A NEW service to help small and medium sized businesses grown and create jobs has been set up by The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership.

The new LEP growth service, which was launched at an event at the Google Digital Garage, will act as a one-stop-shop for information about the support and funding available to SMEs in Leeds City Region, which covers York.

Significant government-funded support is available to businesses in Leeds City Region, however the LEP’s research shows that businesses often don’t know what is on offer or how to access it.

The LEP is looking to address this by providing a single point of contact to help SMEs find the right support to achieve their growth ambitions including business finance, export, innovation, skills including leadership and management.

The aim is to help 20,000 SMEs grow and prosper in the region over the next six years.

Roger Marsh, chairman of the LEP said: "Helping business and enterprise to thrive is at the heart of our long-term plan to transform the Leeds City Region Economy. SMEs make up 99 per cent of our business community: if they grow, our region will grow too.

"We know that businesses are often unaware of the support available to help them develop or unsure how to get started.

"Our new growth service has been created for small and medium-sized businesses as a single point of contact to help them explore and identify the right support for them and simplify the journey."

A team of SME growth managers based in local areas will provide support to businesses in their areas that have potential for rapid growth.

Information and support is also available through the new LEP website and a dedicated telephone helpline.