HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds is being put aside to help growing businesses and entrepreneurs across the district.

Malvern Hills District Council’s (MHDC) executive committee approved the funding at a meeting on Tuesday, January 24.

Up to £150,000 will go towards the delivery of BetaDen, a programme based at Malvern Hill Science Park that helps entrepreneurs get their concepts off the ground.

It is predicted that the project will create up to 30 new jobs and 10 new businesses.

MHDC is giving £140,000 to deliver the Worcestershire Growth Hub, funding that will enable the projects to be delivered until March 2025.

Worcestershire Growth Hub aims to help businesses improve their productivity, grow and create jobs.

The funding for both projects comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which forms part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda. It is providing £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.

Cllr Daniel Walton, portfolio holder for economic development and tourism at MHDC, said: “This funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will allow us to support businesses within the Malvern Hills District and in turn, grow our local economy.

'An investment in local entrepreneurs'

“It will be an investment in local entrepreneurs who need backing to make their ideas a reality”.

Phoebe Dawson, director of business engagement at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) & Worcestershire Growth Hub, said: “The LEP is delighted to have been awarded funding from Malvern Hills District Council as part of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“This funding will allow the Growth Hub to directly support businesses across the Malvern Hills district, offering signposting and access to local, regional, and national funding and support programmes.

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Luke Willetts, deputy CEO at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This UK Shared Prosperity Fund commitment from Malvern Hills District Council is fantastic news for BetaDen and the growing local community of innovators and entrepreneurs.

“BetaDen has already supported 43 companies since launch and helped them to raise over £6m in further investment funding to accelerate their growth. We look forward to attracting more innovators and supporting them to accelerate their ideas into commercial propositions, leading to business growth and job creation opportunities.”