Help from the government
Practical help is available for people and businesses on a wide range of issues. Visit the real help now website for information, including help for businesses in this region.
Credit Crunch advice for businesses in Warwick District
If your business is affected by the economic downturn don't leave it too late before asking for help and advice. The following organisations can provide support and have emergency programmes that may be able to help.
Business Link West Midlands
These are challenging times for businesses - but don't feel you have to face them alone. Business Link is the principal provider of business support in our area, providing FREE information, assistance and expertise to help you get through the current economic crisis.
Government has launched an on-line procurement course “Winning the Contract”. This is a FREE resource to help businesses (and in particular SMEs) learn about public procurement and how to bid for public sector contracts.
The Business Link website also contains a list of Top 10 tips for saving money by reducing waste and using resources efficiently.
Warwickshire County Council
If your business is facing difficulties due to the current economic downturn, or for any other reason, contact the Business Support Team on the following numbers:
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber’s Business Support Team offers a range of business services to Pre-Start, Start-up and Existing Businesses.
People looking to start their own business in Coventry and Warwickshire can obtain help through workshops and one to one advice through the Business Link West Midlands Enterprise initiative delivered by the Chamber.
Businesses engaged in the Automotive sector can receive business advice and support with a capital grant available to those businesses meeting the grant criteria through the Accelerate project.
For further information contact:
Warwickshire College
The College specialises in working with businesses to create individual organisational needs analysis, focused on providing practical support.
Support West Midlands
Whether you’re a business looking for advice on how best to manage your debts or you’re an individual looking for new employment, this new website created by the West Midlands Task Force is designed to point you in the right direction.
Federation of Small Businesses
Credit Crunch advice from Linsey Hunter, FSB Regional Organiser for Warwickshire and Coventry: what businesses can do to help themselves during difficult times:
- Strengthen your unique selling proposition
- Cut costs, streamline, don’t be afraid to wield the axe everywhere in the business
- Go on the offensive-make your product/service better and tell your customers
- Use the business support services - Business Link and other representative organisations
- Make use of your own support network of accountants consultants
- Talk to your suppliers
- Cash flow is critical and must be protected
FSB members can contact the following Helplines for assistance:
Legal Helpline Tel: 08450 727 727
Financial Helpline Tel: 08000 193 633
Jobcentre Plus (JCP)
Providing support with your individual staffing issues and access to a Rapid Response
service for businesses making redundancies.
Coventry and Warwickshire Tel: 02476 232598
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
Providing advice and guidance on all legal issues connected to business restructuring, alternatives to redundancy or the legislation regarding making redundancies, ensuring the principles of good practice are applied to the way all staff are treated.
- General Helpline: 08457 474747
- Howard Paskin is the point of contact for West Midlands businesses
- tel: 0121 345 1410
Warwick District Enterprise Team
For all enquiries about business enterprise, social enterprise and new business premises please contact a member of the Enterprise Team
Starting a business
If you have lost your job or your job is under threat as a result of the Credit Crunch and you are thinking about starting your own business, visit our starting a business page.
Business rates and hardship relief
If you pay business rates, find out if you are eligible for hardship relief.
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