Young Manchester entrepreneur shortlisted for prestigious award
A YOUNG entrepreneur from Manchester has been shortlisted for the EnterPrize 2010 business competition organised by urban regeneration company New East Manchester. The New East Manchester EnterPrize programme is designed to help companies that show outstanding promise and growth the opportunity to further their potential by providing them with a cash prize, business consultation and introductions.
Key for the City, is a lifestyle discount card that was launched by Lee Gilbert in June. It works closely with the Manchester lifestyle and hospitality sector as well as lifestyle services to offer special discounts to subscribers.
Lee has been shortlisted for the main prize and also for the young entrepreneur of the year award. If successful in winning the main prize, Lee and Key for the City will receive £7,000 alongside business advice and consultation. There are five other businesses shortlisted. The ceremony takes place in December and a panel of judges will decide the winner after a presentation by each finalist.
27-year-old Lee from Gorton whose company is based in Miles Platting, East Manchester came up with the idea of Key for the City after noticing that other discount cards didn’t cater widely enough for the lifestyle sector . Most discount cards offer reductions for restaurants but Lee wanted to incorporate places such as hairdressers, health spas, hotels and many more lifestyle businesses. Lee began planning for the card at the end of 2009 and now has more than 80 businesses such as Chiquito, Frankie and Bennies, Ten Pin, Headmasters and Manchester wheel provide discounts to the card’s subscribers.
Lee has been working with business support agency Blue Orchid while setting up his business. He was referred to Blue Orchid through Business Link and was given a personal business adviser Wayne Wilson. Blue Orchid has helped Lee to develop his business plan, provided key contacts for the business and assisted with Lee’s expansion plans.
Blue Orchid’s business advisor, Wayne Wilson, said that Lee is a great example of how Blue Orchid can help you achieve your business dreams.
“Lee and I have met at regular stages for business consultations and it is brilliant to see him nominated for two awards,” he said. “We want to encourage other people who are thinking about setting up in business to contact Blue Orchid, to discuss how we can develop their ideas. We wish Lee the best of luck, he has a great business idea and the money will aid him to grow his business further.”
Commenting on his success, Lee said: “I’m thrilled to have been shortlisted for my first business award – especially since I only launched the business in June. It is a huge honour to have been nominated for two awards. Being in the final six meant that I received £3,000 which was a huge boost to the business and if I win the extra money it will allow me to invest in marketing and expanding the card to other regions.”
New East Manchester’s economic and regeneration officer Mike Cunliffe, said the awards were introduced to reward enterprise in the region.
“The New East Manchester EnterPrize is now in its fourth year,” he said. “It is designed as a way to both encourage enterprise within New East Manchester whilst recognising talented businesses and entrepreneurs. I hope Lee and the other five candidates will benefit from the cash injection the award brings and may the best business win.”
For further details about Key for the City visit www.keyforthecity.co.uk. For more information about the New East Manchester EnterPrize award 2010 visit www.thenementerprize.co.uk.
