Posted on 8th Mar
Retailers across Newark and Sherwood are receiving a boost to maintain a healthy and diverse high street, reports Rachel Jones.
Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Business Growth and Resilience Programme is supporting businesses by offering a series of tailored sessions, including one-to-one mentoring, reviews of business models, training opportunities, and funding to expand.
The programme has already had a positive effect on High Street businesses.
Beanblock (above), a family-friendly cafe founded by two mothers, Cate Martin and Aliki Allen, has previously been helped by the programme.
The funding they received allowed new toilets to be installed upstairs, adding value to the venue at St Mark’s Place as a meeting place. They were also able to extend the play area in January 2022 and create an online pay-for-play booking system.
Cate said: “When we first met, in 2019, we realised we had so much in common. We both wanted to create a safe and welcoming environment for parents and their children.”
Aliki added: “As parents ourselves, we know how taking our children out for food can be very stressful. What if my toddler has a meltdown? Can I get my pushchair into the venue? Will my kids get bored?
“We want to give parents somewhere to relax and enjoy being with their family in a supportive space.
“The funding and advice we received from the programme meant we could grow this important environment for parents and their children.
“The funding and advice we received from the programme meant we could expand this offer to local parents and build upon this important environment.”
The programme also helped Village Chic (below), an interior design business on Castlegate, Newark, to identify and exploit new markets across the UK.
Lucretia Henry said she has seen real benefits for her business, including an improved website and new product lines, featuring an exclusive clothing range.
“With the funding from Newark and Sherwood District Council, I have been able to develop the online business and grow the Village Chic brand,” she added.
“In turn, I have been able to create new opportunities for my existing team to build their careers as well as opening up new employment opportunities.”
Coun Rhona Holloway, portfolio holder for Economic Development and Visitors at the council, said: “It is incredibly rewarding to see businesses, who are such important features of our high street and our local community, grow and flourish due to the first round of the Business Growth and Resilience Programme.
“The funding and mentoring they received from the programme have enabled Beanblock and Village Chic to expand and provide an even better experience for their customers.”
The Business Growth and Resilience Programme launched as part of the council’s economic growth strategy and linked business service specialists with local businesses across four key sectors: Retail, Food and Drink; Manufacturing and Construction; Health and Social Care; and Visitor Accommodation.
To find out how your business could benefit from the programme visit the business growth and resilience section of the Newark and Sherwood District Council website.
