Rugby businesses benefit from £4.6 million support programme

Business Growth Warwickshire aims to create and safeguard jobs across the county by supporting small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to grow and helping entrepreneurs launch new businesses.

Funded by the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero via the West Midlands Combined Authority and Warwickshire County Council, the programme was commissioned by Rugby Borough Council, working with Warwickshire County Council and the county's other four borough and district councils to boost the economy and encourage businesses to invest in staff, skills and green energy.

Business Growth Warwickshire has worked with the University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Coventry City Council and Oxford Innovation Advice to deliver support tailored to start-ups' and SMEs' business needs.

Technoset, a precision engineering company based on Rugby's Glebe Farm Industrial Estate, benefited from Business Growth Warwickshire's Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme.

Recent diversification had led the business to grow in recent years, but it needed help to take the next step - expanding the company's office space, investing in new tooling and recruiting skilled staff.

Oxford Innovation Advice, who delivered the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, provided expert guidance and connected Technoset with various support streams, resulting in a new mezzanine floor being built at company's offices and the purchase of new tooling.

Now Technoset plans to grow its business across various sectors, expanding its market share.

Another business to benefit from Business Growth Warwickshire was Rugby Care Centre, which worked with the programme's Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service to save nearly £15,000 a year on energy bills.

The service, delivered by Coventry City Council, conducted an energy audit at the Clifton Road centre before helping it secure a £44,000 grant from the county council, match-funded by the business.

The investment allowed the centre to install LED lighting, a new boiler, and double-glazed windows and doors.

Rugby-based data analytics company Metryx hopes to double its turnover within a year after developing a new marketing strategy with Business Growth Warwickshire's SME support service, Business Ready, delivered by the University of Warwick Science Park.

Founded in 2018, Metryx has developed bespoke, complex analytics software for the likes of Mercedes Benz, but contacted Business Ready for marketing advice for Autometryx - a new software platform specifically developed for SMEs which can streamline a range of data sources into a single interface, helping to boost profitability.

Through the development of the marketing strategy, Business Ready helped Metryx identify sectors which could benefit from the Autometryx platform, with the potential to tap into a host of new markets - prompting the firm's ambitious goals for growth.

Business Growth Warwickshire also supported Mini Rovers through the Warwickshire Business Start-Up Support Programme, delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

The brainchild of former Network Rail employee Simon Cort, Mini Rovers provides entertaining driving experiences for children at parties and events.

Simon had invested in four replica Land Rovers designed for children and created a mobile off-road obstacle course to take to private and public events.

Through the Warwickshire Business Start-Up Support Programme, Simon received one-to-one support with social media, marketing, finance and business planning to help fulfil his ambitions to grow the business.

Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth, investment, digital and communications, said: "From visiting a number of Rugby businesses which have benefited from Business Growth Warwickshire's tailored, expert support, I know first-hand what a real difference the right advice at the right time can make for a business.

"Whether helping a new generation of entrepreneurs turn a good business idea into a viable business or supporting an established company to realise its ambitions for growth, the partnership between the county's local authorities and experts from the University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Oxford Innovation Advice and Coventry City Council has delivered tangible results, creating jobs, boosting the economy and supporting SMEs to invest in energy efficiency measures."

Cllr Isabelle McKenzie, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for growth, investment, digital and communications, said: "I'm delighted Rugby Borough Council commissioned the Business Growth Warwickshire support.

"Whether you have a business idea, a new business or existing business, there is support for you. We welcome the support it provides and the benefits to businesses across the borough."

Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for economy, said: "Business Growth Warwickshire supports our priority to create a thriving economy in Warwickshire.

"The programme offers six strands of tailored support to both businesses and residents looking to start a business.

"It's great to see the impact this programme has had upon our local communities, helping businesses to grow, develop and create skills and jobs within the area.

"The case studies from across Rugby demonstrate the breadth of support available through the programme and the impact this can have on supporting our local economy."

For more information on Business Growth Warwickshire, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/BGW

For more information about other support on offer for businesses in Rugby, visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub website: www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk