As Luton named top UK City for Start Ups, Metro Bank offers practical support
Funding, networking and mentoring are the keys steps to success and growth for any new business advises Metro Bank as the UK reports a 12% increase in new businesses in 2020 and Luton is named as the top UK city for start-ups. (Based on a number of key factors including internet speeds, best rates of production, office prices and business survival rates according to a new study by Fasthosts).
The top 10 cities for successful start-ups have been named as
1 Luton
2 Reading
3 Nottingham
4 Edinburgh
5 Central London
6 Liverpool
7 Portsmouth
8 Coventry
9 Wolverhampton
10 Bristol
“New start-ups need access to finance and funding and we have two dedicated business managers who have the experience to help mentor businesses both new and old to grow and expand,” explains Hazel Simpson, local director for Metro Bank’s Luton store. “We see a diverse array of businesses in Luton, many of which are in the service sector. We are also very popular with the town’s retail and hospitality business owners as our longer opening hours and drive through teller facility fit well with their hours of trade and requirement for counter services.
“Start-ups tend to be agile and need to move quickly – we can open bank accounts and print cards in store, helping entrepreneurs to get going immediately. As they grow and become established, many Luton businesses need funding to purchase machinery and vehicles to enable them to expand and to take on new orders. Over the pandemic and recovery period we have helped lots of local businesses, for example supporting one of our customers to extend their food premises from take-away service to also provide a seated area for diners.”
Luton Metro Bank business managers can render practical support for business customers – be that the complementary use of an office in the store to conduct business meetings to consultancy advice about their venture.
Metro Bank business customers also receive free membership to Enterprise Nation. Enterprise Nation provides access to its 100,000 members with networking advice and support through blogs, webinars, business news and services. Blogs include advice on everything from how to impress a lender, how to successfully speak in public to the five tax mistakes to avoid as a company director. A full calendar of webinars includes everything from how to start up a business with no start-up funds to pricing your products and services.