Individuals in Coventry who are dreaming of starting their own business are being offered free help to turn that dream into a reality.
The Covid-19 crisis has seen more and more people considering self-employment – whether it’s turning a sideline into a fully-fledged business, or finally taking the plunge and establishing a completely new venture.
Now, individuals can speak to a business expert from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce as part of a new support package funded by Coventry City Council, through the Additional Restrictions Grant for businesses.
Anyone with a business idea can apply for help, providing the business has not already been registered. Anyone considering starting a business venture in food and drink, hospitality, leisure & tourism, retail or something completely different, should connect with the Chamber immediately.
The Chamber has appointed a new Enterprise Coach, Gavin Barnett, to run the programme and he will be holding a series of open clinics to assess individual needs. Gavin is available to offer impartial advice and assess business ideas at those online clinics running every Tuesday, starting on July 20 until the end of September between 9.30am and 1pm.
Anyone interested should email Gavin at Gavinb@cw-chamber.co.uk, with an overview of their business and contact details and quote Coventry Start-Up Clinic. All sessions are delivered online and meeting links will be sent out after the initial phone call.
Those who meet the criteria for the programme can then benefit from six hours of advice and support on everything from how to register the business through to sales and marketing.
Gavin, who joined the Chamber after three years with the CWLEP Growth Hub, said more people are looking to realise their dream of starting their own business.
He said: “This is a great programme for those individuals who have been thinking of starting a business and have decided that now is the time that they want to do it.
“Covid-19 has seen many people on furlough or out of work completely and they will have been looking at how they might start their own venture.
“We’re also seeing lots of individuals who have side hustles they are now looking to turn into a real business. It’s a bit more than a hobby but they’ve never quite taken it that step further and made it a full-time business. This programme is an opportunity to help make that happen.
“It has to be a completely new business that isn’t yet registered to benefit from the support although if someone is looking to start a second business they could be eligible. The best thing to do if individuals are unsure is to get in touch with us at the Chamber and we can help point them in the right direction for support.
“I love making people’s dreams become a reality and this new programme really helps me to do that for all those wannabe business owners out there who are now taking this time as a chance to get started.”
For more information call 024 7665 4321 or email startyourbusiness@cw-chamber.co.uk
Pictured: Gavin Barnett