GREATER Manchester’s business community is currently facing a challenge like never before but the message from GC Business Growth Hub is that its expert advisers are #HereForBusiness and ready to assist employers with whatever issues they are facing.

Covid-19 has presented businesses all over the region with unexpected impacts and challenges, whether that means getting to grips with remote working, struggling with a loss of income or needing to understand the details of what help is on offer from the Government when it comes to retaining staff.

GC Business Growth Hub, as part of The Growth Company, was quick to create a suite of resources to support businesses as the Covid-19 situation started to unfold, including a new microsite, a series of webinars, and guides on issues such as cashflow management, contingency planning and remote working.

The launch of the #HereForBusiness campaign will build on this support on an unprecedented scale – implementing a social media campaign, extending the business helpline and call opening times, and directly contacting every business who can get help to ensure they receive it quickly.

GC Business Growth Hub has a team of business experts on hand to offer a range of guidance, information, advice and support on the following:

• Government coronavirus support schemes

• Cash flow and cost control

• Manufacturing under Covid-19 restrictions

• Running a business virtually

• Mental and physical well being

• Remote working

• Human resource including recruitment

• Insolvency

The hub’s services are fully funded so will not add to already-stretched overheads. It offers expert one-to-one and peer-to-peer business support, as well as specialist programmes and funding tailored to each business’s needs and circumstances.

Mark Hughes, chief executive of The Growth Company, said: “We may be living through a time where many companies are working remotely, but that doesn’t mean that businesses need to feel isolated and alone when dealing with the unique challenges that COVID-19 has created.

“GC Business Growth Hub was founded to help companies across Greater Manchester to realise their ambitions and while that might feel much more difficult right now, we remain #HereForBusiness and are eager to do whatever we can to advise and support local business leaders.

“Covid-19 is a major challenge to many SMEs in our region, which in turn impacts so many employees, who will also be feeling anxious about their futures. GC Business Growth Hub is here to advise on ways to retain those employees and the businesses themselves.”

Any SME in Greater Manchester wanting to access support from GC Business Growth Hub during this crisis should visit businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus or call the Hub on 0161 359 3050 to speak to an adviser. Opening hours have been extended to Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 1pm to support businesses.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services to achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. The Hub is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.