Work in Shrewsbury: Programme Guide
Welcome to the Work in Shrewsbury programme – dedicated to celebrating and growing enterprise in our beautiful town. Our five-year programme offers a comprehensive approach to encouraging local business development, investment in our town, and skills training.
What does Work in Shrewsbury entail?
Celebrating & Growing Shrewsbury Enterprise
We’re committed to helping Shrewsbury's business landscape thrive, scale to its full potential, and remain resilient in a changing business landscape.
Our UKSPF-funded Work in Shrewsbury (WISH) campaign aims to position Shrewsbury as an ideal place for businesses to invest, grow, and attract talent, supporting recruitment, retention and investment in the town.
Digital and Physical Marketing
WISH is underpinned by a mix of digital and physical marketing initiatives highlighting the benefits of working and doing business in Shrewsbury, including:
- Video Series – Capturing a day in the life of a diverse range of workers and entrepreneurs in Shrewsbury
- Business & Worker Case Studies – Showcasing the stories of local entrepreneurs and employees who have come to call Shrewsbury home
- National & Regional PR – Generating well-deserved buzz for our town through public relations efforts
- Out-of-Home Marketing – Advertising in physical spaces to raise awareness of Shrewsbury’s business opportunities
- Social Media – Ongoing social media campaigns to engage with local and national businesses and workers
- Prospectus – A comprehensive, beautifully designed prospectus detailing what makes Shrewsbury the ideal location for businesses and workers, highlighting the benefits of investing and living in our town
Future Shrewsbury Grant Programme
This £30,000 grant programme, funded by UK Government through the UKSPF programme, is designed to fuel innovation and business growth in Shrewsbury. By providing grants of £1,000-5,000 to local businesses, we aim to boost the town’s business ecosystem and support the enterprises that make Shrewsbury unique.
Shrewsbury Cowork Campus
We've supported the creation of a first-of-its-kind Cowork Campus – connected group of flexible workspaces in the heart of our medieval town. The Cowork Campus is a collaboration of businesses offering professionals and creatives an inspiring environment in which to work, collaborate, and grow. This unique space provides flexibility and community for remote workers, freelancers, and businesses in need of flexible work solutions.
Skills & Training: Empowering Local Talent
We believe continued learning and development is vital to future proof our town's businesses and workforce. The Work in Shrewsbury programme offers a variety of training opportunities tailored to businesses and individuals.
Masterclass Programme - Evolving Business Series
This series of masterclasses offers a unique opportunity to hear from top-tier, inspirational speakers in a series of events designed especially for Shrewsbury businesses. These sessions are intended to illuminate essential strategies for business growth and transformation, equip you with innovative ways of thinking and operating to secure future success for your business, and help drive our town’s economic growth forward.
Evolving Business Cohort
Our Evolving Business Cohort brings together a select group of local businesses to receive targeted support and mentorship. These businesses, most of them early in their business journey, will benefit from expert guidance, networking opportunities, and access to a dedicated grant pot of £20,000 to help them accelerate their business's evolution.
Training for Businesses
From digital marketing to first aid, we offer tailored training sessions to help local businesses upskill their staff, enhance their operations, develop new strategies, and adapt to the rapidly evolving business environment.
Training in Alternative/Creative Skills
In addition to business-focused training, we also provide workshops and training in alternative and creative skills, such as photography - for amateurs, businesses looking to improve in-house skills, and budding professionals.
Improving Broadband & Connectivity
Connectivity is essential in today’s business environment, and we’re working to ensure Shrewsbury is well-positioned for the future by collaborating with Full Fibre to upgrade the town’s connectivity, addressing long-standing issues caused by outdated copper infrastructure.
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