HEREFORDSHIRE businesses will have a stronger voice at regional and national level following the creation of a new business support agency.

The new Business Link West Mercia organisation went live on April 1 and aims to help all rural businesses - not just businesses in traditional rural sectors - develop and grow.

The new organisation is a merger of Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Business Link Shropshire. The three counties make up 42 per cent of the land mass of the West Midlands, resulting in a stronger rural 'voice' for businesses in the three counties when it comes to regional, national and European issues.

"Business Link West Mercia will concentrate on rural businesses to counteract the urban focus of other West Midlands business support agencies," said Christine Jones, chief executive.

"Both Business Links have been among the top performing Business Links in the country and the merged organisation will be one of the strongest business support agencies in the region.

"With the debate about public spending reaching a new crescendo, it is imperative we are as efficient as we can be and by merging the two operations we can be sure more public funding will go directly to the customer - the businesses in the three counties requiring the support."

With a budget of £13m, Business Link West Mercia can really make a difference to rural businesses. More than 70 business professionals are employed by the organisation to assist companies in every aspect of business. Services include, among others, help and advice on starting a business, raising finance, training, marketing, accounts, legal compliance, workforce development, customer service, IT and web selling, Health & Safety, international trade and employment legislation.

Help can be as simple as a free sign-posting service to point a company in the right direction or a structured programme of business consultation, paid for by the half-day. Initial consultations are free, leading to a diagnosis on the business and a clear plan for action.

As before, Business Link services will be delivered by the local Chambers of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise have remained separate entities, representing their own members in each area from their offices in Hereford, Worcester and Telford. They have formed a joint venture company - Business Link West Mercia - to deliver the Business Link services across the three counties. Business Link is government-funded with the overall aim being to help businesses develop and grow.