Member Article

Black Country Chamber of Commerce wins second tender to support Walsall start-up businesses

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is to deliver support services for start-up businesses to grow economic prosperity and employment opportunities in Walsall.

Following a successful tender application, the second to be won in recent weeks by the region’s leading business support agency, the Chamber will help new and growing businesses on behalf of Walsall Council as part of a drive to build the town’s economy.

After a successful bid to secure the contract to deliver similar services for the city of Wolverhampton, the Chamber of Commerce team will now offer Walsall firms in the early stages of development a suite of activity to create the foundations to shape growth.

The Business Growth Walsall programme will allow residents to engage and access skills to provide them with the right foundations to prepare, start and ensure the survival of their business.

Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse said the contract win would enable the Chamber to create more prosperity among young businesses in Walsall. Sarah said: “We are pleased to have been selected by Walsall Council to deliver vital services to help new companies shape stronger futures.

“We have a strong heritage in supporting young companies to make the most of the opportunities ahead of them so we look forward to working with the Council to make a positive impact.

“Securing this contract to deliver the Walsall programme so soon after winning a competitive tender for similar services in Wolverhampton speaks volume about the trust placed in the Chamber as we play a leading role in the local economy by helping businesses throughout 2024.”

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council said: “We are looking forward to working with the Black Country Chamber of Commerce to deliver a programme that will help provide start-up businesses with the essential skills and support they need to thrive.

“Supporting start-up businesses will help Walsall build a modern and competitive economy, create employment opportunities and encourage regeneration in the town.”

The Chamber plans to deliver the support through its current start-up provision for companies in the Black Country. The Chamber launched the Start-Up Business Club in 2018 to provide platforms and opportunities for businesses looking to grow, connect and become part of a thriving network.

The Start-Up Business Club contributes to the growth of a new business by providing a supportive environment and valuable connections including a dedicated business relationship manager.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is to deliver support services for start-up businesses to grow economic prosperity and employment opportunities in Wolverhampton.

The Walsall contract win comes after the Chamber won a tender to provide services for new and growing businesses on behalf of City of Wolverhampton Council under the local authority’s ‘Our City Our Plan’ strategy.

With funding from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund the start-up programme, which will run until March 2025, will provide support enabling Wolverhampton residents to engage and access skills to create the foundations for their business to prepare, start and ensure its survival.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Osborn Communications .