North West business briefs: Time Finance; LJLA; Puddle Ducks Greater Manchester; HOST; Cheshire East Virtual Pride
Time Finance has become an accredited lender under the Government’s Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) via the British Business Bank.
Under the scheme, Time Finance, which has operations in Manchester and Warrington, will be able to support UK SMEs looking for additional funding through the provision of loans and asset finance up to £150,000 with terms available of up to six years.
The Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the pandemic. Under the scheme, businesses who have been negatively affected by COVID-19 can borrow funds for a wide variety of purposes – whether that be to support cashflow or to fund new investments. It is open to all businesses irrespective of turnover and businesses that have taken out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility are able to access the new scheme, although the amount they have borrowed under a previous scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount they may borrow under RLS.
Time Finance will be working closely with a select panel of brokers to manage new business enquiries and help business owners access the funding support they so urgently need. The business was also an accredited lender under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) demonstrating its commitment to continuing support for 20,000+ UK businesses as they build back from the pandemic.
Chief executive, Ed Rimmer, said: “A staple part of any recovery plan is securing finance for future growth and the Recovery Loan Scheme can help business owners do just that. We are thrilled that the British Business Bank has accredited us as a lender under the scheme and this new offering will complement our existing portfolio of funding solutions which includes asset finance, invoice finance, loans and vehicle finance.
“Throughout the pandemic, our teams have remained committed to delivering finance solutions that inspire confidence and growth. We’re proud to have this accreditation under our belt and look forward to continuing to help more businesses access the cash they so urgently need.”
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Liverpool John Lennon Airport(LJLA) has selected Click Consult, based in Hooton, Cheshire, for technical SEO and user focused content.
The partnership aims to embrace the many short-term opportunities that technical SEO and content can offer as the travel industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and will help to promote LJLA, which serves more than five million passengers a year, to a wider audience as the ‘faster, easier, friendlier’ option for international travel.
Click Consult CEO, Matt Bullas, said: “The travel industry was, of course, particularly badly hit by the pandemic – but things are beginning to show the shoots of recovery, and there is enormous potential for Liverpool John Lennon Airport to rebound from 2020 and begin to grow again. While many brands have faced the coming months with trepidation, in Liverpool John Lennon Airport we have found a partner with ambition and a firm commitment to emerge from this global crisis better and stronger than ever.
“Their team are focused on the future and we believe that there is tremendous potential in the various domains they currently operate and that unlocking that potential will naturally lead to a swifter recovery.”
Lucy O’Shaughnessy, commercial director, LJLA, said: “We are really excited to be working with Click Consult, not only are they local and very enthusiastic, but they have also been supportive to us as an industry and really listened to our objective and requirements as we come out of the pandemic. We are confident with their experience and expertise we will see improvements in the coming months.”
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Puddle Ducks Greater Manchester, a local baby and child swim school, is expanding due to increased demand for their child-led swimming lessons.
Swimming lessons have been interrupted throughout the past year due to COVID-19 restrictions closing many pools, meaning children have missed out on more than 12 months of time in the pool. With more people looking to go on holiday this year and enjoy the water throughout the hot summer months, getting children back in the pool has never been more important and is key for children to understand how to stay safe in the water as well as build their water confidence and swimming skills.
Puddle Ducks has seen demand for its lessons increase significantly. To cope with increasing demand, it is recruiting new swimming teachers as well as sourcing new pools throughout the area.
Co-owner, Suzanne Horton, said: “We have been so happy to welcome children back to the water. They have certainly missed having fun in the pool, and learning key swimming and water safety skills. Parents have really recognised the importance of getting children back to lessons as soon as they can.
“Our teachers love their role as it is so rewarding to see children develop not only their skills but also a love for the water, and it also fits in brilliantly around family life and other work commitments. We offer full and ongoing training, and it could be a perfect opportunity for those who want a change in career.”
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From left: Gary Hilton (Counting King), Claire Bennett (HOST), Samuel Dallow (Counting King), Bella Copland (HOST)
Fifty tech companies will receive fully funded support and mentoring based on the power of peer-to-peer growth from proven entrepreneurs to accelerate and scale their business ambitions.
Innovation hub HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology at MediaCityUK, has launched HOST 50, a programme for 50 ambitious start-ups and SMEs from across sectors that are looking to become part of an inclusive business community, accelerating their growth, and innovating their digital and tech offerings. HOST aims to break the barriers of entry to the tech sector faced by those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, disrupting the way entrepreneurs connect and learn from each other – sharing skills and experiences by building a sustainable, supportive community.
HOST 50 is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to network and develop alongside like-minded business owners, while also having direct access to highly skilled and diverse talent from HOST’s Skills City. Driven by a combination of networking, collaboration and learning, companies will also receive access to workspace and the opportunity to register their business at MediaCityUK with a complementary three-months’ Premium Club Membership, valued at £450. This includes access to HOST’s co-working space and sixth-floor meeting rooms.
Research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has shown that 70% of small businesses that receive mentoring survive for five years or more, which is double the rate compared with non-mentored entrepreneurs. While there seems to be a range of business support available in the North West particularly due to the pandemic, HOST said it has recognised that there is a need for businesses to have access to a diverse entrepreneurial community that offers mentoring and peer-to-peer support.
Businesses from HOST 50 will be introduced to industry leading partners including TiE UK North, Innovation Exchange and Counting King through round tables, workshops, seminars and meet the expert sessions. This will offer unrivalled access to specialists in all the areas they need to launch and grow sustainable businesses. The programme is open to applications from UK-based digital or tech businesses with less than 250 full-time employees, a turnover of less than £43m or a balance sheet of less than £37m with the ambition to grow, innovate and scale-up.
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Cheshire East Virtual Pride is returning for its second year, with this year’s event taking place on Saturday, August 14, from 2-6pm.
On the day, viewers will be treated to an eclectic mix of interviews, music, competitions, performances and information supporting the LGBTQ+ community, with live presenters featuring throughout the day. Special guests at the event include Doncaster-based band Bang Bang Romeo and singer Sam Callahan, with further acts still to be confirmed.
Crewe-based prestige brand Bentley Motors, will once again be sponsoring the event, alongside Crewe Town Council. This will be the fourth Cheshire East Pride event hosted by the council, following two successful live events at both Tatton Park, Knutsford and Queens Park, Crewe, and the first Virtual Pride event hosted online last year.
Cllr Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Following the success of last year’s event, we are delighted to once again be hosting Cheshire East Virtual Pride. This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate diversity and equality in all members of our community, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, disability, religion, race or socio-economic background.
“Promoting the rights of our LGBTQ+ community, and ensuring their voice is heard, is hugely important to us. This event is a further step in the right direction in ensuring we all reside in a fair, open and equal borough, where every individual is represented, and every voice is heard.”
