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LEAP and other great business opportunities in Arun

LEAP and other great business opportunities in Arun

 

leap logo Two new grant schemes for small businesses and retailers are being launched by Arun District Council over the next couple of months.

The first is LEAP [Local Enterprise & Apprenticeship Platform] grant funding, which offers small businesses in Arun up to £2,000 to help them to grow.

Available from March, the scheme also provides apprenticeship grants of £1,500 to private and voluntary organisations in Arun with less than 250 employees to fund an apprentice.

Applications for both types of LEAP grant can be made now by emailing miriam.nicholls@arun.gov.uk, or calling 01903 737845.

The Council also has funds available under the Better Retailing Scheme, which helps local retailers to learn how to boost their business. This can be through seminars, workshops or even one-to-one coaching.

Any retailer who wishes to share an idea of what events they would like to see, or topics that would be useful to them can contact Miriam on the details above.

Another way of helping to boost the trade of any small business is by networking. Business Network Bognor Regis was set up by the Council about 18 months ago and brings a group of 25 businesses – one from each sector – together every week to refer business and support one another.

In its first year, the group passed on more than £500,000 of business between them.

Based on this success, the Council now hopes to set up a similar group in Littlehampton ready to have its first meeting in February.

So, if you run a business in Littlehampton and are interested, please contact Miriam.

Councillor Mrs Gillian Brown, Leader of Arun District Council and Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “The Council is delighted to be able to offer funding to small businesses in the district to really help them boost their trade and get themselves well and truly established, whether this is by taking on an apprentice or setting up a high-quality website.

“We would also encourage traders to get involved with the Business Networks as they provide a great opportunity to learn from others and to get involved with recommending other commercial enterprises, and for them to return the favour.”