£2m extra funding for enterprise programme

Jul 31 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

ASCHEME to help businesses in rundown former mining and rural areas in County Durham has had its funding doubled to £4m.

The extra European cash will go to the Be Enterprising programme which aims to create 370 jobs, safeguard another 190 and assist the creation of over 500 small local businesses.

Be Enterprising programme manager Elliott Patterson said: “The primary beneficiaries of this enterprise drive are people who live or work in the most employment deprived areas of County Durham.

“The target population numbers some 263,000 people of working age whose needs are currently not as well met by mainstream service provision. Young people and other priority groups need more one-to-one, client centred support and more information on what’s available so that they become enterprise ready before they are referred to Business Link.

“This additional investment from the European Union is allowing us to field ten more local community enterprise coaches and two more specialist business to business advisors. ”

The European Regional Development Fund money was secured by regional development agency One North East. With the remainder of the programme’s total £8.5m investment coming from Durham County Council’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative, the two year project will target prospective entrepreneurs, new and existing SMEs and those seeking to locate in County Durham’s target areas.

It will also offer more focused franchising support and business mentoring for potential high growth start ups and new businesses.

Recent successes under the programme include Ashleigh Lovett, 22, who launched her freelance dance business, and Neil Robinson, 20, and Oakley Coveney, 19, who established the Willington Angling Centre.

ONE head of European and skills strategy Lesley Calder said: “The aim of the Be Enterprising Programme is for County Durham’s disadvantaged areas to become some of the most enterprising communities in North East England and the fastest improving areas for enterprise and productivity.”

“This additional ERDF investment will deepen its impact and provide business and enterprise support at grass roots level, where it’s needed most. The project will accelerate and enhance LEGI activities to help nurture an entrepreneurial spirit and generate a range of successful local enterprises.”

For further information about the project, contact Be Enterprising on 0800 030 4134 or visit www.be-enterprising.biz.

For information on the wider range of support available to businesses, please contact Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast.