Burton & District Burton & District Chamber Patrons


Contact: Chris Plant T: 0845 6036650


Demand forces Growth Hub to pause schemes


A coronavirus recovery grant scheme has been put on hold after more than 600 Staffordshire businesses applied for help. The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire


Growth Hub, which is distributing the grants, said the number of applications received from small to medium Enterprises (SMEs) since the scheme launched had been ‘overwhelming’. Growth Hub manager Nicola Kent said: “We


have received an overwhelming amount of expression of Interest applications, which the team is currently working through. To ensure the correct distribution of the funds, we took the decision to put the schemes on hold on.


‘The grants are being distributed on a first come, first served basis’


“We anticipate these funds will help around


250 Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire SMEs. If there are funds remaining after this process,


IT firm hits target


despite Covid-19 Uttoxeter IT firm Infinity IT Solutions has defied Covid-19 to achieve its annual sales target four months before year end. The managed IT services company has put


this down to the investments it has made into recruitment, technology and new systems and processes during the last 18 months. Simon McAlpine, chief commercial officer,


said: “The financial performance from January through July pays testament to Infinity’s ability to continually exceed customer expectation when providing best- in-class solutions and support. “To grow any business during a pandemic is a phenomenal achievement and one that reinforces our position as the number one destination for all matters IT.” Infinity had to deal with 22 times the


number of support calls in April alone, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the urgent requirements for businesses to have the ability to work remotely. Anthony Cartwright, chief technical


officer, said: “Our team have handled the response to Covid-19 with upmost professionalism and the feedback from our clients has been fantastic. “I’m extremely proud of the way the


team adapted to remote working whilst hugely stretched and have continued to go above and beyond in their roles.”


then we will reopen the schemes and notify businesses through our marketing channels and our newsletter.” The Growth Hub launched two funds, from


a total pot of £872,000, to provide grants of up to £3,000. Funding was split between the SME Restart Programme and Kickstarting Tourism grant schemes. The grant money, designed to give SMEs


access to new technology or advice as they adapt to new circumstances, has come from the European Regional Development Fund and is being distributed through Growth Hubs. Ms Kent added: “I would urge businesses to


contact the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub because even if they can no longer apply to this grant scheme, there may be other funding or advice services which they are eligible for that we can help with.” The grants are being distributed on a first


come, first served basis, and more information can be found on the Growth Hub website.


Chamber president


installed for third term Nik Hardy is continuing for a third term as president of Burton Chamber. He will hand over the reins next May to Shaun


Gray, European managing director of manufacturer Ginho, in a move rubber stamped at Chamber’s annual meeting. He said: “As most of you are aware, having


completed a two-year term as president back in May, under normal circumstances I would have handed over the reins to my successor. “However, I am delighted to be able to continue


the tenure until the May of next year. I feel that there are a number of achievements that I still wish to pursue for the division, and I am as enthusiastic as ever to do so before I leave the role in the capable hands of Shaun Gray.” Mr Hardy – who founded Hardy Signs in 1993 –


said that the pandemic had been a ‘testing time’ for businesses in the Burton. Mr Hardy was joined by four new committee


members for his final term, including Jay Hensman, of Bromley Hays; Stacy Brown, of Dains; Richard Wileman, of Select Cars; and Lyndsey Watson, of Crescent Motoring Services.


College utilises technology to create PPE for care homes


Staff at Burton and South Derbyshire College’s (BSDC) Sign and Print Academy recently used laser cut technology to create personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers in local care homes. More than 800 face shields were donated to


local care homes and charities between May and July to help them limit the spread of Covid-19. While the shields are not surgical visors, they


provided much sought after PPE to staff in care homes with limited supplies. Teaching and learning technician Andy Tipper


and Bill Moorley, course leader for art and design/product design made the PVC and polypropylene face shields using laser cutting machinery, producing up to 90 per day. The college has established links with all of


the care homes and charities it donated PPE to, as they have previously worked with the college to provide work placement and industry placement opportunities for health and social care students. Andy Tipper said: “These are unprecedented


times with high demand for face shields for all front line health and social care workers. The visors we donated have assisted key workers with the important job of supporting and protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”


November 2020 CHAMBERLINK 35


Safety first: workers at Far Fillimore Care Home with their new PPE equipment


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