BUDDING Bromsgrove and Droitwich entrepreneurs and businesses looking to grow are being urged to take advantage of a free initiative designed to support their ambitions.

Worcestershire Business Central, which is run by the county council, provides a range of services such as one-to-one advice and grants to help firms and those looking to start up help to their ideas off the ground.

Two Bromsgrove companies have benefited from two services run by Business Central.

First Service Frozen Foods, which started out purely as an ice cream wholesaler, decided they needed to diversify following disappointing weather-affected ice cream in the summer of 2012. To do this they needed larger premises and a bigger cold store.

Business partners Mike Skitt and Wayne Sambidge with Bob Harrington, Business Relationship Executive at Worcestershire Business Central to find out what grants and support was available to them.

To date, Mike and Wayne have successfully applied for two grants in matched funding from the Regional Growth Fund, which helped pay towards the new cold store; a grant from Resource Efficient Worcestershire to buy more energy efficient heating and lighting.

They are currently in the process of applying for a third grant – matched funding through Enterprising Worcestershire to help purchase new computer equipment and signage.

Wayne said: “Applying for grants does take time, but it is time well spent. I would recommend anyone to contact Worcestershire. Business. Central and see how they can help their business.”

Bromsgrove-based environmental consultants and equipment suppliers, RS Hydro have benefitted from a number of programmes, free training and planning support through Worcestershire Business Central, including Enterprising Worcestershire and Resource Efficient Worcestershire. This included a grant towards a new portable demonstration rig, which they could take to customers and exhibitions.

Sales and marketing director Michael Oswell said: “I tell everyone and anyone I can about Bob Harrington and Worcestershire Business Central.

“It’s been such a good experience and made everything so much easier just having someone like Bob there; nothing is too much trouble.

“They have even helped with some of the application forms; anyone who thinks that it’s going to be hard work is very much mistaken.

“It’s like having a satellite division to handle anything we need financial or specialist knowledge of, an extra resource on tap without increasing the headcount.”

In Droitwich, former BBC make-up artist Ruth Ward from Droitwich was helped to develop a full business plan and booked on to free weekly training sessions at The Hive in Worcester for her handmade soap company Bubblicious Soaps. She also successfully applied for a grant to convert one of her rooms at home into a purpose-built studio.

She said: “It was great to have someone to go to for advice, other than a friend or family member – and you didn’t feel silly whatever the enquiry.”

“It’s knowing that there are people who want to encourage you and push you further. They’re always there backing you up, it’s very reassuring.

“I wish I had more time to go on more of their courses – it’s great that they are free of charge; I thought I would have to pay for them.”

People can find out more about Worcestershire Business Central by calling 0300 123 14 40 or by emailing info@business-central.co.uk.