A new service has been launched to help businesses grow.

Called Bolton Business Connect ­- by Bolton Vision ­- it is a new online portal created by members of Bolton Vision’s 2030 Economic Prosperity Group.

Bolton Vision is a partnership of organisations from the private and public sector, University of Bolton and Bolton Council, and works to help deliver the aims of Bolton’s 2030 vision to make Bolton become active, connected and prosperous.

Designed and built by Horwich-based creative and digital agency Absolute, the Bolton Business Connect website was soft launched in June 2021 and plans to continue to grow and evolve over the coming years, offering support to local businesses of all sizes.

The website is free to register for any local business to gain access to.

Local companies can look for new staff with a dedicated jobs board, and any companies looking for specific trades or support for any type of project also have the ability to request quotes in the Supply Chain section of the website.

There will also be both virtual and live events for members, delivered by key strategic partners as well as regular advice and white papers every quarter.

Cllr Martyn Cox, deputy council leader, said: “Bolton Council is delighted to support our various Bolton-based business partners in their efforts to develop the Bolton Business portal. Bolton Council will be using it to promote tender opportunities and job vacancies and we very much hope other Bolton businesses will do likewise and start to regard the portal as a primary source of new business opportunities”.

Noel Sharpe, deputy group chief executive, Bolton at Home, and chair of the Economic Prosperity Group, said: “Bolton Business Connect was formed to help create strong business partnerships, boost the local economy and make it easier to do business in Bolton. We are all about doing business the Bolton Way.”

Eight strategic partners from varying industries, whose support will help the development of the site including MBDA, Absolute Agency, Bolton At Home, Seddon, Adana Construction, Cowgills, Clever IT and the University of Bolton have already signed up.

Colin Bain, Head of Manufacturing at MBDA Missile Systems said “As a sponsor of the Bolton Business Connect portal, MBDA are proud to be associated with this key initiative. Any activity that can help stimulate economic growth within the Borough for all businesses, is not only part of our CSR, it also aligns with our drive for local supply chains.”

To register for free and for more information on partnership packages, please visit www.boltonbusinessconnect.org.