New support offer for Peterborough business owners and self-employed struggling in Tier 4

Support is being offered to business leaders and self-employed people affected by the introduction of Tier 4 restrictions.

A range of help and advice is being provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Growth Hub.

It has just launched a comprehensive support service for businesses and has recruited extra staff to provide phone-based, high-quality, un-biased business resilience advice to business owners and the self-employed facing the need to close or reduce their operations.

The hub will also be able to signpost business leaders to the grants available from Peterborough City Council to help deal with business disruption and to counselling services to help manage emotional wellbeing.

In addition, it will offer in-depth, one-to-one support for business leaders with accredited consultants offering strategy advice, financial advice and HR. This will be supported by webinars on subjects such as starting a new business.

Austen Adams, Chairman of the Business Board said: “Growth Hub staff have learned much from the lockdown period and have developed improved systems to handle greater call volumes and provide consistent advice. I want business leaders and the self-employed to know the Hub is on hand to provide guidance and help them access national and local support schemes.”

James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “We are working in partnership with Peterborough City Council to do everything we can to support Peterborough-based businesses affected by the move from Tier 3 to Tier 4.

“The Combined Authority’s Growth Hub is helping to signpost businesses to relevant grant schemes, including the Local Restrictions Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant, Peterborough City Council are currently operating.

“I have already spoken with Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP and have repeated my concern about the need for Government to support business, their staff and families affected by these new measures to avoid undue hardship.

“We will be sending out updated support information to business over the coming days and we have a dedicated helpline set up for business owners and the self-employed.”