Telford Enterprise Week set to help business owners and entrepreneurs

Telford business owners looking to develop and grow their companies and would be entrepreneurs who want to find out what support is available are being encouraged to take advantage of a dedicated week of events.

Telford Enterprise Week takes place between June 25-29 and it is aimed at helping people improve their knowledge of the support available.

Current business owners and those considering starting their own business are being encouraged to sign up to the free events, that form part of Telford Enterprise Week as soon as possible to reserve their place.

Due to increasing unemployment and with the retirement age rising, the traditional jobs market is decreasing and there is a national focus towards enterprise and self-employment to help provide an alternative to unemployment.

Telford Enterprise Week co-incides with Markets Fortnight and Telford & Wrekin Council is offering would-be entrepreneurs an opportunity to ‘Try it for a Tenner’ use of a local market stall for only £10.

They can perfect their sales patter, raise awareness of their business and sell their products.

The council is also focussing on local social enterprises and encouraging people to start their own social enterprise by learning from those who are already established.

Mayor of Wellington, Cllr Frank Burns will be officially opening Maninplace, a social enterprise set up to help those who are homeless to find suitable accommodation.

Thursday 28 June will see a series of free to attend workshops held by local experts in their field. These will cover vital skills for businesses starting up and those looking to grow such as marketing, public relations and accessing funding opportunities and will take place at the University of Wolverhampton Telford campus.

Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for Housing, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Telford Enterprise Week provides an ideal opportunity for existing businesses and those who are looking at setting up their own company to access a whole range of information and ideas.

“In the current economic environment, it is vital that businesses take advantage of opportunities like this and use all the information that is available to them to gain a competitive advantage.

“As a Co-operative Council with a keen business focus, we are determined to help kick start the local economy in every way possible and Telford Enterprise Week is a tangible example of that.”

On Friday 29 June, Shropshire Enterprise Partnership will be hosting their first ever Young Britain Start up Club’ at the Telford Enterprise Hub. Young Britain is focussed on helping young people aged 16-24 into self employment.

More information about all these events and how to book a place can be found at www.telford.gov.uk/enterpriseweek or by calling 01952 381192.