A series of events are set to take place over the coming months as part of two new support programmes for entrepreneurs and businesses in Cherwell.

The Cherwell Business Spark and Cherwell Business Accelerator initiatives were launched by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

Both programmes are set to assist aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing businesses in the Cherwell district.

The Cherwell Business Spark is geared towards individuals keen on starting their own business or generating an additional income stream.

An introductory workshop will cover key areas such as business fundamentals, understanding customers, marketing, sales, financial planning, and the development of a first-year action plan.

The Cherwell Business Accelerator will provide support to established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential, offering expertise to help them realise their growth plans.

The programmes, funded by the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will be delivered by OxLEP Business on behalf of Cherwell District Council.

A variety of events will be held to support participants, including masterclasses on business planning for growth, mastering innovation, small business finances, investment planning for growth, and operational efficiencies in SMEs.

In addition to these events, delegates will benefit from peer-to-peer sessions, an exit review and growth action plan, and bespoke one to one support from a team of more than 20 business and innovation advisors.

The Cherwell-focused programmes follow the introduction of similar initiatives that have already engaged with dozens of individuals elsewhere in the county.

Helen Brind, growth hub manager for OxLEP, said: "We are excited to share the range of support that will be on offer through our tailored Cherwell programmes, facilitating budding entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, and those more established organisations with the tools they need to succeed in today’s business landscape.

"Support on offer is set to cover the fundamentals in starting or growing a business and it is through this we hope that we can bring some positive influence and results to this part of the county’s business community.

“Although this programme has been tailored to those in the Cherwell district of the county specifically, we would like to stress though that our commitment to the whole of Oxfordshire very much remains the case.

“Given our track record of supporting thousands of Oxfordshire businesses over the past decade, we would like to reiterate our delight to have secured the opportunity to deliver this support on behalf of Cherwell District Council."

The programmes will run until the end of March 2025, and are open to residents and businesses in the Cherwell district.