Northwich wins at the Let's Celebrate Towns Awards
The prize is a £15,000 grant
Cheshire West and Chester Council is delighted to announce that Northwich has won at the Let’s Celebrate Towns Awards 2024 at an event at the House of Lords.
This is a nationwide competition, sponsored by Visa and the British Retail Consortium, that celebrates towns across the UK that are helping businesses and communities to thrive.
Northwich won in the People & Skills category, for the partnership approach championed locally which creates an environment where talent flourishes and people are provided with the support they need to develop skills and get into work.
Much of this work is delivered by Council’s Employment and Skills team who deliver training and support through Work Zones and School Hubs. The competition entry highlighted the Council’s partnership work with the likes of the Job Centre Plus, Department for Work and Pensions, the NHS, Youth Federation Service, Cheshire Halton and Warrington Race and Equality Centre (CHAWREC), and English Speakers of other Languages (ESOL).
The competition entry also showcased the work of the Council’s Business Growth team and the Northwich Business Improvement District (BID), both of whom offer support to local businesses to help them to develop a range of practical skills.
The prize is a £15,000 grant to put towards a community project or initiative, and the Council will receive skills and education support for Northwich to enable people and businesses to thrive in a changing business environment.
Northwich thrives on partnership working and the Council has committed to working with the business community and other local stakeholders to decide how the prize money is spent. It is hoped that partners will come together to co-produce and deliver a community project for the town centre around a theme of ‘play’ to encourage activity and social interactions and to allow visitors enjoy the town centre for longer whenever they visit.
Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said: "I would like to congratulate the Council’s Skills and Employment and Business Growth teams, and our partners across Northwich, on winning at the Let’s Celebrate Towns awards. This highlights the expertise and dedication that both Council staff and partners have in helping our residents to develop their skills, to realise their potential, help them to get into good quality jobs, and to support businesses to develop their workforce and grow their business. Through various courses, programmes, sessions, and in providing advice and guidance, we are proud that the teams help people and businesses to overcome barriers they face and help people into good quality jobs and for businesses in Northwich to flourish. It is part of the Council’s vision for an Inclusive Economy, helping everyone to contribute and benefit from their local economy and ensure that no-one is left behind."