Are you a business in Northampton town centre? New advice hub launches to give you support

A new business support hub has been unveiled to help Northampton town centre businesses manage during the coronavirus crisis.

#PayItForwardNN, designed and rolled out by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), has been set up to offer businesses a safe space to ask questions, share experiences and find out about everything from grants and government updates to online events and business support.

It has also been designed to act as a matchmaking service for town centre businesses – to link those who can offer support with those in need of help, advice and guidance.

Mark Mullen, BID operations manager, said: “So many of our town centre businesses need advice and support during this time and are struggling with the snap downturn in custom. We feel passionately that now is the time to support each other so we would urge all town centre businesses to make use of this new Facebook group.”

More than 70 businesses have already signed up to this online community – some simply choosing to chat and share, while others are making the most of the free support – which has included a host of webinars and a selection of template letters to help businesses with legal matters arising around COVID-19.

Becky Adams, director of Screen Northants, based inside Grosvenor Shopping, said: “At this time it is more important than ever that we share not just the challenges we face but also good news. We have used this new Facebook group to promote our new Lockdown Short Film competition – sharing some of the brilliant films that have been sent to us and encouraging more people to enter.

“The BID has also been incredible, not just by launching this group, but also when it has come to business grants. Most people we call for help don’t have the capacity or time to come back to us, but the BID replies straight away – and thanks to their help we have been apply to apply for a much-needed business grant.”

The BID’s new #PayItForwardNN Facebook Group has been designed to enable businesses to connect and talk. It also includes resources, to keep businesses up to date about business support and advice during the Coronavirus crisis.

A number of local companies have already pledged their support and joined the new #PayItForwardNN community. These include:

* Online coaching: Beyond Theory are holding online webinars, free of charge for town centre businesses.

* Legal advice: Franklins Solicitors is offering 15 min phone consultations for employment, debt collection, contract reviews and other business services.

* Communications and PR: Pilkington Communications has created a Coronavirus Communication Resources and Templates Pack, and is offering 30 minute advice phone calls.

If you are a town centre business please join #PayItForwardNN: www.facebook.com/groups/PayItForwardNN

To find out more visit www.northamptonbid.co.uk