Borough Council Wants Business Owners to Tell Them What They Need

Published on: 19 Dec, 2020
Updated on: 20 Dec, 2020

Do you own or run a business in Guildford? The borough council wants owners to tell them what they could do to help provide further support and advice by completing this survey.

www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GuildfordBusinessSurvey/ is open until Friday, January 29, 2021.

The answers will help the council understand how you have coped with the pandemic and what help you need as well as offering support to reduce your carbon footprint.

Cllr John Redpath

Cllr John Redpath (R4GV, Holy Trinity), lead for the Economy, said: “Supporting local businesses is a key part of our recovery plan. Since the beginning of the outbreak we have been working with our local businesses, distributing £22 million of government grants to 1,640 local businesses and more than £1.111 million in discretionary grants.

“We are keen to hear your views and how we can better support you. There are also opportunities to work with us as our buying strategy now prioritises our local SMEs where possible, and we continue to work on developing our relationships and networks.

“Our procurement strategy also focuses on providing social value and reducing CO2 emissions and we want to know how we can help support your businesses with your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint in our fight against climate change.

“We have initiatives and can access support for the third sector too, for example our Community Lottery is one way good causes can continue to raise funds even when events have been cancelled, so please do get in touch.

“We worked with our Businesses Improvement District, Experience Guildford, to re-open our High Street safely and bring back our vibrant town centre atmosphere.

“Our Environmental Health team worked with retailers and the hospitality sector to ensure they had the correct measures in place to keep visitors safe. We also supported national and local initiatives including the government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme and Big Mouth Guildford’s Bank Holiday Sale Bonanza.

“Our free online job club, ‘Skills For Employment’, run by local careers experts The Stuart Mitchell Group, covers a range of topics from CV workshops to one-to-one guidance, including advice on how to tap into the ‘hidden job market’.

“It builds on your own qualities, skills and strengths to help you take the next step in your career, start a business or even become a volunteer.

“Our partners Surrey Chambers of Commerce are also offering help to young people aged 16 to 24 claiming Universal Credit to join the government’s new ‘KickStart’ scheme. If you are interested in finding out more about Skills For Employment or KickStart please email business@guildford.gov.uk.”

The survey is here and will be sent directly to businesses on the GBC database and shared through other channels and on corporate social media.