25 June 2014 16:00
News
Businesses in Somerset hear about Growth Hub
More than 50 Somerset businesses seized the opportunity to find out more about the support available to them through the Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub at a breakfast event held last week (June 18th).
Paul Glossop (GAIN), Alison Cox (Peninsula Enterprise) and David Hall (Somerset County Council) introduce themselves and the Growth Hub to businesses at the roadshow
The newly established Growth Hub is one of the key initiatives of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal and aims to co-ordinate business support across the region, collecting into one place everything a business needs to know to help it succeed and grow.
Delivered in partnership with GAIN, the Growth Hub offers expert business advice, mentoring, innovation workspace and R&D facilities and vital information and guidance on the best potential funding and investment support available.
The breakfast event was held at Taunton Rugby Club’s Hyde Park Conference Centre with the support of Somerset Chamber of Commerce to promote the opportunities on offer, and help to better connect businesses from across the county.
GAIN Partnerships Manager, Paul Glossop, opened the event and introduced the Growth Hub, explaining how it can be used by businesses to help them grow, and discussing the numerous services available.
These include the recently launched Business Engagement Service helpline, a free telephone and email based service staffed by GAIN’s expert advisors who can direct businesses to the most appropriate services, providers and investment support. Businesses can contact the helpline on 0800 073 2020 or email [email protected].
Paul also highlighted the launch of the new interactive website and GAIN digital exchange, www.gaininbusiness.com, which gives businesses access to a growing network of other South West companies.
GAIN Partnerships Manager Paul Glossop said: “It was fantastic to see so many Somerset businesses at the breakfast meeting keen to find out more about the wealth of support on offer through the Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub.
“It can be difficult for a growing company to access the right advice or find out about the best funding available when there are so many options out there, and we were delighted to showcase to local businesses how the GAIN team can help by guiding them through the complex range of support on offer to help them grow.”
There were also presentations from some of GAIN’s key partners in Somerset including Somerset County Council, with Deputy Leader and Economic Development Portfolio Holder David Hall talking about the authority’s involvement. Representatives from other GAIN partners including Somerset Chamber of Commerce, Peninsula Enterprise, UKTI, Somerset College and Somerset Business Agency then talked about their involvement with the Growth Hub, and their particular areas of expertise.
Those attending also had the chance to find out more about upcoming drop-in sessions and workshops taking place in the region this year.
Somerset Chamber of Commerce CEO Rupert Cox said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Somerset businesses to take advantage of the extensive expertise and resources now on offer through the Growth Hub.
“This is the first of the LEP’s projects delivering investment into the area to help promote business growth, and the Somerset Chamber is delighted to support the initiative. We would encourage all Somerset businesses to make the most of this additional resource and opportunity.”
Find out more about the Growth Hub by calling 0800 073 2020, email [email protected] or visit www.gaininbusiness.com.
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