Posted on Monday 20th February 2023
Small businesses up to five years old in Staffordshire can now benefit from free legal support thanks to a county council programme.
The Get Started and Grow programme has expanded again and now gives new businesses up to two hours’ advice and support. It focuses on contract law – including terms and conditions, contracts of trade and sale and non-disclosure agreements through to company structure and shareholder agreements.
It follows the introduction of accountancy support, covering everyday money management, financial planning and forecasting and how to apply for funding or seek additional investment. Get Started and Grow also provides a digital marketing package, including branding and website design. The programme is free and delivered by local professionals.
Launched last year, Get Started and Grow initially supported start-up businesses in their first two years of operation. Research carried out by the county council found that young businesses looking to plan their next stage of growth needed support.
Get Started builds on the county council’s existing business support programme which has included a start-up loan scheme, offering loans of up to £5,000, and the Get Started scheme, launched last November to offer marketing and accountancy support to new companies.
People wanting to find out more should visit: StartAndGrowStaffs or contact the team at: getstarted@staffordshire.gov.uk
The expansion to the programme comes as Staffordshire is now seeing business start-up survival rates higher than the UK average. According to recently published data from the Office for National Statistics, the county’s three-year business survival rate in 2021 stood at 61.9 per cent which was higher than the UK survival rate of 57.6 per cent.
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said:
Our Get Started and Grow programme is making a difference to new businesses – providing free professional advice in areas where they have less expertise to give them added confidence.
We have a strong record for start-up survival in the county as the ONS figures show. It’s hugely encouraging that Staffordshire is providing the right environment for start-up businesses to grow and thrive, and vitally to operate successfully through the difficult first few years.
At the county council it is a priority to us to provide support to these enterprises in a targeted and relevant way, ensuring they have the guidance they need to succeed and expand.”