Marches Growth Hub launches in Shrewsbury
Shropshire is “very definitely open for business”, the launch of a new hub developed to support enterprises across the region has heard.
The Marches Growth Hub, Shropshire, officially opened its doors in Battlefield, Shrewsbury, last Thursday at a breakfast event attended by more than 60 guests.
The hub, developed by Shropshire Council and the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, offer face to face support services for county businesses regardless of size or sector, as an extension to the service offered by the virtual hub at www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.
Deputy chair of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, Mandy Thorn, said the Marches Growth Hub was one of more than 30 to launch across the UK and includes the virtual hub, three hub sites in Hereford, Telford and Shrewsbury and a dedicated business support line on 0345 6000 727.
She said: “We are very definitely open for business here – we have household names and great start up business across our wonderful county, within Shrewsbury and through our market towns and rural villages.
“Shropshire is the largest geographical area within the LEP area, and such a large aera needs a different approach. We believe this mix of support available through the virtual hub, the physical hubs and through our partners, will give us the opportunity to give uniquely tailored support to businesses in our county.”
The Marches Growth Hub, Shropshire, is co- located with Shropshire Chamber of Commerce at the Food Enterprise Centre in Battlefield with business support advisers available Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm and other times by appointment.
Shropshire Councillor Steve Charmley, who welcomed guests to the launch, said: “This is a fantastic facility, and being based here with the Chamber and UKTI can only help support businesses, no matter what size they are or what sector they operate in.
“However business support will be also going on the road in the coming months with pop-up hubs across the county. And the virtual hub is a business friendly website which is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to businesses looking for relevant business support products and services.
Marches Growth Hub, Shropshire, also offers informal meeting space and rooms for hire and businesses will also benefit from a link with University Centre Shrewsbury, which also offers larger meeting rooms as well as access to its innovation activity and other facilities.
Shropshire Council is a partner of the Marches LEP which is tasked with creating the conditions for economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.