Sean from Print Box to help his business to survive by buying new equipment

Sean Pearce, owner of the The Print Box in Four Ashes received £5,000 in just over two weeks following an application for a ‘Thrive Grant’ from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business Support Scheme. 

The unique partnership between all of the district and borough councils in the county and Staffordshire County Council has so far seen over £3.4 million invested in small business to help them survive, start up or grow, with over £372,000 in South Staffordshire.

Now The Print Box has diversified into vehicle graphics & signage and has even taken on new staff into the family business thanks to the grant.

Sean said:

“Our work dried up overnight when the lockdown hit and we knew that we needed to diversify if we were going to survive.  Thanks to a grant from South Staffordshire Council at the start to cover the bills, and then a bounce back loan to move to bigger premises as well as  purchasing new machinery and finally the £5,000 To Thrive to make it fit for what we needed, we’re now doing well.  The grant has even helped us to take on another family member as part of the team to help administer the business.

Now I’m able to get out there and talk to customers about our new services and show them how we really are their one-stop-shop for all their printing needs.”

I have absolutely no doubt that we wouldn’t have survived the pandemic without this support, which for a small business is massive. Our business is growing every month.”

 Although all funding has now been allocated to businesses from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business scheme, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub on 0300 111 8002 have dedicated business advisors on hand to support and signpost businesses to current funding and professional support.  Any business less than two years old can apply for an interest free start-up loan of up to £5,000, with more information at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/StartUpLoans