The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched a new website to make it easier for local businesses to find commercial, professional advice to stimulate business growth and to better understand the range of publicly funded support available
The free to use AdviceFinder.co.uk, which went live yesterday [Tuesday 16 November], allows users to identify business advisers active in the local economy through its unique online ‘matchmaking’ service. It has been developed in consultation with LEP partners in Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce, professional advisers and local businesses.
By making available a broad database of business specialists, the LEP aims to retain as much spending on professional services in the City Region economy as possible. The LEP estimates that every year millions of pounds are spent outside the City Region on services which could be supplied by local companies.
Designed to encourage business growth, AdviceFinder.co.uk offers users access to specialist support from a wide range of experts, enabling them to select advisers which have the best fit for their business.
Speaking at the launch event, held at No 1 Mann Island, Mark Basnett, Executive Director of the LEP said: “One of the key challenges facing companies is finding the right guidance from organisations which understand their specific challenges.
“Our professional services community is bursting with expertise in a broad spectrum of sectors. There’s a wealth of knowledge available here and we want to make it easier for business owners to find this expertise and, where appropriate, retain that spending locally.
“AdviceFinder.co.uk bridges the gap for companies looking for local suppliers. It’s designed to cut the time and resources businesses spend on finding the support they need and simultaneously give a boost to the local economy.”
AdviceFinder.co.uk operates as a searchable database listing regional advisers offering business advice and support. Advisors include specialists in: technology, financial services, property, law, sales and marketing, exports and training. Advisers are required to register their company and its areas of expertise to allow local businesses to search for their services.
Many of the advisers listed on advicefinder.co.uk will provide the first hour of advice free of charge to local SMEs accessing their services through the system. The system also features a “Review” facility allowing businesses to share their views of advisers they have used.
The website, which was launched at an event hosted by the LEP and Professional Liverpool, forms part of the LEP’s wider New Markets Programme (funded by European Regional Development funding) business support initiative, which can support 35% of the cost of advice for eligible SMEs to enable them to grow.
For more information about the AdviceFinder.co.uk, or to register your interest as an adviser, please visit:http://www.advicefinder.co.uk/