In-depth business support, including grant funding, is now available to SMEs recovering from Covid-19 in the North Northamptonshire area, delivered by SEMLEP’s Growth Hub on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council.
Starting immediately, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within North Northamptonshire who have been trading for at least 1 year and have been impacted by the pandemic will be able to receive in-depth support over a six-month period to aid their recovery and give them access to specialist expertise.
SMEs who join the programme can expect to receive three in-depth sessions with a SEMLEP Growth Hub business adviser. These will consist of:
- An in-depth assessment of the business’s current health at the start of the programme, their challenges and their aspirations, formulating an action plan to be monitored and achieved over the six-month programme
- A mid-point assessment to review the action plan and achievements so far and to identify priority actions for the remaining part of the programme
- A final review, identifying ongoing support opportunities and an action plan for the next twelve months.
In addition, the business will be invited to apply for a grant of between £1,000 – £2,400 for use on specialist professional support from the local business community. Participants will also be invited to attend three exclusive workshops covering key business recovery and growth topics.
Councillor David Brackenbury, who sits on SEMLEP’s board and is North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Growth & Regeneration, said: “It goes without saying that the pandemic has been difficult for everyone and the impact on businesses across North Northamptonshire is still being felt and this scheme will help those most in need. We would urge any business owner who might be struggling and needs a little bit extra support to come forward and speak to the team.”
Vicky Hlomuka, SEMLEP’s Growth Hub Manager, said: “Local businesses have done an amazing job of surviving and recovering from the pandemic, but there’s so much more to be done. This programme will be a huge help to many businesses that are still struggling, and provide a valuable and much-needed boost not only to them but to the local economy too.”
The Intensive Business Support programme is being delivered by SEMLEP’s Growth Hub on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council, and funded by the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) scheme.
