BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR LONDON AND ABBEYDALE ROADS

Nighat Basharat, Labour Councillor for Nether Edge and Sharrow has been working with local businesses around the City Council’s Economic Recovery Fund. This is a grant fund supporting local projects that meet the needs of the business community and can include events, marketing, promotion, physical improvements, business creation or anything the applicants feel can improve the area. The Fund was created from two labour amendments in 2021 and 2022 – a total of £4m

Launched in 2021 the fund has been a huge success. An independent evaluation of the Councils Economic Recovery Fund has shown high streets more than ‘doubled the money invested’ for every £1 spent. https://sheffnews.com/news/success-for-council-s-high-street-investment-fund

Cllr Nighat Basharat, Member for Nether Edge and Sharrow ward said; “In 2022 Labour councillors pledged to invest £2m extra into local centres and high streets to support economic growth. The Economic Recovery Fund is the mechanism we put in place to deliver on this commitment.

Applicants can apply for two different types of grants:

– District Centre Fund for projects centred around one, or specific, high-street areas. This offers grants up to £200,000 for a large project or up to £50,000 for a small one.

– Flexible Fund for projects that are considered city-wide and focused on high street areas. It aims to bring forward new and innovative ideas benefiting local businesses and offers grants up to £50,000.

Businesses can request support from Development Workers for an application and they will support ideas and help submit the final application. The Development Workers are there to ensure businesses in Sheffield’s most deprived areas have a fairer chance of funding.  At the Hub meeting in January Council leader Terry Fox and Officers attended the Hub meeting to update businesses on the latest issues including Red lines and 12 hour bus lane proposals

Cllr Nighat Basharat, Member for Nether Edge and Sharrow ward said;

“From speaking to businesses on Abbeydale and London roads it was clear they wanted someone to be their voice in the Council – so when I was elected, I established the Nether Edge and Sharrow Small Business Hubs. The Hubs meet monthly and are an opportunity to discuss issues, give support and gain information. I’m really pleased with the positive response the Hubs have received. The Hubs give me the information I need to take back to council and fight for local businesses. They have also enabled me to raise awareness of the ERF and I’m really pleased to be supporting businesses in this way.

“My sincere thanks to Abdullah Khalid and Usman Farooqi for their support in organising the Hub meetings.

Abdullah Khalid from Enet Computer Store said;

“I’ve been trading on London Road for at least 18 years, we’ve never had anything like the Small Business Hub. It’s a big achievement to get it set up – and business owners I’ve spoken to say we’ve now got someone as our voice in Council.

Usman Farooqi from Lux Laser & Beauty Clinic said:

“I’m pleased to be involved in the Hub sessions, coming together as business owners was really needed.  I didn’t know anything about the Economic Regeneration Fund before, most businesses I spoke to didn’t know until now, it was through Cllr Nighat I got to understand about this funding’

Contact Cllr Nighat Basharat for a discussion on how this could help the vibrant, multi-cultural areas  0f London Road and Abbeydale Road which we use and want to succeed. The Nether Edge and Sharrow Small Business Hub is open to any small business in the ward, the next meeting is on 22^nd March 7pm. For details email: nighat.basharat@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk

Applications for the Economic Regeneration Fund close on 30 April 2023 and successful applicants will be contacted in June 2023 with the funded projects beginning in the summer. Anyone interested in applying can call 01142245000 or email recoveryfund@sheffield.gov.uk