WINCHESTER City Council is hoping bids will come in for a new business support service to help firms in the district.

The service will run for two-years from June 1 and help provide training, networking, one-to-one advice sessions and mentoring.

The council is looking for bids from organisations, consortia of organisations or individuals who have knowledge and understanding in the following areas: current business opportunities; trends and threats; business planning; cash-flow forecasting; human resource legislation; communications and digital marketing.

Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business Partnerships Cllr Robert Humby said: “We are delighted to be commissioning this new holistic service for businesses located in our area. This service will complement the Council’s existing business support programmes introduced to help businesses and arts practitioners in the Winchester district to thrive and prosper.

“We also offer a package of grants for businesses and employees entering the work place, support for the district’s market towns and signposting to other teams in the Council, support and advice organisations.

Bidders should be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, coaching, training and/or teaching skills, a thorough knowledge of equalities and excellent organisational skills.

The successful bidder will also need an understanding of the needs of a broad range of creative industries and funding opportunities available to businesses and arts practitioners.

The deadline for receipt of written bids is noon on Friday 31 March 2017.

Details of how to apply are available are on: http://bit.ly/2ljJYDs