Three more grants help to boost local enterprise
The latest recipients of start up grants from Winchester City Council include a fitness fanatic, a local eatery and social care experts.
Everycare (Central Hants) Ltd was started by Mike Frizzell. He applied to the start up grant scheme to help with initial recruitment costs for home carers. They are now looking to hire both full and part time home care staff to help move the business forward.
Jamie Aspin at Fitness Initiative has used the grant funding to fund legal costs for contracts with private gyms in hotels. He wants to open these up to the general public, whilst providing expert fitness advice.
Café Peninsula has recently re-opened its doors to the public, serving teas, coffees and light lunches to residents and visitors to the military museums alike. Annette Bergen applied for the start up grant to fund marketing and publicity materials.
Cllr Dominic Hiscock, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism is delighted the start up grants are having such an effect, “We have been able to support all sorts of businesses start up, giving entrepreneurs the helping hand they need. Our partnership with Business Link makes this process even stronger, giving local people more bang for their buck.”
The Council has allocated funds for start up grants as part of its recession-busting activities for the whole Winchester District. The aim is to help people who have been made redundant or are out of work to start their own business. Other measures include training, marketing, rate relief and providing jobs for the long term unemployed through the Future Jobs Fund.
Business Link’s Start up Manager, Steve Cunnell, added, “We are delighted to be working with Winchester City Council to help local entrepreneurs. Business Link’s support for people starting a business complements this scheme. Our service offers free online self-help tools, information, advice and workshops. To find out more go to www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast/startup or call our helpline on 0845 600 9 006.”
To find out more about Winchester City Council grant schemes, go to www.winchester.gov.uk/businessgrants or contact Kate Cloud by email kcloud@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848 563.