Pictured above: The Business Development and Innovation Team

Birmingham City Council's Business Development and Innovation Team is in the running for a regional award after it secured £1.8 million of funding to set up the Retail Development Programme (RDP) - an initiative designed to turn around the fortunes of Birmingham's independent retailers and restaurateurs affected by the economic downturn.

The 15-strong team, which works closely with the city's retail sector, has been shortlisted in the 'Partnerships for Birmingham' category of the Chamberlain Awards.  Now in its sixth consecutive year, the Chamberlain Awards is Birmingham City Council's flagship awards initiative, recognising the achievements of its employees through 10 diverse categories. Nominations in each category are sought internally, with shortlisted entries agreed by an appointed panel of judges and the resulting finalists announced at an awards ceremony, held at The International Convention Centre on 12 November 2010.

The Business Development and Innovation Team has been shortlisted for the results it is achieving via the RDP, a project introduced after the team secured £1.8 million from the government's Working Neighbourhoods Fund. The RDP sees the Business Development and Innovation Team working in partnership with 12 town centre managers to offer independent retailers and restaurateurs a 50 per cent match-funded grant of £2,500 to £10,000.  

The aim of the project is to develop and grow independent retailers throughout Birmingham city centre and High Streets in areas such as Harborne, Edgbaston, Erdington and Handsworth. The programme has been a great success with over 100 independent retailers being assisted to develop and grow within the city.

Councillor Alan Rudge, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Human Resources at Birmingham City Council, said: "The RDP is a great example of how building close working relationships between the public and private sectors can prove highly effective in fostering prosperity and growth among the wider business community. This is a well thought-through, accessible initiative, with the grant process designed to be as streamlined as possible, and with the requirement for match-funding ensuring that all applicants have a very strong chance of succeeding in the long term.   

"The shortlisted entrants in every category of this year's Chamberlain Awards are all extremely strong contenders, with their achievements highlighting how Birmingham City Council employees are making a valuable contribution to the communities in which they are working."

One of the niche businesses that has benefitted from the project is French handcrafted chocolate retailer Chouchoute Chocolaterie, which has been located in Great Western Arcade for eight years. Helen Soualah, co-owner of Chouchoute Chocolaterie, explained how the funding has assisted the business. 

Helen said: "Although our store in Birmingham city centre is well established and we have built up a loyal customer base over the years, we have been keen to raise our profile among corporate customers and to develop the opportunities for expansion in this area.  In order to do this effectively we required some additional financial investment.  Securing funding through the Retail Development Programme has enabled us to produce a brochure and website that specifically target corporate customers, and to implement an online marketing strategy.

"Although it is early days in terms of assessing the success of this, we have taken a significant step forward in realising our five year growth plan and the funding we received has been key to this.  What's more, the application process was straightforward and efficient, with the grant awarded to us just two months after we submitted the necessary paperwork."

Mohammed Zahir is Head of Service for the Retail Development and Innovation Team at Birmingham City Council.  He said: "It is extremely rewarding to be shortlisted for a Chamberlain Award, and this is an excellent indicator of how the RDP is now widely regarded as a successful and worthwhile initiative.  The aim of the project is to promote confidence among the retail sector, stimulating enterprise and business activity at a time when economic conditions are very tough.  From the outset there has been a huge demand among businesses for financial support, and we continue to be inundated with enquiries and applications."