Wansbeck is the most enterprising area of the North East

Jun 17 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

EFFORTS to spark a commercial rebirth in the industrial corner of Northumberland have led to Wansbeck being named the most enterprising place in the North East.

The area which includes Ashington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Bedlington has come top in the regional heat of the nationwide Enterprising Britain 2009 competition and will now go through to the national final.

Since its launch two years ago Go Wansbeck has provided more than £1m of funding to over 200 new and growing businesses, created 300 jobs, seen 400 clients tutored by enterprise coaches, been recognised as the fastest growing business base in the region and trained 400 staff in 20 schools on enterprise skills

One North East managed the regional competition on behalf of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and Tim Pain, ONE’s head of business, enterprise and skills, chaired the regional judging panel.

He said: “Wansbeck, like many other parts of the UK, has a number of socio-economic problems and enterprise is essential. That is exactly what Go Wansbeck has set out to do and the area is reaping the rewards of its efforts.

“Being shortlisted for the Enterprising Britain title is a fantastic achievement and a great way of putting our region on the map. Go Wansbeck has a fantastic opportunity to score a major success in the national competition and its continued success is inspirational for other enterprising projects across the North East.”

One successful example includes Keith Glenton’s bakery in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

His bakery opened in October 2006 growing to employ nine people and thanks to business support and advice, Mr Glenton is now expanding.

Keith Raine, programme manager at Go Wansbeck, said: “We are delighted that all our hard work has been recognised by this award. Our local businessmen and women and everybody involved with Go Wansbeck are genuinely passionate about achieving our aims in transforming the district to have a real impact on future generations.

“Mr Glenton’s success story typifies what we are about and has made a major contribution to the regeneration of Newbiggin.

“Wansbeck is on target to be the most enterprising area in the North East by 2017 when it will boast high levels of business creation and growth, self employment and private investment.”

Now in its fifth year, the competition celebrates and rewards the most enterprising areas in the UK.