The event is part of the Accelerator project being delivered by East Midlands Chamber (opens in new window) on behalf of Mansfield District Council and is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).  At its heart is business advice from locally based advisers and specialists, digital technology experts and innovation & growth specialists. It also includes a diverse schedule of action planning workshops and webinars in fundamental subjects such as finance, leadership & management training, international trade and cutting-edge topics like AI.

A particular focus for the project is helping businesses to reduce their energy costs through decarbonisation plans and premises audits.  Mansfield businesses that have already benefitted from Accelerator support include:

Credible Clothing

What started as a side hustle for tradesman Harry Squires during the pandemic has evolved into pre-loved clothing business Credible Clothing. Harry’s products are sold in two vintage clothing stores in Mansfield and Nottingham. He has recently moved into a spacious warehouse and employs four members of staff.

Capital and a lack of in-house business skills have been the biggest barriers to growth for this start-up so business advice from Accelerator project partner NBV Enterprise Solutions has been valuable, particularly on cashflow forecasting and putting together a comprehensive business plan.

Taking discarded clothes and converting them into retro items is in high demand and Harry believes the business has the potential to employ many local young students in photography, textiles and fashion design.

Credible Clothing Owner Harry Squires said: “I feel happy to have received the support and I hope it can continue in the future. I have much to learn and am eager to do so within business.”

Touchpoints Marketing

When the business lost 98% of its clients during the pandemic, it decided to create supportive educational content for entrepreneurs which has since allowed it to build this side of the business and scale down its agency work.

The business has taken advantage of one-to-one advice from Chamber business adviser Peter Lawrence. Peter conducted a diagnostic with Managing Director Vic Tayler and supported the business to apply for a Growth Voucher which covered the cost of 20 hours of specialist marketing support with Chamber consultant Martin Broadhurst. This resulted in the establishment of a new website to help the business accelerate the launch of a new programme.

Touchpoints Marketing Managing Director Vic Tayler said: “Being able to access someone with digital marketing knowledge has enabled our business to supercharge the launch of our Six Figure Niche website and take on two full-time members of staff as a result.”

Businesses interested in learning more about Mansfield Accelerator are invited to attend the event at Mansfield Town FC on Friday, 13th December. More information is here (opens in new window).