Member Article

Colne-based cycle training company hits top gear

Colne-based Cycle training firm Go Velo has won a major contract with Lancashire County Council which has resulted in one new job being created at its head office.

Go Velo, which was founded in 2009, uses more than 25 instructors to provide cycle training for organisations such as local authorities, schools and businesses in Lancaster and Heysham, Preston, Rossendale and Pendle.

The contract represents sustainable work for Go Velo’s sub-contracted instructors, until April 2016, as well as creating a permanent job to maintain the company’s image and enhance its reputation.

Go Velo director Kirsti Grayson said that the new contract has been won in large part thanks to Boost Business Lancashire’s Growth Mentoring programme whom she approached for help with the tendering process.

After initial consultations, Kirsti was matched with Lou Booth, a mentor at Community & Business Partners (CBP), which delivers the programme.

Kirsti said: “The help and support we received through Boost and specifically Lou Booth has been excellent. “Lou came to every meeting prepared with very good ideas to help drive Go Velo forward and support us in the best way she could.

“Lou also put us in touch with a promotion company that created specialist marketing and promotional material to ensure a professional finish.

“The high quality service we received played a large part in winning the county council contract and we owe Lou and the Boost programme a big vote of thanks.”

Jane Houghton-Fenning, business development director at CBP, added: “The Growth Mentoring was the ideal support for Kirsti and we are very pleased this contributed to Go Velo winning the contract.

“The mentor was specifically chosen as she had the right skills and experience to assist.

“Kirsti also understood the importance of the workshops offered by CBP to enhance her operational knowledge and support the growth journey.

“We know this contract will raise Go Velo’s profile and look forward to hearing how well they’re doing.”

Boost Business Lancashire is a £7.2m Lancashire Business Growth Hub that offers free and part-funded business support, it is delivered by Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and supported by £3.6m from the European Regional Development Fund.

It aims to grow Lancashire’s economy by £20m and create at least 1,200 new jobs and safeguard 700 more by summer 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .