New website for businesses launched by Mansfield District Council

The site gives information about the resumption of the council business grants for start-up and growing enterprises, which were suspended during the council's coronavirus response.There is also information about how businesses can prepare for Brexit, details of the discretionary rate relief scheme, networking opportunities, accessing free business advice, investment funding and training.

The website is launched as the government's COVID-19 support measures for businesses come to an end in the coming weeks.Since April the council has distributed more than £19 million of government grants to more than 1,600 businesses affected by the virus lockdown.

The final grants were handed out last month.Now, the council's efforts are turning to supporting the local economy as the district recovers from the virus restrictions on trade.

Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth, said: "The council's priority in the coming decade is to nurture an ambitious, vibrant and confident place."We want to raise the bar in Mansfield and encourage aspiration. Working with our partners such as D2N2, the East Midlands Chamber, Mansfield BID, Vision West Notts College, and Nottingham Trent University, we aim to encourage inward investment in this district and its people."We want local people to be able to study here and acquire the kind of skills that local employers are seeking so they can fill higher paying positions with homegrown talent.

"We know this pandemic has left business casualties but markets are always changing and with change comes opportunity for growth and enterprise."National data shows that across the UK, footfall in our high streets continues to be be low but Mansfield is recovering better than many other places."The council's measures, such as free parking and now half price parking until the new year, have helped and will continue to encourage people to support their local businesses."This is the message we want people to hear loud and clear: shop locally as this will safeguard jobs and create new ones in this area."The council is working closely with shops and traders to ensure they are doing everything to reduce the risk of this virus returning and spreading."Mansfield has the lowest number of cases in the county and people here have done a fantastic job in taking this illness seriously by being sensible, following the rules and looking after the most vulnerable."It is vitally important that everyone continues to do this because the last situation we want – and the last thing businesses want – is for cases to rise and for Mansfield to be put in another lockdown.

"We are on the cusp of exciting times in Mansfield.

"We potentially have more than £50 million of government money heading our way to transform our town centre and boost the whole district."This will help to prepare and position this area in a way that it can continue to thrive in the face of universal changes in the way people work, live, shop and spend their time and money.”

The council’s financial support available includes business start-up grants worth up to £1,000, business growth grants worth up to £2,500, shop front improvement grants worth up to £2,500, a vacant shops grant worth up to £2,500 and discretionary business rate relief of up to 75 per cent over two years to eligible small to medium-sized businesses.

For more details, visit the new site here, email [email protected] or call 01623 463499.