A new scheme will provide more support to SMEs in Monmouthshire who want to use the Welsh language in their business.

Welsh Government announced earlier this year that there would be new investment in supporting SMEs to become more bilingual. This is now available to businesses in Monmouthshire through the services of Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy.

Sara Peacock is the Welsh for Business Support Officer responsible for assisting businesses in the area with bilingualism.

Whether this is through putting up signs that are in both English and Welsh, adding a Welsh email signature, helping out with short translations or helping business owners access more training for their own Welsh speaking staff, Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy is a one-stop-shop for all Welsh language needs in the SME community.

Promoting the Welsh language in Monmouthshire can make a huge difference to local businesses.

Research by Bangor University found that there was a desire to have more varied opportunities to use Welsh within daily life, for example while shopping.

Providing a bilingual service improves the quality of customer service and can attract more business and gain loyalty. Businesses do not have to spend twice as much to offer services in both languages and using Welsh will strengthen the business brand.

FSB Wales has welcomed the move to support businesses who wish to use more Welsh.

Ben Cottam, FSB Wales Head of External Affairs, said, “Wales is built on an SME economy – small businesses play a huge role in our local communities and help bring the vibrancy and diversity that we are accustomed to seeing in Monmouthshire.

“Many businesses wish to increase their use of Welsh, and this is where Sara and Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy can step in. There are so many ways to increase Welsh in the business, and working with Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy can make the transition as easy and straightforward as possible.”

Sara Peacock, Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy Welsh for Business Support Officer, said: “Monmouthshire is a great place to run a business, and I’m really looking forward to working with local business owners to help them make the most of the advantages the language can bring to them.

“Using Welsh in the workplace can make a real difference to a business and at Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Mynwy we are looking forward to supporting businesses that wish to do this.”