Newark and Sherwood District Council to further support the area’s retail sector through Business Growth and Resilience Programme

Following an incredibly successful first year, Newark and Sherwood District Council is again offering businesses support and guidance by professional industry experts.

The district council's Business Growth and Resilience Programme links business service specialists with businesses. The second year of the programme will focus on providing support for businesses in the retail, food and beverage sector.

The programme offers businesses a series of tailored sessions including 1-2-1 mentoring sessions, review of business models, training opportunities and more.

Those participating in the programme could also be eligible to apply for a discretionary grant of up to £4,000.

Businesses eligible to take part in the programme must: be trading in the retail, food and beverage sector; be located in the Newark and Sherwood district; have been operating for two years and not be a sole trader. Any business interested in taking part is asked to visit Newark and Sherwood District Council’s website https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/bgrprogramme/. Places on the programme are limited.

The second year of the programme is funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund as a result of the District Council successfully securing their allocation of £3.28m to invest in economic growth in the district.

Rhona Holloway, portfolio holder for economic development and visitors at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The first year of the Business Growth and Resilience Programme was a huge success and provided our local businesses with the tools needed to help their businesses grow and flourish. Therefore, I am thrilled that we can again offer this opportunity to businesses in the retail, food and beverage sector.

“I encourage any local business eligible to participate in the programme to put themselves forward for this opportunity.”

The Business Growth and Resilience Programme was launched in 2021 to provide local businesses with support and guidance post-pandemic. The 2021/22 programme saw 80 businesses receive specialist advice and guidance across four key business sectors: manufacturing and construction, accommodation, retail, food and beverage and health and social care.