Small businesses up to five years old in Staffordshire can now benefit from free legal support thanks to an expanded programme.
The Get Started and Grow programme now gives new businesses up to two hours’ advice and support.
The Staffordshire County Council initiative focuses on contract law – including terms and conditions, contracts of trade and sale and non-disclosure agreements through to company structure and shareholder agreements.
It follows the introduction of accountancy support, covering everyday money management, financial planning and forecasting and how to apply for funding or seek additional investment.
Get Started and Grow also provides a digital marketing package, including branding and website design. The programme is free and delivered by local professionals.
Launched last year, Get Started and Grow initially supported start-up businesses in their first two years of operation. Research carried out by the county council found that young businesses looking to plan their next stage of growth needed support.
Get Started builds on the county council’s existing business support programme which has included a start-up loan scheme, offering loans of up to £5,000, and the Get Started scheme, launched last November to offer marketing and accountancy support to new companies.
People wanting to find out more should visit: https://bit.ly/StartAndGrowStaffs or contact the team at: [email protected]
The expansion to the programme comes as Staffordshire is now seeing business start-up survival rates higher than the UK average.