UK Shared Prosperity Fund Business Support Programme launch

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 16:13

Businesses from across West Cheshire have been invited to the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Business Support Programme.

Hosted by Ellesmere Port-based EMS Healthcare, the event will be held on 27 July from 10.30am to 12noon.

Businesses will hear from The Council’s Director of Housing and Economy Gemma Davies and Hayley Owen, Head of Economic Growth about the UKSPF business support programme and provide an update on the Council’s Inclusive Economy and wider plans to make Cheshire West and Chester a greener, fairer and stronger place to live, work and play.

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

“I’d like to thank EMS Healthcare for hosting our launch event. Last year, as part of our Additional Restrictions Grant business support programme this Ellesmere Port business successfully applied for an investment grant and skills and training grant. This event provides an opportunity for us to see how this funding supported the creation of a new cutting room, which we will celebrate the official opening of.

“The UKSPF business support programme is designed to support local business to increase productivity by creating the conditions for businesses to start-up, scale-up and innovate and to build a stronger business base which supports our sustainable and inclusive growth objectives.”

EMS Healthcare is the UK’s largest mobile clinical research partner. EMS also works alongside NHS Trusts, Health Boards, and private providers across the country, in delivering mobile capacity that eases the burden on hospitals.

Keith Austin, Chief Executive of EMS Healthcare, said:

“We are delighted to host the launch of this hugely important Business Support Programme. The grant we received last year was vital in supporting investment in new machinery for our workshop. Our mobile clinics are deployed all over the UK and it’s essential for our excellent staff to have the best possible production facilities, to meet the demands of Trusts and private providers.”

The UKSPF Business Support Programme is a mix of support activities, one-to-one guidance and grants for eligible businesses.

Start & Micro Project - 50 grants ranging from £500 - £2,500
Investor & High Growth Project - 12 match funded grants up to £20,000
Workspace Project - Working with 10 workspace providers
Decarbonisation Project - 15 match funded grants ranging from £13,000 - £16,000
Innovation Project - 25 match funded grants ranging from £9,000 - £16,000

Added Councillor Pardoe:

“We will be offering new online resources soon including the Growth4Growth platform that will provide access to tools, support, training and guidance to help SMEs/VCSEs develop the practical skills needed to win work in the public sector. There will also be a Business Tapas platform which will provide easily digestible information, covering a range of topics, to help businesses make better informed decisions when starting and developing their business.

“The information will empower businesses to adopt what they’ve learnt easily into their business or enable them to have more informed conversations with other service providers. The website will also signpost users to additional third-party information that can help them progress ideas and grow their business.”

The UKSPF Business Support Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council and delivery partners.

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 (REPF). 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