Calderdale businesses can seek free, expert advice to help them grow and tackle challenges.
Calderdale Council is running regular drop-in hubs at libraries across the borough, where local businesses can reach out for any support they need.
The sessions are run by the Council’s Place Development Team, which was set up in September 2021 to help local businesses recover from the pandemic.
In the last year, the team has visited and supported over 300 local businesses and kept in regular contact with in-person advice, emails and phone calls. The team has also been supporting local events and getting out into communities to spread the word about the help available, including attending the Flavourfest community festival in the Park and Warley wards, the Halifax Agricultural Show and Northowram Gala.
Now, with the further challenges of the cost of living crisis facing the whole borough and country, the Place Development Team is continuing to provide support with the addition of the new advice hubs.
Cllr Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said:
“Our local businesses, especially the smaller independents and those working in tourism and hospitality, have been hit hard by COVID-19, and now they face more challenges from cost increases and reduced consumer spending.
“We want to help boost their resilience as they’re such an important part of Calderdale – they make our borough distinctive and support our priorities such as thriving towns and economic growth through culture, tourism and regeneration.
“Our Place Development Team is doing a brilliant job of supporting businesses and continues to visit them in person. As an additional way of connecting with businesses, the team has begun new drop-in hubs at local libraries, giving business owners the opportunity to call in for a friendly chat to get advice on funding, growth and much more.”
The hubs are running as follows:
- Beechwood Road Library, Illingworth: Thursday mornings, 10.30am -11.30am
- Brighouse Library: Wednesday every two weeks, 10.30am – 12pm
- Elland Library: first Wednesday of every month, 10am – 11am
- Halifax Central Library: second Monday of every month, 11am – 3pm
- Hebden Bridge Library: first Wednesday of every month 10.30am -12pm
- King Cross Library: last Thursday of every month, 5pm – 6pm
- Northowram Library: first Tuesday of every month, 10am – 11.30am
- Rastrick Library: first Wednesday of every month, 11.15am – 12.15pm
- Sowerby Bridge Library: every Friday, 10am – 12pm
- Todmorden Library: every Friday, 10.30am – 12pm
The Place Development Team is working hard to help boost towns and villages across Calderdale and is happy to support any area where it can. To reach out to the team, please visit the hub drop-in sessions at your convenience (no need to book) or arrange a one-to-one visit by emailing placedevelopment@calderdale.gov.uk. You can also follow the Place Development Team on Facebook to find out more (@Calderdale Place Development Team).
Building resilience is a key part of the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday and there are less than two years to go. Where do we want to be by 2024? What’s our ambition and what will be different? Find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision