The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 50: Aug/Sept 2020 | Page 10

SWLEP SWLEP @SWLEP An update from the Growth Hub team Following an incredibly busy time supporting businesses through the initial shock of Covid-19, our enquiry levels are now getting back to a more normal level. We have now delivered direct support to over 800 businesses in response to Covid-19 with thousands of web-based interactions. Support has been anything from providing information, advice and guidance on the various government schemes through to assisting local authorities with the distribution of grants. We are now getting ready to deliver a new Covid-19 recovery project funded by the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The programme is called ‘This Way Up’ and is designed to encourage digital change to ignite growth. It aims to support at least 165 businesses between now and March 2021 and if it proves successful, we may have the opportunity to roll it out again. The support will be delivered via a series of webinars across various topics, with a different organisation delivering each one. £257,000 has been assigned to Swindon and Wiltshire to fund this programme. If you’re interested in finding out more please email, [email protected] Support is coming for Swindon and Wiltshire’s tourism industry through an European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) voucher scheme set up to aid local businesses. To register your interest ahead of it going live, please email: [email protected] We invite any businesses to get in touch whether it’s a Covid-19 related query or something more general. There’s an open door for start-ups through to SMEs. Chris Stevens Growth Hub Manager 07866 117104 [email protected] Visit the Growth Hub online at: www.growthhub.swlep.co.uk Telephone enquiries 320% increase Web chat 362% increase Other channels 2,000% increase Light touch support Medium intensity support 594% 783% increase increase Growth Hub web traffic 300% increase Covid-19 business support 10 www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk