Boosting business is our shared game

From making it easier for businesses to buy and sell services locally with www.think-local.biz, through to hosting networking events, Lichfield District Council is committed to helping local companies to thrive and prosper./This week, in a move to enhance the business support activities the council delivers across the district, Lichfield District Council joined forces with its neighbour Tamworth Borough Council to deliver a shared service.

The two local authorities signed the agreement combining the two services at Drayton Manor, as part of the first official partnership event, which was specifically targeted at helping local companies to protect their business against the recession. Over 50 businesses attended the event, including Maria DeMarks from Lichfield based Marks4training and Language Centre, who said: "The event has been informative and very relevant."

Councillor Neil Roberts, Cabinet Member for Development Services at Lichfield District Council, said: "Supporting local businesses is vital, especially during today's financial climate. Local businesses underpin our economy - from creating good local jobs, through to supporting local industries. By joining forces with Tamworth we can deliver a wider range of business support services, such as the newly launched Commercial Property Bulletin www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/propertybulletin which helps new and expanding businesses find premises that are right for them."

Councillor Bruce Boughton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise at Tamworth Borough Council, said: "The local economies of Tamworth and Lichfield are closely linked because of their geographical proximity and existing business community links. A shared service transcending this boundary is likely to be well-received by the business community by simplifying partnership structures".

For more information, please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/businesssupport