Key Points
- A series of Business Bolton workshops focused on cyber security and public procurement support for local businesses.
- Workshops aimed to help businesses improve understanding of cyber threats and procurement processes.
- The workshops were delivered with tailored advice, one-to-one guidance, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
- Business Bolton collaborated with local and regional bodies including Growth Hubs and councils to provide this support.
- The workshops were part of a larger initiative to boost Bolton's business community growth and resilience amid economic challenges.
- Positive feedback from participants highlighted the practical value of sessions on digital transformation, tendering strategies, and business resilience.
- The initiative underlines Bolton’s broader ambition in Greater Manchester’s economic regeneration and support for SMEs and growing enterprises.
What was the purpose of the Business Bolton Roadshow workshops?
As reported by Business Bolton on their official site, the workshops aimed to
assist local businesses in navigating the increasingly complex challenges of
cyber security and public sector procurement. The sessions provided practical
training around managing cyber risks and improving tendering success. This
support was designed to strengthen Bolton businesses’ competitiveness and
resilience in a dynamic economic environment.
Who organised and delivered the workshops?
The workshops were organised by Business Bolton, the local business support
team, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub and other
regional agencies. These organisations brought expertise in business growth,
digital adoption, and public procurement to the sessions. According to an
Eventbrite announcement, these services were fully funded and targeted all
local businesses regardless of size or sector, provided they were Greater
Manchester-based.
What topics were covered in these workshops?
The workshops covered critical areas such as cyber security awareness and
threat management, public procurement strategies including tendering best
practices, digital transformation with AI adoption, sustainability, and
business resilience. One key session, reported by the Business Bolton news
portal, focused on enhancing understanding of cyber threats and equipping
businesses to bid successfully for public contracts, which is often a complex
process for SMEs.
What feedback was received from attendees?
Feedback from participating businesses praised the workshops for their clarity,
practical guidance, and tailored support. Business owners especially valued the
1:1 mentoring sessions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities that allowed
them to share challenges and solutions. The sessions reportedly boosted
confidence in managing cyber security and winning tenders, critical aspects in
today’s competitive market. This positive reception was emphasized in a recent
Yahoo News report on the success of Bolton business workshops.
How do the workshops fit into Bolton’s wider economic strategy?
Bolton’s business community forms a vital part of Greater Manchester’s economy,
the UK’s largest outside London, with an economic output of £4.6 billion.
Business Bolton's workshops align with the town’s ambitious regeneration plans,
which include over £1 billion investment in the town centre over the next 15
years. Supporting SMEs through initiatives like these workshops is integral to
fostering a vibrant, resilient local economy capable of adapting to digital and
marketplace changes. The council’s Business Bolton team plays a key role in
connecting businesses to funding, training, and council services, underpinning
their strategic economic support.
What future plans or events are scheduled following this success?
Following the success of these workshops, Business Bolton has scheduled
continued support sessions covering strategic planning, embedding social value,
and advanced tendering techniques. The Growth Hub will keep delivering tailored
workshops and business clinics to meet evolving needs, ensuring Bolton’s
businesses remain competitive and innovative. Upcoming events include a
strategic planning workshop scheduled for early December 2025 at the
Wellsprings venue, underscoring ongoing commitment to business development.