Xpress Saving Thanks to SASDA and the Locals
A rural County Durham newsagent which offers a unique shopping delivery service has saved £2000 recruiting local residents thanks to a community outreach programme.
Shildon-based X-Press Stores has saved the equivalent of more than two and a half months of wages thanks to staff from SASDA, which called into the shop as part of their outreach campaign promoting business support.
SASDA – which supports businesses in the region and creates employment opportunities for residents through its Working Neighbourhoods Fund - explained to Kellie Thompson, the newsagent manager, what support she would receive by recruiting from the local area; something she wasn’t previously aware of.
Now, the funding has been put straight back into the company to help pay the £25,000 business loan used to refurbish the shop when it was opened in November 2008.
“If staff from SASDA hadn’t walked into the shop and told me what help was available I would of missed out on receiving £2000, which is a staggering amount for a small business,” said Mrs Thompson.
“There are a lot of businesses in the region that can prosper from such support. I was considering recruiting a couple of members of staff but in this economic climate the decision was made a lot easier by SASDA as they removed the worry and the risk.
“There are now six people employed at X-Press Stores and we are hoping to recruit again in the near future, of course with the help of SASDA.”
The appointment of Sarah Nugent, 26, as shop assistant, and David Evans, as a driver, both of Shildon, has ensured the newsagents can continue to deliver to residents in remote areas within the wider community, which struggle to travel to the shop.
Philip Beasley, chief executive of SASDA, said: “Payroll is usually the biggest outgoing expense to any business, so when companies are on the edge of growth it can be a difficult decision to expand the workforce. The Working Neighbourhood Fund very simply allows companies to make the necessary decision and have a safety net whilst growing.
“We are working in the community to inform businesses about what help is available so they can take advantage of funding and continue to grow at right pace.”
For further information about how your business can receive support and funding from SASDA contact 01325 310730
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