All-star launch for borough's business forum
Oct 13 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal
DESIGNER Wayne Hemingway and sports star Steve Cram will join business leaders to launch the South Tyneside Business Forum.
The forum aims to harness the energy and entrepreneurial spirit of businesses in the borough, creating a major voice for commerce in South Tyneside, as well as offering a range of free services to organisations of all sizes.
It will be launched with a reception on October 30 when more than 300 businesses and stars including the North-East designer and the runner will gather at a marquee next to iconic South Tyneside landmark Souter Lighthouse.
The Business Forum aims to add value to existing businesses, offering them an important platform to use their collective voice for positive change, and allowing them to contribute to improving commercial opportunities in South Tyneside. It will be run in partnership with the North-East Chamber of Commerce and part of the South Tyneside Means Business programme.
One of its champions is Michael Arnot, who ran a successful business forum in Northumberland for three years before moving to South Tyneside. He said: “The Business Forum is here to help any business owner or manager in the borough and offers a range of help. Whether they are seeking a solution to a business problem, have a desire to grow their company or are seeking opportunities to meet and network with other like-minded people, we’re here to help.
“We have ambitious plans to galvanize the business community and harness the huge entrepreneurial spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude that already exists in South Tyneside. The business community here already has aspirational plans for developing trade and enterprise and, working together, the Business Forum will be able to help them reach those goals.
“I am confident we can build on the great work already being done here, and create an even bigger business buzz within South Tyneside.”
The Business Forum is on hand to provide one-to-one support for any business in the borough looking for help to development opportunities, as well as give businesses the chance to meet at its events.
Mr Arnot added: “This is a very exciting time for South Tyneside. It really does mean business.”
