Businesses urged to find out more about Chesterfield Accelerator support scheme

A range of new business support programmes that aim to provide advice and funding for both established and start-up businesses has been launched in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Borough Council and East Midlands Chamber launched the support projects at an event at Chesterfield Football Club’s SMH Group Stadium on Thursday 7 December.

The Chesterfield Accelerator initiative, which will be run by East Midlands Chamber but funded by Chesterfield Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), includes a dedicated local business advisor, access to a range of courses and workshops on a variety of topics which are free for local businesses to attend.

Chesterfield Borough Council has also launched a new business grant scheme funded through the UKSPF. The grants are open to any business based in Chesterfield and can be used to support initiatives designed to help the business grow.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We are an ambitious borough with our sights firmly set on growing the local economy to create new jobs and improve the quality of life for our residents.

“We recognise the importance of working closely with local businesses to deliver growth. Our business support packages aim to help businesses in any sector and of any size to realise their potential. From providing tailored business advice to business grants and hosting workshops, there is a wide range of support available.

“I encourage any business owner in Chesterfield to look closely at the support we can provide and to get in touch with us as soon as possible to access these business support programmes.”

The Chesterfield Accelerator is one of 16 Accelerator programmes being run by the Chamber across the East Midlands. The programme includes access to a dedicated business advisor who can provide advice on a wide range of issues relevant to businesses.

It also includes access to training workshops designed to support development in areas like digital skills; a subsidy for a 12-week executive leadership programme; support to apply for grant funding; networking sessions; vouchers for specialist consultancy programmes; and energy saving audits.

Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber said: “It was standing room only at today’s launch event, such is the interest of local businesses in the new Chesterfield Accelerator project, decarbonisation grants and the business grants on offer from the Council.

“The Chamber and Council have a great track record of partnering on such initiatives, including on the Chesterfield Digital High Street Project which brought much-needed footfall to the town’s high street businesses. We’re now looking forward to reaching a much wider range of sectors to give businesses the skills and resources they need to build in the most robust way for the future.”

As well as the Chesterfield Accelerator, businesses in Chesterfield can access the new grant scheme that could provide 80% of the cost of investments designed to help a business grow or expand. This could include the cost of new equipment – for instance a local café could apply for new machinery that would help expand their menu. These grants are only available for a limited time, and businesses are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Green business grants are also available to help businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

The new initiatives complement the existing business support offer in Chesterfield which includes a local business advisor who can provide advice and support on a range of relevant issues. These include:

• An Innovation Support Programme which includes regular workshops designed to give business leaders information around new topics and industry standards.
• A skills brokerage service which aims to provide local businesses with advice around skills development, including apprenticeships and will signpost them towards relevant training courses.
• As part of Vision Derbyshire anyone in Chesterfield looking to start their own business can access specialist start-up advice and grant funding to help with the initial costs.
• Chesterfield Borough Council also runs a dedicated commercial property service.  Through this service landlords can advertise properties for free and business owners looking for premises can receive advice on the types of property currently available.

Find out more about the wide range of business support programmes available in Chesterfield.