Advice and support is available to small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups in the Alcester, Studley and Bidford area from a new programme based at historic Minerva Mill.
For more than a century, the Minerva Works in Station Road, Alcester, has been a powerhouse of the local economy, manufacturing needles, springs, ironing boards, car parts and much more.
Twenty-one years ago, the buildings’ long history of employment for the local population took a new form when they became Minerva Mill Innovation Centre. They are now a vibrant home to small businesses and start-ups, the Grade II listed premises housing 34 offices, shared office space, co-working facilities, four meeting rooms (accommodating two to 40 people) and a café as well as a team offering virtual business services..
Yet another dimension has now been added to the site’s history of support for the local economy as one of its offices is occupied by Rural Enterprise Development Officer, Vicky Griffith. Vicky’s role, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is to ensure that all small businesses and people thinking about starting a business, in Alcester, Studley, Bidford and surrounding areas are aware of all the free support, information and advice that is available to them
For Vicky, it is a true labour of love. Having always lived in Alcester, and loved it, she is relishing the chance to help keep the area prosperous and successful.
“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to help local businesses and the farming community,” said Vicky. “There is such a wide range of business support available and it’s my role to connect it all up and make sure that SMEs and start-ups have all the information and tools they need to enable them to grow and flourish. I work very closely with Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Alcester Town Council, Stratford District Council and Warwickshire Skills Hub to ensure that businesses in this area don’t miss out.
“It is very special to be working at Minerva Mill. As a child, I used to pass this place when it was a working factory. For so long it has been an integral part of the local economy, and now as much as ever as an Innovation Centre which is home to a really diverse and welcoming range of businesses.
“I want to do something useful for the town and the area I love and it is amazing to have this opportunity at such a fantastic place.”
Several new initiatives are now in place to bring business advisors to the Mill so that SMES and start-ups can consult them face to face in their own locality. Representatives of Warwickshire Skills Hub, the Growth Hub, Chamber of Commerce and town and district councils will visit regularly. Pop up sessions will be held on the last Thursday of every month.
In the New Year, a special ‘Boost Your Business Advice & Support Session’ will be held on Tuesday 7th January from 11am until 2pm. Designed for business owners and start-ups located in and around Alcester, Studley, and Bidford, it will offer information on a range of free resources and how to access the advice and support available. From grants to 1-2-1 business support, training and upskilling, the session will:
Offer introductions to valuable business tools
Create opportunities for new connections
Provide valuable free networking
Give practical insights to support your business growth
The event will be free to attend but spaces are limited so businesses are asked to register in advance. Any business in Alcester, Studley and surrounding villages who would like more information can contact Vicky at vicky@minervaMill.co.uk