Staffordshire LEP pledges support for business helpline

BUSINESS leaders in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have signed up to support a single number advice helpline for businesses.

The move is part of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s drive to support growth following the demise of organisations such as Business Link.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and various chambers of commerce have all backed the project, which will begin a six-month trial in February.

LEP Business Development chairman Stephen Dixon said the various partners were working together to put business interests first.

“What business wants is a clear route to information and support. At the moment there are several sources of information and it can be confusing. We are determined to break down barriers to enterprise. The one number will be the single simple gateway to business expertise,” he said.

Cllr Ben Adams, Staffordshire’s economic growth and enterprise leader, said with high profile business such as Jaguar Land Rover and Amazon moving onto the area, the LEP had to ensure the right support infrastructure was available.

“Our focus on business, jobs and prosperity is really paying off. We are leading the way nationally for job creation – that’s because the joint team is dedicated to doing everything we can to help businesses thrive – whatever their size,” he said.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council Leader Mohamed Pervez said the initiative was about a seemless service for potential investors.

“This one point of contact will make it easier for entrepreneurs, big or small, to get the information and advice they need with the minimum of fuss. With the business support line we will have one voice when helping businesses to cut through the bureaucracy,” he said.

North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sara Williams said the new service was a direct response to what businesses said they wanted.