500% more businesses contact the Growth Hub for Covid-19 advice 

The county council-run Growth Hub has seen a huge increase in the number of businesses getting in touch for free business advice to get through the Covid-19 pandemic.    You can get help from the Growth Hub to: navigate the funding and grants available - there are many businesses across Staffordshire that are eligible for government support that haven't yet applied get the funding to get the paperwork together  for government grants (grants are available to pay for professional help!) explore how you can diversify and get grant funding if you will create products that are useful in the fight against coronavirus GET IN TOUCH WITH THE GROWTH HUB WATCH: What is the Growth Hub and how can it help during the pandemic? UPDATED SUMMARY: At a glance summary of all the grants and loans available

Funding to diversify and join the Covid-19 fight 

The county council-run Growth Hub is offering capital grants to businesses planning to diversify their product lines to produce items needed in the fight against Covid-19. Other funding is also available- up to  £9,000 to help research, develop & launch to market a new product or service (does not have to be Covid-19 related). GET IN TOUCH WITH THE GROWTH HUB or call their helpline on 0300 111 8002

New Covid-19 funding news

Job Retention Scheme/ furlough support is extended  until October   - But don't wait to explore the help available if you think you'll need to make staffing changes in the future. Contact the Redundancy and Recruitment Triage Service. Top up local grants scheme coming soon - for businesses with under 50 employees & fixed property-related costs NEW ELIGIBILITY CHECKER for the Self-Employment Support Scheme - claim up to 80% of usual taxable profits   Find funding in one place: CONTACT THE GROWTH HUB or call 0300 111 8002 INTERACTIVE GRANT/LOAN FINDER  - Answer a few questions to find out what government funding you can apply for  AT A GLANCE SUMMARY of Codi-19 funding and grants available

#KeeleTalksBusiness- Put your Covid-19 questions to the CEO of Staffordshire County Council 

Monday 18th May, 12 noon 

Keele University’s Entrepreneur in Residence David Lowe and Annette Shipley will be joined by Staffordshire County Council Chief Executive John Henderson to answer your questions around the county council's response to the Covid-19 pandemic challenges and opportunities for the county and its businesses.

This is a free webinar streaming live from Keele University's Smart Innovation Hub.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

First county council emergency support grants distributed 

Over 1,600 applications were received in just days when the county council's £500,000 emergency business  grant scheme opened just two weeks ago, and was closed to new applications by the end of that week.  Most successful applicants are now receiving their grants of up to £1,000 in just 5 working days.   The Growth Hub is working at capacity to contact all of the businesses who applied.

Jackie Parton, Pass With Jackie Driving School said:

"This grant has made a huge difference to me. It has enabled me to keep my business ready to re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.   I own a driving school, and on 23^rd March, I had to shut my business down overnight. I have earned nothing in that time.  I still have expenses to pay out each month to keep my car running and to keep my business ready to go.  

The grant has helped me pay my franchise fees which keeps my website running, car insurance, car tax & car service plan.  Without these things being paid I wouldn’t be able to keep my car ready to start work again and would probably of found myself in a position of having to sell the car. I wouldn’t have a business without the car!  

I’m so very grateful for this grant as being self-employed to date I’ve had no other help what’s so ever.  It really has been a lifeline."

EXPLORE OTHER FUNDING with the Growth Hub 

Working safely during Covid-19 - Government advice 

The government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.

These eight guides cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.

GO TO THE 8 SAFETY GUIDES

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