Published: November 9th, 2015
Businesses in Herefordshire are being invited to find out more about the services on offer through the new Marches Growth Hub at a special event this month.
The free drop-in Business Support Showcase on November 17 will be the first chance to find out about the help available through the Marches Growth Hub, Herefordshire, which is revolutionising the way that businesses access support.
The Herefordshire hub on the Herefordshire Enterprise Zone at Rotherwas, is one of three physical hubs which will operate alongside a business support website – www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk – and a dedicated enquiry phone line on 0345 6000 727 which businesses can use to access funding, support and advice.
Guests at the free event will be able to view facilities and services at the hub, based within the new University of Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre.
There will be three short workshops focusing on access to business finance, apprenticeships for employers, and exporting during the showcase that will run from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
The Hereford hub is part of a £250,000 project to simplify and streamline business support services available to businesses. The funding was secured by The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and the Marches Growth Hub is one of 30 developed across England.
Gill Hamer, Director of the Marches LEP, said: "The Marches Growth Hub, which is spearheaded by The Marches LEP, is a major national initiative revolutionising the way that businesses access support.
"It brings together all national and local business support services in a ‘one stop shop’ and is fully aligned with the national ‘Business is GREAT’ campaign.
"It serves as a single reference point where businesses can find relevant information and assistance rather than having to navigate their way through the different levels of support available.
"The hub at the Enterprise Zone will offer a face to face extension of this service and The Marches LEP is delighted to be working with its local authority partner here in Hereford, as well as with national providers to deliver this vital new business resource."
The Hereford hub will include facilities ideal for webinars and other interactive events, meetings and seminars and will be staffed by business support specialists who will be on hand to provide advice to all businesses. A calendar of events taking place at the hub, to which businesses will be invited, will also soon launch.
Councillor David Harlow, from Herefordshire Council, concluded: "We are absolutely committed to being a business winning and business supporting council and the Marches Growth Hub, Herefordshire is further evidence of that.
"It is a one stop shop for local businesses to access useful information and support to help develop and grow their businesses."
To attend any of the workshops, please register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-support-showcase-tickets-19038505683.
