Supporting the growth of 10,000 businesses in Leeds City Region

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has reached an exciting new milestone today, supporting over 10,000 businesses to grow since April 2015.

Businesses can access a wide range of support from the LEP and its wider network of partners - from funding for start-ups and early stage companies to support with strategic business planning.

Businesses have benefitted from investment totalling £34million to upskill their staff, fit out new premises, develop new products and processes, take on an apprentice and save money on their energy bills. Support is also available for companies who want to improve their digital capabilities, explore opportunities to trade overseas and travel at a lower cost and more sustainably.

In addition, a 13-strong team of locally based Growth Mangers also provide one-to- one, tailored support to help firms achieve their growth ambitions.

Roger Marsh, OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership said:

“Support to help growing businesses is at the heart of the LEP’s work to create a strong, successful economy where everyone can build great businesses, careers and lives”

“I’m thrilled to hear that we have reached this exciting milestone and that we have supported over 10,000 growing businesses from across our region.”

“I look forward to supporting even more businesses in the future and encourage businesses in the region to get in touch and find out how the LEP can support their growth ambitions.”

Jolly Sailor Brewery, a family run microbrewery based in Selby, saved money and increased productivity thanks to support from LEP.

David Welsh, Director of the company was referred to the LEP’s Resource Efficiency Fund team by Selby SME Growth Manager, Heidi Green. David is working with Heidi to plan for future growth and was looking at ways to reduce his costs. As a result of the support the brewery will save over £3,000 a year through lower energy, water and caustic soda costs, and will also reduce its carbon emissions.

David Welsh, Director of Jolly Sailor Brewery said,

“I am delighted with the support we’ve received from the LEP, it has helped us to save money and increase productivity thanks to a new cask cleaner. The LEP team made the whole process simple and easy and I would encourage businesses to pick up the phone and speak to the LEP about the support available to help their business grow.”

Cllr Tim Swift, West Yorkshire Combined Authority lead for Business, Innovation and Growth, said:

“It is great news that we have reached this milestone in the number of businesses supported, for our local businesses and the city region as whole.”

“Accelerating the growth of the many great companies in the region leads to job creation and a boost to the local economy that benefits everyone who lives and works here.”

The LEP, working in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has received funding through Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

To find out more contact the LEP on 0113 348 1818 or email businessgrowth@the-lep.com