The SME Club from pro∙manchester*

Real people, real businesses, real insights

The SME Club is a free model providing business information and advice to as wide a range of businesses as possible no matter what their stage, location or size.

Quick and easy to register, individuals who sign up will receive ten tips twice per week plus a monthly copy of the pro∙manchester connects update to help run their business. Tips will be provided by trusted experts within the pro∙manchester membership to assist with the challenges every business faces.

• One thousand FREE tips each year to help you thrive and grow
• Evidence of success from trusted experts engaged in business themselves
• Access to an online archive of all tips

*pro∙manchester represents the largest advisory group in the North West with over three hundred member organisations and five thousand active members

For more information and to register or call: 0161 833 0964

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Passport to Work

The FSB is pleased to support the Bolton Lads and Girls Club's introduction of a Passport to Work scheme. Once fully funded this scheme will be for young people in Bolton and Bury serving over 25 secondary schools giving them work placement opportunities as well as access to many projects that will help them to develop their employability skills. Initially the passport will be rolled out to the club members as well as young people who are part of the Department for Education Transitions Project which is 400 young people identified at risk of becoming NEET. (Not in employment, education or training)

The Passport is designed to encourage the young people to build up a portfolio of work experiences and training rather than the traditional process of a single work experience. The business projects offered also differ from work experience as they will train for a position, the recruitment process and daily work challenges. An example of this is the O2 project where they will learn how to become a customer service operator. The passport scheme will be accredited by the awarding body ASDAN Education and will allow young people to work towards a Certificate in Personal Effectiveness.

Local businesses will be getting involved in delivering the projects, offering placements, taking part in interview panels and also recognising the Passport as a positive CV outcome. Many young people lack the key skills to become employable and do not understand the expectations of the employer. It is hoped that the Passport to Work will provide local businesses with staff that are better skilled and an asset to their organisation. Current projects include Mark Two, Warburton's, Tower FM, O2, Tesco and DRL but the FSB would like to see many more small business involved.

Could you help? For more information contact Philip Burke or Gemma Potter on 01204 540105 and check out their website

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The market has been hailed an overwhelmingly success, with Steve ‘The Flower Man' normally the only stall holder on the main street saying 'it is the busiest I have seen it in 10 years'. At the first market many of the 51 local artisan traders had completely sold out by lunchtime, by the third market there were 97 stalls with a waiting list of over 300.

Many of the town's retailers also have a great day, benefitting from the huge numbers of extra visitors to the town centre. A local shop owner told me "Usually on a Saturday the town is quiet until late morning but not on Market Saturday, from about 9.30am there is a nice buzz, people are sitting out at the coffee shops and the market is very busy. The range of produce is amazing. The market has certainly brought an increased footfall to the town and kept people shopping. Our store is very busy from first thing and we have a very good trading day. The customers I spoke to had nothing but praise for the market and will continue to support it, as will we."

Vicky said "It was incredible seeing the streets so full of life and the market has completely exceeded our expectations in every way. It is such a pleasure to witness how the stall holders enthusiasm and passion for their products is truly embraced by the people."

Denise added "I think we have raised the bar for markets across our region. We have done what we set out to do, we have made Wilmslow a destination again! It really makes you think about how the current economic climate, with high rent and rates for retail premises on the high street, together with the enormous wealth of entrepreneurial talent amongst our traders, is fuelling the success of this type of market."

The Artisan markets will run each month and the team have added extra attractions and family activities.

More information