Small businesses in and around Southport and Formby have been thrown a financial lifeline after Covid.

Many have found it really difficult over the last year but the good news is that there’s free help available in a Government backed scheme administered locally by Birkdale’s Peter Lawrence from Ai Change management.

It’s part of a free Government sponsored programme helping small and medium businesses (SMEs) to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Peer Networks is organised by BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) with Ai Change Management one of a number of organisations appointed to run its programme in the Liverpool City Region.

In a pilot earlier this year among those helped was Birkdale village shopkeeper Penny Bennett from ‘Sitting Pretty’ salon.

She said: “During lockdown like so many other small business owners, it was a challenge to focus on how to develop your business once restrictions were lifted.

“I joined the Peer Network support group and found regular communications with other business owners beneficial both from a practical and emotional support point of view.

“I have found friendships within the network and being able to share challenges and ideas was extremely helpful. Running a small business can be lonely at times, so having the ability to bounce ideas with like-minded individuals was invaluable.

“While business owners may have unique slants on their challenges, clearly there are many common issues, and building on other’s experiences can be productive and assist with ideas in moving forward.

“The network consisted of business owners in the Liverpool region from a wide variety of businesses, none were in direct competition so everyone spoke freely about their challenges and a variety of solutions were offered to us all plus we had the support of Peter and the Ai Change team.”

Now, Ai Change Management’s looking for more local Sefton businesses to take part in the forthcoming programme.

Explained Peter: “Ai Change Management has a team of experienced business change practitioners, helping businesses to grow.

“We are currently recruiting participants to join our Peer Network programme which is free for those who have pre Covid turnover of £100k + and 5 or more staff.”

Interested?

For more information, email peter@ai-cm.co.uk, phone 07527 816616, or click https://ai-cm.co.uk/peer-networks/