Mansfield has seen a surge of business start-ups during the past year with lockdown restrictions failing to dampen the entrepreneurial spirit in the district.
Since September 2020, Mansfield District Council has had 64 business support enquiries with half of them from start-up businesses.
And figures from the council’s business data intelligence service FAME show that in Mansfield, business start-ups increased from 468 between April and December 2019 to 578 between April and December last year.
The council has supported businesses throughout the pandemic, distributing a total of £30m in government support grants and £41,500 in council business support grants. The next round of grants for new businesses will start on 1 April.
These grants have allowed many business to open up or stay afloat during this challenging year. Meanwhile other businesses have adapted to operate successfully in a Covid-secure way.
Among the pandemic success stories in Mansfield are Frenchie Frenchie, Alrate Cheesecakes and KC-CP Ltd. (see case studies below)
Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “This past year has undoubtedly been really tough for some businesses.
“But for others it has also proved to be a unique moment of entrepreneurial opportunity and given them time to launch or to rethink, rebrand or expand into different markets.
“It is very encouraging that despite all the hardships, the spirit to move forward and continue to trade in some form has continued and these businesses should be applauded.
“The council’s business grants scheme makes a significant difference to new and small ventures and I would encourage other firms to check out how we could help make them a bigger success or give that all-important lift-off booster.
“With the end of the lockdown coming in the weeks and months ahead, there is now a sense of excitement and expectation in the air and the council will be doing everything it can to help rebuild our local economy.”
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