Coast to Capital Growth Hub COVID 19 Support

This is an update of the support that the Coast to Capital Growth Hub Team can provide to businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following a very high demand for the Coast to Capital Backing Business Grants, the programme is currently paused for applications.  We have received interest from 450 in just a few days.  Businesses can still submit an eligibility checker but will join a waiting list queue.  Please note however that there is no guarantee funds will be available once the existing applications have been processed.  The criteria, eligibility checker and FAQs can be seen by following this link https://www.coast2capital.org.uk/backing-business-grants

The Growth Hub Team are available to respond to businesses by providing support and signposting to the latest information and support during this testing time.

Growth Hub Advisers are on hand to talk through business issues and will be able to refer businesses to specialist financial and other advice and potentially fund an initial day’s support.

We engaged 22 of our Growth Champions to provide additional support for businesses including one to one video clinics, webinars and specialist advice.

All members of the Coast to Capital team are liaising with business contacts and stakeholders to understand the issues that businesses are facing and reporting that to Government for support where these can be resolved.  A copy of our survey form is enclosed for information.

We have established a Priority COVID 19 Business Support Request Form that businesses are invited complete and we will follow up with one to one advice and signposting. 

We are keen to work with local and national government, business support organisations including the Chambers of Commerce, membership organisations, IOD and the Federation of Small Businesses to provide coordinated support and to provide collected feedback to BEIS as part of our weekly reporting.

Coast to Capital have launched a series of one to one video or telephone clinics on key topics. Here is the table with the registration links:

Monday 6 April	Finance– working capital, cash flows and maintaining turnover	Click here to register
Tuesday 7 April	Grants and funding– all the sources of finance within the area	Click here to register
Wednesday 8 April	Finance– working capital, cash flows and maintaining turnover	Click here to register
Thursday 9 April	Grants and funding– all the sources of finance within the area	Click here to register
Wednesday 15 April	Innovation -diversification, new ideas and new business opportunities	Click here to register
Thursday 16 April	Technology– home working, communication, collaboration & productivity	Click here to register
Friday 17 April	Mental Resilience– coping with home life, fitness, health and mental wellbeing	Click here to register