17 June 2014
Northamptonshire businesses that want to grow and expand can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 from business support project Velocity.
Over 100 local businesses gathered at the Errol Flynn Filmhouse in Northampton on Friday 13 June to find out more about Velocity and the grant funding available to help companies in the county.
Since the launch of Velocity, which has been rolled-out across the South East Midlands, over 2,600 businesses have accessed the service, keen to benefit from one-to-one support from locally based Business Advisers, a one-stop web portal www.velocitybusinesssupport.com and grants from £1,000 to £10,000, all designed to help companies to grow.
Within the county, Velocity is being delivered through Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, with Chief Executive Paul Griffiths keen to emphasise that Velocity is available to all companies in the county. and grants from £1,000 to £10,000, all designed to help companies to grow.
Speaking at the event on Friday, Paul said: “The Chamber working with the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) to deliver Velocity is a vital partnership for businesses in Northamptonshire. It’s a fantastic time to be in business here and Velocity is a great opportunity for companies looking to grow in that we can help them take on more people and safeguard jobs. Velocity is a real boon for the economy in Northamptonshire.”
SEMLEP is the driving force behind Velocity with SEMLEP Board Director and Velocity Chairman Rae Levene speaking at the event on Friday. He said: “The Errol Flynn Filmhouse was a really fitting venue for our Velocity launch in Northamptonshire as it’s a great example of how a successful business can grow and thrive, which is exactly what Velocity can help businesses achieve.
“There was real buzz and excitement in the room with everyone keen to chat to our advisers and make appointments with them to see how they can help them grow their business.
“Velocity is already a proven success in other parts of the South East Midlands where we’ve already launched and we want to have the same impact on the business economy in Northamptonshire.”
At the Northamptonshire launch event on Friday, businesses were treated to a screening of a very special film, produced exclusively for Velocity. Filmed at the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, ‘Velocity does Kinky Boots’ is a nod towards the county’s roots in the shoe industry, an industry that is still alive and kicking today.
To watch the film, which features interviews with Councillor David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council and SEMLEP Board Director, and Velocity Business Advisers Richard Thompson, visit Velocity’s YouTube Channel.
As part of its aim to support local organisations, Velocity has partnered with The Northamptonshire Community Foundation, which in turn is supporting Velocity.
Victoria Miles, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: “As the county’s grant giving charity we recognise the importance of supporting communities so that they can grow, thrive and become stronger. Velocity will be doing just this, by supporting small businesses, charities and social enterprises to grow and reach their full potential.”
To contact Velocity’s local Business Advisers Andrew Rozzier and Richard Thompson, call 01604 490 498 or visit www.velocitybusinesssupport.com for all the details on how Velocity can help to grow your business.
Pictured above and putting their best foot forward at the Velocity launch are Councillor David Mackintosh of Northampton Borough Council, Velocity business advisers Richard Thompson and Andrew Rozzier, Paul Griffiths of Northamptonshire Chamber and Daniel Charles Mouawad of SEMLEP.
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