ltd has now secured contracts to supply PPE to businesses and organisations both locally and across the UK, and the business is continuing to grow as demand for the equipment increases.
It has also received support from Eskuta, the largest e-cargo bike brand in the UK, which is based in Nuneaton, and has been helping to store and deliver the PPE.
Harris said: “My brother was the main motivation behind HealthCorm. Thankfully, he has made a full recovery, but when he got the virus, I was constantly hearing stories about the lack of PPE so knew I needed to do something to help.
“I contacted Business Ready with my idea and the team provided me with the guidance and support I needed to set up the company.
“I knew care homes were the most in need, so I began contacting those based across the local area to ask what they required. I then began contacting suppliers in China, and although it was a time when the country was upping their border controls, my experience in exporting meant I was able to pull it together and get the stock at the correct prices and quickly.
“The business is growing at a rapid rate and all of the orders we have received following my initial contact to the care homes have been through word of mouth.
“As well as supplying larger businesses and organisations I have also been donating PPE to smaller businesses to support them as they re-open following the lockdown.
“It’s been fantastic to work with Eskuta which has been supporting us by delivering some of the donations and helping to store the stock.
“We’re really keen to continue supporting the local community and will be importing stock based on demand, for instance as the UK is currently desperate for gloves, we have just closed a deal to import 200 million.
“We also have future plans to manufacture our own masks and have plans to recruit two new members of staff as the business continues to grow.”
Ian McFarlane-Toms, who heads up Business Ready at the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “HealthCorm Ltd was set-up just weeks ago and is already seeing a huge amount of success. We are very pleased to have helped set-up a social enterprise which is not only providing essential PPE supplies but also supporting local businesses with donations.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: “Business Ready has helped many people turn their ideas and passions into small businesses which become established and grow.
“Healthcorm Ltd is a great example of this and I am delighted that support from the programme has helped Harris to create a fantastic social enterprise which is doing so much good in the community.”
For more information on Business Ready and the help available, please visit http://www.business-ready.co.uk/
* The CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale project is receiving up to £2.6m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
So many reasons why we should all Buy and Eat Local
If every person in Warwickshire spent just £5 per week in the county, this would be worth around £122 million annually to the local economy.
As more shops, restaurants, hairdressers and other town centre businesses re-open, Warwickshire County Council is encouraging local businesses to source their personal protective equipment (PPE) from local suppliers.
Since the start of the pandemic, many Warwickshire firms have pivoted their businesses to start producing new PPE-related products and services, so there are plenty of options for sourcing supplies from within the county. These are helpfully llisted at CW Chamber Recovery Hub and Find it in CW.
The council's message is part of a wider campaign encouraging people to Buy and Eat Local . When we buy from a local business we are supporting their suppliers their staff and their families. If every person in Warwickshire spent just £5 per week in the county, this would be worth around £122million annually to the local economy
Among the many local firms to have started creating high quality PPE products are A Nuneaton-based design and print shop Parker Masters which now produces a range of products that aid workplace and public space social distancing such as signage for hand sanitiser stations, floor graphics and branded face masks.
Set up in 2009, the business had been specialising in innovating outdoor, UV-stable printing on to large outdoor dining furniture such as awnings, canopies, parasols, planters and café barrier screens, alongside the standard printing range. However, as Covid-19 hit, orders dried up overnight and the company decided to close temporarily.
Parker Masters owner and MD, Jonathan Masters takes up the story: “After a couple of weeks observing what was happening in supermarkets, post offices and other essential businesses, we decided to try to help local and national businesses create a plan of how to re-open using social distancing signage, hand sanitiser stations, floor graphics, branded face masks - anything that could help to communicate to customers how they would be expected to behave when they entered the premises.
"We provided signage to a wide variety of organisations including Warwickshire Business Centres; Moto Motorway Services; Savills; KMPG (N.I.) and MBDA Missile Systems.
“But one of the biggest successes has been our urinal covers! We were approached by a client to develop a cost-effective covering for urinals. We produced a super high-tack self-adhesive vinyl, branded with company logos and messages about social distancing. We have been sending these across the country, and even as far as Belfast.”
