A £2M project has been launched to improve small businesses' performance.

The Future Factory scheme, set up by Nottingham Trent University, aims to bring together businesses, creative industries, academics and stop the use of unnecessary or unsustainable materials.

The three-year project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Debbie Bryan, craft designer and owner of Debbie Bryan Studio and Shop in the Lace Market, said: "Future Factory is helping me to create key points of sale and think about how to build and retain customer loyalty.

Nottingham Trent University Pro Vice-Chancellor Ann Priest said despite the recession firms should not "compromise on creative design, innovation or customer satisfaction".