Small and medium-sized food and drink businesses in southern England are getting a helping hand with a retail skills course launched by Chichester College, in partnership with The Southern Co-operative.
The ‘Routes to Market’ package is designed to help firms in Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with business plans, financial forecasts, auditing and health and safety measures.
“It is estimated that 89% of start-up food and drink businesses do not survive the first three years of trading and that the key factor to business failure is weak business planning,” said Chichester College’s principal Shelagh Legrave.
“Routes to Market aims to help start-up food and drink businesses with the scaffolding to set up and grow their business and generate their best route to their chosen market.”
Modules in the course had been “road-tested” by businesses in the area, the college said.
As part of the scheme, The Southern Co-operative will sponsor three small producers to undertake the business planning workshop.
“This collaborative working model has created a programme that supports food and drink businesses and works to ensure sustainable economic growth within the South East. This is key to the long-term recovery of the economy and employment and most importantly allows fabulous food and drink from the region to reach a wider and appreciative audience,” said The Southern Co-op’s CEO, Mark Smith.
Membership packages for Routes to Market are available in four tiers. The college said it was looking to partner with another college in Hampshire to hold workshops, with the potential to expand further afield in the future.
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