“Now our core business has bounced back as well. Many cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops are needing to utilise their outside areas, for seating, serving, queuing and of course to protect their customer from the great British weather! We are currently developing a number of new items required due to coronavirus, such as easy clean outdoor planters, printed with any images or design.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council says: “We have many fantastic local firms now supplying a wide range high quality PPE. As businesses continue to ensure customers and staff remain safe, we hope as many firms as possible will source their PPE from local suppliers to boost our local economy, and support our local businesses.”
For more information on the Shop Eat Local in Warwickshire campaign, including links to local suppliers, please visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/buyeatlocal
Up to £2 million of funding to help SMEs in Coventry and Warwickshire
The Programme Delivery Board of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) has agreed to contribute up to £2 million of funding to help SMEs in Coventry and Warwickshire suffering with cash flow as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The additional money forms part of a larger package of support already confirmed by Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council and Warwick District Council to assist SMEs impacted by Covid-19.
The package of support also includes the continuation of the ‘The Duplex Investment Fund’, which was set up to help with investment and growth in the local economy through a grant and loan scheme.
SMEs in Coventry and Warwickshire will be able to apply for funding from Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT), who are delivering the scheme through the government backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBILS) that is due to expire at the end of September 2020.
The funding will be available to local businesses who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow due to the impact of Covid-19. There will be flexible repayment terms and it will be interest-free for the first 12 months.
Sheridan Sulskis, Executive Director of CWRT, said it is estimated that this additional funding could lead to the safeguarding of 550 jobs.
She said: “A survey from the British Chambers of Commerce suggested that 20 per cent of businesses will need support from the CBILS and we are well positioned to channel investment into businesses unable to secure finance from banks and other mainstream lenders. We are dedicated in supporting businesses to rebuild, adapt, diversify and add new employment in the months to come.
“As an ethical lender, this additional funding will enable us to help even more businesses ease their cash flow at a time when they need it the most which, in turn, will play a part in their survival and boost the economy in Coventry and Warwickshire.”
Nick Abell, interim chair of the CWLEP, said cash flow remains the primary concern for many businesses.
He said: “As the situation surrounding Covid-19 has evolved, SMEs across Coventry and Warwickshire have very quickly faced liquidity challenges, job losses and having to put projects on hold as they are struggling to make payroll.
“There is still a clear need for additional working capital for businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire, and this is becoming increasingly urgent because of the need for cash flow for business survival but also because CBILS guarantees will stop becoming available at the end of September.”
Sarah Windrum, board director and chair of the digital and creative business group at the CWLEP, and FSB West Midlands policy leader, said this new loan funding could play a major part in helping some SMEs survive in the short and medium term.
She said: “It is critical to recognise the importance of SMEs being able to access finance quickly during this pandemic.
“The impact of Covid-19 is continuing to affect businesses and by helping to fill the gaps in mainstream lending, this scheme will provide loans which are specifically designed to support SMEs through volatile credit markets and tightening credit conditions.”
For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit https://www.cwrt.uk.com/cbils-eligibility
Business have the chance to capture their offer on film
“The Future Careers Digital Market Place project is an ideal opportunity for recruiting businesses from all sectors to work with us to create a tailored film, promoting their career opportunities.”
Warwickshire County Council has launched an innovative pilot project for businesses to showcase their employment opportunities on film to help them recruit following the challenges of lockdown.
The Future Careers Digital Market Place programme, funded by the council's Skills For Employment Programme, provides a digital media opportunity for businesses to work with a filming company to produce a piece which will showcase their current and future employment and career pathways.
Each participating business will present who they are, what they do and the opportunities which sit behind their doors. The team will look to film with senior management and HR teams, providing a company overview and insight to the recruitment processes, where roles are advertised, which skills are needed and progression pathways.
Businesses which might not be experienced in front of the camera need not worry. There will be lots of support on hand to talk through preparations which will be friendly and informal. Social distancing means that only two members of the project team will be present on the day.
Once complete, the film pieces will appear online for schools, colleges and employment programmes to access. They will also feature in various planned Future Careers Digital Market Place Events in the autumn where employers will have further opportunity to dial into virtual careers events.
