Business Start Up Support
For more information about the Blue Orchid Events programme, please click on the link below:
http://www.theblueorchid.co.uk/site/peoplebusiness
What is the ERDF Business Start Up Support (BSUS) service?
The Business Start Up Support project is part financed by Competitiveness Programme of the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs.
For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
What does the Business Start Up Support Service provide to the customer seeking to start up in business?
Business Start Up Support is a package of *free business support offered to residents of Greater Manchester, Halton, Cheshire and Warrington who are looking to start up their own business or become self employed . The business package includes one to one professional advice and guidance by a Business Advisor, business planning and financial advice, marketing and sales support, networking opportunities and a range of specialised workshops.
What does the Business Start Up Support Service provide to the new and young business?
This programme will also offer consultancy advice to new and young businesses about how to improve business performance and overcome the challenges of building a sustainable business.
The Partners
The programme will see Blue Orchid lead an innovative consortium of partners, including all area Local Authorities, Bolton Business Ventures, Franchising Works, Princes Trust and the Colleges of Bolton, Bury and Tameside to help over 4000 new businesses establish themselves and to create employment for more than 8000 people in the North West.
*subject to eligibility
Blue Orchid is committed to supporting as many individuals as possible under this contract. For more information please contact the Blue Orchid gateway team on 0161 341 0245.
New Enterprise Allowance
Blue Orchid delivers the DWP funded New Enterprise Allowance scheme in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire & Warrington. The scheme is aimed at those claiming Jobseekers Allowance from Day 1 of their claim. Over the next 18 months, Blue Orchid will work with over 2500 unemployed people to help them explore self employment.
Blue Orchid offer an extensive range of services to NEA clients, including an individual mentor, access to business planning workshops and a qualified business advisor to help with the technical aspects of establishing a business.
Every week Blue Orchid advisors visit each of the 57 Job Centres in the area covered by the contracts to meet with clients, assess business ideas and set them on the path to success.
Since August 2011 Blue Orchid has helped almost 1000 unemployed people in the North West of England start their own business.
If you would like more information on the New Enterprise Allowance Programme and enquire about eligibility, please ask your Job Centre Advisor.
Solihull Enterprise for Success
Enterprise for Success is a free programme of business support that is provided by Solihull Borough Council for any resident of the borough who is considering self-employment or starting a small business.
The programme is delivered in Solihull by an organisation called Blue Orchid, a firm of consultants and business advisors who have extensive experience of working with small businesses and delivering a range of Government funded programmes which have been designed to help individuals who are considering working for themselves. The support, advice and guidance is provided in a relaxed and friendly manner by experienced business advisors who deliver assistance through a combination of seminars and personal one-to-one advisory sessions.
If people have the seed of an idea but are unsure what steps they need to take to make it become a reality then they will receive individual tailored support from a member of the qualified advisory team who will help them develop their vision in a clear and orderly manner. This is a free and confidential service that provides advice and support for business start-ups in Solihull.
For further information or to book a place please on a workshop please contact the Enterprise team on: 0121 704 6363 or email enterprise@solihull.gov.uk
Enterprising Worcestershire is a free programme of business support that is provided by Worcestershire County Council and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The programme is open to any resident of the county who is considering self-employment or starting a small business and for new young businesses less than three years old.
The programme is delivered across Worcestershire by Blue Orchid, a firm of consultants and business advisors who have extensive experience of working with small businesses and delivering a range of government funded programmes which have been designed to help individuals who are considering working for themselves. The support, advice and guidance is provided in a relaxed and friendly manner by experienced business advisors who deliver assistance through a combination of seminars and personal one-to-one advisory sessions.
If people have the seed of an idea but are unsure what steps they need to take to make it become a reality then they will receive individual tailored support from a member of the qualified advisory team who will help them develop their vision in a clear and orderly manner. This is a free and confidential service that provides advice and support for business start-ups and new young businesses in Worcestershire. Support will also be provided to individuals and businesses who are applying for grant support from the local authority.
A programme of introductory Exploring Enterprise workshops are scheduled to take place across the county on the following dates between 10.00am – 1.00pm:
Monday 4 February –Community Contact Centre, Abbey Road, Evesham
Tuesday 5 February – District Council Offices, The Council House, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove
Wednesday 6 February – The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester
Thursday 7 February – The Council Chamber, Malvern District Council, Avenue Road, Malvern
Friday 8 February – Wyre Forest House, District Council Office, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster
Tuesday 12 February – Redditch Borough Council, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch
This programme will be repeated again during February, March and April 2013.
A programme of Business Planning workshops is being scheduled for February and March and details will be available shortly.
Cannock Chase, East Staffs, Lichfield and Tamworth Enterprise Programme
The four Districts of Cannock Chase, East Staffs, Lichfield and Tamworth have come togther to offer a free programme of business support for any resident who is considering self-employment or starting a small business.
The programme is delivered locally across the Districts by Blue Orchid, who have extensive experience of working with small businesses and deliver a range of Government funded programmes which have been designed to help individuals who are considering working for themselves.
The support, advice and guidance is provided in a relaxed and friendly manner by experienced business advisors who deliver assistance through a combination of seminars and personal one-to-one advisory sessions.
If people have the seed of an idea but are unsure what steps they need to take to make it become a reality then they will receive individual tailored support from a member of the qualified advisory team who will help them develop their vision in a clear and orderly manner. This is a free and confidential service that provides advice and support for business start-ups in across the 4 Districts.
For further information or to book a place please on a workshop please contact the Enterprise team on: 0121 704 6206
FranchisingWorks
FranchisingWorks is an innovative social enterprise that tackles unemployment by helping create new businesses and jobs through franchising. It provides independent advice and practical support to people interested in exploring franchising as a way into self employment. The Programme is currently operating in Greater Manchester.
FranchisingWorks has access to sources of finance to help meet the start-up costs for successful candidates with insufficient financial resources of their own.
