University moves to fill gap in business support provision

THE University of Wolverhampton is set to extend its network of business support centres with a new facility in Worcestershire.

The university has identified Kidderminster which is an area currently under-resourced.

The university already has a network of Business Solution Centres with facilities in Wolverhampton, Telford and Hereford.

The Kidderminster facility will be based within Wyre Forest House, home of Wyre Forest Council and will open its doors for the first time this autumn.

The centre will have dedicated business-facing university staff, who are working in collaboration with their council host.
 
The centre will offer firms advice and guidance as well as workshops and mentoring sessions, access to technology from drone hire to cyber security support, leadership and development programmes, seminars, events and networking opportunities.

Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said the decision to extend the support provision had been made following the success of the other centres.

He said the new Wyre Forest Business Solutions Centre would adopt the same model used at the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, based at the university’s Science Park.

Cllr Tracey Onslow, Wyre Forest’s cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the University of Wolverhampton on this exciting new venture.

“The new centre will act as a conduit between local businesses, advisors, consultants and key support organisations to help local businesses access funding and support opportunities open to them.  

“The university has a long and successful history of supporting the start-up and growth of businesses right across the Midlands. Having a single point of access offering a wide range of free events and workshops, business facilities and professional advisory services will undoubtedly be of great benefit to local people who run their own business or for those who are thinking of starting up in the future.”