Expert support available for ‘flood-hit’ West Midlands businesses - Flood-hit businesses in rural areas are being encouraged to tap into expert advice and support from Business Link West Midlands it was revealed today. The new service, which aims to assist 16,000 companies between now and 2010, is sending its team of advisers out into the most affected areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire through a series of one-on-one reviews and specialist business clinics. It is anticipated that over 1000 companies – including tourist destinations, agriculture, manufacturers, retail outlets and firms involved in food and drink - have been hit by the severe weather conditions, with many sites flooded, transport disrupted and huge levels of stock damaged. Lorraine Holmes, Chief Executive of West Midlands Brokerage Service, part of Business Link West Midlands, explained: “We are working extremely closely with Advantage West Midlands, partners and local authorities to ensure that we understand the full impact of the problems being faced and, more importantly, deliver a co-ordinated approach that provides the right support as soon as possible.” She continued: “From our viewpoint, we have in excess of 50 advisers – many with specialist knowledge of issues facing rural businesses – ready to come out and talk to companies affected.