LEP offers support to help businesses thrive out of lockdown

As businesses continue to adapt to new ways of working following the easing of some national Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, and as others prepare to open in anticipation of further changes in the coming weeks and months, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is offering a package of support to help businesses to reopen strongly and safely.

The LEP is working with partners at the Growth Hub, Chambers of Commerce, local Councils and mental health organisations to ensure businesses have the support and advice they need to reopen their premises, welcome staff and customers back on site and create a safe working environment throughout the coming weeks.

This focused support has been developed as a direct result of feedback from businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire that are seeking advice on issues such as lateral flow testing for employees, what grant or loan funding they are eligible for, or how to support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff. Over 5,000 businesses have engaged so far.

Alun Rogers, Chair of the LEP said:

“This targeted support is about providing timely, straight-forward and relevant advice, from business for business, to prepare for the critical weeks and months ahead as the Covid-19 restrictions are gradually lifted.

“We want businesses to have the confidence to open safely, so the LEP is here to help navigate the challenges the pandemic has presented and find opportunities for businesses to capitalise on new opportunities, adapt to this new agile digital world we are working in, and ultimately thrive. The key to reopening and going onto grow a strong business is to do it safely, and our ambition through delivering this support is to provide all the information needed to do that.”

Hannah Ault, Director of Valentine Clays and LEP Board member said:

“As a business owner, I have seen first-hand the challenges the pandemic has wrought on the business community. From navigating furlough, to getting lateral flow testing embedded into working practice, there have been many hurdles to overcome.

“The next few weeks and months will undoubtably present further challenges, but there is help available and that is why the LEP has been focusing its support to help simplify the landscape and be by the side of business, every step of the way.”

The LEP continues to listen to the business community and understands that many businesses may feel unconfident about the future and need clear support. Any company that is looking for advice or support over the coming weeks and months as lockdown measures are lifted, should contact the LEP’s Growth Hub via the Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or businessenquiries@stokestaffslep.org.uk. They can also access a weekly interactive dashboard of advice straight to their inbox by signing up to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP’s email list: Click to subscribe