Business workshops for budding entrepreneurs
Malvern Hills District Council is offering free business start
up workshops to budding entrepreneurs who are interested in
starting, or who have recently started, their own business. The
“How to Start a Business” workshops are delivered in partnership
with Balancing Business and will run at Malvern Library on 23 April
and 28 May from 9.30am – 12.30pm. Anyone interested in attending
one of the workshops should contact Balancing Business on 07894
413776 or email info@balancingbusiness.co.uk
to book their free place.
Councillor Barbara Williams, Portfolio Holder
for Economic Development at MHDC said:
“More and more people are considering
starting up their own business and we are delighted to be able to
offer this important service to give aspiring entrepreneurs the
practical advice and support they need to help make their business
a success”.
Start ups can also apply to MHDC for a
Business Start up Grant of up to £750.
This is what Lisa Walton of Outdoor Rascals,
an outdoor clothing and accessories company for children, did. She
said:
“I run a very successful and great value
children’s clothing company but as with all businesses there are
other avenues we were looking to take. The advice and support
I received from Malvern Hills District Council and Balancing
Business allowed me to invest in marketing tools to support
expanding into outdoor shows and events.”
In addition to the Business Start Up Grant
scheme, MHDC also delivers a Business Booster Grant scheme which
offers grants of up to £2,000 to growing businesses in the
district. Asiri Foods, a manufacturer of Eastern
inspired chutneys and pickles using locally sourced ingredients,
was awarded a Business Booster Grant earlier this year, owner Asiri
Hall said:
“The Malvern Hills Business Booster Grant
has enabled Asiri Foods to further merchandise its production of
its condiments thus increasing productivity and reducing production
time whilst allowing time to meet the extra demands on growth. It
was a pleasure to deal with the Economic Development team as I
found them to be helpful and efficient in their approach to a young
company such as mine, always there to assist at all
times.”
The Business Booster Grant scheme is delivered
in rounds and the current round has a deadline of 20 April –
5pm.
For more information about the grant schemes,
which are funded by Malvern Hills District Council and
Worcestershire County Council, visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/business
or contact the MHDC Economic Development Team on 01684 862151.
The council also runs a monthly 'Malvern Small Business Forum'
so whether you are thinking of starting a new business or if you
already own a well established small business, the forum can
help with support, advice and networking. Click here to
go to the forum page.
Malvern Small Business Forum