Following the successful delivery of the ERDF Start-up Programme (in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council), to over 40 entrepreneurs and start-ups, Herefordshire Council would like to continue the delivery of 1-2-1 business start-up support and advice, to Herefordshire based entrepreneurs and business start-ups (up to 12 months old).

In 2018, 715 new businesses started up in Herefordshire, a rate of 8.5% (start-ups as a percentage of all active businesses). This was lower than in the West Midlands (13.3%) and nationally (13.0%). Start-ups are surviving longer in Herefordshire than regionally and nationally (92% at one year for businesses started in 2017, 59% at three years for businesses started in 2015 and 48.1% at five years for businesses started in 2013). Herefordshire has a greater number of businesses per head of population (527 per 10,000 per population aged 16+) than across the West Midlands (498).

CGRBS will be expected to work alongside the Marches Growth Hub (Herefordshire), liaising with the Growth Hub Manager, and the Economic Development Team, to generate interest and take up of the start-up 1-2-1 support programme but it is worth noting that there is also a pipeline of entrepreneurs waiting to receive support as the previous programme has met all of its targets.

Each business will have a minimum of 14 hours support. A minimum of four hours will be 1-2-1, to cover personalised and bespoke action/business planning and follow up.

Up to 10 hours can be business workshops focusing on sessions that will provide the skills and understanding to start a business, assess viability, how to explore and exploit business opportunities, legal considerations, access to finance and successful business planning, selling and marketing etc.

CGRBS has extensive experience in delivering start up courses and tailored advice and was successfully chosen following a tender process carried out in accordance with council’s contract procedure rules.

The maximum budget for this contract is £24,500 for the term up to 31 March 2024.

This contract will run up to March 2024 or until the funding has been fully allocated (whichever is the soonest).