SME: Fulcrum; Physio Med; Sheffield City Region Launchpad

FULCRUM, the multi-utility connections company, has launched a service for small and one-off electricity connections.

Following on from a successful first year of its FirstGas division, Sheffield-based Fulcrum has set up FirstElectricity, which also is aimed at the self-build and small business markets.

It says a growing proportion of FirstGas customers are requesting support with electricity connections and, in addition to the introduction of this dedicated service, both brands will provide dual fuel connection support.

Martin Donnachie, chief executive of Fulcrum, said: “The launch of FirstElectricity is in response to customer demand and fills a clear gap in the market.

“The philosophy behind both operations is the same – to help time-pressured small business owners, small developers and self-build practitioners overcome the often significant challenges associated with connecting utilities to their premises.”

:::

LEEDS-based physiotherapy provider Physio Med is supplementing its traditional offering with the addition of a state-of-the-art alternative therapy treatment room at the company’s headquarters.

The new treatment room will be run by holistic therapist Farrah Deen, who has joined Physio Med to offer a range of treatments and therapies which can aid pain relief and healing, weight and wellbeing issues, plus skin, hair and body conditions.

She will be offering a pain relief and healing service using laser therapy which is ideal in the treatment of complaints such as chronic pain, arthritis and circulatory problems, whilst her weight and wellbeing service uses light therapy lipo to reduce body fat, stress and anxiety.

Ms Deen, a graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University and former personal trainer, joins the company from The Healing Centre UK, and has also previously worked for Fitness First.

Phil Clayton, managing director of Physio Med, which was shortlisted in the Innovator category at the 2016 Yorkshire Business Masters, said: “We have made a significant investment at our headquarters recently to create more space including the new treatment room, which will allow us to offer a host of new treatments alongside our pioneering approach to physiotherapy.

“Farrah is a great addition to the the Physio Med team and her experience in alternative and holistic therapies will enable us to ensure the wellbeing of our clients in more ways than ever before.”

:::
 
A FREE and comprehensive support service has been launched to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up and run successful businesses in the Sheffield City Region.

Sheffield City Region Launchpad is a fully inclusive and co-ordinated programme of start-up support which aims to help create hundreds of new businesses across the region over the next three years.

The £4m programme is being delivered through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership last month, and involves a consortium of the region’s local authorities, and the Princes Trust.
 
Through Launchpad people just starting to think about working for themselves and new business owners keen to grow their companies and create jobs can access a range of new and existing business advice, workshops, seminars, one-to-one coaching and mentoring services.

SCR Launchpad programme manager Anna Smith said: “Launchpad has been set up to ensure that wherever entrepreneurs are based in our region, whether in the city of Sheffield, in our growing towns or in rural communities, everyone has equal access to the best quality business development support.

“Its aim is to ensure that no-one misses out on the support they need to help them set up and grow their business. Wherever they are based they can contact Launchpad and a start-up business advisor will talk through their business aims, discuss their needs and signpost them to the most appropriate support.”

Launchpad is being delivered through a collaboration of the region’s local authorities and business support organisations, led by Barnsley Council’s business support arm, Enterprising Barnsley.

Developed and delivered under the SCR Growth Hub banner, Launchpad brings together a range of start-up support services provided by these partners and combines them with new services being provided through the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

The initiative is backed financially by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and has attracted £2.4m investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Europe Union’s support for the region’s economic development.