Beat the downturn in 2009: part two
Caroline Cassell, a Marston's leaseholder at the Crown Inn in Martley, Worcester, started looking for free help for her business after applying for a government loan when she was flooded. She hasn't looked back since.
Assistance with business planning, website building, marketing, training on writing press releases, Cask Marque accreditation, receiving tickets to training seminars and conferences… Caroline has got it all for free.
"There is always help out there, government-paid help," says Caroline. "We are paying for it with taxes. So it is ridiculous that we should pay for it twice by employing consultants. It has made a phenomenal amount of difference to the business."
With Caroline's help, this is our guide on what help is available and how and where to access it.
Starting up
Business Link is a government-funded free business advice service. Help on offer includes finding grants and support schemes, help with tax, VAT, payroll and employment legislation and guidance on choosing and setting up your premises.
Visit www.businesslink.gov.uk
PR and marketing advice
If you are a pub company licensee like Caroline, you may be able to receive free help from its PR department. "For ages I always assumed there was a charge," says Caroline. She called and found out there wasn't. "Now any time I put on anything I think they can help with, I give them a ring and they put out a press release."
Tourist boards are also a powerful way of reaching new customers. After a visit from her local board, Caroline received publicity in its publications and acted on suggestions to approach local touring coach companies to use the pub as a stop-off.
Business plans and advice
John Grange, a Business Link adviser, says: "Our Health Checks offer an impartial, objective assessment of a licensee's business performance, identifying key strengths, prioritising areas for improvement and highlighting opportunities. They are available for any company, and are tailored to focus on the specific needs of each business."
Employment advice
Whether you're an employer or an employee you can get free advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) website or its telephone helpline to solve workplace problems and improve performance. It also runs training and mediation services.
Visit www.acas.org.uk
Website advice
Caroline was lucky enough to have a website built for her for free as part of an initiative by her local tourist board. It is worth finding out whether you can get similar help.
The Business Link website also offers advice on how to get the best website for your business. "This can save you both time and money," says John.
Seminars and conferences
Business Link runs a regular series of events, which vary regionally. Recent ones have covered how to beat the credit crunch, improving customer services and getting the most from your website. They are a great source of business-building ideas, says Caroline: "I really know what I need to ask from a web designer now. It gives you so much more control."
How to get help
Business Link is a great first port of call. It works with a number of other bodies, from regional development agencies to chambers of commerce and marketing organisations and can give you business advice and help you apply for funding or grants.
Pubs are classed as a tourist attraction and many local boards run schemes to help you grow your business, so check with them what is on offer.
Visit the Business Link website
Tell us how YOU are tackling the crunch. Email news@thepublican.com
