Business Link receives a marked increase in start up enquiries

Business Link has seen a dramatic rise of enquiries and support offered to individuals considering starting a business. 29%* more 'pre-start' individuals have had help from the Service in the South East in the last six months compared with the same time period last year. Over 14,800 individuals have been supported with information and advice since April 2009.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) takes place from 16–22 November 2009, and is a worldwide movement of business people, encouraging innovation, imagination and creativity. Business Link is joining in by running or participating in over 50 events during Enterprise Week across the South East to meet with people who are running businesses or thinking about starting new ones.

The events range from small Start-up workshops to 'What’s Stopping You?' where entrepreneurs aim to inspire up to 100 female business owners of tomorrow. Other events include workshops on how to bid for 2012 contracts and learning about how affordable technology can supply your home office. Specialist workshops are running at colleges around the region to teach students on vocational courses about becoming self employed.

Deborah Wyatt, Business Link, comments, "Global Entrepreneurship Week gives us the opportunity to showcase all the events which Business Link runs throughout the year. Customer feedback tells us how much business owners and those thinking about starting up in business, enjoy meeting each other and learning from experienced Business Link Advisers and start-up workshop Presenters. If you are running a business or thinking about becoming your own boss in the next few months, get in touch and find out what’s on offer."

A few examples of the South East events during Enterprise Week include:

• What’s Stopping You? on Thursday 19th November at the HG Wells Suite, Woking.
• Practical workshops and the chance to meet Business Link staff at Basingstoke Library (17th Nov) and the Dockside Outlet Centre, Chatham Maritime (18th Nov).
• An all day 'How to Succeed in the Music Business' workshop in Southampton on Saturday 21st November, organised by Business Link in association with CIBAS, Advance Promotions and Music Hampshire.

Information and more listings are available at www.bringyourideastolife.co.uk and www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast/entrepreneurshipweek.

Business Link provides information and support to those running existing and new enterprises and those who are thinking about becoming self employed or starting a business. To find out how they can help you call Business Link on 0845 600 9 006, or go to www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast.

*April – Oct 2008 – 11,515 individuals given support, advice or information by Business Link in the South East about starting up a new business

April – Oct 2009 – 14,845 individuals given support, advice or information by Business Link in the South East about starting up a new business

Press enquiries to:

Francesca Fogell, Business Link, Regional PR Executive
Tel: 01483 713343
Email: Francesca.fogell@businesslinksurrey.co.uk

Related documents

Business Link Start up Survey

For more information please contact our press office

Tel: 01483 470155