Council scoops innovation award for helping small businesses in the Winchester district
Winchester City Council’s tireless work to help small businesses has been recognised with a prestigious award. The council was named the winner in the ‘Most Innovative Small Business Friendly Award’ category in the Federation of Small Business (FSB) Wessex Local Authority Business Friendly Awards 2019.
The award which is open to all local authorities in Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Dorset celebrates campaigns or projects that have been innovative and beneficial to local small businesses.
Last year the council held two successful unique events aimed at smaller businesses. These were the Unconference in May 2018, where 100 participants from local businesses set the agenda for the day on the theme of making Winchester a premier business location. The second event, Hack Winchester, which took place a few months later in September 2018, picked up on the themes identified at Unconference and looked closely at digital solutions to the issues raised.
Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Cllr Anne Weir, said:
“I am delighted to see all the hard work of our officers, ensuring small businesses thrive in Winchester, has been recognised.
“We know that Winchester is somewhere businesses of all sizes can flourish and we will continue to provide unique opportunities like Unconference and Hack Winchester so the city maintains its vibrant local economy.”