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Barnsley business scheme helps over 200 startup businesses

Barnsley business support programme Smartstart has reportedly helped more than 200 new businesses set up in the last two years.

Smartstart, run by Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC), has helped 204 business ventures commence trading since it was established at the end of 2012.

The SmartStart programme is managed by the BBIC, at Wilthorpe, working in partnership with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

In the last two years, its business advisors have seen over 500 people at Smartstart open days.

Of these, 330 potential start-ups have taken their ideas forward and accessed Smartstart’s practical business support programme which includes workshops and one-to-one surgeries with advisors, who have expertise in areas such as finance, sales and marketing, business plan preparation and funding.

These include entrepreneur Victoria Price’s wedding venture, same-day delivery firm, Elite Logistics and Distribution Ltd, set up by Tim Beswick and Martin Lever; medical skills agency, Illuminate Training Services, set up by Leigh Humpleby and multi-lingual hair salon, Hairways, established by Neringa Siuipeiene.

BBIC business development manager James Herbert said: “Smartstart is all about reaching out to people in Barnsley who are considering self-employment and setting up their own business.

“Our team of business advisors are here to help any potential entrepreneur take a close look at their business idea and really consider if they could make a success of it – we then offer expert support and guidance once they make the decision to go ahead.

“We are proud to have helped so many businesses start trading in the last two years and look forward to helping many more in 2015.”

Some eligible business start-ups, with particular potential to grow and create jobs, have also accessed a further year of intensive free business support at BBIC, through its Genesis programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .