New support from Plymouth City Council is set to help businesses get back on their feet and give entrepreneurs the support they need to get going.
Four brand-new projects will offer businesses a lifeline and support Plymouth’s economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.
The aim is to create 50 new jobs, 27 new social enterprises and support more than 140 individual businesses. This will involve helping individuals into self-employment or guiding them as they set up new businesses, as well as supporting existing businesses looking to ‘relaunch’ after the interruption caused by coronavirus.
Each of the four business support programmes has its own specific focus:
- Business Start-up Support: Offering advice and support for new business start-ups or re-starts, including workshops, 1 to 1 support sessions and access to a Business Start-up Specialist
- Inspirational Entrepreneurship Programme: Designed to increase entrepreneurship, individuals, sole traders and new businesses will be given access to a Community Enterprise Advisor and flexible support that meets their needs
- Digital Pivot Programme: Helping businesses to adopt new digital solutions and adapt to new challenges posed by coronavirus, this will include free workshops and 1 to 1 advice for business owners
- Social Enterprise Support: Supporting those looking to set up social enterprises with advice, provided through 1 to 1 sessions, group workshops and drop in ‘surgeries’
Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “We’re really proud to be offering this comprehensive business support, which will play a crucial role in the city’s economic recovery post-Covid. This hands-on, valuable support will not only help those struggling with the effects of the pandemic but also get new businesses off the ground. We pledged to support the vibrant small business start-up sector in Plymouth and these programmes will do just that.”
The Business Start-up Support and Inspirational Entrepreneurship Programme will be provided by YTKO. The Digital Pivot Programme is being run by Cosmic, a social enterprise offering digital skills training and services, while the Social Enterprise Support will be led by the School for Social Entrepreneurs.
Find out more about the free business support programmes available.