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Business Support Project

Business Support Project

Aims

This project will develop and implement methods of business support for coastal businesses.

Businesses who have taken part in the Business Advice project may then have the opportunity to access further support delivered by this project to assist in adapting to coastal change or combating the effects of blight. 


Background

Business Support Photo

There are a number of businesses along the North Norfolk Coast, particularly to the east of Cromer, which lie within the Coastal Erosion Risk Zone as identified in the Shoreline Management Plan.  As a result of the possible change of policy there may be an increase in the rate or erosion in the location of particular businesses.  This erosion will impact on business premises and therefore the viability of the business as a whole.

Many of the coastal businesses form an important aspect to the local economy of not only the district, but also the settlement in which they are located.  The loss of the business due to erosion could cause further blight within the locality, effecting support and complementary business and therefore local jobs and the vitality of the settlement.

An example of this would be the loss of a coastal holiday park which attracts large numbers of holiday makers into a village.  The visitors not only reside within the holiday complex, but also use and therefore support the local shop, post office and public house.  The loss of the holiday park may have a negative affect on the other businesses and threaten the locality and services available.

Businesses in the Shoreline Management Plans 100 year coastal erosion epoch or in the settlements selected in the business advice project who have completed the Pathfinder Business Advice, may be eligible to apply for support for adapting their business to coastal change or combating blight. 

The need for support will need to have been highlighted from participation in the pathfinder business advice project or supported by other evidence .  The application for support will be assessed against criteria set for each element of the support once it is developed.  The business will also be required to demonstrate their level of eligibility for this funding against the ‘state aid’ rules (advice and support will be given to help the business assess this criteria).

The Business Support available is fund and time limited and must be completed by April 2011.

How and when is the project being delivered?

This project is being managed by the Economic Development Team and the Project Officer is Jose Socao (Economic and Tourism Development Manager) and supported by Rob Goodliffe (Pathfinder Programme Manager).

The project will develop as follows:

Activity Progress
Agree project approach Completed task
Low key promotion Completed task
Provision of the Business Advice (under sister project) Completed task
Development of methods of assistance Completed task
Development of application process Completed task
Promotion of scheme Completed task
Assessment of applications Completed task
Nomination of assistance Completed task
Provision of support Completed task
Assessment and monitoring support provided Completed task
Final reporting to government Completed task

How much money has been allocated to the project?

The pathfinder projects have been allocated budgets to enable them to be planned and proceed.  These allocations may be amended as projects progress.  The Business Support Project has been allocated £450,000.

How is the community involved?

The North Norfolk Business Forum (NNBF) is working in partnership with NNDC to investigate the options of support for this project.  NNBF is an independent organisation which works on behalf of businesses and aims to represent the best interests of local employers and their staff and it seeks to boost the local economy.  
 
Throughout the delivery of the business projects we will arrange quarterly customer forums with a sample of beneficiary businesses, representatives from the Reference Group and one NNBF committee member. The forum will discuss customer specific service issues, improvements and performance. This will aid in enabling the Pathfinder initiative to be fine turned to the needs of businesses and help to inform us of the coastal issues faced.  A sample of businesses awarded with assistance in relocation/adaption will also be invited to take part in the quarterly forums to enable feedback concerning this element of the support.

Events

18 March 2010
North Norfolk Simply Outstanding Exhibition - Initial information about the business support scheme was made available.

20 May 2010
Launch of the Pathfinder Business Support Programme - The Business Support Package will be launched at an event at Woodlands Leisure Park, Trimingham.  For further information please contact the Economic Development Team.

5 July 2010
Officer meeting to discuss options

15 July 2010
Project board discussed draft approaches

26 July 2010
Meeting to discuss grant structures

4 August 2010
Meeting with Foundation East to discuss loan funds

How do I apply to access this support?

The application processes have not been finalised, however if you would like to find out more about the business advice available through the pathfinder please contact the NNBF.

How can I keep informed of this project?

You can keep informed of this project via this website either on this project page or at the ‘Latest News’ section.  We will also release press articles to be included in the local press. You can also subscribe for free to our Pathfinder Newsletter by sending a request to coastalmanagement@north-norfolk.gov.uk.

Progress Key
Task Completed Task complete
Task Underway Task underway
Task not started Task not started