Going for Growth: 23rd May 2013
Independent retailers are fighting to grow business, says Chamber Chairman "This investment fund could help small shops to expand"
Independent retailers are fighting to grow business, says Chamber Chairman "This investment fund could help small shops to expand"
A HIGH street in Filton could desperately do with a cash injection, says its chamber of trade.
Aaron Naughton, acting chairman of Filton Chamber of Trade, has spoken out in support of the Bristol Post's Going for Growth campaign, which is aimed at kick-starting the economy in the greater Bristol area.
The paper has joined forces with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, which has a grant fund of £25 million to give away to businesses in the area on condition they can create new jobs or safeguard existing ones.
Mr Naughton runs Mystiques in Gloucester Road North which has a range of small independent shops, including a newsagents, a barbers, a cafe and various takeaways.
Business has picked up recently but around a year ago traders were worried for their survival when a number of shops shut down.
Aaron Naughton, acting chairman of Filton Chamber of Trade, has spoken out in support of the Bristol Post's Going for Growth campaign, which is aimed at kick-starting the economy in the greater Bristol area.
The paper has joined forces with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, which has a grant fund of £25 million to give away to businesses in the area on condition they can create new jobs or safeguard existing ones.
Mr Naughton runs Mystiques in Gloucester Road North which has a range of small independent shops, including a newsagents, a barbers, a cafe and various takeaways.
Business has picked up recently but around a year ago traders were worried for their survival when a number of shops shut down.
They included a school wear shop, a Panasonic television shop and a bike shop.
Mr Naughton said that after the shops closed there was a noticeable drop in footfall.
"These three shops closing might not sound like a big deal," he said.
"But they were destination shops that people came too, especially the school wear shop, and the people that came to those shops would also pop into other shops in the road.
"When they went we did notice that there weren't as many people shopping in the road and it was difficult for a little while....
Mr Naughton said that after the shops closed there was a noticeable drop in footfall.
"These three shops closing might not sound like a big deal," he said.
"But they were destination shops that people came too, especially the school wear shop, and the people that came to those shops would also pop into other shops in the road.
"When they went we did notice that there weren't as many people shopping in the road and it was difficult for a little while....
How to Enter
The Going for Growth campaign gives firms a unique chance to apply for grants worth up to £1 million.
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership is looking to hand out £25 million worth of funding to small and medium-sized enterprises.
The money is being made available to firms in five distinct areas:
There will also be an easy to follow online tutorial which will guide people through the application process.
Full details of the Going for Growth campaign and how to apply for funding click on the button below "Application Form"
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership is looking to hand out £25 million worth of funding to small and medium-sized enterprises.
The money is being made available to firms in five distinct areas:
- For firms involved in research and development
- When capital investment is made by small and medium-sized enterprises
- Organisations planning to invest in training schemes
- Organisations involved in the recruitment of disabled and disadvantaged people
- Support for small firms created or launched be female entrepreneurs
There will also be an easy to follow online tutorial which will guide people through the application process.
Full details of the Going for Growth campaign and how to apply for funding click on the button below "Application Form"
