Council and partners to launch new facility at city centre i10 building
City of Wolverhampton Council has announced it will be launching a new business and enterprise hub to inspire start-ups, growth and support people into employment and training.
IGNITE (Innovate, Grow, Navigate, Ideas, Technology, Entrepreneurship) will be located in ground floor units 3 and 4 of the Council’s i10 office and retail complex at the heart of the city centre’s £150million award-winning transport Interchange.
The news comes after the Council’s Cabinet Resources Panel on Wednesday approved funding for the fit-out costs for the hub.
IGNITE is expected to open in spring 2022 and will be run in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton and Black Country Chamber of Commerce to join up the business support infrastructure in the city.
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Support for independent retailers and low carbon initiatives
City of Wolverhampton Council has expanded its Relight Business Programme grant to support independent retailers and help businesses across the city invest in low carbon and other environmental measures.
The move comes following feedback from businesses across the city on how best they can be supported after being hit hard by the pandemic.
Grants of up to £5,000 will be available for independent retailers to invest in their premises to make them more attractive to customers ahead of expected increased footfall from major 2022 city events, such as British Art Show 9 and the Commonwealth Games cycling time trial.
Businesses looking to invest in their premises to reduce their carbon footprint and support the city’s climate change commitment can also apply for grants up to the same amount.
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Cycling made easier in the city with arrival of new electric bikes to hire
More than 150 electric bikes were this week made available for hire at docking stations across the region, giving even more people the opportunity to cycle,
The eBikes, made here in the Midlands by renowned cycle manufacturer Pashley, are the latest addition to the West Midlands Cycle Hire (WMCH) scheme and available in eight town and city centres.
Their arrival will allow riders to make longer journeys more easily and will offer extra help to those who may have difficulty pedalling a regular cycle or struggle with hills. And affordable hire costs give those put off by the expense of buying a new eBike the opportunity to give it a go.
The roll-out follows the successful launch of the West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme earlier this year which has so far introduced 1,350 distinctive green and grey branded pedal bikes onto the region’s streets and seen more than 169,000 rides taken. The new eBikes have their own green and purple branding to make them easy to identify but will use the same docking stations.
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Grants available for ideas that create jobs and learning opportunities
There is just one week remaining to apply to City of Wolverhampton Council's new City Ideas Fund to help businesses and organisations connect young people with opportunities.
The City Ideas Fund first round offers a one-off grant of between £500 and £10,000, for city employers, partners, voluntary organisations, community groups and individuals to develop ideas and plans which help young people into jobs and learning.
Applicants to the City Ideas Fund are encouraged, as part of the application process to address some of the key challenges connected with reducing youth unemployment in the City.
The applications deadline is Friday, December 17, 2021.
For more information and to apply, click here...
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