The team is now calling for a small number of businesses who would like to participate in the pilot programme in preparation of the wider programme launching in autumn. Any business who would like to get involved should contact michaelsharman@warwickshire.gov.uk
Michael Sharman, Business Skills Advisor for Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Future Careers Digital Market Place project is an ideal opportunity for recruiting businesses from all sectors to work with us to create a tailored film, promoting their career opportunities.”
The Future Careers Digital Market Place programme is just one strand of the support which the council's Skills for Employment team is providing as businesses look to move forward again.
WCC business skills lead Fay Winterburn said: "As Warwickshire’s economy kick-starts again, Warwickshire County Council's Economy and Skills team continues to work with businesses and education partners to explore how different areas of the economy can digitally interact with education and those seeking work.
"It is our mission to help maintaining a strong supply of talent, whilst also providing opportunity for multiple sectors to gain new skills by presenting their business in a quite different digital world."
TechStep takes big step with support from Duplex Investment Fund
“The Duplex funding enabled me not only to realise my business goals earlier but to receive great advice from CWRT about business growth and to purchase new tooling, creating the new electric loft ladders which we are selling and now exporting."
An expanding electric loft ladder company in Warwickshire is set to go up in the world Down Under after receiving funding from a new scheme.
TechStep was started in Southam by Michael Beard three years ago after he spent five years developing the innovative LOFTOMATTIC electric loft ladder which is now launching in Australia.
Business has been growing year-on-year through online sales of the remote-controlled compact loft ladder on TechStep’s website. The ladder can be DIY fitted however over 60 per cent of customers request it to be professionally installed to create more space in their home for storage, home office or children’s den.
After investing £400,000 in the business which currently employs three people as well as sub-contracted installers, Michael, who is a qualified chartered engineer and chartered industrial designer, contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT) as part of his expansion plans.
He was successful in applying for £42,542 from the Duplex Investment Fund, which is a combined grant and loan, and is an initiative between the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and CWRT and is now set to add two more staff to the workforce.
The project is being funded by £3.9 million of grants from the Government’s Local Growth Fund and the CWLEP. Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council are each investing a further £2 million in the scheme which is managed by CWRT.
Michael said: “I had spent 35 years designing DIY equipment and smart home appliances for companies such as Stanley, Wilkinson, B&Q and ScrewFix and identified a niche in the market for a brand new product to give push button access to everyone’s lofts.
“It took several designs before the world patented LOFTOMATTIC electric loft ladder was fully developed since it required careful engineering development and pilot market testing.
“One of the benefits of my professional experience was that I got to know Chinese manufacturers and at the third attempt, now have a joint venture company enabling global distribution to all export markets. I started selling LOFTOMATTICS on my website two-and-a-half years ago with sales naturally expanding month on month currently with no advertising.
“The Duplex funding enabled me not only to realise my business goals earlier but to receive great advice from CWRT about business growth and to purchase new tooling, creating the new electric loft ladders which we are selling and now exporting.
“When Covid-19 entered the world, fortunately I had stock that has got me through but sales have fallen dramatically because you need to enter people’s homes to install the LOFTOMATTIC.
“A combination of CWRT and the Government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme has put me in a reasonably healthy trading condition and between now and January, I will be employing two new people because I am expanding in the UK, and launching the ladder in Australia and South Korea.
“A three-year license is being signed with Werner – which is the world’s US based and largest ladder manufacturer – to sell the LOFTOMATTIC electric loft ladder in Australia and will lead to launching it in America in 2021.”
Leah Blocksidge, head of programmes at CWRT, said: “We have been working with Michael for many years and have supported his business from its start-up days. TechStep is now 10 years old and thrives year-on-year.
“With help from the Duplex Investment Fund, they were able to finance the tooling to create their new, innovative, electric loft ladder. Not only has this opened up more opportunities for TechStep, it has also helped grow the company as they take on more employees. I cannot wait to see what Michael has in store for us all next and how CWRT can continue to support him.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: “Tech Step is a perfect example of a business with the high level of skills and innovation of which we are fortunate to have so much in our region.
“I am delighted that support from the Duplex Fund, through the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, has enabled them to grow their business and take it to the next level.”
For further information or to apply for the Duplex Investment Fund, call Andrew Scarborough or Leah Blocksidge on 02476 551 777 or email andrew.scarborough@cwrt.uk.com or leah.blocksidge@cwrt.uk.com
CWRT expands to meet the demands of providing loans to business during pandemic
"The county council acted swiftly to release further funding to CWRT, within just a few weeks of the scheme being announced by Government, and is proud to lead the way in terms of investment in the business community from the local authorities."
