Date: 19/02/2009
A free event for small business owners and those thinking of becoming self-employed will take place at the University of Derby, Buxton campus, on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 5.30pm.
The Step on the Ladder to Self Employment event will consist of a "marketplace" of business support and advisory organisations which can help people turn their business ideas into reality and assist those who have recently started in business, find their feet.
A series of short presentations from Business Link, HM Revenue and Customs, and the University of Derby, will help inform people of the support available when starting in business. Attendees will also be able to hear, learn and share experiences with those who have recently started their own business.
The event is taking place as part of a feasibility study for the High Peak Innovation Centre, a proposed managed workspace for small business and those starting in business.
With funding secured from Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP), High Peak Borough Council -- working in partnership with the University of Derby and Vision Buxton -- has commissioned the study to explore the potential viability of an Innovation Centre, located in Buxton, which will benefit the whole of the Borough.
Outline plans for this exciting development will be available for comment at the event.
Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration and also a board member of Derbyshire Enterprise Agency, said: "Start-up businesses, housed within a cluster of managed workspaces, are much more likely to survive and grow, than those which try to establish themselves in isolation. From my own experience, I know how many challenges there are facing people, who want to start their own business, and how they can benefit from being in a mutually supportive environment. This has never been as true as in the present time, when the economic outlook is so gloomy.
"The feasibility study has shown that there is a demand from local residents and also from those enthusiastic young people graduating from our local university, for a properly managed workspace where they can launch and grow their new enterprises.
"The Step on the Ladder to Self Employment event will provide potential users with the opportunity to find about and comment on the outline proposals for this proposed development. Once the feasibility study is complete, we will be working closely with our partners to see how we can turn the concept for this Business Centre into a reality.
"The event will benefit small businesses and help those considering self-employment, find out about the support and assistance available from the many partners the Council works with, to help create a thriving local economy."
The event is being held in partnership with the University of Derby and Derbyshire Enterprise Agency, which provides local access to the regional Business Link Start-Up Service.
Derbyshire Enterprise Agency's Sam Allsopp said: "We are able to offer free and impartial support and advice to those considering self-employment. During the next few months, we will be running several free workshops across the Borough, including this event in March. We can also provide free one-to-one support from a business start up adviser. This initiative is all about providing practical resources, accessible at a local level."
More information about Business Link can be found at www.thinkbusiness.org.uk (external website**) or by calling 01246 212902.
To book your place on the Step on the Ladder to Self Employment event and to find out more about the High Peak Innovation Centre, please visit www.highpeak.gov.uk/step-on-the-ladder or by calling us on 0845 129 7777.