Free support service for Wirral businesses
Hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners are among those to benefit from a support service funded by Wirral Council and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Wirral Business Support is a free service available to all Wirral-based businesses, large or small.
The support is available for budding entrepreneurs, start-ups, established businesses, and charities and is provided through Wirral Chamber of Commerce – but businesses do not need to be a Chamber member to access this help.
Since January 2022 the Business Support Service has helped more than 400 local entrepreneurs to be ready to trade and through the support offered the service has directly assisted in delivering more than 200 new jobs in the borough. During this period the Service has supported more than 1,200 Wirral businesses.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said: “The council is committed to helping businesses get going and keep going, and as can be seen the Business Support Service is doing a tremendous job of helping local entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground, but it is also there for businesses that are already trading, no matter how long they have been operating, to help them maximise their potential.
“A thriving business sector means jobs and prosperity for our communities, and greater options for young people coming into the jobs market to stay in in the borough if they wish. Wirral Council is committed to helping our local companies succeed and flourish.”
Businesses seeking assistance from the service are initially given a one-to-one session with a professional business advisor to identify what help they need and their potential and options for growth.
The Business Support Service offers businesses one-to-one advice and guidance. Typical examples of support provided includes (but is not limited to):
- Human Resources – Processes and Templates
- Marketing – Strategy, digital marketing, help with website
- Training – Strategy & Planning
- Finance – Cashflow, business plans
Businesses can contact the Business Support Service at: info@wirralchamber.co.uk
In addition to the universal business support offer, the Business Support Service works with entrepreneurs through ‘Start-Up Wirral’, a programme of support that is tailored to businesses ranging from pre-revenue to businesses operating for less than 12 months.
Start-Up Wirral offers a range of flexible support activities, such as: pre-start ‘taster’ sessions for interested individuals; pre-start ‘business builder’ advice and guidance sessions; business planning workshops; access to finance brokerage; business finance, sales, service, and product workshops; 1-2-1 business mentoring by experienced businesses; introductions to professional services providers; signposting to other business support services; and start-up peer groups for mutual support.
