WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Re-setting the economy

The economic recovery plan for Warwickshire was among the topics discussed by the County Council and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in a virtual support session.

Ian O'Donnell MBE, FSB Director and Warwickshire-based business owner, hosted the Warwickshire Online Business Support event to give SME owners throughout the county the chance to find out what support is available from Warwickshire County Council and the FSB.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, highlighted the support for businesses available from the local authority as well as business support organisations in the area to help companies survive and adapt to different working practices.

She said: “The seminar was a great way of promoting the wide range of schemes and measures for creating Covid secure workplaces that have been put in place since the Coronavirus pandemic began.

“We reacted extremely quickly since we knew it would be crucial to help businesses as quickly as possible for their short, medium and long-term future.

“There is a great deal of support available from the County Council for small businesses and start-ups in Warwickshire but sometimes it is a case of knowing where to look.

“That’s why we have created dedicated pages on our website to highlight the support for businesses and suppliers that we are providing, as well as business support organisations such as the FSB and CWLEP Growth Hub, because it is important we all work together for the benefit of business in our area as well as Coventry and Warwickshire’s economy.

“The County Council has agreed an initial £5 million of investment to help businesses in Warwickshire begin the recovery process from the overwhelming impact of Covid-19, through a variety of support programmes.

“We have put together an economic recovery plan for Warwickshire as we look to re-shape our economy, and continue to build strong relationships with our partners and key stakeholders to help SMEs, and those who are looking to set-up their own businesses, to provide them with the information and support that they need.”

FSB’s National Chairman, Mike Cherry OBE, also provided an update on its national activity for small business owners and the self-employed.

He covered how the FSB has helped to support members, the interventions the FSB has secured from Government for small firms and the forthcoming priorities as small businesses look to re-open safely and recover.

There was also the opportunity to find out more about the FSB’s support for its members and all small businesses in and around Warwickshire.

Ian O’Donnell said: “It is clear that partners across the region are focused on providing support for small businesses and the self-employed to help them weather the challenges ahead and grow the local economy.

“FSB members welcome the activity underway across Warwickshire and the important commitments around supporting town centres, future careers and employability to boost small business recovery.

“This is the third business support webinar the FSB has held with our councils across the area. They have been well received in keeping small firms informed of the targeted help on offer from our local authorities across Coventry, Solihull and now Warwickshire.

“This support is vital and the FSB will continue to work with our local stakeholders and partners to help small businesses survive and grow at this particular time.”

For information about support for businesses and suppliers from Warwickshire County Council, see: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusbusinesssupport 

For advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed from the FSB, see: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html 

For details of all support to help your business recover from Covid-19, contact CWLEP Growth Hub: https://coronavirus.cwgrowthhub.co.uk 

To view a recording of the webinar, visit https://vimeo.com/456953284 

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