GETTING YOUR BUSINESS BACK UP AND RUNNING POST-COVID
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wicklow works as a first-stop shop for new entrepreneurs, existing micro-enterprise and small business owners in County Wicklow. The LEO is the front door through which all information on State supports for small and micro-businesses can be accessed and signposted to other supports and agencies.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on local businesses LEO Wicklow has seen a sharp increase in the number of businesses availing of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. The Voucher worth a maximum of €2,500 or 90% of eligible expenditure has provided to many businesses through the past few months the ability to trade with their customers/clients in new, socially distant ways.
With this increase in demand the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, along with the other 30 Local Enterprise Offices, welcomed additional funding worth €19.8 million through the July Jobs Stimulus Package for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme. The LEO encourages micro businesses to check the Trading Online offer on their website and apply for this support.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD had this to say about the announcement made by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD last week:“The stimulus package is the next step in our national recovery story. It is designed to help businesses which haven’t reopened yet and those struggling to do so. We have listened to businesses and responded with a package of scale and speed to meet their most immediate needs.”
Along with this support Local Enterprise Office Wicklow has launched its Autumn/Winter Training Programme which offers a range of training courses that are specifically designed to assist entrepreneurs whether they are in the pre-start, start, or grow phase of business in County Wicklow. Course are as follows:
- Start Your Own Business Courses (over 10 weeks) commencing 25th August & 22nd September 2020 – Online delivery.
- Trading Online Voucher Seminar – 25th August 2020 – Online
- Essential Idea Exploration: Proven Tools & Techniques to Test the Market – 23rd September 2020 – Online
- Tax & Vat for Start Up Businesses – 12th, 14th & 16th October 2020 – Online
- Design Your Own Social Media Campaign: Beginners – 12th November 2020 – Online
- Bookkeeping for Small Businesses – 19th & 26th November 2020 – Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew
- Bookkeeping Using Excel – 3rd December 2020 – Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew
All Business Advice Clinics and client interactions through the Local Enterprise Office continue to be facilitated remotely in order to ensure safety of staff, business advisors and members of the public. For those who wish to speak to a Business Advisor in a free, one-to-one, and confidential meeting facilitated remotely, call Local Enterprise Office Wicklow on 0404 30800 to schedule your appointment.
All training courses and further information on the Trading Online Voucher scheme can be booked on the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow’s website: www.localenterprise.ie/wicklow
ENDS