A specialist finance provider in Coventry has taken on three new members of staff as it is set to distribute business loans totalling £5 million in just three months as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT), based at Coventry University Technology Park, has expanded after being accredited to provide Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans to SMEs across the area.
This has seen the alternative finance provider, which would usually distribute £1 million in business loans each year, look to lend £5 million in three months to companies in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The funding has been invested by Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council for CWRT to on-lend to local businesses experiencing lost or deferred revenue leading to disruptions to their cashflow.
CWRT has now welcomed David Owen as a loans officer, Mohammed Nadeel as a credit control officer and Keely Copson as a JumpStart project officer to help support the finance provider with the increased demand.
David joins the firm after spending 34 years in the commercial division of a global clearing bank, while Mohammed has a number of years of experience in the energy market as a credit controller.
As well as providing finance, CWRT also delivers free business support services, and Keely, who has worked in events and project management in a variety of sectors, is set to organise workshops to help those looking to set-up their own business.
Sheridan Sulskis, Executive Director of CWRT, said: “CWRT is an ethical lender supporting entrepreneurship and jobs in communities under-served by mainstream providers.
“We have seen a huge influx of businesses across a wide range of sectors coming to us for our support as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Thanks to the funding from local authorities across Coventry and Warwickshire, we have been able to support them by providing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans during what is an incredibly difficult time for many industries.
“Warwickshire County Council was the first to provide the funding which has enabled us to grow, to expand with three new members of staff and take on additional funding from the districts, boroughs and Coventry City Council.
“David, Mohammed and Keely each bring with them a vast range of expertise which will support CWRT as we continue to use our finance in a creative and positive way to support the social and economic wellbeing of Coventry and Warwickshire.
“We will continue to help local businesses rebuild, adapt, diversify and add new employment in the months to come.
“The deadline to distribute the £5 million is the end of September and there is still finding available, so we would urge any business which requires support to get in touch to find out more about the government-backed guarantee scheme.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: "The County Council is pleased to further support Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust with their work to support businesses who are unable to secure finance from mainstream lenders at this difficult time.
"The county council acted swiftly to release further funding to CWRT, within just a few weeks of the scheme being announced by Government, and is proud to lead the way in terms of investment in the business community from the local authorities."
Further information about CWRT and the funding available can be found by visiting https://www.cwrt.uk.com/
XPD expands during lockdown with CWRT support
"The Duplex Investment Fund is an excellent collaboration by partners in the region to support local businesses and we were pleased to support it with a £2 million investment.
An expanding Warwickshire printing company has invested in two state-of-the-art machines and moved premises.
XPD Print Limited needed to replace its old printing press with more modern and efficient models.
Owner Colin Jones contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub for advice on how to apply for a loan and he was introduced to the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT).
This led to the business receiving £28,000 from the Duplex Investment Fund, which is a combined grant and loan, and is an initiative between the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and CWRT.
The project is being funded by £3.9 million of grants from the Government’s Local Growth Fund and the CWLEP. Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council are each investing a further £2 million in the scheme which is managed by CWRT.
Following the investment exceeding £30,000, Colin is now the proud owner of a Robust Digital Press and an automated digital Die-Cutter and Creaser.
Having traded for eight years, they are now situated in XPD Print’s new home at Manor Farm in Hunningham Road, Offchurch, Leamington, after moving from their base at Stockton Hall Court near Southam.
He said: “We are a digital print firm which amongst many other things undertakes lamination and foiling in-house and we concentrate on producing high-quality bespoke embellishment work.
“The Robust Digital Press enables us to print to a much larger format than our previous one as well as being significantly quicker and the quality is better so we are providing a greatly improved service to our clients.
“We also decided to invest in an automated digital Die-Cutter and creaser, which allows us to offer many additional products and services including packaging and point-of-sale, giving us the platform we need to grow the business.
“It has meant we have been able to keep more services in-house so we’re more in control of deadlines and we have been inundated with work from across the UK.
“We have also started printing sewing pattern boxes and envelopes which has become a serious amount of work.
