Shropshire Growth Hub continues to deliver results
Businesses across the county have turned to The Marches Growth Hub Shropshire in record numbers during the Covid pandemic.
The hub has experienced an unprecedented surge in demand for its services during the six months from April 1 to September 30, new figures show.
Marches Growth Hub Shropshire manager Emma Chapman said the figures demonstrated the vital role the hub – delivered by Shropshire Council – continued to play in helping the county’s businesses survive and recover from the impact of Covid.
The new figures show the hub helped 13,853 businesses and 13,870 individuals access vital information and support during the period, delivered in-depth specialist advice and help to a further 85 businesses with a combined turnover of more than £26 million and offered ‘high intensity’ support to a further 16 companies employing 80 people.
The hub also helped 238 people start up their own business in the same period and was given top marks for its work by more than 90 per cent of businesses in a satisfaction survey.
And figures also show the hub staged 141 separate events from April 1 to the end of the year, attended by 3,450 businesses and generating a total of 7,431 referrals.
Emma said: “The last nine months have shown just what a trusted partner – and vital service – we are to businesses across Shropshire.
“It has been our privilege to provide the advice, support and access to finance that our fantastic business community has so desperately needed and help so many tremendous businesses through this difficult period.
“We are in no doubt that there are many challenges ahead, but the hub will continue to be here to offer the expert advice and support our businesses need and help them take advantage of the opportunities ahead as well.”
The Marches Growth Hub Shropshire can be contacted on 01743 250526 or email marchesgrowthhub@shropshire.gov.uk
