Further West Bridgford and Rushcliffe businesses benefit from expert high street

Rushcliffe’s new Digital High Street Adviser is helping further West Bridgford and Rushcliffe based businesses to develop their digital offer, offering wide ranging business advice to complement their in-person sales at the Borough’s retail premises.

RBC's Charlotte Gault, Cllr Abby Brennan, The Fruit Basket owner Rachel Hyman and Steve Phillips from EMC

Pictured from left to right: RBC's Charlotte Gault, Cllr Abby Brennan, The Fruit Basket owner Rachel Hyman and Steve Phillips from the East Midlands Chamber

Steve Phillips from East Midlands Chamber is an experienced Business Adviser contracted by Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver the project in the Borough and courtesy of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).

The authority is one of the first in the region to utilise the funding, aware of some impact on the recent retail climate in West Bridgford and responding to the pressures high street businesses are currently facing. Steve is now out and about chatting with business owners, listening and exploring how he can assist development of their websites, online marketing and use of social media.

It’s with the aim of aiding sales and assisting further footfall and routes to more specialist business advice such as with The Fruit Basket in West Bridgford.

Chair of the West Bridgford Growth Board Cllr Abby Brennan joined him at the business in the town to listen and chat to business owner Rachel Hyman about where they can support traders even further.

Cllr Brennan said: “We are focussing our energy on supporting local businesses in West Bridgford and across the Borough, listening and responding in as many ways as we can such as this digital project with local business owners, Steve and the Chamber.

“Maintaining our vibrant high streets is a priority for us and we know the importance of our independent businesses. We are here to listen and will be flexible in responding to their needs, very much aware owner’s skills needs continue to change quickly.

“The outlook in West Bridgford is positive and there is still considerable interest from businesses coming in here.

“We’re exploring a study of our town centres that will look at what opportunities there are to help shape the future of our high streets.”

Rachel added: “This year we are celebrating 15 years of trading here in West Bridgford and we think the project is a good initiative as we continue to adapt our business to changing trends.

“It’s been great to meet Steve who is set to help us with perceptions of our business on social media which will prove really useful to help open us up to new customers and reach new audiences.

“I recommend any business owner has a chat with him about where he can help.”

The digital project will include businesses being supported through a set of short ‘how to’ films, guides and webinars that will provide advice on a range of topics and examples of good practice, previously identified as helpful by business owners in other recent Council projects.

Businesses wishing to contact Steve di- rectly can complete an online expression of interest form over the phone 0330 053 8639 or email steve.phillips@emc-dnl.co.uk

The Digital High Street Adviser project has received £25,000 from the UK Government through the UKSPF.

Steve said: “I’ve met and chatted with many business owners across Rushcliffe already and it’s heartening to see where we can find ways to maximise their online presence even further and ultimately raise revenue.

“I refer businesses to our specialist colleagues, tailoring owners’ needs to particular support and advice they need in their sector.

“Business owners are exceptionally positive here in the Borough and we want to reach out even more, assisting them in this currently unpredictable economy by offering expert insight.”

The project runs until June with initial contact and adviser visits from Steve made to all participating businesses by the end of March. For more information email econdev@ rushcliffe.gov.uk

Men jailed after vicious street attack

Two men have been jailed after a violent attack that left a man seriously ill in hospital.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was attacked in the Newgate Lane area of Mansfield at around 9.30pm on Monday 18 July 2022.

In the minutes that followed he was repeatedly punched and even hit over the head with a metal gas cannister as he was chased through the streets.

He suffered significant head injures in the attack and later underwent life-saving brain surgery.

Several suspects were later identified on CCTV and arrested.

They appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

Macs Watson, aged 23, of Mellish Road, Langold, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for seven years.

Thomas Payne, aged 26, of Birkland Street, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to affray and was jailed or 16 months.

Kyle Gregg, aged 34, of Bamford Drive, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to affray and was handed a community order.

Detective Constable Adam Penn, of Nottinghamshire

Police, said: “This was a vicious, sustained and wholly unnecessary attack that left the victim with very significant injuries.

“This kind of violence has no place in our society and will never be tolerated.

I am pleased the offenders have now been held to account and hope these sentences provide some degree of comfort to the victim.”