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Worcester BID is undertaking a Public Perception Survey that will guide support procedures implemented across Worcester in the coming months and years.
City Council Growth Grants Released - Applications now Closed Until April
Please note that applications to Worcester City Council are currently closed until April 2024. Applications for the Start Up and Growth Grants will open again in 2024.
Business Growth Grant – Worcester City Council
Worcester Business Growth Grant: Helping Your Growing Business Succeed
If your business has been trading for more than a year, you can apply for a grant of up to £2,500 (if home-based) or £5,000 (if in commercial premises). The grant, which requires a minimum of £1,000 matching funds from your own resources, can be used towards one-off expenses to help your business grow. These expenses can include equipment, machinery, website construction, building works, premises refurbishment, fixtures and fittings, software, and other similar costs. The minimum grant is £1,000 and must be matched from own resources. This means your project must cost a minimum of £2,000.
To be eligible for the grant, your business must be based in Worcester, and you must demonstrate that you need the grant to move forward with your project. Only one grant is available per business or applicant.
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Worcester Business Growth Grant is part of Worcester City Council’s allocation of £2.96m. To receive an application pack or for more information, contact the Worcester City Council Economic Development team at economy@worcester.gov.uk or call 01905 722106.
If your business operates from retail premises, you may also be eligible for the Retail Enhancement Grant. The grant provides up to £12,000 for businesses moving into an empty unit and up to £6,000 for improvements to the internal appearance, frontage, or accessibility for those already in a retail unit.
Find out more – Click Here!
Worcester businesses are on their marks for new Worcester running challenge
The 2023 Worcester City Runs has teamed up with Worcester Business Improvement District (Worcester BID) to launch the Worcester BID Business Challenge and recruit runners to take part in the Worcester City 10K on Sunday 17 September.
The Worcester City Runs have always attracted participants from the city’s business community and the Worcester BID Business Challenge aims to boost that further by offering incentives to firms that get involved. To take part, at least three employees from a company need to sign up for the Worcester City 10K, but the more who take part, the better, with a special prize on offer for the business with the highest number of runners. On the day of the 10K, the times of the first three athletes across the finishing line who represent the same firm will be added together and the team that registers the lowest combined total will be crowned winners of the Worcester BID Business Challenge.
Worcester City Runs founder Steve Cram comments:
“We’re delighted to be working with Worcester BID on this initiative, which can help build team relationships and inspire people in the workplace to be more active.”
Samuel Meese, assistant manager at PureGym, Worcester, adds:
“The team at PureGym, which includes personal trainers and managers from around the region, is delighted to be getting involved with the Worcester City Runs. We have a team running in the 10k and taking part in the Worcester BID Business Challenge, but also, PureGym will be supporting all the runners with a warm up before the race, and then cool downs and stretching afterwards in the Runners Village.”
Zoe Atkinson, Head of IT Training and Resources IT at HCR Solicitors in Worcester who are entering a team into the Worcester BID Business Challenge says:
“We are so pleased to have an HCR team entering the Worcester BID Business Challenge. As part of this we are supporting HCR’s Worcester office’s chosen charity which is the Myriad Centre. In preparation for the Worcester Run, we have started weekly running club sessions which are well underway in preparation for the big day.”
Places are now available on the Worcester City Half Marathon, 10K and Young Athletes Run, at www.worcestercityrun.com. Places on the Worcester City 10K cost £26.50 for runners in affiliated clubs and £28.50 for unaffiliated runners. When entering the 10K, entrants will find the option of joining a Worcester BID Business Challenge team, or creating one from scratch, which they can invite other colleagues to join.
Supporting Safer Nights!
Worcester Safe Space is coming soon!
Worcester Safe Space is brought to you by Worcester BID and supporting partners West Mercia Police, West Mercia Police Crime Commissioner, Worcester City Council, University of Worcester, Worcester Street Pastors to support a variety of people in Worcester’s night time economy who may not require emergency care, but may benefit from a safe space to talk, be provided with support, advice, first aid and have an opportunity to be listened to in a safe environment.
The Safe Space will provide the following services:
- Paramedic
- Mental health support
- Street Pastor welfare support
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Taxi finder support
- Security alarms and drink StopTopps
- Mobile phone charging
- Change of clothes
- Bottles of water
The Safe Space will run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night from 22:30 to 04:30 and may also run on other busy nights such as Bank Holidays, Welcome Week and other big events in the city.
Friday and Saturday nights are often the busiest time in the Emergency Department and we want to reduce the number of people attending A&E by diverting them to more appropriate services.
We are hopeful that this service will reduce the pressure on emergency services, enabling them to give faster service to the community.
Why is the project so important?
- It provides measurable improvements to the city centre offer
- It reduces costs to the ambulance service, police and hospital by looking after individuals who could become vulnerable, signposting people to alternative sources of help such as community care, charities and GP services
- It supports a human dimension to care, that current emergency staff are struggling to give due to time pressures
- It provides understanding, compassion and a personal service that leaves a lasting positive impression of Worcester, meaning every person leaves having had the best support and the best time possible
- Creates another layer of support to care for individuals in the most appropriate way
- It will reduce city centre crimes (burglary, robbery, theft from person, vehicle crime) by providing a visible deterrent and a safe space for vulnerable people to go.
- It will increase local area trust in the concept of a ‘Safe Night Out’ due to the partnership between BID, police, City Council, University, businesses in the NTE and other organisations.
Follow Worcester Safe Space on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more updates!