As well as advice and information, Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway service has a package of grant and expert help support, aimed at helping small businesses.
Seventy local businesses have secured funding totalling more than £200,000 since the programme launched in June 2023, via the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
A wide range of businesses have benefited, including those in the food & drink, construction, creative industries, retail, tourism, marine and hospitality sectors.
The programme aims to help local entrepreneurs and business owners make the investments in their business to improve growth and sustainability.
“Our small businesses play a vital role in the economy of Argyll and Bute. As well as supporting them with practical advice via our Business Gateway service, the Council has a range of business grants on offer,” explains Councillor Liz McCabe, policy lead for Islands and Business Development.
“It’s good to see businesses from right across our area taking advantage of this funding to help their businesses start up and develop.”
The programme includes a Small Business Development Grant of up to £5,000; a Business Start-up Grant of up to £1,000 for new businesses; and a Trade Fair, Training or Accreditation Grant of up to £1,000 to help attend trade fairs, undertake training, or gain accreditation.
The programme, worth more than £454,000 will close to applications in December 2024, or sooner if funds are fully committed.
For detailed information on all the support available, including eligibility criteria and application forms, visit www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business-support/financial-support-and-grants-businesses.
Business Gateway can also support local businesses in other ways. The service provides practical advice and support to help businesses start, survive, and grow. It is free and confidential. Businesses can meet with an experienced local business adviser, by phone or video call, to discuss the issues that matter to them.
Recognising that sometimes a quick discussion with a subject expert is helpful for a specific issue, Business Gateway can arrange a free one hour surgery by phone or video with one of their subject specialists.
The expert help topics than can be covered include recruiting and developing staff, becoming an employer, website development and review, social media platforms, SEO, marketing, branding, planning and delivering PR, preparing a tender, managing supply chains, financial analysis, preparing for export, finding agents or distributors, and exporting.
“All of the advice was very relevant and extremely useful,” says Catherine Clark of Clark Electrical, after a digital surgery.
“The option of receiving direct answers to direct questions by a qualified adviser is invaluable to my business,” confirmed Irina Agostinelli of Fabric and Finery in Helensburgh.
“The information and feedback was do-able, we even sorted some issues on the spot as we could screen share and I could get live advice” adds Caitlin Hegney of Caitlin Hegney Jewellery. “I have learned how to make improvements to my website that will help my visibility online.”
To contact the local Business Gateway team about an expert help surgery or any of the support available, email business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555 For more information about Business Gateway, visit www.bgateway.com.
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