New business support programme launched to support county’s high streets to flourish

A new, focused programme of support – aimed at boosting the prospects of Oxfordshire’s high street-based businesses – has today (11 December) been launched.

Running through until the end of March next year, Enterprise Oxfordshire Business’ ‘Helping High Streets’ support programme aims to back businesses who operate within typical high-footfall locations in the county.

The latest initiative – which follows in the footsteps of many business support programmes headed-up by Enterprise Oxfordshire Business, supporting thousands of SMEs and entrepreneurs in the county – is set to enhance the prospects of dozens of high street organisations through a mixture of support delivery styles.

Helping High Streets will be taking a ‘place-based’ approach, working with one identified geographical area within each district. Enterprise Oxfordshire will announce specific details on this soon.

Alongside this targeted aspect of the programme, further online support will be available more widely to eligible, high street-based businesses from across Oxfordshire – full details of the online support offer will be announced soon by Enterprise Oxfordshire Business.

With a diverse array of high streets across the county – from rural, Cotswold market towns through to the bustling city centre streets of Oxford – the Helping High Streets programme recognises the broad offer Oxfordshire’s high streets has and the different types of customer they each attract.

The programme aligns with the wider Government emphasis on supporting high streets and its broader ‘everyday economy’, including the mix of enterprises often represented on high streets and not just retail.

It also recognises the need for high streets to remain vibrant to support to community life too.

Helen Brind – Head of Business and Skills – said: “High streets are the heartbeat of our communities, and this programme is about giving them the support they need to thrive.

“By working closely with our district councils and offering tailored, place-based support alongside wider online resources, we aim to help businesses adapt, grow and remain vibrant in a changing economy.

“Enterprise Oxfordshire Business is committed to backing this crucial area of our local economy, ensuring our high streets continue to play a vital role for residents, visitors and businesses alike.”

Businesses set to benefit from the support will be those operating from a high street location, such as retail, leisure, hospitality and service businesses.

Helping High Streets will provide additional support based on the Government’s identified economic priorities.

Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of OxLEP on 1 April this year, with the change marking the completion of a two-year process that saw the economic development functions – previously led by Local Enterprise Partnerships – altered so that they were to be overseen via a mechanism agreed by respective upper-tier local authorities, in this instance, Oxfordshire County Council.

Since becoming Enterprise Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire County Council now act as the organisation’s 100% shareholder, known as a Teckal company arrangement.

To find out more and to register an interest in the programme, head to the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business website.

Find out more on Helping High Streets.