New workshops and grants to support Tamworth town centre businesses

New free business development workshops for town centre Workshops will provide eligibility for new grant scheme Grants will be awarded from £500 to £7k

Tamworth Borough Council is inviting Tamworth town centre businesses to join a new series of business support workshops. Those joining the workshops may also be eligible for a new grant scheme to help ‘Tell Your Story’.

Town centre businesses who attend the workshop programme, may be eligible to apply for a new grant scheme, launching later in the summer.

The free workshops, funded by Tamworth Borough Council, seek to support business growth among town centre businesses. They will be held at Tamworth Enterprise Centre, delivered by the council’s business development partner Digital Islands, and are aimed at helping small companies develop their engagement with new business and customers. This will include bid writing skills, clarifying their unique selling proposition, increasing brand awareness, and improving their marketing strategies.

The council, using funds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, has allocated up to £21,000 for grants between £500 to £7,000 available for eligible businesses for this financial year.

Successful applications must meet certain business criteria including:

• Businesses with a fixed premises based in the town centre
• Employ fewer than 250 employees and considered an independent, small to medium sized enterprise
• Registered with HMRC or as a registered company
• Attend one of the new upcoming workshop

For news, updates and information on the launch of the grant, businesses are encouraged to sign up to the Tamworth Town Centre Business Hub; the council’s free online platform designed to provide a wide range of support, advice, training, with one-to-one advice and help available from a range of business specialists. Sign up and go to:

Tell Your Story workshops are available to book directly via Eventbrite or if you have any questions email the Economic Team on: business@tamworth.gov.uk. All workshops will take place at the Tamworth Enterprise Centre, B79 7DN and delivered in partnership with Digital Islands.

19 July - Crafting Compelling Narratives

Wednesday 19 July - 10am - 2:30pm.

Book via: Crafting Compelling Narratives Tickets, Wed, Jul 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

The workshop will help businesses to:

•           Communicate what they do in an engaging way

•           Stand out in a saturated market

•           Build trust and credibility with potential customers

•           Build brand recognition and loyalty

•           Encourage long-term relationships with customers

26 July - Mastering Public Sector Opportunities

Wednesday 26 July - 10am - 2:30pm

Book via: Mastering Public Sector Opportunities Tickets, Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

The workshop will include:

•           Where to find tender opportunities

•           How to register for and navigate tender portals

•           Determine your eligibility

•           Understand the requirement and what the commissioner is looking for

•           Identify potential risks

•           Determine your organisation's USP

•           Completing the Standard Questionnaire

•           Writing persuasive and impactful responses

•           Understanding the evaluation criteria

2 August - From Story to Strategy

Wednesday 2 August 2 - 10am - 2:30pm

Book via: From Story to Strategy Tickets, Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite.

The workshop will help businesses to:

•           Stand out from the competition

•           Attract and retain customers

•           Build a positive brand reputation

•           Drive business growth

•           Identify who your customers are, and how you can help them

•           Know how to reach your potential customers effectively

•           Maintain a consistent brand message - building trust with your audience

The ‘Tell Your Story’ grants will provide a contribution to businesses towards projects to improve their digital presence, launch new products or services and find an effective brand and marketing image.

Councillor Paul Turner, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to announce these excellent workshops to support our town centre businesses during these very challenging times.

“We know many businesses, shops and restaurants are working under very different conditions with the cost-of-living crisis and inflation. Therefore, we really want to reach out and offer additional business support.

“We believe that these workshops and funds can go a long way in helping businesses market their USP, build their brand recognition, upgrade their digital support and drive their business growth.”

Notes to editors:

These grants are funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund 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. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.

Tamworth Borough Council also offers various support for local businesses, including start-up grants, growth advice and training opportunities. These are all outlined at tamworth.gov.uk/town-centre-business-support-package

Businesses classed as a ‘town centre’ location, can be found on the highlighted map areas found on our website: https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/graphics/Town_Center_map.pdf