Member Article

Start-Up Loan scheme supports Blackpool entrepreneur

An entrepreneur from Blackpool has secured backing from the Government’s Start-Up Loan scheme for his online networking business, Ronja.co.uk.

Former joiner, Arron Darwen, from Thornton-Cleveley hopes to find success with his new business, which sets up traditional weekly breakfast meetings and is supported by a social networking and referrals website.

The Government’s Start-Up Loan scheme is aimed at people up to the age of 30 and is being delivered by Business Finance Solution in the North West.

Mr Darwen’s business has already held five successful meetings and has signed up 25 companies to the network.

The inaugural event was officially opened by the new Mayor of Blackpool Cllr Eddie Collett and attended by 55 businesses.

Mr Darwen commented: “Business networking that leads to word of mouth recommendations and referrals is one of the best and most proven ways to grow a new business.

“But, having been to many networking groups and events myself over recent years, I can honestly say that I found them expensive and significantly outdated.

“With this in mind, I successfully applied for a new business start-up loan with Business Finance Solutions to fill this gap in the market and to develop Ronja as a 21st century, 24/7 business networking organization.

“Blackpool is in the top 10 most deprived areas in the UK and needs a plethora of young entrepreneurs with vision and commitment.

“We want to really support these businesses by giving them access, day and night, to similar and like-minded companies and to forge the links and relationships that will really help their businesses and the wider community to grow and prosper.”

Mr Darwen also set out long term plans to open 500 groups across the UK, and is currently setting up Ronja groups in Lytham St Anne’s and Preston.

Paul Breen, director of Business Finance Solutions, commented: “Arron is exactly the kind of person who will benefit most from the support available from the Start-Up Loans.

“He has spotted a real gap in the market for a new breed of entrepreneurs who want something new and different from business networking and has developed a great concept, which he plans to roll out across the country.

“We’re really pleased that the Loans have enabled him to launch his business this year and we know he’ll be a great example to his community of how young people are changing the business landscape in this country.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .