Small businesses in Nottingham play such an important role. They provide people with choice, good value within easy reach of their homes and ensure wealth is reinvested back in local communities.
This is why last week I was proud to join the University of Nottingham, B-Global Nottingham’s Black businesses Network, The SheEO Alliance, D2N2 Growth Hub and Growing Nottingham at the ‘Actualising Your Goals 2019’ event taking place at The Ingenuity Centre, University Nottingham, Triumph Road. The event brings together SME business owners and introduces people to the tools and support available to help their businesses grow and thrive. The event is also aimed at encouraging young people to think about setting up their own SMEs as a chosen career path.
Nottingham has a proud record in promoting small businesses and is recognised as England’s top city for small business growth. Likewise, Nottingham City Council’s procurement Strategy puts small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at its heart with £48 million worth of contracts awarded to SMEs in 2016/17 to help support the local economy.
This is why Labour councillors were keen to take part in December’s Small Business Saturday and visited local shops in their wards. They enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the owners about what challenges they face and what more the council can do to help support and grow their businesses.
Cllr Leslie Ayoola
Executive Assistant for Small Businesses and social enterprise/ Digital inclusion and IT