Expert advice for high street businesses in Shropshire
Businesses on Shropshire’s high streets will soon benefit from support aimed at helping both new and established businesses thrive in today’s competitive retail environment.
From market stalls to online boutiques, the Shropshire Growth Hub is taking its support into the market towns offering expert advice, funding opportunities, and training to help high street shops launch, grow, and sustain their businesses.
The Shropshire Growth Hub’s programmes and delivery are made possible through external funding from government contracts and grants. This funding means it can provide free support, energy advice, training, and events for start-ups, SMEs, and community organisations.
The Shropshire Growth Hub team plan to visit market towns across the county over the coming months:
- Ludlow Library on Monday 27 October 2025 from 10am until 1pm.
- Bridgnorth Library on Thursday 6 November 2025 from 4pm until 6.45pm.
Visits to Market Drayton, Whitchurch and Church Stretton are planned for early 2026.
Emma Chapman, Shropshire Growth Hub manager, said,
“We encourage retailers to pop in and see us. It’s informal, but we will have experts on hand who can help on a 1-2-1 basis with free tailored advice and practical support for businesses based on the high street.
“We can also advise anyone looking to start a business with personalised guidance on everything from writing a business plan and managing cashflow to hiring staff and marketing.
“Whatever challenge they are facing, or idea they have about growing their business, we urge them to pop in and have a chat with one of our advisors.”
Style Optique in Market Drayton recently completed a programme of support provided through the Shropshire Growth Hub. Founders Sam and Eva Davé sought help to improve their marketing and public relations activities and have nothing but praise for the advice and guidance they received,
“The advisor who worked with us was amazing! She reassured us that we were on the right path but also gave us invaluable ideas for new collaborations and further social media growth. She helped us to clarify our target audience and explore new opportunities, like launching a pop-up or satellite store. We are now more focused, energised, and ready to take our business to the next level.”
Sam and Eva Davé, founders of high street opticians, Style Optique in Market Drayton who benefitted recently from support from the Shropshire Growth Hub
Emma urges retailers to stay up to date with what is available and find out when further visits are scheduled by signing up to the Growth Hub’s ‘Hub Highlights’ newsletter (and choosing ‘Business’). The newsletter advertises free events, grant opportunities, and access to expert advice.
Councillor Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said:
“High street shops are at the heart of our market towns. By customising the support provided by the Shropshire Growth Hub, we want to strengthen, develop, and protect one of Shropshire’s key assets.”
For more information, visit Business Support for Shropshire’s High Streets – Invest in Shropshire or for more general business support see www.shropshiregrowthhub.co.uk
Further information
Part of Invest in Shropshire at Shropshire Council, the Shropshire Growth Hub provides information and support for businesses in the Shropshire Local Authority area.
The Growth Hub runs an extensive yearly calendar of free events and webinars and offers advice on grants, loans, and assistance for companies of any size or sector, from start-ups to established enterprises.
The main contracts funding the work of the Shropshire Growth hub are:
- Marches Growth Hub (MGH) core funding through the Department for Business and Trade.
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
