High street businesses in Dacorum invited to join 3 month support programme
Save The High Street will provide one to one advice as businesses reopen
Businesses in areas like Tring and Berkhamsted are able to apply for the programme.
High street businesses and local outlets are being invited to take part in SaveTheHighStreet, a 12 week programme to help them reopen and recover from coronavirus.
Up to 50 businesses will be given dedicated one-to-one support alongside access to the Jo Platform.
Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) it will include access to essential information to ensure the safety of businesses and consumers.
Businesses will also be encourage to try new and innovative ideas to keep trading and move their business along.
Fraser Willcox is an Economic Development Officer at Dacorum Borough Council:
"There are 5 themes across the twelve weeks, so one of the ones we are starting with is adapting.
"Businesses on the programme will be given idea cards about what they can do and they can decide how they could implement it as well as advice about it.
"One of the main things we are going to concentrate on is adapting and recovering. So for example it has really expedited the need for businesses to look at online presence and click and collect options.
"For lots of businesses this is a bit of a minefield so we are going to cover things like digital marketing, SEO (search engine optimisation) and how to sell on websites like Facebook.
"All those issues that the Covid pandemic has forced businesses to need experience in.
"The pandemic has really brought to the forefront the need to have this information readily available for businesses.
"But also the positive for the highstreet amongst the trouble and angst is it has brought communities together and highlighted the need to shop local and support your local businesses."
Julie Holden, Community Director for SaveTheHighStreet.org and JoinJo.com said
"We are delighted to be working with Dacorum Borough Council to deliver a bespoke programme of support to meet their needs. We know from our previous feedback that independent businesses need someone in their corner at this difficult time. We look forward to sharing our news and achievements on the campaign page and to working with businesses across the borough over the coming weeks."