FSB North Yorkshire are launching a York programme of events and activity delivering support for the self-employed, small and microbusinesses with £20k of City of York Council funding.
The funding comes from an £40k allocation made by the council in their 2021/22 Budget to promote the business benefits of membership organisations in York, and aid businesses’ recovery from the pandemic. The programme of activity continues the council’s commitment to supporting small, micro and one-person businesses across the city, building upon the 600+ fully-funded FSB memberships provided to local businesses during the early stages of the pandemic to enable access to a wide range of support and advice.
The first event is an intensive masterclass with Ryan Mulhearn of First Frame Productions, to help businesses produce professional quality video using their smartphone, with two sessions on 7 April (one in the afternoon and one in the evening) being held at the Priory Street Centre.
Further masterclasses throughout the year will be available free of charge to businesses including retail display training, customer service training and strategy for digital marketing. A programme of other activity will run alongside the masterclasses including 1-2-1 consultancy support for businesses, funded photography and videography to capture how businesses use FSB and council support and their tips for others, and a podcast series.
Follow FSB North Yorkshire on Twitter or Facebook and sign up to the council’s business email updates to find out more about this and other support available.
FSB North Yorkshire Development Manager, Carolyn Frank said: “We are very happy to continue our partnership working with City of York Council in this way, the boost in funding from the Council has allowed us to put together a York specific programme of intensive and top quality activity.
“Bookings have flown in for the first Masterclass, and I would encourage businesses to sign up quickly as places are limited, and we anticipate having a waiting list. Throughout the year there will be a variety of support offered so we hope to reach a wide range of small businesses.”
Councillor Andrew Waller, the council’s Executive member for Economy and Strategic Planning said: “City of York Council and the FSB have had strong links for many years, and during Covid these have been even more invaluable. We’re aware of the benefits and usefulness of the high-quality workshops, and other resources that the FSB provides and we’re glad to continue working with them to amplify their positive work in supporting York businesses.
“We look forward to a very fruitful collaboration with the FSB and hope this step accelerates the growth of York’s small business community and allows the city’s economy to thrive.”