Creative Quarter Company helps seven local independent businesses to secure over £57,000 of funding

Creative Quarter Company (CQC), the economic development and place-making agency based in Sneinton Market, has made a significant positive difference to seven independent Nottingham businesses by connecting them with invaluable mentoring and grant funding. In total, over £57,000 was distributed by the CQC via the East Midlands Accelerator project. The project received £5.27 million from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF) and was led by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with business support agencies like CQC and the region’s universities.

UKCRF funding has supported Nottingham small businesses to purchase equipment, from printers to peanut butter machines, and is helping them build back stronger after the impact of Covid, as well as increase revenue. These businesses also attended peer-to-peer networking events and received mentoring from top-level advisors who provided guidance on topics including cash-flow, future planning, and marketing.

As part of the Financial Accelerator strand of the project, the CQC’s Business Engagement Manager Nathan Payne was commissioned as an advisor to pinpoint and liaise with businesses who might benefit from the programme. With the CQC’s in-depth knowledge of the local economy, Nathan was able to engage four businesses based in the Creative Quarter geography: Blend Coffee Shop, recording studio Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, audio specialists Synthetic Pro Audio, and creative hub The Carousel. An additional three businesses from the city were also supported: Clean Cut Kitchen, baby product company Cloud and Cuckoo and eco-boutique Shop Zero.

Ben Kay, Director of The Carousel, explains how Covid impacted their business: “In the first six months of 2020, we lost 58% of our members as the government advised people to work from home. We were also unable to host any fundraising events. All of this amounted to a 70% loss of sustainable income which we had worked hard to generate in our first year.” The CQC paired The Carousel with mentor Ross Cox. “Through the conversations with Ross we have been able to study our employees' capacities and match them with the needs of the business. This awareness of our resources will form the basis of our business structure and objectives going forward. Needless to say, Ross’s advice has been invaluable.” The Carousel also secured funding to purchase printing equipment for use by their artists and members.

Sarah Maloy, owner of Shop Zero on Friar Lane, jumped at the opportunity when approached by Nathan from the CQC. “It's quite rare to get funding for the retail sector. It came at a good time for Shop Zero as there were a number of projects that I couldn't afford to set up but that would help the business develop and grow.” The funding allowed Sarah to purchase a new piece of equipment for her shop. “I have been able to buy a nut butter machine which customers absolutely love using! I also got support to help bring more customers to the website too.” The impact this has had on Sarah’s business is immediately noticeable. “My business is already benefiting. Time will tell, but the initiatives that the grant paid for are bringing more new customers into the store and have generated wider publicity.”

Nathan Barton, one of the Directors of Stewarts Coffee which also operates Blend Coffee Shop used the funding to make upgrades to the outside seating area at their Sneinton Market Avenues location. “We have been able to transform and utilise the outside space, offering shelter and an attractive spot in the city. We added shade sails to the wooden structure, purchased new seating and tables and installed new planters full of flowers. This will allow us to attract more visitors, increase our seating capacity, and prolong the period of time for sitting outside.”

Nathan Payne, Business Engagement Manager for CQC said: “It has been a pleasure working on behalf of the Creative Quarter Company to deliver genuine support to a diverse range of local independent businesses, helping them to grow and take on additional members of staff or bring exciting new products and services to the market. At a time where the increasing cost of utilities is squeezing small businesses to the point of closure, the need for financial support like this is more needed than ever.”

Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber added: “East Midlands Accelerator has been delivered at pace, with only a matter of months from the launch of the project to the review of grant applications and release of funds. Whilst the timescales have presented a huge challenge for the partners and businesses involved, it has also meant the delivery of much-needed funding to businesses within weeks of grant approval, giving them the immediate boost they need to build back better. Through CQC’s hard work, the results are there to see in the heart of Nottingham.”