Dorset LEP supports scale-up programme

Published by

Stephen Emerson

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A business development scheme, aimed at supporting those Dorset businesses in the process of starting or scaling up, has been launched by WSX Enterprise.

The Transformational Business Support scheme is free for the first 300 subscribers thanks to support from the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership. Additional subscribers will be able to participate by paying an annual subscription.

Participating businesses will be able to access 200 professional tutorial and training videos, drop in sessions and one to one expert guidance. Those first 300 business who subscribe can access the material and services free until March 2023.

Peter Grant, WSX Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “TBS is designed to offer essential help for sole traders and small companies.

Peter Grant, Chief Executive of not-for-profit business support provider WSX Enterprise

“They might be hairdressers, plumbers, builders, therapists, food and drink producers, crafts people, tattooists, mechanics, painters and decorators, and so on.

“The scheme is open to students with a business idea alongside their courses, unemployed workers seeking to invest their redundancy settlements in new careers, would-be influencers ready to monetise their YouTube channels and business hobbyists keen to supplement their main income to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.”

Subjects covered in the online tutorials include marketing, time management, financial planning, website design, cyber security, social media and how to build a personal brand.

Dorset LEP has dedicated funds awarded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in order to support 300 businesses access the training material and services free of charge.

Rebecca Davies, Head of Enterprise, Skills and Industry at Dorset LEP, said: “Businesses in Dorset, like most other businesses in the UK, are continuing to experience a range of challenges such as increased energy costs, skills and workforce shortages and supply chain disruption.

“While these issues provide challenges for businesses, there are also many opportunities that exist though local and national business growth and support programmes.

“To help ensure businesses are well placed to get advice and support that is right for them, we want to provide them with one-to-one, tailored business diagnostics and reviews.

“Dorset LEP is committed to supporting effective and impactful business growth in Dorset and ensuring the county maximises investment for business growth and we are delighted to be working with WSX Enterprise as one of our delivery partners.”

For more information on TBS in Dorset, visit https://digital.wsxenterprise.co.uk.

For details on how to access the discount code, email contact.tbs@wsxenterprise.co.uk.

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.