November 2021

WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Welcome from WCC Strategic Director for Communities Mark Ryder

Hello and welcome to November’s Warwickshire Means Business.

Where has the year gone? Time has absolutely flown by but, as you will see in this edition, a lot of work has been going on not only in supporting businesses to survive in the post lockdown downturn but also in supporting businesses emerge with sustainable futures.

Warwickshire had an early Christmas present with the announcement that three schemes in the county were successful with their applications to the Government’s Community Renewal Fund. In all, the three schemes will receive over £2.7m funding to invest in skills and training.

These successes were founded on superb partnership working and a real team effort with partners in the region working together with the applicants to ensure that Warwickshire received a share of the available funding.  It’s testament to the skill and commitment of all involved that we surpassed expectations and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all who were involved for their work.  It will really help to develop a workforce for the future, bridge gaps in skills that can stifle economic growth and help create a rounded package of skills development that will hold the county’s economy in good stead moving forwards.

You’ll also see a link to the work that has taken place around the Survive, Sustain and Grow initiative.  Again, this saw the County Council work with local businesses in need of help following the pandemic to get a business plan together to support survival and growth. I won’t say too much more and spoil the article for you but there are some really impressive figures coming out of that scheme.

Finally, it is that time of year when small businesses around the county will hopefully have an incredibly busy period as more of our residents enjoy the experience of going into our town centres and enjoying the amazing range of goods and services on offer to help to make the season special.  At the County Council, we have relaunched the Warksmas campaign following its outstanding success last year in engaging businesses and residents to think local when they prepare for Christmas.  If you are a small business in Warwickshire, please do get involved and help us to help you.  If you’re a resident in Warwickshire, get involved as well and help the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our towns. There’s so much on offer locally; you won’t regret it.

On that note, I will sign off. I trust you will find plenty of interest in this edition and I look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Mark

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