16,000 businesses helped by City Deal
The Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub Deal has now reached more than 16,000 businesses across the far south west.
Created through the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal, the Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub was set up to make it simple for businesses to find the right support and advice. The service operates across Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset.
The Growth Hub is coordinated by Plymouth University’s Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN) and Plymouth Chambers of Commerce who work closely with partner Chambers across the peninsula
The Growth Hub, through its Business Engagement Service (BES), provides a telephone diagnostic and signposting service to advise businesses on the most appropriate support for their needs.
Businesses can also meet with export advisors through Plymouth Chambers of Commerce. The Digital Exchange is an online portal and forum where businesses can share advice find new clients and keep up to date with business news.
One of the most popular services companies access through the Chambers is the Digital Marketplace.
Delivered by Peninsula Enterprise, the Digital Marketplace ‘ecommerce’ workshops are run in partnership with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). As well as providing strategic advice to businesses on selling online in the UK and overseas, they also offer accredited training to digital marketing companies that create websites aimed to attract an international audience.
Nicola Evans, Head of International Trade for the South West said: “The Digital Marketplace has been a unique opportunity to invest in and work directly with the supply chain in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The training has helped close skills gaps and ensure that, as a region, we have a strong digital offering.
“We are absolutely delighted with the results so far, with a number of new websites going live for local businesses wishing to increase their reach in overseas markets. There are specific design principles unique to different cultures that go far beyond just translating copy. Some countries pretty much only access the web through their mobiles, while others navigate from right to left and many use different social networks. These differences require technical experts to get right. The commitment and expertise cultivated by this programme will help support international success for businesses in the South West.”
One local company that has already benefitted from the Growth Hub is Plymouth’s dv8media. The company provides web and mobile digital design, ecommerce and online marketing services and products to a broad range of clients across the south west. It sent two employees on the course.
Adrian Saunders, Managing Director at dv8media said: “With eleven years in digital marketing we have plenty of in-house skills, but there are always new developments. Accredited training has given us an edge and enabled us to expand out portfolio and build new business.
“We’ve been introduced to some new and interesting clients and have been able to bring some fresh thinking and new opportunities to our existing clients. For them it’s all about return on investment and we’ve had some great feedback.”
Plymouth City Council Leader, Tudor Evans said: “Enabling companies like dv8media to reach new clients and expand their business is what the Growth Hub is here to do. Because it’s a signposting service, it can attract a wide number of partner providers who deliver a huge range of services.
“The fact that the Growth Hub has already reached 16,000 businesses across the peninsula shows that this is the right approach. Each of these businesses now know where to go to get the right advice to find the most appropriate support, at a time that suits them best.”
Businesses wanting to find out more about the Growth Hub should call GAIN on 0800 073 2020.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the Growth Hub and the City Deal or can sign up for the newsletter on the City Deal website: www.plymouth.gov.uk/citydeal
For more information please contact Julie Everett at Coast Communications: 01579 352604 / 07866 02635 or email Julie@coastmarcoms.co.uk
Image shows l-r: Patrick Hartop, Head of City Deal; Phil Pearson Plymouth Chamber of Commerce; Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader PCC; Danny Marinou, Peninsula Enterprise; Matthew Hill, Peninsula Enterprise; Adrian Saunders, Managing Director dv8media.
Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal
Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal is a ground-breaking deal with government to deliver economic growth in the south west in exchange for the government devolving powers and funding. The deal area covers Plymouth, Cornwall, Devon, Torbay and Somerset.
The deal will tackle low rates of productivity, a key barrier to economic growth by playing to the peninsula's strengths and growing the marine and advanced manufacturing sectors. The South West has 14 per cent of the national marine supply chain, employing 26,000. It is home to global companies such as Babcock Marine, Princess Yachts International, Pipex px, Pendennis Ship Yard and Agusta Westland.
The Deal will tackle low rates of productivity by:
Growing the marine and advanced manufacturing sectors by developing a marine industries production campus led by South Yard in Plymouth. This will provide additional research and commercialisation facilities and the relocation and development of supply chain companies, enabling the growth of the marine sector across the peninsula. Providing tailored business support programmes to all small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and marine sector companies. Implementing a Deal for Young Peoplethat will tackle youth unemployment in Plymouth and the peninsula.
As a result of the City Deal local partners predict it will lead to:
9,500 permanent jobs.Unlock 32,400 square metresof new marine workspace as part of a potential phased release of the South Yard site at Devonport Naval Base that could, in the long term, unlock 85,000 square metres of new marine workspace.1,500 young people taking part in youth unemployment programmes, with 540 achieving sustained employment.The launch of the largest wage progression project in the country that will boost the earnings of young people.Provide £34m of local and national public sector investment.Lever in over £72 million of private sector investment into the area, increasing to £262m over the long term.
The Plymouth and Peninsula City Deal is supported by Plymouth City Council, the Heart of the South West LEP, Plymouth University, Devon County Council, Cornwall Council, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council, Torbay Council, Torbay Development Agency, City College Plymouth, Exeter University, South West Marine Energy Park (SWMEP), Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Babcock, Princess Yachts and Plymouth Marine Laboratories.
About The Digital Marketplace
The Digital Marketplace is delivered by Peninsula Enterprise in partnership with UK Trade & Investment and funded by the Regional Growth Fund as part of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal.
About UKTI
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media
About Peninsula Enterprise
Peninsula Enterprise is the leading provider of high quality enterprise and knowledge services in the South West. Peninsula Enterprise is contracted to deliver UKTI services in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. In Cornwall, Peninsula Enterprise receives additional funding via European Regional Development Fund (Convergence) to deliver an enhanced international trade service called Export Cornwall.
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