Stronger High Street. Stronger 2026.
If you own an independent shop, café, salon or local service-based business, January is the ideal moment to reset, refocus and build real momentum for the year ahead.
This programme has been developed specifically to help you do that, in a way that is straightforward, practical and simple to apply immediately.
Throughout January, you can attend a series of one-hour sessions (online or face-to-face) designed around the realities of High Street businesses — with practical takeaways you can implement straight away.
What Businesses Often Need Help With
- Defining goals and setting priorities
- Identifying cost-effective improvements
- Maintaining confidence with cashflow
- Managing social media accounts
- Increasing support from local residents
New Year, New Momentum – Free Support for Bassetlaw’s High Street Businesses
Independent retailers, leisure businesses and service-based enterprises in Bassetlaw can access a fully funded toolkit of support, including workshops, diagnostics and one-to-one guidance.
The Offer Includes:
- Online Power Hour workshops
- Additional January workshops (online and in Worksop)
- Mystery Shop assessments
- Digital Health Checks
- High Street Starter session
- One-to-one mentoring
Workshops at a Glance
Power Hour Week: 5–9 January (Online)
- Goal Setting for 2026 – Set clear, realistic priorities
- Quick Wins – Low-cost improvements with immediate impact
- Cashflow Confidence – Improve daily financial habits
- Social Media Content Planning – Simple, repeatable ideas
- Attracting Local Customers – Turn footfall into loyalty
Additional January Workshops
- Customer Service to Convert
- Bricks to Clicks
- 30-Minute Marketing
- Google – Getting Found Locally
- Stop the Steal
- Websites That Work
Mystery Shop Assessments
Businesses can access an independent perspective on the customer experience. Each assessment includes confidential feedback and practical advice on how to improve service delivery.
Digital Health Checks
An honest evaluation of your website, search rankings, social media engagement and customer reviews. Each business receives customised, actionable recommendations to improve visibility and drive sales.
High Street Starter Session
Designed for entrepreneurs planning or establishing new High Street enterprises, covering footfall, premises, finance, legislation and day-to-day operational realities.
Who Can Take Part
- Independently owned businesses
- Retail, food service, personal care or leisure
- Up to 49 employees
- Located in Worksop, Retford, Harworth & Bircotes or Tuxford
(Businesses in these sectors elsewhere in Bassetlaw can also take part.)
80 fully funded places are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Fully Funded Support
One-to-One Business Support
Personalised guidance to help with planning and overcoming challenges.
Diagnostic Tools
Mystery Shop evaluations and Digital Health Checks, offering customised, actionable advice.
Further Support
• Action planning
• Grant guidance
• Business surgeries and drop-in sessions
• Networking events
• Workforce development advice
• Support with resilience and supply chain challenges
How to Apply
The process is straightforward.
Check out the schedule and secure your spot on as many of the sessions as you or your employees would like to attend on this link. Alternatively, scan this QR code. Sessions run on various dates and time throughout January.
Or for more information, email Programme Director Lisa Clark at lisa.clark@ytko
About us
YTKO is an independent consultancy with more than 40 years of experience in delivering publicly funded business support services. The company has assisted more than 30,000 businesses across the UK, helping them overcome challenges, adopt new technologies and grow sustainably.
About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s agenda. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses and developing people and skills. For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Bassetlaw’s Vision 2040
YTKO supports Bassetlaw District Council’s Vision 2040: to become the greenest and most sustainable district in which to live and work, building on its legacy of energy production, manufacturing and logistics to help power the net zero economy.