BUSINESSES in Tameside who find rising energy bills are proving too big an obstacle have been offered help to deal with them.
GC Business Growth Hub has launched a new support package to help manage the increasing cost of trading, together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Greater Manchester Business Board (LEP), local authorities and representative organisations.
#HereForBusiness brings together support and practical solutions for Tameside’s business community, which includes 1,490 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them deal with energy price rises and other increasing costs.
And two drop-in sessions where people can find out more about the support on offer are being held in Ashton, on Thursday, January 12 from 10am until noon at Ashton Library, Tameside One and on Wednesday, January 18 from 1pm until 3pm at Ashton Old Baths on Stamford Street West.
With a dedicated advisor on the ground in Tameside, the support can be tailored to local challenges and opportunities.
Support includes a series of webinars and Strive & Thrive workshops which will help companies develop a plan to respond to the current economic situation, focusing on areas such as energy management, financial planning, and people and cost management, the next one being on Monday, January 23 between 11am and 1pm at Industry Collab at Longlands Mill, Stalybridge.
That will focus on financial resilience and aimed at businesses that provide everyday essential services, such as food retail, care sector, health and beauty and retail.
Also available is one to one support from advisors, supporting businesses with practical solutions to the immediate challenges businesses are facing, along with longer-term planning, bespoke to their sector.
There is Access to Finance, which has the aim of helping owners understand where efficiencies can be made, where costs can be reduced and how the finance cycle to work in the best way.
Lou Cordwell, Chair of the Greater Manchester Business Board, said: “During difficult times, businesses in Greater Manchester have always pulled together and supported each other.
“The cost-of-living crisis is exactly the kind of situation where that collective support is so crucial.
“The help provided through the #HereForBusiness campaign could be the difference between a long, hard winter and being able to plan for growth.
“Business leaders in Tameside should get in touch today to see what resources they can access.”
Janine Smith, Director of the GC Business Growth Hub, said: “Rising energy bills and supply chain prices are causing real challenges for businesses here in Tameside and around the country.
“But support is available and it’s crucial to act sooner rather than later to start to access this help rather than wait until the new year when the situation could be even more difficult.
“#HereForBusiness has resources and tailored support available for businesses, whatever they are facing right now, whether it’s focusing on getting through this current crisis or planning for how to keep their growth plans on track with an uncertain landscape ahead of them.
“It’s available in various formats to suit your needs and availability and the local expertise to make a real difference.”
Contact a #HereForBusiness advisor on 0161 237 4128, email hereforbusiness@growth.co.uk for more information or to book a one-to-one session.
Or visit www.businessgrowthhub.com/here-for-business which has been launched for the campaign and includes useful information and advice on what support is available, blogs and case studies.
Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services.