Medway Council has announced that it is supporting small businesses across the area through the signing of the Local Leadership Pledge.
The Local Leadership Pledge, from the Federation of Small Businesses, outlines how small businesses can be supported by local authorities through growth, prosperity, and employment. These three priorities will be achieved through engagement, as well as having a dedicated councillor that will act as a business champion, and an officer that will act as a dedicated point of contact for businesses.
Businesses, particularly those in the town centres of Medway, are also to be supported further as the council look to into how feasible it may be to introduce business improvement districts, encouraging pop-up shops and making sure that there are plenty of opportunities on offer for small businesses to be a part of future town centre developments.
Councillor Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, said:
“I was delighted to sign the Federation of Small Businesses’ Local Leadership pledge. As part of our 100-day plan, we said we would increase the support the Medway’s small and medium businesses and signing the pledge demonstrates our commitment to supporting our local businesses.”
The council already offers a range of support measures to businesses, including workshops around starting up, scale up programmes, grants, and support for the digitisation of high street businesses.
Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, Cllr Lauren Edwards, said:
“Medway is home to more than 14,000 businesses and more than 90% are small businesses. We will do everything we can to help businesses through tough economic times, as well as support start-up businesses and those looking to grow.”
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