“This new equipment enables us to increase volumes and we’re confident with the quality and service that we’re now able to offer because the machinery enables us to respond more quickly and we can offer a wider range of printing requirements.
“During lockdown, we moved the business from 350 sq ft premises near Southam to a 600 sq ft unit in Offchurch.
“We now have separate offices, workshop and kitchen and it is a much better working environment.
“We really appreciate the money from the Duplex Investment Fund and the help of Jon Bass from the Growth Hub. He has been really supportive from our initial conversation to getting the loan and he has introduced me to a network of other businesses which has already generated work.”
Andrew Scarborough, of CWRT, said: “It is a pleasure to be able to help local businesses like XPD to develop, especially with all the pressure being felt during the pandemic. CWRT currently has funding available to assist local businesses with loans via the Duplex Investment Fund as used here and the government backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). This means we can offer support for capital expenditure and cash-flow where it is needed.
“Our knowledge of the local area and economy means we can be more flexible than many other lenders.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: "The Duplex Investment Fund is an excellent collaboration by partners in the region to support local businesses and we were pleased to support it with a £2 million investment.
"XPD Print Limited is a prime example of an impressive, forward-thinking businesses which needed to expand and I am delighted that support from the Duplex Fund has enabled them to invest and grow towards a successful future."
Jon Bass, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said: “It has been great working with Colin to raise the finance to help his specialised business grow.
“The whole process was straightforward despite the impact of Covid-19 and Colin is due to employ one full-time employee and another part-time to cope with their rising demand for orders since installing the new machines.”
For further information or to apply for the Duplex Investment Fund, call Andrew Scarborough or Leah Blocksidge on 02476 551 777 or email andrew.scarborough@cwrt.uk.com or leah.blocksidge@cwrt.uk.com
Kickstart Scheme among initiatives to support young people
“It is our ambition to create a skills support service to walk businesses through options available whilst identifying elements of the scheme, supporting them in creating an effective new skills plan which will prove to be most effective to their business needs.”
Warwickshire County Council has welcomed the Government’s “Kickstart Scheme” and wider initiatives to support people into training and work opportunities.
As we see the development of national offers take shape, the county’s Economy & Skills team is pleased to see employer incentives and keen to create additional layers of support, ensuring that Warwickshire businesses have the maximum opportunity in remaining sustainable as the economy restarts.
Business Skills Lead for the county, Fay Winterburn said: “We are delighted to see such schemes emerging and we know employer incentives such as the £3,000 available to businesses who offer apprenticeship opportunities to young people will be well received.
"We are confident this will allow businesses to give consideration to their job opportunities whilst taking a measure of their business skills plans as the economy moves forwards and in some places reshapes.
“In preparation for the launch of the Kickstart Scheme and additional schemes, our team have significantly increased the skills support opportunities to businesses. In recent weeks we have listened to feedback from businesses and recognise with such a wide variety of options impartial support will be needed.
“It is our ambition to create a skills support service to walk businesses through options available whilst identifying elements of the scheme, supporting them in creating an effective new skills plan which will prove to be most effective to their business needs.”
From September 2020, the team will be on hand to conduct Business Skills reviews with a number of digital events and one to one sessions available.
Key themes the teams will address are:
Apprenticeships – How will apprenticeships work for you and how to access additional funds
Traineeships – Identifying new opportunities for pre-apprenticeship programmes
Job retention – Supporting upskilling of existing workforces into evolving roles
Supportive Employer – Exploring opportunities available for young people with special educational needs
If you are a business and would like to request skills support, please contact Michael Sharman at michaelsharman@warwickshire.gov.uk
Zoom sessions on apprenticeship options in the creative sector
Businesses in the creative sector are being invited to help shape new apprenticeship models at two Zoom sessions on Thursday August 6th.
The sessions will be delivered by David Bamber, a Development Coach with leading apprenticeship-provider Creative Alliance and senior creative design professional with over 20 years’ experience.
Creative Alliance are looking to develop more flexible options around apprenticeships where businesses in the creative sector may want to employ and develop an apprentice yet need a more flexible or shared approach. The sessions on Thursday 6th August will be at 10.00am for businesses who largely sell to businesses and 11.00am for businesses who largely sell to consumers.
