Surge in new start-up businesses in Mansfield despite Covid crisis

The coronavirus pandemic has done little to dampen the spirit in Mansfield as the district has seen a surge in new start-up businesses over the past year.
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Since September 2020, Mansfield District Council has had 64 business support enquiries – with half of them from start-up businesses.

And figures from the council's business data intelligence service FAME, show that in Mansfield business start-ups increased from 468 between April and December 2019 to 578 from April and December last year.

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The council has supported businesses throughout the pandemic, distributing a total of £30 million in Government grants and £41,500 in council business support grants. The next round of grants for new businesses will start on April 1.

Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth at Mansfield District Council.Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth at Mansfield District Council.
Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth at Mansfield District Council.

Council bosses say the grants have allowed many business to open up or stay afloat during the challenging year.

Meanwhile, other businesses have adapted to operate successfully in a Covid-secure way.

Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth, said: “This past year has undoubtedly been really tough for some businesses.

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“But for others it has also proved to be a unique moment of entrepreneurial opportunity and given them time to launch or to rethink, rebrand or expand into different markets.

“It is very encouraging that despite all the hardships, the spirit to move forward and continue to trade in some form has continued and these businesses should be applauded.

"The council's business grants scheme makes a significant difference to new and small ventures and I would encourage other firms to check out how we could help make them a bigger success or give that all-important lift-off booster.

“With the end of the lockdown coming in the weeks and months ahead, there is now a sense of excitement and expectation in the air and the council will be doing everything it can to help rebuild our local economy."

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The support measures that the council will be doing include providing covid marshals and ambassadors to offer advice to businesses and the public on how to operate safely and peer to peer sessions supported by business organisation Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 to enable firms to learn from each other.

There are also council grants of up to £2,500 available for expanding businesses or for independent retailers who want to take on a vacant shop or improve their shop front.