UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan

Tender description

East Staffordshire Borough Council is inviting tenders for Business Support Services from suitably experienced organisations across 2024/25, to deliver some of the activities laid out within its investment plan. There are three Lots: Lot 1: SME support for the High Street (E16; Open Markets and Town Centre Retail and Service Sector) Lot 2: Business Growth and Productivity Programme (E23 Strengthening Local Entrepreneurial Eco-systems) Lot 3: Skills Hub/Skills Training for the workforce (E24 Training Hubs, Business Support Offers, Incubators) The Authority is therefore seeking suitably qualified organisations to bid for a single Lot or a combination of Lots. The proposed Contract is for one (1) year with no option to extend. The contract is due to commence in March 2024. Lot 1: UKSPF - SME support for the High Street (E16; Open Markets and Town Centre Retail and Service Sector) Lot 1 is to provide retail mentoring with advice and support. Training programme for small retail businesses to develop their businesses including customer service, shop planning, marketing and sales. This is a specific retail mentoring programme. We would look for the successful provider to provide advice, support and act as a sounding board for SMEs on the High Street. This also incorporates a training programme to support small retailers in developing their business, including in areas such as customer services, shop planning, marketing, and sales. The provider must deliver additional support to be available for developing a hybrid of traditional retail and online commerce, along with a programme to support the sector in sourcing local goods and understanding their environmental footprint. The contract is for one (1) year and is due to commence March 2024. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/RNNRN7NN69 Lot 2: UKSPF - Business Growth and Productivity Programme (E23 Strengthening Local Entrepreneurial Eco-systems) Lot 2 incorporates a wide mentoring programme whereby businesses will be able to access bespoke mentoring support alongside the establishment of local mentoring boards, peer network groups and productivity workshops. The successful provider will deliver specific and tailored support to family businesses along with information on SME governance and risk management. The contract is for one (1) year and due to commence March 2024. Lot 3: UKSPF - Skills Hub/Skills Training for the workforce (E24 Training Hubs, Business Support Offers, Incubators) Lot 3 is delivering a service to East Staffordshire SMEs by providing training needs analysis and funding opportunities. This would also need to include supporting those at risk of redundancy. This is a support programme targeted at SMEs with an aim of providing advice and support related to skills and training. This programme must involve the undertaking a training needs analysis for up to 50 businesses leading to a training grant aimed at addressing the skills gaps experienced by those businesses. This also has strong links to the People and Skills theme, however it remains business focused. The contract is for one (1) year and due to commence March 2024.