Record-breaking March for Business for Denbighshire
Denbighshire’s business community has taken part in a record-breaking month.
The Council’s fourth March for Business month saw more than 530 attendees take part in 26 varied events, the highest figures so far.
Working with partner support providers, the Council’s business month offered a range of training events including updating businesses on the £1bn North Wales Growth Deal, a food event to showcase local produce and a summit on town centres with industry experts.
We'd like to thank all the businesses, support providers and experts who have taken part in our biggest ever business month.
The focus of March for Business was decided after we asked businesses what support they wanted. As a Council we listen to our business community and we are here to support entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
The feedback from March for Business has been really positive with businesses telling us the support provided will help them moving forward. With a difficult trading environment facing High Street retailers and uncertainty around Brexit, it is vital we continue to provide support to Denbighshire businesses so they can carry on growing the economy and creating jobs county-wide.
Other events included a session for businesses to make the most of the Urdd Eisteddford when it is held in Denbigh in 2020, helping businesses with taxation as well as social media training.
Organisations who worked with the Council included Business Wales, the Federation of Small Businesses, the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce and the Development Bank of Wales.
Fiona Evans from Denbigh’s Snow in Summer, said: “March for Business is a great opportunity for businesses to attend various free events and workshops throughout to help benefit their business.
“The social media workshops I have attended have been really beneficial for promoting the shop such as the Instagram workshop, and also the Urdd event.
“I would recommend March for Business, it’s a good opportunity to network with other local businesses.”
March for Business is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy to make sure the county’s communities are resilient and residents have access to good and services.
Hannah James, who owns Rhyl’s Clwyd Chambers, said: “There were great events at March for Business. Marketing advice is invaluable to small businesses and the events gives small businesses access to quality advice at an open and applicable level.
“I would recommend businesses take advantage of the training and support provided by the Council.”
Blas Lleol - Meet the Producer showcases local food producers
More than 100 buyers from hospitality businesses of all sizes attended a showcase of local produce.
The third Blas Lleol - Meet the Producer event, organised by the Llangollen & Dee Valley Good Grub Club and the Clwydian Range Food & Drink group in collaboration with the Council’s Economic Development team, was held at Ruthin Castle Hotel as part of Denbighshire’s March for Business month.
'Blas Lleol - Meet the Producer' gave restaurants, pubs, cafes and food retail businesses from across North Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire the chance to sample food and drink produced by Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham businesses.
This year 24 food and drink producers hosted stalls showing off traditional baked goods and gluten-free variations, meat products, a range of vegan options, locally produced ciders, beers, gins and liqueurs, ice-cream and more.
Business support organisations including Business Wales, Development Bank of Wales and Welsh for Business hosted stands at the event, which was financially supported by both Flintshire and Denbighshire County Councils, providing businesses with the opportunity to discuss ideas for growth, development or diversification.
Robert Dowell-Brown, head chef at Nant Y Felin Restaurant, and demonstration chef for the event, kept buyers mouths watering throughout showing off locally sourced ideas for breakfast, lunch and canapes.
Lesley Haythorne, from Pant Y Foel Gin, said: “Of the 14 potential customers I spoke with at the event, we have already had two sales. So two new customers already and we are now following up others we met on the day.”
Another producer, Martin Godfrey from Hafod Brewing Company from Mold, said: “It was potentially a very productive event for us, great meeting new and old customers and being able to show off our current range face to face.”
Robyn Lovelock, from Llangollen & Dee Valley Good Grub Club, said: “It was a fantastic event that showed off the range and quality of products we have in our region. Whether buyers were looking for large, long-term contracts or just to replace a few key products with a locally-sourced alternative, we’ve been able to get them talking and doing business with the producers themselves – helping keep more money in our local economy.”
Jane Clough, from the Clwydian Range Group said: “There was a buzz throughout the whole event of business being done, hopefully laying the groundwork for another great year of food and hospitality in the region. Hospitality businesses are increasingly seeing the benefit using local produce as both visitors and locals are looking for a taste of the area and are keen to know the provenance of their food & drink.”
The two organising groups are hoping to build on the event for next year, with even more producers and a new location. They are also part of the team responsible for delivering Taste North East Wales, a new month-long celebration of local food and drink to be launched in October 2019. See social media for more details.
Community Led Businesses and Community Share Offers: What are the Options?
Denbighshire County Council and DVSC would like to invite you to the following event
Thursday 16th May 2019 9.30am – 2pm
Denbigh Town Hall, Crown Lane, Denbigh LL16 3TB
Community led business and community share offers can transform communities, enabling local people to tackle key challenges faced in their area e.g. isolation and lack of services. They are controlled by members of the community and trade primarily for community benefit.
This event will bring together expert guidance from the Wales Co-operative Centre and shared learning from local examples of good practice to provide an overview of the different options available to consider.
We will also be hosting an information fair at the event where a number of organisations will be on hand to chat to you about your ideas and the support they can offer including: DVSC, Wales Co-operative Centre, Pub is the Hub, Plunkett Foundation, Social Firms Wales, and Cadwyn Clwyd.
Light Refreshments provided.
This event is aimed at Members of Town, City and Community Councils, County Councillors and members of voluntary groups who are interested in exploring community-led businesses.
If you are not a member of a voluntary group but are a Denbighshire resident interested in attending, please get in touch.
Please confirm your attendance by emailing fran.rhodes@denbighshire.gov.uk
Please note tickets for this event are limited, register your interest as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
