Business Growth Hub to open in Telford

A new centre offering advice, guidance and a host of services for businesses is to open in Telford as part of a major national initiative revolutionising the way that businesses access support.

The official launch, which takes place on October 21, will see the ‘Marches Growth Hub, Telford’ become the first of three planned satellite sites for the Marches region. The Marches Growth Hub will, for the first time, bring together all national and local business support services in a ‘one stop shop’ and is fully aligned with the national ‘Business is GREAT’ campaign.

The Telford hub’s launch has been made possible thanks to funding from Telford & Wrekin Council, The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Wolverhampton.
The hub, at the University of Wolverhampton’s Telford Innovation Campus, is supported by a comprehensive business support website, www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk, and a dedicated enquiry phone line through which businesses across the whole Marches region can access funding, support and advice. Further hub sites will launch in Hereford and Shrewsbury, all offering support to enterprises of all sizes, from start-ups to large employers.
LEP Chairman, Graham Wynn, said: “The Marches Growth Hub, which is spearheaded by the Marches LEP, is an exciting new means through which business support can be accessed. It will serve as a single reference point where businesses can find relevant information and assistance rather than having to navigate their way through the different levels of support available.
“The hub at the Telford Innovation Campus will offer a face to face extension of this service and The Marches LEP is delighted to be working with its local authority partner here in Telford & Wrekin, as well as with the local Business Board and the University of Wolverhampton to deliver this vital new business resource.”
The Telford hub will include facilities ideal for webinars and other interactive events, meetings and seminars and will be staffed by business support specialists who will be on hand to provide advice to all businesses. A calendar of events taking place at the hub, to which businesses will be invited, will also soon launch.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Ian Oakes, added: “It’s vital that local companies can access relevant support and information to help develop and grow their businesses which is why it is such welcome news that the Marches Growth Hub is launching.
“The University of Wolverhampton is proud to play a leading role in this scheme and we recognise the importance of attracting government funding into our region to support local business growth.”
Councillor Kuldip Sahota, Telford & Wrekin Council leader / Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Employment, concluded: “We are absolutely committed to being a business winning and business supporting council and the Marches Growth Hub is further evidence of that.
“It is a one stop shop for local businesses to access useful information and support and is a welcome initiative.”