The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) recently brought together representatives from the majority of councils across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with the intention of providing an opportunity to encourage councils to come together to engage and to share best practice.
The importance of small businesses to the success of local communities has never been higher. Successful, independent, and unique traders act as a draw to the area, and help to create and maintain a vibrant small business community. Councils are faced with reduced budgets, and FSB is keen to work with councils to help provide solutions that are cost-effective.
FSB research shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, 63p was re-spent in the local area, compared to 40p in every £1 spent with a larger business. Of the unemployed people who enter the private sector workforce, 88% go on to start their own business or work for an SME. 16–24-year-olds moving into employment are more likely to work in small or medium-sized businesses than for large firms.
The meeting focused attention on the future growth of small businesses and the various challenges that these businesses will face, whilst also highlighting successful initiatives. Every successful business has a Unique Selling Point (USP), and so should every local authority, which will help set them apart from other areas to attract businesses, finance and families.
Neil Eames, Development Manager for FSB in Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight said:
“We are very keen to play our part in helping to share best practice and would like to gather information and examples from councils not just in this area, but all of the UK, to make councils aware of successful schemes or projects. Small businesses are the engine room of local economies, and we would like to work with local Councils to encourage adopting of positive policies that allow more businesses to set up and grow.
“It is clear that sharing good ideas and initiatives, which have worked, makes total sense. Councils have enormous experience and knowledge within their ranks, and many councils have experience of projects that, either successful or not quite so successful, can be used to help other councils to adopt or work with similar schemes. Initial feedback from this inaugural meeting was very positive, and with a definite demand to run this event again, to enable sharing of best practice.
“If a council area is to succeed, there is clearly a necessity for a vibrant, dynamic and growing small business community”.
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