PR 278

For Immediate Release

1 November 2006

The board of Great Yarmouth’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) has initiated the delivery of it’s business start up and growth scheme part of a major Government funded programme secured earlier this year.

Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES) has been selected to provide business start up and growth programmes. The scheme will provide business advice and some funding to help new businesses find their feet. Details will be released in the near future.

Business start-up is just one element of the LEGI funding which runs from 2006 to 2009, won by the Borough in February 2006.

“LEGI is an enterprise development programme that aims to increase entrepreneurial activity in the local population; support growth and reduce the failure rate of locally-owned businesses; and attract appropriate inward investment and franchising - making use of local labour resources,” explained Economic Development Officer, Peter Wright.

“Great Yarmouth was one of only 10 successful bids around the country in the first round..

“Put together by an enthusiastic group of committed local organisations with support from the council, the bid was created after widespread consultation with individuals and businesses to meet the needs of the local community. 

“LEGI will seek to transform entrepreneurial activity via a multi-agency approach to enterprise in Great Yarmouth. The nerve centre of operations will be a town centre Enterprise Hub together with a ‘spoke’ at Great Yarmouth College for enterprise in education related activities. An important part of the LEGI bid was the encouragement of enterprise in schools. 

“Potential entrepreneurs in Great Yarmouth will have every encouragement to transform their ideas into reality - the business start up programme will offer advice and guidance, and award bursaries/loan funds.

Other elements of LEGI will include measures to reduce business related crime, a business broker to help businesses interact with the public sector, business growth programmes, supply chain initiatives and improved business education links.

Organisations are now poised to deliver various elements of the LEGI programme having had funding agreed. These include  Great Yarmouth College and Norfolk Police. 

Norfolk Police are developing schemes to engage with both business and schools about crime prevention.

The College will be co-ordinating a programme to introduce and promote enterprise in local schools.

On the business support initiative, Kevin Horne, Chief Executive Officer of NWES said: “Great Yarmouth has the best chance in a generation to become one of the leading areas for business start up and growth.“

Chairman of the LEGI Board, Chris Hacon, was very pleased that the ideas in the LEGI bid were now going into action.

For further information contact Economic Development Officer, Peter Wright on 01493 846522 to talk about the overall LEGI programme

Kevin Horne, Chief Executive Officer of NWES on 07788 717837 for business start up/growth

Robin Parkinson, Great Yarmouth College on 01493 655261 – education initiatives.

Issued by:
Karla Symonds
Communication and Diversity Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846512