A short presentation on the models for sharing apprentices that have emerged to date will be followed by small group discussion about the models and barriers to adopting this approach. The sessions will then conclude with feedback key and responses from the groups and next steps.
Stacy O'Connor, Digital Creative Lead for Warwickshire County Council said: "This is a great opportunity for creative businesses who may find offering an apprenticeship full-time a challenge.
"Creative Alliance are looking to work with industry to develop models that are practical and effective for industry but also provide valuable opportunities for those wanting to start a career in creative industries and developing that pipeline of future talent." To book a place on one of the sessions please visit here.
Further webinar to support businesses with COVID-secure workplace advice
During the pandemic, businesses have had many questions about reopening and operating safely while also continuing to provide good customer service.
Warwickshire County Council and its district and borough partners have run a number of webinars covering a range of topics and sectors, with expert input and insight from local regulatory, public health, police and fire services, and questions from local business owners. These previous webinars and other useful information and links to relevant websites can be found here.
A further webinar will take place next week to look at business resilience. Now that most businesses are open, what are some of the challenges that they are experiencing and what do they need to do to continue to operate safely and reduce the risk to staff and customers?
The COVID Secure in the Workplace Webinar – Business Resilience: Staying Open During the Pandemic will take place on Wednesday 5th August, 1pm-2pm. It will provide free advice and support and help businesses face the challenges they are having and pursue best practice to avoid closure and local lock-down and maintaining resilience at this time.
Questions can be submitted in advance to business@warwickshire.gov.uk
To join the webinar, simply follow this link at 1pm on the day of the webinar:
Henley Ice Cream and the community pull together
“Just like everyone else, it was an extremely uncertain time at the beginning and we had to close the store and furlough staff so I cannot thank people enough for their custom and their honesty”
A family-run Henley business has defied the Coronavirus economic odds and actually taken on new employees – thanks to the honesty of local people.
Henley Ice Cream was facing a bleak spring and summer when, like many other businesses, it had to close its doors and furlough staff with no positive business signs ahead.
But the High Street-based store came up with innovative ways of supplying ice cream to the public despite being closed. Now, it is operational once again and has added two members of the staff to the team to handle demand.
Emily Adams, Director of Henley Ice Cream, said it had been challenging for the business, but they are thrilled to have got through the past few months and welcome customers back to the store.
“In the first weeks we had to find ways to adapt and come up with new ways to sell our ice cream and that is exactly what we did.
“We literally parked one of our electric trikes filled with ice cream at the front of my parents’ house with an honesty box for people to pay and serve themselves.
“We made sure there was hand-sanitiser available and followed cleaning guidelines and it has been a huge success and very positive with many people asking us to carry it on, so we could not be happier.
“Just like everyone else, it was an extremely uncertain time at the beginning and we had to close the store and furlough staff so I cannot thank people enough for their custom and their honesty,” said Emily.
Henley Ice Cream has taken a highly proactive approach to the challenges of this year and features in the Buy and Eat Henley video, produced by Henley Town Council to promote businesses in a similar way to Warwickshire County Council's county-wide Buy and Eat Local campaign.
The business, which was taken over by Emily’s parents Cindy and Steve Brittan in 1997, used the traditional ice cream trikes and it proved extremely popular.
A month ago, the store started trading again, although it is only takeaways as the coffee lounge and tea rooms remain closed at present.
But this has meant that four members of staff have been taken off furlough and two more have been hired.
“With so many stories out there of people losing their jobs, it is nice to say that we are taking on staff and they are people who are local to Henley as well,” added Emily.
“We will now continue to push forward with the business and welcome customers back and look to the future and what’s next for us.”
Eatron continues to grow following business support
"Eatron is a fantastic example of the kind of high technology international business setting up here in Warwickshire...we have a wonderful pool of local talent and robust supply chains, alongside strong support provided by the County Council and our partners."
Warwick-based software developer Eatron has secured investment of more than a million euros from Hirschvogel Ventures, the strategic investment arm of the Hirschvogel Automotive Group.
The deal will enable the company to continue its impressive growth which was assisted in its early days by business support from Warwickshire County Council.
The investment will be used to accelerate further product development of existing and new autonomy and e-mobility products as well as to support further sales growth in Europe and globally. Eatron already has customer engagements in three continents.
