Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Business Growth Grant programme has supported 26 businesses across the borough, helping to create 180 new job opportunities.
The programme secured support from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) which was open to bids from local and inward investing businesses to fund a range of projects.
In Sefton, grants totalling more than £1.5 million and ranging in size from £10,000 to £320,000, have leveraged a further £8.6 million in private sector investment. The money has helped fund projects as diverse as expanded production facilities, software upgrades and the purchase of new machinery.
The programme was managed locally by InvestSefton, Sefton Council’s business support and investment service.
Cllr Marian Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Skills, and Bootle MP Peter Dowd, recently visited two Sefton businesses – Oriel Studios and Colour Wizard – to see how the support has helped with their growth plans.
Cllr Atkinson said: “The Business Growth Grant supports the council’s objectives for growing the local economy and increasing new investment In Sefton.
“We believe the programme has had a positive impact on the local economy, helping businesses to expand and create new much needed jobs in the area.”
Cllr Peter Dowd added: “I am pleased that InvestSefton is continuing to work with these businesses and others across the borough to help bring their growth plans to fruition.
“It is important we help businesses to grow and succeed and I was really pleased the growth plans are being delivered in Bootle.”
Oriel Studios, a full service digital print company, required investment in a new colour printing press to enable the company to meet competitive demand and grow the business. The company received £48,050 to Investment in new kit which was put to immediate use to help meet growing demand for orders from all over the UK. The investment will help create at least seven new job opportunities.
Marcus Cummins, Oriel Studios director, said: “The grant and support we received made the difference in us being able to install the equipment and safeguard existing jobs.
“Additionally, we are now confident we can grow the business with a wider, more cost-effective product range and create a substantial number of new jobs as a direct result of the RGF support we received. We are also grateful to the InvestSefton Team at Sefton Council for their guidance and support throughout the application process.”
Colour Wizard is a Bootle based car body workshop specialising in alloy wheel refurbishment, including diamond cut wheel repairs and is an approved supplier to the likes of Jaguar/Land Rover, Mercedes Benz and BMW.
The company received £14,770 towards new investment in a new CNC Lathe machine to allow them to meet orders for specialist diamond cut wheels from customers including motor manufacturers and dealerships. The grant has helped secure existing employment and create further job opportunities.
Leon Moffett, Colour Wizard managing director, said: “We are in an exciting phase of growth for our business which will take us into new corporate markets and enable us to grow our customer base and take on staff. InvestSefton provided a seamless transition for our business in accessing investment funding and expanding into new premises in Bootle.”
Chair of the Liverpool City Region LEP, Robert Hough, said: “The essential element of Growth Grant bids was that they should either secure or generate new jobs in Sefton. Supplementary to that objective is to support real businesses to make significant investment decisions which will sustain their growth for the coming months and years.
“With the completion of the programme, we can see the evidence from the effort which has been put in and the effect the programme has had on the operations of the businesses in question.
“The LEP exists to support business and to champion their needs. It is therefore very pleasing to report such strong direct evidence the programme has had for Sefton businesses.”
For further information visit www.investsefton.com or contact Evelyn McCowan 0151 934 3451 or email evelyn.mccowan@sefton.gov.uk
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