FODDC teams up with the FSB to offer discounted memberships
Forest of Dean District Council has today announced a new partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) aimed at helping firms across the district in their recovery from the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic.
The partnership aims to help smaller businesses - particularly those based in the district’s town centres and larger villages - access to the resources and support they need to get firmly back on their feet. The council is encouraging businesses to take advantage of discounted FSB membership, and encouraging them to boost their digital presence, as shopping habits continue to evolve as a result of the crisis.
A recent survey of local town centre businesses showed that although over two thirds (69%) had a website, only 23% of these were transactional and able to take bookings or payments online.
Cllr Bernie O’Neill said: “As a Council, we are committed to supporting local businesses, and this is no more important than in these uncertain times. By partnering with the FSB, we are able to direct our district’s small business owners directly to the FSB’s key resources which can help them to adapt quickly to a changing marketplace.
“From social media training, virtual networking and even support in finding sustainable finance there’s support on offer that can really help businesses not only to survive, but to thrive in the post-Covid economy.”
This is something the council wants to support businesses to change by highlighting what others are doing to expand their customer base.
Sam Holliday, Gloucestershire Development Manager for the FSB, said “The FSB team are delighted to be working with Forest of Dean District Council to help the small business community.
“The Forest of Dean is a fantastic, vibrant area for small businesses and we are proud to already have hundreds of FSB members across the Forest. This scheme will allow even more great SMEs to join our ranks and get our unrivalled benefits such as 24-7 legal support, vital tax investigation support and many more important resources. We are also very pleased to be working alongside the Forest of Dean District Council on this scheme as we have always found them to be a supportive organisation who are determined to work with and support their small business community.”
Included in the FSB membership are:
FSB legal protection: The legal support benefit offers members access to first-class advice and help from a team of solicitors and barristers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The team can help with general employment and HR issues, tax and VAT advice, health and safety, employment tribunals, property disputes, business law and more. The FSB also offers a Legal Hub giving members free access to hundreds of legal documents, guides and factsheets.
FSB Skills Hub: Members benefit from access to social media training videos, relevant resources such as dealing with late payments, wellbeing top tips, advice on how their benefits can help them save money and upcoming local virtual networking events. They have created the FSB Skills Hub to support businesses with the resources they need to ensure continuity in the immediate future and for the longer term.
FSB Funding Platform: FSB Funding Platform helps FSB members find the right business finance solution. The business makes one simple, anonymous application and with 24/7 telephone support the service is simple and easy to use, saving time and effort.
The FSB also has other member-only benefits such as FSB PR/Crisis Management advice & guidance, FSB Care, FSB Cyber Protection and FSB Insurance.