Thames Valley encourages small business growth with new fund

Start-ups and other small businesses in the Thames Valley area are being encouraged to take advantage of a new £7.25 million pot designed to help them grow.

Indeed, from February 1st firms will be able to apply for money made available by Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through its £15 million Growing Places Fund from the government.

This comes as part of wider improvements in the area, including the expansion of superfast broadband and transport amendments.

Steve Lamb, chairman of TVB LEP, explained that the new Escalator Fund was borne out of months of consultation with small businesses.

"It is designed to provide finance to a range of businesses looking for funding which is difficult to obtain from more traditional sources," he explained.

"Only businesses that are viewed to have the potential to deliver significant growth and employment opportunities for Thames Valley Berkshire will be considered."

Meanwhile, recruitment firm Reed says that the jobs market is showing increasing signs of confidence after a strong end to 2012.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Date published 16 Jan 2013 | Last updated 16 Jan 2013