Free mentoring for businesses affected by flooding

The Upper Calder Valley Renaissance (UCVR) team, with funding from Todmorden and Calderdale Councils, has launched a mentoring scheme offering one-to-one support for any local business affected – directly or indirectly – by the floods.

“It’s a great chance for local shops, manufacturers and other companies to share some of their problems and work on solutions with an experienced businessperson,” said Sarah Moss, who’s running the scheme for the UCVR.

“They’ll get new ideas and practical advice to make them more resilient and to help them grow and prosper.”

Sarah visits each business to talk through their needs and matches them with a mentor. The mentor and business then meet at least once a month for a minimum of six months, working together to tackle challenges and come up

with action plans.

Those plans could cover anything from making premises more flood-proof to improving marketing and publicity to win customers.

Rosemary and Mike Holcroft, who run the Water Street Gallery, Todmorden, are one of the first businesses to take part.

Rosemary said: “It’s so helpful, after six month’s hard work refurbishing the gallery, to know we have business and moral support available in the next six months.

Todmorden town councillor Diana Tremayne (Lab, Central) said: “We recognised that our town’s flooded businesses were going to need longer-term assistance and were happy to respond by supporting this initiative.”

Councillor Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said it was pleased to be supporting this scheme.

He said: “It will make a real difference to businesses affected by flooding and help to build resilience in our communities.”

There’ll be chance to find out more about the scheme at the Fielden Centre on Tuesday, July 26 at 6.30pm. People interested in taking part can also call 01422 417286 or email [email protected]