[16
AUG 00] THE CHAMBER NEWS
New Link To Start Businesses In Leamington
Advice is now on hand for budding entrepreneurs who want to set up a business with
the launch new base in Leamington's Old Town.
It is hoped the arrival will make an
impact on the regeneration of the local community by supporting the creation of new businesses.
The Old Town area has an unemployment rate up to three times higher than other parts of Leamington. But that could be cut with the arrival of Enterprise Link.
It has established a new base in the Clemens Street offices of Regenesis, the organisation leading the regeneration of the part of town south of the River
Leam.
Enterprise Link provides help to businesses starting up.
Over the past four years the service, whose headquarters is in Foleshill, Coventry, has helped 650 people throughout Coventry and Warwickshire to start their own businesses.
Most of the help on offer is free of charge and includes expert advice, information and training.
Graham Bayliss, Enterprise Link manager, said:
"Enterprise Link has helped a wide variety of people into self-employment, ranging from computer consultants and website designers to gardeners and window cleaners - and the survival rates for fledgling firms in this region are good.
"By tracking their progress, we know that 82 per cent are still trading after two years, compared with around 60 per cent nationally.
"Enterprise Link's advisers can often help people to avoid expensive mistakes by steering them away from impractical ideas or sectors which are already over-subscribed."
The service offers short training sessions to explain what is involved in running a business and provide a basic knowledge of management and planning.
Courses are available for people who need a more detailed understanding of particular subjects such as bookkeeping and
marketing.
Enterprise Link can also provide access to limited funding sources and can help new businesses to apply for financial support from other sources, such as Warwickshire County Council and the Prince's Trust.
Enterprise Link's arrival in Leamington has been warmly welcomed by Eeva John, Regenesis team leader, who said:
"There are around 14,000 people in Old Town, where unemployment is three times higher than in the surrounding area.
"I believe there is a huge amount of potential for starting up new ventures - people just need to be made aware of the opportunities and the support that is now available right on the doorstep."
To find out more about Enterprise Link, call into the Regenesis office at 4 -6 Clemens Street or telephone 01926 883377. Enterprise Link can also be contacted via The Chamber on 024 7665 4321.
|
