Start-ups in Shropshire offered the chance to win free business support
A call has gone out to start-up businesses in Shropshire who now have the chance to get a free web-page and access support “dragon’s den-style” from more established county businesses.
Hundreds of new businesses are being launched across the UK every year but Government support for these fledgling ventures has been reduced due to the current economic climate.
Nigel Lomax, of Shrewsbury-based TaxAssist Accountants, and Janet Dale, of Shrewsbury-based it’seeze Web Design, decided the new businesses of Shropshire deserved a support network as they took their first steps, and as a result have launched StartAssist.
All new businesses can visit the website and access helpful information and support put together by Nigel and Janet and other county businessmen and women.
They can also submit questions if they are not sure who they should speak to and can take advantage of the special packages offered by sponsors.
If new start-up businesses choose to sign up to the StartAssist scheme it is £129 per annum, and for that, businesses get their own personalised web page with free hosting for 12 months, a domain name and a professional company e-mail address. They will also be able to add their company logo and a contact form and the deal includes Google map placing and free social media training worth £390.
And one Shropshire business has the chance to get all of this completely free.
Janet said: “We wanted to give new start-ups a place where they could go to find out more about the business community in Shropshire and access affordable offers to help them get off the ground.
“The cost of launching a firm can be quite high and for those who are starting a business because they have been made redundant, do not want to return to work after having a baby or cannot find employed work, high start-up costs are not an option.
“A lot of start-ups go to Dragon’s Den not only to access funds but to bring on board the skills of the businesspeople at the top of their game. We are offering start-ups the chance to access the knowledge of established business in Shropshire in a bid to help them become as successful.
“We hope the StartAssist scheme will be able to help in a number of ways. From experience, we know that a business with a professional website is more likely to attract customers. However, quality websites can prove too expensive for new businesses with limited cash flow, we want to help with that and more.
“We would like new businesses to send us their information along with 250 words on why they think they deserve to be the chosen business to get a free web-page and all the benefits. The winner will be announced mid February.”
