CHAMBER NEWS Collaborate to make things happen


The Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey results for Q2 tell us that businesses in our region continue to drive forward with growth plans, regardless of the many obstacles thrown their way; Brexit and a General Election to name just two. Having growth plans is one


thing, equally important is having the knowledge, skills, finance and ability to bring those plans to life and this is where Collaborate, the new business support project for Leicester and Leicestershire, can help. With £3.1m from the European


Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as investment from Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, the Food and Drink Forum and the Chamber, Collaborate is a £7.3m project which runs to autumn 2019. A key feature of the project is


that small and medium-sized businesses will have access to an experienced business adviser who can provide direction as well as practical advice. Advisers can help shape growth strategies for business owners/managers, stacking the odds in their favour for an even greater chance of success.


Collaborate can support


businesses in three other ways: 1. Grant funding for capital expenditure from £5,000 to £25,000 to meet up to one-third of the planned investment


2. Events, workshops and seminars to help improve skills, keep up to date and make business contacts


3. Inward investment support for businesses looking to expand or relocate into Leicester or Leicestershire from the USA, India and China.


The project concentrates on supporting existing businesses with fewer than 250 employees, working business-to-business. Businesses working in the eight Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) priority areas can apply for this fully-funded support: • Food and drink manufacturing* • Creative industries • Textile manufacturing • Low carbon* • Logistics and distribution* • Tourism and hospitality* • Professional and financial services*


• Engineering and advanced manufacturing*


Give your business the edge - accredited training at no cost to you


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By helping your employees develop their skills you could increase productivity and staff retention, as well as attract new talent.


To find out more about our free* and flexible approach to up skilling your workforce visit:


www.learndirect.com/tred or call: 0345 5210066 *eligibility criteria applies


“The project has got off to a great start, we’ve already had over 200 enquiries and a strong response from businesses in Leicestershire looking for support to grow their business. Through this support we hope businesses will be able to increase their productivity and staffing thereby contributing to Leicester’s economy.” Giles Jones, Business Adviser on


Giles Jones Leicester City Council is helping


businesses in textile manufacturing and also creative industries via the LCB Depot; Leicestershire County Council will help creative and arts businesses in the county via Creative Leicestershire and the Food and Drink Forum will advise manufacturers in this sector. Joanne Ives, Regeneration


Projects and Programmes Manager, Leicester City Council, lead organisation for Collaborate, said:


the project, added: “Collaborate is an exciting project with great potential to facilitate business growth in a number of ways. I’m looking forward to working with companies from across Leicester and Leicestershire to provide a practical and tailored business advisory service, and hope to meet many at our forthcoming events.” *The Chamber is supporting businesses in these sectors.


To find out more about Collaborate visit www.llepbizgateway.co.uk/collabo rate or follow the project on Twitter @CollabforGrowth


business network September 2017


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