Through the newly-established partnership, Eatron will gain access to the Hirschvogel New Mobility Ecosystem, consisting of highly-specialised companies within the new mobility sector. Together with these companies, Eatron will increase its ability to supply ready-for-assembly software-hardware solutions.
Founded by automotive industry veterans, Eatron has an expert team with a very long history in automotive software and electronics.
“We are living through a historical shift in the industry where software is now the main driver for innovation” said Dr Umut Genc, co-founder and CEO of Eatron. “Software in this industry has remained static and rule-based for far too long. Our mission is to speed up the transformation by providing intelligent, yet safe, AI powered software building blocks for any vehicle needing BMS or autonomy. We are therefore delighted to have Hirschvogel join us in this exciting and challenging journey.”
Hirschvogel Ventures Co-CEO Dr. Thomas Brücher said: “We are convinced that Eatron’s exceptional combination of decades of combined experience in the automotive industry, together with their leading expertise in automotive-grade software and AI, supports us on our way to further position Hirschvogel at the top of the race to highly innovative mobility products. We are very happy to welcome Eatron as part of our New Mobility Ecosystem.”
Karen Ball, Head of Midlands Investment Hub for the Department for International Trade said: “I am delighted that DIT has been able to support Eatron setting up and expanding their UK activity, in the Midlands heartland of our world class automotive sector. We look forward to supporting the company further over the next years as they mobilise the investment from Hirschvogel Ventures into Eatron cutting edge technology.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “Eatron is a fantastic example of the kind of high technology international business setting up here in Warwickshire. We have a wonderful pool of local talent and robust supply chains, alongside strong support provided by the County Council and our partners. The investment from Hirschvogel Ventures will support Eatron to accelerate development of autonomy and electric mobility products and technologies, leading to a greener future for us all.”
Range of advice available from Business Ready webinars
A series of webinars will be delivered by Business Ready during August to advise on a range of issues affecting small businesses.
Handling Change Within Your Business, Effective Finance Tools and Marketing with Substance Not Fluff are among the sessions to be held.
Business Ready is an innovative business readiness support package primarily for tech-based SMEs with the characteristics and ambition for growth. The organisation aims to provide support and guidance to help businesses reach their potential by helping them overcome barriers to growth.
To join one of the free informative workshops, or to enquire about getting support for your business, please visit: www.business-ready.co.uk.
£3.2 billion 'ask' to Government to help region's recovery
A rise of small and start-up firms in Warwickshire and Coventry on the back of the Coronavirus crisis will only happen if bigger businesses are supported to grow again, according to West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street.
Speaking to companies across the region on the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce #PolicyHour call, Mr Street outlined the West Midlands’ response to the crisis.
He talked through a £3.2 billion ‘ask’ of Government through a Recharge WM document to help tackle the economic fall-out of the virus after it was revealed that the West Midlands would be one of the hardest hit regions due to the make-up of the economy.
The measures, he said, would protect 135,000 jobs and create thousands of training opportunities.
Mr Street said the crisis could lead to a rise in start-up businesses, but that their success would rely on the region’s larger firms being able to grow again after the pandemic.
He said: “It will be positive if people do decide to move towards self-employment but, either directly or indirectly, their demand comes from the region’s really big businesses. Companies such as JLR are mission-critical for our region.
“The next challenge is to help smaller businesses become medium-sized businesses. It’s great that we are able to generate start-ups but if we can speed up their growth, that helps the economy to grow.”
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “In recent weeks we have seen a real spike in the enquiries from people who want to start a business through our business support team.
“That is something many will be thinking about at this time and we’d encourage them to come to us for support. Andy Street is absolutely right that their growth will be supported by helping and protecting the wider economy.”
The wider Recharge WM plan details the need for support for the electrification of the automotive industry, including investment in a giga-factory.
It also outlines the need for ‘green growth’ including making more homes energy efficient as well as wider investment in housing, transport and skills.
Mr Street said: “We are the first region to get this kind of ‘bid’ into Government for what we need to respond to the Coronavirus crisis and we felt it was important for the West Midlands to make its case. The fact that the Prime Minister was here in our region announcing his plans to ‘build, build, build’ shows that Government understands the need to make this a national recovery.”