Funding provided for Federation of Small Businesses memberships
Richmondshire businesses are set to benefit from support as they continue to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.
The District Council is investing £40,000 to fund first year memberships to the Federation of Small Businesses. This is for the self-employed, micro and small businesses that are not already members of the FSB.
Around 200 businesses will be able to access the free Federation of Small Business membership with applications being offered on a first come, first served, basis.
Membership gives businesses a range of services, covering everything from legal help and advice to fee free banking, employment protection, debt recovery services and help to access funding.
The Federation reports that demand for its services is higher than normal because of the pandemic. It offers a wide range of advice and support to members to help aid their recovery. It says it is receiving regular calls to its employment advice and protection, legal help, FSB care medical advice line, FSB funding platform and cash advance and insurance services.
Cllr Angie Dale, Richmondshire District Council Leader, said: "District councils like ours have been at the forefront of supporting local businesses, especially during this Coronavirus crisis. We’ve been working hard to process and pay the Government’s business support grants as quickly as possible and to help local businesses with their many concerns. Now as we look towards recovery, we are providing more locally tailored support as central government schemes wind down.
"I am delighted we’ve been able to secure this local deal. The Federation of Small Businesses is a great resource for micro-businesses and self-employed traders and I encourage them to access this membership offer, and start using the many benefits available to members."
Carolyn Frank, Development Manager North Yorkshire, Federation of Small Businesses, added: "We are seeing more demand than ever for our services as small businesses and the self-employed find themselves needing advice and guidance, financial support and a powerful collective voice with government. As experts in business we really understand the strain the pandemic has put on businesses, and we have adapted our membership offer to help support recovery, with practical legal help, insurances and protections and lots of useful resources, as well as being able to connect with likeminded business owners.
"We are very grateful to Richmondshire District Council for funding free Federation of Small Business memberships. This will help us reach even more businesses in the area with specialist one to one advice and support, and will boost the local economic recovery through small businesses.”
"The council has identified the importance of the smallest businesses to the local economy and we look forward to supporting these businesses by welcoming them to the Federation of Small Business."
Businesses can apply for the free Federation of Small Business membership offer by emailing nick.bradley@fsb.org.uk. Business owners should add the code “RiDC” to the subject field of their email.
