Supporting local business workstream

The supporting Local Business investment priority, set out by the UK government, has three main objectives: ​

1. Creating jobs and boosting community cohesion, through investments that build on existing industries and institutions, and range from support for starting businesses to visible improvements to local retail, hospitality and leisure sector facilities.​
2. Promoting networking and collaboration, through interventions that bring together businesses and partners within and across sectors to share knowledge, expertise and resources, and stimulate innovation and growth.​
3. Increasing private sector investment in growth-enhancing activities, through targeted support for small and medium-sized businesses to undertake new-to-firm innovation, adopt productivity-enhancing, energy efficient and low carbon technologies and techniques, and start or grow their exports.​

To deliver on the government objectives Broadland District and South Norfolk Councils launched a Business Builder programme aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and fully established businesses, helping them grow and prosper, adding to the local economy. The programme provides entrepreneurs with access to a comprehensive online business startup training package alongside guidance and advice from an experienced Economic Development Officer. Established businesses have access to grant funding alongside specialist mentoring support and the opportunity to attend training courses. To further aid local businesses, the Councils have set up a Business Regulatory Support Hub, that offers one dedicated and friendly point of contact to help businesses navigate through the regulatory landscape and associated key requirements.

To enable businesses to come together and network the councils continue to run Business Breakfasts quarterly assisted by the annual celebration of businesses in the districts through the Business Awards, whereby businesses are recognised for their success. To further aid this networking, funding will be available to support local cluster groups, enabling businesses to share and solve challenges collectively, celebrate industry success and understand local supply chains with an opportunity to explore national and international markets. In addition to the support for the established Greater Norwich Manufacturing Group (GNMG) and Finance Industry Group (figNorwich), we have supported the creation of the Food and Drink Cluster, that was developed through the work on the Broadland Food Innovation Centre. To enable the longevity of this cluster, funding will be available to enable it to continue providing valuable support to the members.