This Saturday (7th December) is Small Business Saturday and will see TVBC joining with two new independent businesses in Andover to announce the forthcoming award of the latest Independent Retailer Grant to DMAC-IT.
They will also be joined by individuals who are due to benefit from the Council’s £500, 000 Andover Skills Training Fund.
The first ever national Small Business Saturday event on 7th December 2013 is designed to recognise small businesses and give them a pre-Christmas boost on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The Government initiative is backed by the Council which has implemented several initiatives to help support small business and increase footfall in our towns.
Councillor Peter Giddings, Economic Portfolio Holder, said: “One of our key corporate aims is to create a competitive local economy so I am delighted that the Council is supporting Small Business Saturday.”
“We continue to encourage small businesses through various schemes, including the recent introduction of the £1000 grant to new independent retailers in Andover. Small Business Saturday will see the Mayor announce the second grant to an independent business setting up shop in the town and meet individuals who are due to benefit from the Andover Skills Training Fund.”
“The fund was introduced to encourage Andover businesses employing up to 100 persons to offer skills training to Andover residents. In addition we have support over 400 businesses throughout Test Valley with Business Incentive Grants and it is hoped that these businesses will develop to offer more jobs.”
“If anyone else is considering setting up their own business or up skilling their staff, now is a great time to do it. There is a lot of support out there, so it needn’t be as daunting as you might think.”
Small Business Saturday is an American concept which last year helped drive sales of $5.5bn (£3.5bn) in small independent shops across the US and led to an increase in longer-term custom. It is now being backed by HM Government in Britain and is just one of the ways the Council is supporting small businesses to succeed in Test Valley.
To be eligible for the Independent Retailer Grant, new or existing independent businesses must occupy a town centre ground floor unit which has been vacant for at least one month. Qualifying businesses include shops, restaurants and cafés.
The £1,000 grants are funded from the New Homes Bonus reserve. More information about the grant, including details of how to apply, along with the Council’s other business support, can be found online at www.testvalley.gov.uk or by contacting David Gleave, Economic Development Officer dgleave@testvalley.gov.uk telephone 01264 368309.