In just 3 months, Go for Growth has created a new Isle of Wight community for small business owners, with 150 signing up for to free online Hub. The Go for Growth Hub is a place where businesses can find support and advice to improve the way in which their business is run.

The support on offer is through an initial 1 to 1 business health check, expert led workshops with small groups of local business owners, and specialist support from the programme team.

Gavin McWhirter, Programme lead said “We have started providing support and advice to businesses who sign up to the Hub, and the feedback has been brilliant.

We’ve had 30 health check meetings so far – these are 2 to 3 hour deep-dive discussions, and  we are looking at organising many more of these in the coming months.

We have a schedule of expert led workshops being organised, with something happening every couple of weeks right through until the summer.”

Katie Jewell from Konvert group who has joined the programme said “The health check and workshops gives us a clear picture of where we are, where we want to go and how to get there and I found it really helpful”

Jane Chandler from No.66 cards & gifts, Ryde said “I am extremely impressed with the Go for Growth Hub. Informative and informal, and covering the topics that I need.”

Go for Growth is funded through the Isle of Wight Council’s Innovation Wight programme, which includes the recently completed flexible co-workspace, Building 41. The project has received funding from the Isle of Wight Council and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and aims to provide support local businesses, for free.

Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet Member for Levelling UP, Regeneration, Business Development and Tourism said “The team that has been put together for Go for Growth are experienced in their fields and the combination of south coast and island professionals just hits the spot.

I encourage all small businesses to take the opportunity for this free support to grow your business and skills base.”

To find out more, click the link: https://go-for-growth-business-hub.mn.co/