Business Durham interim managing director Sarah Slaven reveals details of a new Covid business support brochure to help local firms …
Helping companies adapt to change
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to provide an uncertain backdrop for the economy in County Durham and beyond .
With that uncertainty comes the challenges our businesses face in not only dealing with the here and now of operating their company and fulfilling customer expectations , but understanding that support is available to them and that they are not acting alone .
Our priority is to help guide businesses across the county to get the help they need in the wake of the biggest economic disruption in living memory .
The world has never changed so rapidly , and we are keen to make sure companies have the help they need to develop new and innovative solutions , and to access the support available to either get back on track , seize new opportunities or do both .
The recent local restrictions , and now a second national lockdown , are a prime example of how the Covid-19 crisis will continue to affect businesses in different ways and at different times , often unexpectedly . We are working closely with companies to help them address the challenges arising from the pandemic and support them in the months ahead .
As the economic development arm of Durham County Council , Business Durham has created a new Covid-19 Business Support Brochure to highlight the wide-ranging support available to firms across the county to help safeguard jobs and retain businesses in County Durham .
Our easy-to-use guide brings together key information , resources and advice for businesses that are looking for help navigating the opportunities on offer .
The brochure focuses on eight key categories of assistance including grants , loans and equity , business support , digital support , innovation , sector support , skills , recruitment and training , business startup and employee welfare .
Through our network of business support organisations from across the North-East we are highlighting 46 programmes providing help for companies to build their resilience and get back on track .
Programmes include help to trade internationally from the Department for International Trade , support for starting up a business from the North East Enterprise Agency , and targeted sector programme , Supply Chain North East , as well as our own support programmes .
One of the entries included in the brochure is our ERDF-funded Digital Drive County Durham programme which aims to help businesses to become more resilient , efficient and profitable , gaining a competitive edge by using digital technology .
Now more than ever , businesses must be adaptable and we ’ re here to provide the practical support and resources to help them embrace the future through embedding a digital mindset .
Another example of the support available is a new strand of our ERDFfunded Durham Business Opportunities Programme ( DBOP ) focusing on Covid Recovery Support for Micro and Small Businesses .
Businesses employing up to 15 people can take advantage of one-to-one professional sales and marketing advice to help attract customers and boost sales following the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
With typically tight margins , micro and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to economic downturn . It is therefore vital we support these companies throughout the crisis , as they play an important role in ensuring our communities thrive and will be crucial in creating jobs and securing economic growth in the future .
The DBOP Covid Recovery Support for Micro and Small Businesses Programme is all about increasing sales , raising your business profile , and helping you get back on track . I encourage all County Durham micro and small businesses to take advantage of the scheme .
Working jointly with Durham County Council and the County Durham Economic Partnership , our Business Support Brochure is part of ongoing efforts to assist companies across County Durham .
In these unprecedented times , it is vital that we come together with regional and national partners to help protect businesses , communities and jobs in County Durham by ensuring companies can access all available support and financial assistance to enable them to continue operating .
Making best use of the programmes and resources available , we can continue to build business resilience , support the local economy and get County Durham ready for recovery . By supporting each other we can survive and thrive together .
Sarah Slaven Interim managing director , Business Durham www . businessdurham . co . uk
wear . business – the voice of business for the Wear region | 23