Denbighshire businesses remain positive about the future

Businesses in Denbighshire remain positive about the future, according to a recent survey.

The Council's annual Business Survey had more than 470 responses, with the majority saying they are more confident about the future than ever before.

The annual survey feeds into the Council’s March for Business month, which offers a wide range of training, networking and advice sessions to the county’s traders, based on feedback in the survey.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “I’d like to thank the businesses that took the time to complete this survey.

“It is important we continue to listen to the needs of entrepreneurs in the county and offer help and support based on their needs. That way we can offer training and support to businesses that will be a real benefit to them in pursuit of growth.

“I’m pleased so many businesses feel confident moving forward. Denbighshire is here to support businesses and we have a wide-range of projects to help and support businesses within our Economic and Community Ambition Strategy.

“I’m particularly pleased with the feedback on training needs, which shows we have been ahead of the game with our digital skills focus over the past couple of years.”

The survey, conducted by the Council’s Economic and Business Development team, found more than 70 per cent of respondents said their business is stronger than it was in 2016 while only 1 per cent said it was weaker.

More than a quarter expect to increase staff numbers, while 63 per cent are expecting sales to increase.

The survey also found more businesses have taken up broadband and superfast broadband in the last 12 months, recognising that a digital presence and the skills to exploit this are crucial to future business success.

Last year March for Business saw 400 attendees take advantage of 13 events across 10 locations with the benefit of access to 45 business experts.  The 2018 programme of events will be announced early in the new year.

For more information contact econ.dev@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone 01824 706896.

 

Businesses share their tips in first issue of Denbighshire magazine

High street traders across Denbighshire have been sharing their tips for success.

The Council has been continuing its policy of talking and listening to local businesses by producing the ‘Town Business’ e-magazine based on what they had to say.

Businesses gave their hints and tips for success as well as advice on important topics facing traders in the county, such as networking and promoting themselves through social media.

Town Business also lets them know what help and support is available from the Council and other organisations.

It has been distributed electronically to businesses in the county and is also available to view on the Council’s website as well as on the #LoveLiveLocal Facebook page.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “This magazine gives Denbighshire businesses a platform to share their knowledge and tips for success.

“Our ambition is to support a healthy private business sector that delivers good levels of employment and income for business and residents in all of our towns and communities.

“The Council is committed to supporting Denbighshire’s town centres, each of which has its own unique character, and you can see this coming out in the conversations we had with businesses.

“This e-magazine highlights just some of the great range of businesses and business groups we have on our high streets in Denbighshire to give a flavour of all the things we can be positive about.

“Small local businesses offer so much to our residents and visitors and make a huge contribution to the local economy and we are delighted to have been able to give them a voice and share their stories.”

Town Business also offers traders information on the #LoveLiveLocal campaign which encourages businesses and shoppers to shout about great local products on social media.

You can view Town Business in PDF format here  www.denbighshire.gov.uk/townbusiness

Free parking in town centre car parks after 3pm

Shoppers in Denbighshire will be getting a helping hand this festive period.

The Council is providing free car parking in all of its town centre car parks after 3pm throughout December.

Free After 3 aims to support Denbighshire’s town centres and encourage shoppers to take advantage of the wide range of traders on the county’s high streets.

The scheme provides free parking in all Council-operated pay and display car parks in town centres after 3pm every day until December 31.

To find a list of all the car parks included visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/parking

 

Courses to help businesses get to grips with social media

Another programme of social media training courses for local businesses is being run by the Council.

Following the enthusiastic response from sessions earlier this year, more Facebook and Twitter courses will be delivered in the county.

The new programme includes both advanced and introductory sessions following requests from businesses attending the last set of sessions.

Tutor Helen Hodgkinson, of Grwp Llandrillo’s Retail Skills Academy, will be providing the courses on behalf of the Council.

She said: “The separate advanced and introduction sessions will mean we can focus on the important topics pitched at the right group.

“In Denbighshire there are some great examples of businesses using social media to build their customer bases and the advanced sessions will help them make the most of that audience using very effective but more technical methods.

“The ‘Basics’ sessions will cater for those new to using social media for business purposes, and put them in a stronger position to start engaging existing and new customers online. Turning engagement into potential sales is what theses course are about.”

The popular interactive courses will be held at venues in Rhyl, Denbigh and Llysfasi in January and February.

You can find out more about the courses at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/businessevents