The New Markets 2 programme, delivered by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership has awarded more than £70,000 of support to local businesses.

A programme to help accelerate growth in the Liverpool city region has supported 25 small and medium-sized firms in the past six months – creating up to 30 new jobs.

The New Markets 2 programme, delivered by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has awarded more than £70,000 of support to local businesses.

The programme, launched in December 2015, provides a method for established SMEs with a turnover of less than 50m euros to access a 35% grant for commercial advice to support and assist their growth strategies.

Services available to businesses include financial and legal advice, strategic development including marketing and sales development and export development.

The list of businesses benefiting from the programme is diverse.

GPB NW Ltd worked with Zanto Digital to develop a online marketing website for Lourdes Investment which has resulted in a 30% increase in website traffic, with a potential increase in sales of £186,000.

St Helens-based Vinyline has seen an 300% increase in its online presence as a result in securing e-commerce and digital marketing support.

And Bootle property and construction consultancy, Cunliffes secured funding to implement strategic business planning.

LEP managing director, Mark Basnett, said: “SMEs are one of the biggest drivers of the economy in the business community therefore ensuring their longevity and growth is vital to help deliver economic prosperity across Liverpool city region.”

This programme is part of a wider European Regional Development Fund-backed programme of support.