Support programme recommended by 92% of businesses

"The feedback from the evaluation survey shows that it has significantly benefited many businesses around the county and I am delighted that it has proved such a success."

An independent evaluation survey of the CW: Start, Grow and Scale programme has found that than more than 90% of businesses which have accessed the support would recommend it.

The survey was distributed to 464 programme participants across multiple sectors and the whole geographical spread of Warwickshire and some businesses in Coventry.

Of those participants, 72% said that they had experienced growth, 46.34% reported increased turnover and 43.9% improving profits, with 85% reporting that they had launched new products or services.

A total of 92% of businesses said they would recommend the support programme with many commenting that they already had recommended it. Among feedback received were very positive comments including ‘my reasons for signing up have been fully achieved.’

Findings of the survey included:

• 92% of businesses would recommend the programme. 
• 87% of businesses say the achieved their goals upon completing the support programme.  
• 49% of businesses rated the programme as 5 stars 
• 44% of businesses reported increase in profit as a result of attending the programme. 
• Over 75% of businesses reported new products or services launched as a result of the support.

These findings are particularly impressive considering the difficulties faced by businesses in the last two years and they show how the support was adapted to support businesses through the pandemic.

The CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme is managed by Warwickshire County Council. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund,  Warwickshire County Council, University of Warwick Science Park and Warwickshire’s District and Borough Councils.

The programme includes:

• Warwickshire Start-Up Support Service – One-to-one support and workshops/masterclasses for businesses in their first 24 months of trading and Warwickshire residents looking to start a business. The service is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of WCC
• Business Ready – Support for tech-based and other innovation-led early-stage businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire. The programme is delivered by University of Warwick Science Park
• Project Warwickshire: Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business Support – One-to-one support with workshops and masterclasses, for existing Warwickshire businesses in the tourism and leisure sectors. This support is delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Shakespeare’s England, on behalf of WCC
• Advice and support for other businesses looking to grow with focus on access to finance. This support is delivered by WCC.

The programme has provided nearly intensive support to almost 900 businesses since 2016. 385 new jobs have also been created and almost 450 Warwickshire residents helped to start their own business.

Warwickshire County Council Lead Commissioner, Business & Economy, Matthew Epps, said: "The CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme is a great example of partnership working and of what can be achieved through a co-ordinated, strategic approach to commissioning and delivery. The feedback from the evaluation survey shows that it has significantly benefited many businesses around the county and I am delighted that it has proved such a success."