This week is Growth Hub Week! From 16th – 20th May 2016, individuals and enterprises across England will celebrate the completion of the growth hub network. This landmark means there’s now a live hub in each of the 39 LEP areas, covering 100% of England’s registered business population. This dedicated week is intended to raise the profile of growth hubs and the work they do to help local businesses start-up, grow and prosper.

Growth hubs work with local and national, public and private sector partners - such as universities, enterprise zones and banks to promote, coordinate and deliver business support. They are locally driven, locally owned and at the heart of the Government’s plan to ensure business support is simpler, more joined-up and easier to access.

Business Minister Anna Soubry said:

“Small businesses are the beating heart of our economy and this government continues to build the right environment for them to thrive. We will keep cutting red tape and business taxes, improving access to finance and broadband, and taking forward the measures in the Enterprise Act to cement our position as the best place in Europe to do business.

“Growth Hubs have already helped thousands of businesses and, with the full network up and running, every registered business in England can access the expertise they need to succeed. They will help entrepreneurs boost their business and create more jobs for people in the local area.”

Sarah Trouten, Chief Executive of IOEE, said:

"We're working with several Growth Hubs, one of which is an IOEE Enterprise Academy, and we're looking forward to working with them to develop and strengthen small and medium sized businesses across the UK."

The Department for Business is encouraging you all to show support for local businesses by tweeting throughout the week using #GrowthHubs and backing your own local growth hub. You can find your local growth hub by using the growth hub finder at www.lepnetwork.net/growth-hubs/