NEW ENTERPRISE CENTRE BOOSTS THE BOROUGH

Stockport’s first ‘Enterprise Centre’ has been launched as part of the Stockport Boost programme, offering free help and guidance to new businesses or those thinking of setting up a business.

Located in the Business Incubator at Broadstone Mill in Reddish, Stockport Enterprise Centre offers companies up to three years of free one-to-one advice, general awareness sessions, assistance with business plan generation and networking opportunities.

The Centre will act as a focal point for business start up support and assistance across the borough. Business Link’s Intensive Startup Support Programme (ISUS) is also available through the Centre. ISUS is delivered by Train 2000 and Blue Orchid and aims to help people to start their own business through a series of workshops and one-to-one support.

The Centre has been launched as part of an expansion of the Stockport Business Incubator which now operates 37,000 square feet of high quality, flexible workspace at Broadstone Mill. It is home to 24 small businesses and over 100 employees.

Councillor Dave Goddard, Leader of Stockport Council, and Chair of Stockport Business Incubator Community Interest Company, said: “Stockport Business Incubator has gone from strength to strength and I am delighted to see the launch of Stockport’s first Enterprise Centre here.

“All new businesses need nurturing and we are committed, as part of Stockport Boost, to providing as much support as possible to the borough’s start up businesses.”

The Intensive Startup Support Programme helped Andrina Johnson to set up her own business, The Design Boutique, which is based in Broadstone Mill.

She commented: “I’ve received great support and advice, including help on how to write a business plan, managing cash flow and even a ready made list of contacts.

“Without the help I’ve received, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My business is really starting to take off, so 2010 looks set to be a good year!”

Other services available from Stockport Enterprise Centre include a Business Link Information Point which allows users to access comprehensive business information at the touch of a button.

The Centre also provides meeting rooms that can accommodate from two to 50 people and are ideal for interviews, one-to-one sessions, training events or seminars.

For information on Stockport Enterprise Centre call the Council’s Economic Development Team on 0161 474 3734 or 0161 474 3737. For information on ISUS contact Business Link Northwest on 0845 00 66 888.

Further information on Stockport Boost is available by logging on to www.stockport.gov.uk/boost (free internet access is available at all Stockport libraries).

ENDS