Over 8,000 Norfolk and Suffolk businesses have been supported by the New Anglia Growth Hub since it was launched in 2014.
Managed on behalf of New Anglia LEP by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, the Growth Hub was set up to provide free face-to-face business advice and signposting support. Since then, its team of expert advisers has engaged with thousands of businesses across the two counties, delivering more than 40,000 hours of support and helping to create over 2,700 jobs.
Included in that support, the programme has helped hundreds of companies gain access to over £28m of grants, with many businesses supported by their two key funds – the Small Grant Scheme and Growing Business Fund – provided by the New Anglia LEP and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Government’s Growth Deal.
Doug Field, chair of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a great milestone for the Growth Hub’s team. They are experts at what they do and having independent advisers who offer free support in our area is an extremely valuable resource. They have such an incredible breadth of knowledge and can offer guidance on regulation, tax, commercialisation and funding.
“We encourage business leaders who are looking to grow, to contact the Growth Hub to help them move their business forward. Particularly, now in this time of economic uncertainty the advisers can support business owners to better understand the economic environment and regulations both now and in the future.”
John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, added: “It’s great that we have been able to help thousands of businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk start, grow and prosper.
“Businesses have been able to access an incredible amount of grants with the help of our knowledgeable and friendly advisers, helping them cut through the maze of information. With the Growth Hub’s funding secured for the foreseeable future, we look forward to seeing and helping many more businesses on their journey to success.”
The New Anglia Growth Hub is part of the Business Growth Programme, delivered by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, in partnership with MENTA, Nwes, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Suffolk County Council and part-funded by the ERDF.
For more information about the New Anglia Growth Hub, call 0300 333 6536 or visit www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk
