Cheshire West and Chester Council launch ‘Business Tapas’

Cheshire West and Chester Council are celebrating the launch of Business Tapas, a digital knowledge hub that has been developed to accelerate business growth and bring together a wealth of resources, tutorials, and advice on core business topics.

This free, invaluable tool will help upskill professionals and demystify complex subjects. 

The engaging, accessible resource provides insight into a range of topics that include business management, digital marketing, design, social impact, finance, HR and many more. Each ‘bitesize’ piece of information presented in the platform signposts the latest guidance from industry sources, providing users with an easy ‘one-stop shop’ to learn, develop and grow. 

Business Tapas is available to local businesses, from entrepreneurs and small start-ups to large businesses and those within the third sector plus community organisations and charities. 

The content is accessible for all industries, with a customisable feed that allows individuals to tailor the content shown to their bespoke business needs. 

This free-to-use platform will be consistently updated with the latest tailored business advice, ensuring members have access to relevant and up-to-date information, at all times. 

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said:

“Our free Business Tapas platform will help accelerate business growth in Cheshire West. It is just one of the revolutionary initiatives being championed by the Council and will be supported with a series of practical workshops with industry leaders, alongside networking events, grant allocation and more. 

"Our business support programme supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will create the conditions for local businesses to start-up, scale-up and innovate and to build a stronger business base which supports our sustainable and inclusive growth objectives. Business can visit our Let’s Talk Business website to learn more about the programme”. 

Business Tapas has been created through UK Shared Prosperity Funding, a central pillar of the government’s Levelling Up agenda. The Council has been keen to develop a resource that educates, elevates and empowers as many within the community as possible. Working in collaboration with Cheshire-based strategic communications agency, TMC, the Council has developed the tool over the past 12 months, adding to the already substantial ‘Let’s Talk Business’ economic growth service.

For more information, visit: 

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/lets-talk-business

The new Business Tapas platform can be accessed via: 

https://businesstapas.co.uk

The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. 

In addition to the UKSPF main programme, Cheshire West and Chester Council were allocated an additional £0.9m under the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The rural Plan was approved in April 2023 and is aligned to the main programme, with some small additional capital allocations for rural broadband and business growth.  

Funding committed includes

•            Revenue: 23/24 £1,001,709 and 24/25 revenue £927,465
•            Capital £213,326

For more information on UK Shared Prosperity visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus