New service offers business help

A new region-wide business support service has been launched to replace Staffordshire Business Link.

The new business link service has the strong backing of Advantage West Midlands who want to see it help significantly more businesses each year and help more people to start up new businesses.

The Southern Staffordshire Partnership is also working closely with the new service to ensure that it supports business growth and job creation.

Partnership director Jeff Marlow said: "It is vital that as many businesses in southern Staffordshire as possible are aware of and access the new service. As a single regional service it is vital that it delivers increased levels of business support."

For the past few months the Partnership have been exploring ways in which they can support the new service.

Through their network of local authorities, other public sector agencies, and local Chambers of Commerce, they hope awareness of the service will grow. Mr Marlow added:"We want to ensure that the profile of the new service is raised and maintained in the area. "We believe we have a particular strength in our network of agencies and in some of the specific work we are doing to improve the relationship between the public sector and the business community."

The new business link service can be accessed via 0845 113 1234 or info@businesslinkwm.co.uk The Southern Staffordshire Partnership covers the districts of Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Stafford and Tamworth.