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Key achievements - 2022/2023

Here is a summary of Business Gateway's key achievements in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute in 2022 - 2023

Supporting new and existing businesses

  • 425 enquiries received locally from ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute businesses 
  • 645 meetings with a business adviser 
  • 118 new start-up businesses supported 
  • 277 existing businesses supported

Customer satisfaction

  • 87% compared to a national average of 81%. 
  • 93% say their business will benefit 
  • 95% say they would recommend the service 

DigitalBoost digital support

  • 364 ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute businesses attended webinars to boost their digital skills
  • 77 businesses had a 1 hour digital surgery with a digital expert
  • 17 businesses completed in depth digital support sessions (equivalent to 1 or 2 days of support) with a digital expert

Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme

  • This programme of additional business support worth more than £855,000 concluded in 2023.
  • In 2022/23 we awarded £111,000 across 33 grants and £20,000 for 17 specialist advice sessions. 
  • In total £851,000 has been awarded across 192 grants and 66 in-depth specialist advice sessions. 
  • Monitoring of the 119 unique recipients followed up so far shows a positive impact with an increase of 145 FTEs (up 40%) and £11.1million increase in turnover (up 53%)

COVID Recovery support

Business Gateway administered 2 grants under the Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery fund from Scottish Government.  

74 Small Business Development Grants were awarded worth £205,000 in total. Of these:

  • 89% said it would help them grow more quickly 
  • 84% said it would help them improve the quality of their business 
  • 62% said it would help them go ahead sooner with their development 

44 Business Start Up Grants were awarded worth £148,000 in total.  Of these:

  • 93% said it would help them grow more quickly
  • 84% said it would help them improve the quality of their business
  • 50% said it would help them start the business sooner

Intensive Growth Programme

In 22/23 Business Gateway piloted an intensive online growth programme, designed specifically to help business owners in ߣsirÊÓƵ and Bute deliver a step change in their approach and achieve growth. 

It combined a range of tools and expert support with individual and group activities, tailored to create a practical and deliverable approach to driving growth. 

13 businesses took part in the 12 week programme. Of these:

  • 89% said they had been encouraged to think objectively about their business and growth plans 
  • 67% felt supported through change
  • 67% built confidence in their business and their skills, and strengthened their business

 

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