Rushcliffe’s new Digital High Street Adviser is helping further West Bridgford and Rushcliffe-based businesses to develop their digital offer, offering wide-ranging business advice to complement their in-person sales at the Borough’s retail premises.
Steve Phillips from East Midlands Chamber is an experienced Business Adviser contracted by Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver the project in the borough courtesy of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).
The authority is one of the first in the region to utilise the funding, aware of some impact on the recent retail climate in West Bridgford and responding to the pressures high street businesses are currently facing.
Steve is now out and about chatting with business owners, listening and exploring how he can assist in the development of their websites, online marketing and use of social media.
It’s with the aim of aiding sales and assisting further footfall and routes to more specialist business advice in West Bridgford.
Chair of the West Bridgford Growth Board Cllr Abby Brennan joined him at businesses in the town to listen and chat with business owners about where they can support traders even further.
Cllr Brennan said: “We are focusing our energy on supporting local businesses in West Bridgford and across the Borough, listening and responding in as many ways as we can such as this digital project with local business owners, Steve and the Chamber.
“Maintaining our vibrant high streets is a priority for us and we know the importance of our independent businesses. We are here to listen and will be flexible in responding to their needs, very much aware owner’s skills and needs continue to change quickly.
“The outlook in West Bridgford is positive and there is still considerable interest from businesses coming in here.
“We’re exploring a study of our town centres that will look at what opportunities there are to help shape the future of our high streets.”
The digital project will include businesses being supported through a set of short ‘how to’ films, guides and webinars that will provide advice on a range of topics and examples of good practice, previously identified as helpful by business owners in other recent Council projects.
Businesses wishing to contact Steve directly can complete an online expression of interest form over the phone at 0330 053 8639 or email steve.phillips@emc-dnl.co.uk
The Digital High Street Adviser project has received £25,000 from the UK Government through the UKSPF.
Steve said: “I’ve met and chatted with many business owners across Rushcliffe already and it’s heartening to see where we can find ways to maximise their online presence even further and ultimately raise revenue.
“I refer businesses to our specialist colleagues, tailoring owners’ needs to particular support and advice they need in their sector.
“Business owners are exceptionally positive here in the borough and we want to reach out even more, assisting them in this currently unpredictable economy by offering expert insight.”
The project runs until June with initial contact and adviser visits from Steve made to all participating businesses by the end of March.
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