Promoting Business Growth Derbyshire Dales Business Forums Derbyshire Dales: a beautiful place to live, work and visit 16 March 2015 – Town Hall, Matlock 17 March 2015 – Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell 24 March 2015 – Leisure Centre, Ashbourne

Derbyshire Dales: a beautiful place to live, work and visit Welcome Dorcas Bunton, Chief Executive

Derbyshire Dales: a beautiful place to live, work and visit Economic Development Service Steve Capes, Head of Regeneration & Policy

The Derbyshire Dales economy ECONOMIC FACTS ABOUT THE DALES Earnings in the Dales are among the lowest in Derbyshire - average wage is £364 pw (county average £372 pw) Dependency on the public sector (largest employer locally) Manufacturing is also critical (13% of jobs) – but shortage of modern workspace Tourism important – accounts for 7% of employment, but pays wages typically half the average of all sectors 91% of businesses are microbusinesses (<10 employees) – need more to grow Relative to urban areas, rural broadband is poor

The Derbyshire Dales economy WHAT THE FACTS TELL US The facts point to a need for: More higher-paid jobs in local businesses Better rural broadband More (modern) manufacturing workspace / employment sites Economic development is one of the District Council’s two improvement priorities “Increase business growth and job creation”

The Derbyshire Dales economy OPPORTUNITIES Thriving, productive businesses High quality environment and high quality of life Skilled workforce High value manufacturing base Access to markets The Peak District brand

ACTIONS Business engagement Employment sites Peak District partnership projects Tourism promotion Other District Council activities Derbyshire Dales Business Advice

Business engagement  Business Forums held in different locations  E-Newsletter: businessMATTERS  Visits to larger companies  Survey  Investment Brochure  Support ‘Better Business Regulation’ initiative

Employment Sites Ashbourne Airfield Industrial Estate - extension and second access/link road EU / Local Enterprise Partnership grants Working with landowners and developers on other sites

Partnership Initiatives Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)  Two cover the Dales – D2N2 and Sheffield City Region  Control £hundreds of millions Government & EU funds  Growth Hubs  Lobbying for funding for rural communities and towns

Tourism promotion Visitor Information Points Tourism publications and marketing campaigns Cycling tourism development / Pedal Peak

Other District Council activities Business clinics / workshops Apprentices e.g. housing and leisure Agricultural Business Centre ‘Love Your Market’ campaign Contracting with local firms Affordable housing Living Wage

Business Advice Derbyshire Dales Business Advice  free, independent, face to face  helped create 275 jobs in 450+ businesses HEATHER BRADFORD Tel: t

Business advice and funding opportunities Heather Bradford Derbyshire Dales Business Advice

Funding Grants / Loans Mixture of national, local and regional schemes Some aimed at start up businesses, some aimed at existing businesses – all aimed at business growth and job creation Find the right grant to fit your business – don’t fit the business around your grant

The Peak LEADER Fund Priorities (from June) From June - minimum grant £2,500 (£6,250 total investment required) micro / small enterprises & farm diversification - £645,000 rural tourism - £160,000 rural services - £215,000 cultural and heritage activity - £50,000 increasing farm productivity - £290,000 forestry productivity - £70,000

Rural Growth Funding (RDPE) What can we expect in 2015? Managed by Defra and Local Enterprise Partnerships Business start-up grants – either capital or running costs Business development grants – circa £35k and above to develop new products, processes or markets Grants for rural tourism development – emphasis on collaborative projects Renewable energy grants – to deliver economic / wider community benefits Grant launch expected in the Summer Broadband 2016?

