Delivering great resultsduring difficult times

TheMarches LocalEnterprise Partnershipcontinued to deliverrealresults forthe region throughout2022– despitea challengingbackground.

Andthe LEP–and itsbusiness supportarm TheMarches Growth Hub–saysitwillwork alongsidethe wholebusiness communitythroughout2023to help shapefutureinvestment plansfor theregion.

TheLEP hasnow invested more than £196million across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford&Wrekinasitdelivers on arange of programmes from skillstoenergyaswellasofferinga comprehensivebusiness supportservice ally everypiece of advice andsupport that hasenabled Worm Soil to launch is becauseofthisincredible service.”

Both theLEP andthe growth hubwereworking againstthe backdrop of aGovernmentreview into theirfuture, as well as ayearofpolitical andeconomic turmoilnationally.

Despite this, thepartnership celebrated thereopening of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings aftera£28millioneight-year restorationand sawNewport’s innovativeNi.PARK welcome its firstbusinesses.

Nathan Farlow started MassTech Solutionsafterbeing made redundant. Thestart-upspecialises in themanufacture of precision-engineered components forscientific instrumentsand equipment.The companyrecentlyreceived£7,200 Business Growth Programme2 (BGP2) grantsupport to purchase capitalequipment.

He added: “I heardabout the fundingfromthe MarchesGrowth Hub, so Icontacted them directly andtheyput me in touchwithEnterprise Telford. We beganthe process of goingthrough ourrequirements, what we needed fundingfor, whichthenled us to theBGP

“Further supportIreceivedfrom theMarches Growth Hubwas via aStepUpprogramme with Good 2 Great. Pre-start-up,itwas weekly sessionsofbusiness mentoring. I foundthatextremely useful,espe- ciallywhileIwas goingthrough the processofinitiatingthe business

“Myadvicefor companieslookingfor additional supportis, get in touchwiththe Marches Growth Hub, look at what’s availableand take whatever help is availableto you.Atthe endofthe day, it’s going to help thebusiness.”

TheMarches Growth Huboffers FREE supportand guidance to businesses.Visitmarchesgrowthhub.co.ukorcontact enquiries@ marchesgrowthhub.co.uk