We're here to help

This is a time of great anxiety for workers and businesses. City of Wolverhampton Council will do all in its power to help you through this.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) support checker

That is why we’ve launched Wolves in Business, a local economy support package. We’re making millions of pounds of grant payments available and are developing new measures in partnership with business groups across the city.

We’re determined to keep Wolverhampton’s business community vibrant and resilient by being on the side of our local businesses, their employees and those who are self-employed.

How we’re responding as a council

We have launched a comprehensive economic package to help businesses, voluntary and community sector groups and the city’s residents cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Wolves in Business is designed to offer advice and guidance to ensure we are relevant during these uncertain times and as we move forward.

To find out about the support available follow the links below.

Business support programme

Local Restrictions Support Grant
COVID-19 Guidance for employers and businesses
Coronavirus Business Loan Schemes and Future Fund extensions

All 3 of the Governments Coronavirus Business Loan Schemes and the Future Fund have been extended taking applications up to 30th November. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has today extended the government’s three Coronavirus business interruption loan schemes - the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) - and the Future Fund. The extension aligns all the end dates of the schemes to 30th November, 2020.

As the schemes were announced at different times, they previously had different closing dates, with each scheme originally open for applications for a period of six months until 30 September (CBILS and Future Fund), 20 October (CLBILS), and 4 November (Bounce Back Loan Scheme). The closing dates are now aligned to 30th November and details of the schemes can be accessed via the British Business Bank website.

BREXIT Update
Black Country Small Grants Programme

The new Black Country Small Grants Programme goes live in November.

The Government scheme – supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - is being delivered by the Black Country Growth Hub.

It will provide grants of £1,000 to £3,000 (and in exceptional cases up to £5,000) for small firms to buy in critical consultancy support.

Areas of support include legal, finance, human resources, health and safety, Covid-19 risk assessments and prevention measures, or purchasing IT or small pieces of equipment to adapt to new ways of working.

Businesses are being encouraged to register for the Black Country Growth Hub Newsletter to receive notification as soon as the scheme goes live.

Sign up here

Basic eligibility will include evidencing significant financial loss over recent months and a specific need for consultancy support.

Visitor Economy Package

A visitor economy package is set to go live in November to support 40 Black Country businesses in the hospitality sector.

Bents Limited, a new private sector partner with expertise and experience of delivering for two Local Enterprise Partnerships in the Midlands, will deliver this Government scheme.

It will offer diagnostics/needs analysis through to one-to-one support, workshops and webinars, and grants of £1,000 to £1,800 for more specialist support and the purchase of small items/equipment.

Businesses can register their interest by emailing hospitality@bentsbh.com.

Relighting Business - Webinars and Surgeries

Through the summer we ran a series of 7 webinars and 5 surgeries with the support and involvement of a number of businesses that represented a cross  section of business sectors, sizes and structures. Our thanks go to our Economic Growth Board members John Wood, Director at the Liberty Group, Scott Thompson, Managing Director at the Thompson Group, Matt Weston, Director at Stones Throw Media, Anna-Maria McCauliffe, Director of the McAuliffe Group, Maria Posiwnyncz, owner of The Accountancy Firm; Sham Sharma, owner of Zuri Coffee; Henry Carver, Managing Director of Carvers; and Russell Jones, General Manager Marketing and Commercial Growth at Wolves FC.

The titles of the webinars were:

  • Cut Costs and Streamline Processes to Improve Productivity and Efficiency  
  • Plan ahead and Plan for Success
  • Lead and Don’t be Led
  • Innovate and Diversify
  • Invest and Identify New Customers and Market Trends

View the webinars here

Our thanks too to Maqq Rafique, Director of Airguard Filters; and Keith Milford, owner of PrintDot. Maqq and Keith successfully pivoted their businesses early this year to respond to the needs of the NHS and essential businesses, securing AIM for GOLD grant support to implement investment in new machinery. They shared their stories in 2 of our recent growth planning webinars:

  • Growth Planning – the creative sector
  • Growth Planning – the manufacturing sector

Contact us...

Email: business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Twitter: @investwolves

AIM for GOLD
GRANTfinder
Supplier Support
Employment and Workforce Development

These are unprecedented times for us all, however we are committed to continue to provide the best support we can to businesses and jobseekers. We are here to help you plan your current and future workforce needs as you navigate the current COVID-19 situation. Our consultancy services are fully funded and over 600 businesses have accessed the support in the last three years.

Wolves at Work business services are ready and available to offer support to businesses looking for assistance on the following:

  • Recruitment - we can advertise and promote your vacancies and assist with sourcing new talent through the highly successful Wolves at Work project
  • Redundancy support
  • Advice on upskilling your workforce to meet future business needs
  • Information on the Job Retention Scheme and links to training for furloughed staff
  • Useful connections to further business support

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for recruitment or workforce support: recruitment@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Or call the Business Support line: 01902 290242 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays

Useful links

Job Retention Scheme
Claim for wages through the coronavirus job retention scheme.

It will allow you to retain your staff and ensure your business can resume quickly when re-growth occurs.

There are also several useful websites to further explain the support available to businesses and their employees:

A useful tool for further support are the following webinars on employment topics:

Business Rates and Relief
Business Week – free online events

Useful links

Black Country-specific advice and support for businesses is available through the Black Country Growth Hub.

The Federation of Small Businesses has also published guidance on what you can do to protect your business and employees.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce have also published a number of interpretative and advice documents on the Government support schemes.

Guidance for food businesses reopening and adapting their businesses during COVID-19 can be found on the Trade with Confidence website.

The University of Wolverhampton Business School has a range of courses for managers and a dedicated COVID-19 Business Support Hub.

Contact us

Anyone with any business support queries should call the Business Support Line between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.

Telephone: 01902 290242

Email: business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk

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