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It could be anything from engineering to hairdressing and apply to
anyone from school leaver to pensioner.
“There is huge potential in
Peterborough and we have already started meeting clients,” said
Sergio Aschettino, Business Advisor for BEAT, an initiative
delivered by the NWES business advice group. “We’d like to see
around 750 clients in the first year and give practical advice and
support on starting a business, whether it is for someone born with
entrepreneurial flair or wanting to turn a hobby into a career. They
might be 16 or 80.”
He said BEAT already had strong
contacts with all the important agencies for new business help in
the city, but their aim was to reach out to people with the start-up
ideas. The service includes one-to-one business advice, structured
training courses and workshops on subjects like business plans, cash
flow and marketing, with support in approaching banks or help for
obtaining loans.
The BEAT team can even guide people
in certain Peterborough postcode areas on how to apply for the New
Entrepreneur Scholarship which offers a £1500 grant to help with
business start-up costs.
“Our help can be so varied and not
only for funding larger projects. We’ve assisted a young mobile
hairdresser to find funds for curling tongs and a SatNav, and also a
plumber to purchase more tools and public liability insurance,”
added Suzanne, Business Development Trainer for BEAT.
“NWES has a 25-year history of
encouraging enterprise in the East of England”, commented Stuart,
BEAT Business Advisor, “but at the end of last year, EEDA’s
Investing in Communities initiative opened up the opportunity for us
to move into Peterborough. The team is flexible and will go out to
community centres to meet people or even meet them at their bank. We
aim to take the message into schools as well. It’s a free service
and we are trying to spread the word.”
A Thursday morning drop-in shop is
already planned at the Westwood Centre for potential clients in the
area and the BEAT team will focus on city wards like Dogsthorpe,
Bretton, Central and Paston where drop-in mornings are being
planned. You can meet the team and pop by for an informal chat on
Thursday 13th and Friday 14th March when they will be at the
Queensgate Shopping Centre in the East Mall, opposite Marks &
Spencer.
The BEAT team, comprise of Sergio
Aschettino, Stuart Day-Coombes and Suzanne Odell, who bring a
multitude of knowledge and skills attained from having previously
owned businesses and worked in the banking industry. They understand
only too well the challenges that are involved in becoming your own
boss.
For more information call 01354
660900 or email info@nwes.org.uk
March 2008 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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