Businesses in Dorset can now access high-level business support free of charge via the new Dorset Gateway service from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP).
Dorset Gateway is a new central repository of information, advice and support for businesses within the county, providing them with a business support service and signposting to the most appropriate local or national commercial or public funded assistance available to help them grow.
Dorset LEP received funding from the Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to establish the new business support function which also includes:
- professional business account management
- customised business support brokerage service
- bid-writing support service
The fully funded bid writing support service is already up and running, giving successful businesses the option of accessing either up to 40 hours of support to write a funding application or a comprehensive application checking service.
The contract for the business support brokerage support service has recently been awarded to the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCC1). The one-stop shop, providing a single point of contact for business support, will be open to non-members as well as members.
Jim Stewart, Chair Dorset LEP said: “Expansion, diversification and innovation in the business base is critical to Dorset’s future growth. Dorset needs a healthy rate of new business start-ups and an environment that supports businesses to survive and grow. It is imperative that we help to support both new and established enterprises and these new initiatives will help us to achieve our vision for a strong and growing business population.”
DCCI Chief Executive Ian Girling said: “The Chamber is very well placed to deliver vital business support to individuals and businesses across Dorset. So often businesses are unaware of the help and support that is available and this service will connect and help businesses access support to enable growth.”
For further information about Dorset Gateway click here
