Business Support Services

In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, ECC have developed an Economic Recovery Programme of work to support the economy through to 2023. The recovery plan places a clear priority on establishing a new ECC business support service to be in operation by July 2021.The supplier will deliver a clear programme of business support to ensure the safeguarding of businesses and jobs impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and provide high-quality provision that will enable business and jobs growth in key sectors important to Essex's economy, in turn helping to increase the prosperity and productivity of Essex. The new service will support Essex businesses to innovate and diversify as well as providing the best possible support to mitigate impacts and exploit opportunities arising from the Covid-19 crisis, the EU exit and the Green Growth Agenda. Business Support forms an intrinsic part of the delivery of ECC's Organisation Strategy 2017-21, aiming to "enable Essex firms in high-growth sectors to consolidate and expand, by providing advice". The supplier will deliver a Business Support service on behalf of ECC. The supplier will deliver the service across the Essex area excluding the Unitary Authorities of Southend Borough Council and Thurrock Council, running for a period of two years, commencing 1st July 2021. Bids can be from a single organisation, a consortium or a lead entity with sub-contracting; this will be at the supplier's discretion.