2013 got off to a flying start in North Somerset and surrounding areas with 13 new businesses launching with the help of North Somerset Enterprise Agency, mirroring the number of businesses launched in the first month of 2012.
An event management company, an online sports retailer, an antiques business, a window cleaning business and a juice bar were just a few of the diverse new enterprises that started with the Enterprise Agency’s help last month.
It was also another good month for job creation with start-up and growing enterprises working with North Somerset Enterprise Agency boosting the local economy with the creation of 16 new jobs, double the number created in December.
Existing businesses have also recorded encouraging figures. Of the 13 new businesses created this time last year, North Somerset Enterprise Agency has confirmed that at least 11 are still trading one year on, with the final two to be confirmed.
And of the 18 businesses that launched with the Enterprise Agency’s help three years ago, at least eight are still trading, with a further five to be confirmed.
Weston-super-Mare-based North Somerset Enterprise Agency is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free or low-cost advice, information and training to start-up and growing businesses in North Somerset through its team of experienced local business advisors.
Interest in starting new businesses has been so high that the Enterprise Agency has already added additional three-day Starting In Business courses into its 2013 schedule, offered in conjunction with North Somerset Council’s Economic Development team, for would-be entrepreneurs. Dates are now booking in March, May, July, September and November.
Cont …..
“Recent national statistics have suggested that start-up businesses are on the increase. That’s great news because small businesses have a key role to play, helping to drive the economy at both national and local level.” explains Angela Hicks, Chief Executive of North Somerset Enterprise Agency.
“Ensuring that sound support and advice is available to those new enterprises is crucial to giving them the best chance of survival in their all-important first 12 months and then their first three years.” Angela adds.
“Fortunately here in North Somerset we’ve got tried and tested local support in place and we’re delighted to see that businesses are using our resources to put strong business foundations in place.”
January also marked the start of an exciting year for North Somerset Enterprise Agency. The organisation, which has been providing support to local businesses for more than 25 years, will see the build of its new business development centre in 2013, which will allow small businesses to start-up and grow by providing flexible office space with on-site business support services including advice, training and networking.
The new enterprise centre, the first in North Somerset to include on-site impartial business support, will be a low carbon managed office scheme with incubator space. ‘The Hive’, as the development will be known, is being built and will be managed by North Somerset Enterprise Agency on Weston Park, the site of the former Weston Airfield.
