Businesses in the Newark and Sherwood district are being offered support and guidance by professional industry experts to help them recover from the impact of the pandemic.

The £300,000 Business Growth and Resilience Programme, which has been set up and funded by Newark and Sherwood District Council, is linking business service specialists with local businesses in — manufacturing and construction, accommodation, retail, food and beverage, and health and social care.

The programme offers a series of tailored workshops and sessions to local businesses within these business sectors. Programmes are either 12 or 16 weeks in length and include a number of 1-2-1 workshops or mentoring sessions, reviews of business models, training opportunities and more.

As part of the council’s commitment to support and help local businesses recover and grow post pandemic, those who take part in the programme could also be eligible to apply for a discretionary grant of up to £2,000. This grant could be spent by the local business in any way they best see fit to help their recovery and growth.

The programme will provide local businesses with the latest guidance from industry experts who will have a skill set and specialism in the identified sector. This advice and guidance would support local businesses to adapt, seek new markets, develop a new business plan or marketing plan, modify their ways of working, assist in identifying new markets or products, establish new supply chains, or provide brokerage for skills and training.

Council leader Coun David Lloyd said: “We encourage any local business big or small in the area to put themselves forward for this opportunity to get expert advice from leading experts in your industry.

“With restrictions close to being lifted, local companies have a big summer ahead to try and make up for impact the pandemic may have caused them. This programme will be of great value to local companies giving them some top tips and advice to make sure they stay ahead of the game.”

One of the specialists is Business Doctors, which was set up in 2004 with the aim of providing small and medium-sized business owners affordable business support and guidance, has been brought on board to run a 16-week Business Resilience and Growth Programme to help with companies in the manufacturing and construction sector.

Michael Hardy, Business Doctor for Nottinghamshire, said: “I’m delighted to bring my experience across a range of business sectors to support the local manufacturing and construction community.

“By joining the programme, you will focus on a range of key business areas such as finance, sales, systems, process and HR. We encourage interaction with fellow members of the programme to share experiences and learning while having focused 1-2-1 sessions to bring them to life with specific actions to help you and your business grow.”

Established since 1994, Vispera Ltd provides business training, coaching and mentoring, always striving to make a positive difference within organisations by facilitating programmes of support that result in business and individuals’ growth.

Maria Peggs, director of Vispera, said: “The Business Resilience team at Vispera are excited at the prospect of working with accommodation providers within the Newark and Sherwood region. Between the three of us we have over 60 years’ experience of working with businesses on a 1-1 basis as business coaches, trainers or mentors as well as delivering many business support programs across the East Midlands. We are passionate about helping local businesses to succeed and can’t wait to get the program off the ground”.

“By attending this program, businesses will learn how to enhance their digital marketing, develop additional revenue streams, improve business resilience and have the opportunity to apply for a business grant, all of which will support the business to thrive in a post Covid trading landscape.”

Deyton Bell, which has extensive experience in providing economic development and business support services to businesses and local authorities across the East of England, will offer an initial assessment to each business to agree an action plan of support comprising of training, workshops and mentoring.

Pat Smith, Deyton Bell project director, said: “Deyton Bell is really pleased to be supporting Newark and Sherwood District Council and health and social care businesses from right across the district. This project can make a real difference to the development of the businesses supported and help to safeguard and create new jobs.”

Business Savings Experts, which works with businesses to improve business performance, is offering tailored 1-2-1 face to face and on line specialist consultations to business owners aimed at confronting challenges to growth along with identifying potential solutions that may qualify for grant funded support.

Jill Brown, lead consultant for Business Savings Experts, added: “Business Savings Experts have been appointed to work in partnership with Newark and Sherwood District Council to add stimulus to help local businesses in the food, retail and beverage sectors. We’ll help businesses to build resilience in areas they can effect in the post COVID recovery period helping them to come out of the pandemic stronger “

Places on the programmes are limited so local businesses interested in taking part are asked to get in touch with Newark and Sherwood District Council as soon as possible.

Upon successful completion of any of the programmes, the council and the specialist business trainers will support local companies who are eligible to apply for a business grant of up to £2,000.

To find out more about all the schemes and to apply for one, email economic.growth@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

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