A UNIVERSITY’S award-winning business support service has expanded with the opening of a new centre in Kidderminster.

The University of Wolverhampton’s Business Solutions Centre (BSC) now has a base at Wyre Forest District Council’s Wyre Forest House in Finepoint Way.

It is modelled on national award winning BSC Centres already established in Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Telford and Hereford.

Staff will work in collaboration with the local authority to support local organisations to grow their businesses, provide advice and guidance as well as offering access to the university’s extensive resources.

Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “We have extended our support for businesses into the Wyre Forest region, following on from the success we have had in other areas.

“The new Wyre Forest Business Solutions Centre will be operated on the highly successful model offered at the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, located on the University’s Science Park in Wolverhampton which has won a string of national awards for their work with over 1,500 businesses.

“We will be offering a range of support to businesses in and around Kidderminster and across the Wyre Forest region which will include start-up advice with workshops and mentoring, access to technology from drone hire to cyber security support, leadership and development programmes, seminars, events and networking opportunities.”

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration at Wyre Forest District Council, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the University of Wolverhampton on this exciting new venture.

“The new centre will act as a conduit between local businesses, advisors, consultants and key support organisations to help local businesses access funding and support opportunities open to them.

“The University has a long and successful history of supporting the start-up and growth of businesses right across the Midlands.

“Having a single point of access offering a wide range of free events and workshops, business facilities and professional advisory services will undoubtedly be of great benefit to local people who run their own business or for those who are thinking of starting up in the future.”

BSC was launched at Wyre Forest House on Thursday, October 20 at an event attended by local businesses including Morgan Motor Company, who partnered the university to give engineering students practical work experience.

People can find out more by visiting the website: http://businesssolutionscentres.co.uk/business-support/