Let's Talk about business support, skills and funding.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is funding a Business Recovery Support Programme aimed at supporting Cheshire West businesses to develop and grow during these challenging times. The Council is also developing plans to overcome the impacts of COVID-19 and build a stronger future for our communities and would like your involvement and to hear your views.
Through the Business Recovery Support Programme we can help new and existing businesses, from across all sectors, with:
- Funding/grant opportunities
- Exporting and preparing for Brexit
- Developing and growing an online presence
- Building a resilient business
(see drop down links at the bottom of this page with more information)
Additionally we can also help businesses:
With COVID-19 we are all in the midst of unprecedented changes to the way we live and work and this situation provides us with an exciting opportunity to consider more sustainable ways of working and doing business.
Flyer with more information.
If you would like to find out more about the Business Recovery Support Programme or learn more about the other business support available locally please complete the Business Enquiry Diagnostic Form and one of the team will make contact.
COVID Case Studies
We have worked with some local businesses to capture video case studies, which look at how these businesses have addressed some of challenges they have faced during the ongoing pandemic. Visit our
Case Studies page to learn more about what Indigo Promotions and Technoprint have been doing.
Start-up Club
Cheshire West and Chester Council is funding spaces at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Start-up club for non-Chamber members.
It’s not easy starting a business, but Start-Up Club is here to help.
Would you like to learn about access to funding, PR and marketing, social media, web design, branding, accountancy and much more?
Are you in your first two years of business or thinking of starting out? Would you like to meet with people in the same situation as you?
Would you like to gain access to support and mentoring from successful business owners who have been through the same experiences and challenges that you may be facing.
The Start-Up Club meet on a monthly basis (the first Thursday of each month); each meeting focuses on a different topic led by the needs of its members.
Contact the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce to find out more and book a place at the next Start-up club.
Exporting and New Markets
Cheshire West and Chester Council is funding spaces at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Exporting events for non-Chamber members.
The Chamber are currently finalising the details for their events, which will be held on the:
- 1 September - 9.30-11.30am
- 6 October - 9.30-11.30am
- 3 November - 9.30 - 11.30am
- 1 December - 9.30-11.30am
We will share the final details as soon as they are available.
The Exporting events will help businesses understand what they need to do to be ready for leaving the EU later this year and help them consider and explore new foreign markets.
Get Ready for Brexit flyer
121 Support to Get Ready for Brexit flyer
Grants/funding
British Bank:
The British Bank aim is to increase the supply of credit to small and medium enterprises as well as providing business advice services. Finance to start a business, grow to the next level, or stay ahead of the competition, delivering greater volume and choice of finance.
Access2Finance:
Information, advice & signposting for SMEs looking to raise significant investment in their business to support
their growth plans. Alongside this provide access to grants of between £2,000 – £15,000 towards consultancy projects.
Energy Efficiency Grants:
Advice and financial support for businesses who would like to look at reducing their energy use, improve efficiency, lower costs and contribute to the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming.
Local Business Support Programmes
The Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub Support Finder helps businesses navigate the other support services and grants available to businesses in the Cheshire West area.
Cheshire & Warrington Growth Programme
This programme is a consortium of North West based partners led by the University of Chester and is partly funded by the European Social Fund. Eligible businesses will be able to access experts in areas such as Marketing, Sales, Food Technology, HR, Social Media and Finance through cutting edge workshops and one-to-one coaching across a wide range of business growth areas. In addition, the programme offers mentoring from other successful entrepreneurs and a host of networking opportunities.
Skills – Accelerate
This programme is a partnership with the Cheshire & Warrington Growth Hub and the University of Chester and is partly funded by the European Social Fund. Programme has been designed to support businesses to re-skill and up-skill their current workforce. Businesses can access funding to go towards the cost of training their business needs.
Stronger Futures
Share your ideas about how our communities can emerge from the pandemic even stronger than before.
Cheshire West and Chester Council are developing plans to overcome the impacts of COVID-19 and build a stronger future for our communities and need your involvement and to hear your views.