Growth Hub goes ‘On the road’
The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub has commissioned Cornwall Chamber of Commerce to deliver ‘Growth Hub On the Road’, a grass roots outreach programme within local communities that encourages businesses to take advantage of the support available to help them grow.
The Growth Hub was set up in response to a common issue raised by businesses – that the range and complexity of business support available at a local and national level is far too confusing and time consuming to navigate. Hundreds of businesses have already signed up for support since the launch of the Growth Hub and the project is continuing to evolve to meet the needs of local businesses.
Stu Anderson, Operations Director of the Growth Hub said “We know that data from previously funded programmes shows some areas have a much larger take up of business support than others. We want to make sure every business that has ambitions to grow is aware that we can help them find the right support.”
The On the Road programme, delivered by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, will run alongside the core Growth Hub activity with communications and events tailored for local areas and communities rather than a one size fits all approach. The programme will be launching in September in North and then South East Cornwall, where businesses will have the opportunity to engage with the Growth Hub through pop up events and find new routes to guidance and support to help their business grow.
Kim Conchie, Chief Executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce said “We are thrilled to be part of what promises to be a permanent and invaluable resource for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly businesses.
“We look forward to using Cornwall Chamber of Commerce’s national connections and networks within the Duchy to really help the Growth Hub outreach to thousands of businesses who haven’t previously benefited from this level of support. Cornwall Growth Hub’s On the Road programme will be a step change in how SMEs in the Duchy access the very best advice and guidance available”.
Businesses signing up to the Growth Hub can complete the Guidance And Support (GAS) tool, call the team and then get access to a Business Connector, who will work with them to understand their ideas and ambitions. The Connector then refers the business on to right support that can help them achieve their goals and Growth Hub On the Road will ensure that businesses from across Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly have the opportunity to access that support.
The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub is part funded by £2,435,909 from the European Regional Development Fund and is match funded by Cornwall Council, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. The Growth Hub is delivered by Cornwall Development Company.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Photograph caption
Left to right: Mark Harris (Business Navigator, Growth Hub), Kirsty Miles-Musgrave (Communications Manager, Growth Hub), Kim Conchie (CEO, Cornwall Chamber), Mel Colton-Dyer (Head of Business Connections and Skills, Cornwall Chamber)
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub
The Growth Hub has been created in response to a common issue raised by businesses – that the range and complexity of business support available at a local and national level is far too confusing and time consuming to navigate. At its core the Growth Hub acts as a signposting service, pointing people in the right direction to get the support they need to start or grow their business.
Supported by a comprehensive website, a team of locally based experts work directly with businesses to help them identify and access support in a way that is right for them, whether that is business development, coaching, funding or something else entirely.
www.ciosgrowthhub.com
Contact:
Kirsty Miles, Growth Hub Communications Manager
Tel: 07399 528676 / kirsty@ciosgrowthhub.com / @CIoSGrowthHub
European Regional Development Fund
The project has received £2,435,909 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme is part of the England Growth Programme, which will run from 2014-2020. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is the only area in England to qualify as a ‘Less Developed’ region and has an allocation of €603.7million which is split as follows:
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) €438 million
• European Social Fund (ESF) €166 million
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) has an allocation of £10 million in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, aligned with the wider England Growth Programme. www.erdfconvergence.org.uk/growth-programme
Contact:
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ITI Support Team (European Structural and Investment Funds) Tel: 01872 224325 / @GrowthProgramme
www.cornwallislesofscillygrowthprogramme.org.uk
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership drives activity to support business growth, create jobs and help people realise their potential.
The LEP is led by local business people working together with Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly to set priorities for how the economy should grow.
Follow us on Twitter @LEPCornwall_IoS and visit www.cioslep.com
Contact:
Jason Clark, DCA Public Relations / 01208-77900 / jason.clark@dca-pr.co.uk
Cornwall Development Company
Cornwall Development Company is the arm’s length economic development company of Cornwall Council, designed to deliver a bespoke, business facing service and support the delivery of the economic vision and strategy for Cornwall.
www.cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk / mail@cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk / @CornwallDevCo