Businesses in Staffordshire which have struggled to access the essential finance they need to help them thrive and grow can seek advice from a team of experts on January 26.
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is running its first Open Access to Finance event in recognition of the tough times businesses face in the current economic climate. The event is being run with the Black Country Reinvestment Society (BCRS), which operates the
Staffordshire Business Support Fund in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council.
(116kb) Download the flyer for the event here
LEP chairman Maitland Hyslop said the event, which is being held at the Staffordshire County Showground, is an ideal opportunity for businesses to speak to experts on how they can overcome the difficulties many face when looking to access essential finances.
“It is essential for us to support our small and medium sized businesses which are the lifeblood of our economy and this event should give some real support to them.
“We understand the difficulty businesses have experienced in recent times in accessing finance from the banks. Some of the organisations at our event provide financial services and can explain the right way to apply for loans; others will provide expert advice. I hope as many businesses as possible come along to the event – it could really make a difference to securing their futures.”
The Open Access to Finance Forum will run from 4.30pm to 7pm and will allow companies seeking support to informally meet a wide range of financial services providers operating in the West Midlands. It will be the first in a series of events that will be held across the region.
Financial bodies attending the event will include commercial banks, corporate financiers, law firms, business and financial advisors, small business loan funds, accountants and business schools.
Paul Kalinauckas, Chief Executive of BCRS, said: “Previous Open Access to Finance Forums which we have held in the Black Country have received a high level of interest and this highlights that local businesses require more help and information to find out what funding is available and on what terms.
“We are delighted to be hosting this event to offer businesses direct access to a number of financial organisations which can hopefully offer them support."
Attendance to the event is free but people must register in advance at events@bcrs.org.uk. People can find out more information, or about exhibiting at the event by contacting 0845 313 8410.
BCRS is a co-operative small business loan fund run on a non-profit distributing basis. It operates the Staffordshire Business Support Fund in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council
Established in 2002, BCRS is committed to lending to businesses in the Black Country and Staffordshire that have been turned down by banks. BCRS receives funding from the the European Regional Development Fund and Staffordshire County Council.