Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, welcomes Government support for Wealden businesses through the Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Ready to Grow and Big Ambitions programmes, which have received £447,464 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, are open to companies based in Wealden, as well as in Lewes, Eastbourne and Rother.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is providing £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
Ready To Grow is a training programme for early-stage business owners who have been trading for less than three years. The programme includes in person and online workshops, masterclasses, one to one support and networking opportunities.
Big Ambitions provides up to 18 hours of expertise for businesses who are growing and likely to employ additional staff within the next six to 12 months and includes one to one diagnostic action planning and specialist support.
Provision of the programmes, which are a collaborative project between Lewes District, Eastbourne Borough, Rother District and Wealden District Councils, is being managed by East Sussex County Council on behalf of the local authorities. Both programmes will run until March 2025.
More information about the Ready To Grow and Big Ambitions programmes and how to sign up can be found online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/support/organisations.
Nusrat Ghani said: “Local businesses being able to access these kinds of programmes helps them to grow and sustain their vision through pragmatic support. I am pleased that Wealden businesses will benefit from access to Big Ambitions and Ready To Grow, and I urge everyone to take this opportunity to expand their knowledge and expertise”.
