Thurrock Council is financially subsidising business memberships to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), using part of their UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation.
The substantial reduction on FSB membership fees means that sole traders will be required to contribute just £50, instead of £390, for a two-year membership. The scheme also means that micro businesses (1-4 employees), will pay £75 and any business with 5-10 employees will pay £100. The scheme will be opened up to businesses with 11-50 employees at the end of April, subject to budget, at a cost of £150.
Ann Scott, Development Manager for Essex at FSB, said: “We would like to thank Thurrock Council for subsidising FSB memberships at a time when so many businesses are under the cosh, firstly due to the pandemic and now the cost of doing business crisis.
“Small businesses form 99.9% of our business population, account for three-fifths of employment and generate around half of turnover in the UK private sector. So, it’s really important to the UK’s economic recovery that small businesses are supported to not just survive but thrive”.
As experts in business, FSB offers its members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support, and a powerful voice in government.
Benefits of an FSB membership include: The FSB Legal Hub, (an online library of 1,400 legal documents and templates), FSB Legal Protection, (24/7 helpline and up to 100k legal protection per case), a debt recovery service, free business banking, a funding platform, payroll/pensions services, unlimited telephone counselling, discounted health cash plans and much more.
FSB members will also be able access a variety of networking, online support events and business guides.
David Bell, East of England Regional Chair of FSB, said: “Established over 45 years ago, FSB is the largest business support organisation for the self-employed and small businesses. As a non-profit making, non-party political organisation, we are led by our members, for our members – and you could soon be part of that”.
“As a small business owner myself, I know how rewarding running a business can be – but it can also be challenging. With FSB membership, I have all the tools and advice needed to run and protect my business in one place, alongside the support of other business owners and the FSB Team.
“Membership has been instrumental to the development of my business and, in some cases, has saved some businesses. I know of a Tapas Bar that saved £40,000 - £50,000 in legal fees through FSB. Without that protection the owner says he may not still be in business”.
To enquire about FSB membership, email Nadine La Reine, Membership Advisor, on [email protected]