Member Article

Entrepreneurs add voice to County Durham plan

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has added its voice to growing business support for the County Durham Plan.

The organisation has more than 300 members from across the North East and believes the blueprint for growth should not have been “shot down in flames” by a planning inspector.

Entrepreneurs’ Forum Chairman, Nigel Mills, said: “By necessity, and through the drive of the unitary authority, the County Durham Plan was ambitious in its aim to create 30,000 jobs over the next 15 years, but not, as the inspector stated, ‘excessively optimistic’.

“I think it is wrong that the inspector should suggest that a county the size of Durham cannot create growth in these numbers, and research conducted among the Entrepreneurs’ Forum membership shows optimism remaining high.

“Our most recent survey showed 87% of respondents to be confident in the economy and they are proving it with investments in their own businesses.

“Local confidence is demonstrated by the drop in unemployment in County Durham, which outpaced that across the rest of the country in the time since the plan was submitted, in April 2014.

“We are a region of entrepreneurs and growth creators, and County Durham plays a major role as our largest County.

“The Entrepreneurs’ Forum is fully supportive of the growing campaign to urge the inspectorate to re-think its views from a more considered and informed standpoint.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →