Introducing specialist business support through the Newark and Sherwood Accelerator

Working with experienced business advisors, eligible businesses can access a range of support through the programme including:

• 1-2-1 advice, mentoring and diagnostic support with decarbonisation and/or innovation
• Training and workshops: providing businesses with the latest learning and tools in areas such as energy efficiency, waste, management and decarbonisation
• Helping businesses identify and apply for funding to help them grow, increase efficiencies and build a sustainable business in the future
• Networking and peer support
• Energy audits

Eligible businesses can also receive £2,000 for specialist consultancy and training as well as a £750 joining fee subsidy for the 12-week executive development leadership and management programme Help to Grow – Management course.

To access support through the Newark and Sherwood Accelerator, complete the form on their website to register interest, and a business advisor will be in touch to learn more and explore the most appropriate support. More information, including how to register, can be found on the D2N2 Growth Hub website here:  https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/initiatives/newark-sherwood-accelerator/  

Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "It is excellent news that we have been able to launch this exciting programme through UK Shared Prosperity Fund, led by East Midlands Chamber, to support our local businesses to achieve their sustainability goals and help those aspiring businesses who could benefit from advice from innovation specialists.

"The benefits of a more sustainable way of working are huge, but it can sometimes be difficult to understand where to start. Through the Accelerator programme, our local businesses will be guided through the steps they can take to achieve their net-zero goals and help them begin to see the impact, including reducing operational costs and increasing investor interest. Similarly, leaders looking to take their businesses to the next level or tackle that next big idea for their business can receive expert support on the best way to achieve that through access to innovation technologies."

Find me the Leads Ltd, a local micro business which works with independent food and drink traders to help them progress their products into more places, predominantly in the hospitality, speciality fine food and health food sectors, has already seen the benefits of participating in the Accelerator programme.

Owner Leisa decided to introduce an online membership programme to her business to support more food and drink producers to expand into retail. By doing this, Find me the Leads® is able to reach more businesses and add the additional revenue stream needed to help make the business's goals a reality.

Through this process, Leisa was supported by a Chamber business adviser, Richard Crowden, as part of the Accelerator project. Richard supported the business through the growth voucher element of the Accelerator project, which offers up to £2,000 of specialist consultancy and training.

Leisa Pickles, owner of Find me the Leeds Ltd, said: "I am so grateful for the support received from the Accelerator Programme and, in particular, my Business Adviser, Richard Crowden. By accessing the services of a Chamber Consultant supported by investment from a UKSPF Growth Voucher, I have been able to introduce a new product to market, improve the productivity of my business, safeguard the jobs of the existing workforce and secure long-term business growth and prosperity."

Read more information about how Leisa accessed support through the Accelerator programme here: https://www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/about/case-studies/find-me-the-leads-ltd/

The Newark and Sherwood Accelerator is led by the East Midlands Chamber and funded through a proportion of the District Council's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation. The project, which runs until 31 March 2025, offers support to all businesses across the district, with added support for high-growth and scaling businesses looking to innovate.

Businesses in Newark and Sherwood are invited to take advantage of the full range of Accelerator events across the area.