Countryside Productivity Grants Capital grants for equipment – £2,500 - £35,000 up to 40% Grants above £35,000 – up to 40% towards process improvements to improve productivity Grant launch expected March – June (Defra) Other funding to follow including to improve land-based skills

Invest To Grow Available now - Minimum grant £15,000 (£50,000 total investment required) Aimed at existing businesses – grants and loans Minimum grant £15,000 – 30% grant (£50k spend) Targets certain business sectors Transport Equipment Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Construction, Food & Drink Manufacturing, Logistics, Low Carbon, Creative Industries and Visitor Economy Looking for significant job creation and skilled jobs

Subsidised schemes to help you buy in expertise Available now Manufacturing Advisory Service - MAS can provide up to 50% of the cost of an expert to help you improve your business, at two different levels: Up to £1,000 / 50% subsidy towards basic improvement projects Step-Change – up to £3,000 / 50% subsidy towards more complex projects Other projects can be supported at a reduced percentage

Growth Vouchers Available now Can provide up to 50% of the cost of an expert to help you improve your business – up to £2,000 grant Only available for specific advice e.g. raising finance and managing cash flow, recruiting and developing staff, improving leadership and management skills, marketing, attracting and keeping customers, making the most of digital technology On line application process

REMEMBER - For all grants you still need to be able to access sufficient funds to buy what you need before you claim the funding back If you struggle to raise finance there are some options you can look at if the bank will not support you:

Finance For Enterprise Business Loans For early stage and established businesses, typically with minimum 3 employees New/start-up business considered if viability can be demonstrated Business assets considered as security if available Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme will be considered Personal guarantees from the director(s) (unsupported) are usually required for limited company lending Maximum loan value £150,000 Interest rate parameters 9% – 14% calculated on reducing balance.

LEP Growth Hubs Delivered in partnership Products and services geared towards businesses with growth potential inc. access to finance, skills and innovation support Aligned with national offers (MAS/UKTI/Growth Accelerator) Local signposting and support

Funding Tips Funding is never retrospective – you need to apply before you buy Funding won’t usually support your normal business overheads Funding applications can be time consuming – make sure you are prepared for the work involved Do your preparation – most funding applications need three quotes and a business plan (or at a minimum 3 years financial forecasts) Check whether you can include second hand equipment – some funds won’t support these purchases REMEMBER - fit the grant around your business, not the business around the grant

How we can help Point you in the right direction for the fund that most likely will fit your needs Assist with the application process and guide you through the steps you need to take Help you look at better ways to make your business grow and work for you Be a source of information and guidance - sign up to the e-newsletter to get the latest funding updates

Funding contact details Peak LEADER: Amanda Brown / Invest to Grow or Manufacturing Advisory Service: Ian Davie

Funding contact details Government Growth Vouchers Finance For Enterprise T: E: Heather Bradford – Derbyshire Dales Business Advisor T: D2N2 Growth Hub – T: Sheffield City Region Growth Hub – launch April

‘Inspired by the Peak District’ Brand Giles Dann, Economic Development Manager Derbyshire Dales: a beautiful place to live, work and visit

Motivations… The profile, reputation and ‘image’ of the Peak District is important to us all Many businesses believe associating with the Peak District can widen the appeal of their products & services Where a product or service comes from is becoming increasingly important to consumers, investors & visitors Opportunity to raise the brand profile of Peak District products and services – but need consistent message Its that “sense of place…”

What is Inspired by the Peak District? a free marketing tool to help promote your business and the wider Peak District economy aimed at all businesses, not just the tourism sector, across the ‘wider’ Peak District campaign led by Business Peak District and supported by partners across the area

Who is Inspired by the Peak District for? all businesses proud of their association with the Peak District brand values: - are passionate about - care for; and - celebrate the Peak District your business?? the more firms promoting the Peak District, the more recognition the Peak District brand will have. The more recognisable the brand becomes, the more it can help sell Peak District products & services

100 th business signs up

Since March 2014…. Nearly 140 businesses signed up From Food & drink producers and on-line retailers to manufacturing and creative businesses Logo used on websites, products, product packaging, in shop windows and on vehicles by many of those who have signed up

How will my business benefit? a consistent brand image linking your business with the iconic Peak District brand Association other quality businesses already using the brand Free use of the logo on your website, products and promotional material and sample marketing starter materials Free live link on the Business Peak District website

What do I have to do? Be an ambassador for the Peak District Use the brand logo appropriately Do what you can to promote the Peak District for the benefit of all associated with it

Interested? Why not join a growing community of businesses proud to be ‘Inspired by the Peak District’ But don’t take my word for it…..