March 1, 2005

Regeneration Grant That Could Benefit Small Businesses

A £38m government grant was announced on 22 February 2005 to create a Birmingham version of New York's Central Park in an old industrial district in Birmingham. This is only part of a larger £2bn regeneration scheme taking place following completion of the £530m BullRing shopping centre which was opened in 2003.

Revamps are being co-coordinated by Birmingham council. Planned project include £350m facelift of NewStreet Station. All this will increase public self confidence, especially after Birmingham suffered setbacks following losing the motor show to London, failing to win nomination as European Capital of Culture in 2008 and coming second to Wembley to build a national football stadium.

With Manchester growing and the planned development of Milton Keynes business leaders see this as a competitive threat.

The £38m grant from Advantage West Midlands, a public sector body, to buy land for the eight-acre park and for a technology-based development, is small. But it is an indicator that an ambitious plan to regenerate the grimy Eastside industrial district is gaining momentum. The council has appointed planners to design an important segment of the new Eastside, a "learning and leisure quarter" expected to cost £250m.

Earlier this month work began on a £350m redevelopment of the Masshouse area, which connects Eastside to the city centre.

Birmingham is facing many challenges that include how to make it easy for pedestrians to get about as the road network favours motorists rather than pedestrians. Visits to the city are disappointing despite the £165m Millennium Point attraction place there as a lure.

On the plus side for small business and businesses generally Argent, which built the successful Brindley place office complex, a kind of mini-Broad gate beside a canal, wants to put up more offices at Paradise Circus.

An expansion in prime office space is sorely needed. According to Simon Murphy, chief executive of Birmingham Forward, a trade body, 150,000 people work in the professional services sector in Birmingham "and it will employ another 50,000 over the next five years".

David
Small Business Resource

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February 25, 2005

Enterprise Grants

Enterprise grants may be made available to small-and medium-sized firms(up to 250 employees) looking to finance business growth. Grants are made on a discretionary basis by the Small Business Service's regional teams across the country. Projects can include setting up a new venture, and restructuring, modernising and expanding an existing business.

Those projects that create new jobs and bring economic benefits to the region (not just to the business owners) tend to be looked on more favourably. Projects should usually be long term in nature.

A small business (up to 50 employees) may obtain an enterprise grant of up to 15% of the cost of the project. (up to amaximum grant of £75,000). A medium size business (up to 250 employees) may receive up to 7.5% of the cost of a project (up to a maximum grant of £37,500). This sum may be increased to 15% if the business is located in an Assisted Area, as defined by the European Union.

There are various selection critera for eligibility,but there are numerous regional variations depending on the economic needs in different regions, so you need to check locally.

To get more information and to check your eligibility, contact Business Link on 0845 600 9006. They will help put you in touch with a local contact. You can also check out Business Link The web site containsA Guide to Enterprise Grant. It includes advice on eligibility and who you should talk to depending on what you want to do. An application form can also be found on the site for downloading and submission.

David
Small Business Resource

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February 9, 2005

SMALL BUSINESS: Searching For Champions

All small business owners who believe they are worthy to be hailed ac champions can apply for this accolade. With hundreds of thousands of small businesses starting up every year it will not be too difficult to find a few champions.

As well as putting the achievements of Britain's small businesses into the limelight, the awards will highlight an all-Britain Champion who will win a business trip to New York.

THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Lloyds TSB are sponsoring the British Small Business Champions (BSBC) for 2005.

FSB national chairman Carol Undy said: "British Small Business Champions sends out a clear message that small to medium-sized enterprises value genuine recognition for their achievements and the invaluable contribution they make to customers, employees and communities across the UK."

Entry is straightforward. Application forms will be available from March 9, with the deadline for entries being May 12.

The regional winners will go on to compete for the overall title of British Small Business Champion title, which will be awarded later in the year.

For information and entry forms, please contact BSBC on 01525 381503 or email: businessawards@fsb.org.uk

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