As one door closes… pick yourself up and push another one open

That is the message to people facing redundancy in this uncertain economic climate. The old adage ‘all things happen for a reason’ can ring true for some people. They may have been stuck in a job that they don’t enjoy but have always been too scared to take the plunge and start their own business. So when the rug is pulled from under them and they lose their job, then hopefully it will give them the kick-start they need. 

It may seem a frightening prospect to start a business today, but if it is of interest then help is on hand from an excellent support network in the Newark and Sherwood District. Newark and Sherwood District Council’s regeneration team have financial support packages available to both new and growth companies, as well as help for tourism related businesses and creative industries. Business Link East Midlands have advisers available to help people discuss their business ideas, put together a business plan, and help them take those vital first steps. The information team have a wide variety of business opportunity and business information fact-sheets on a wide range of business types and legal, financial and marketing issues. Other support is available from the NE Group who can offer free training for your staff. 

A wide variety of business support events operate throughout the district also, such as the Making it Happen event, arranged by Newark and Sherwood District Council,  sponsored by Business Link East Midlands and supported by the Newark Advertiser, the NE Group, HMRC and Newark Business Venture. This event is aimed at encouraging those people who are thinking of starting a business to take those first vital steps. Other events include the Newark Business Fair and grants, loans and business advice surgeries.

Although many of the smaller businesses may initially start their business from home, there are fantastic offices and business units in the Newark and Sherwood District, such as the Newark Beacon, the e-Centre at Ollerton, Blackburn House at Boughton and Edwinstowe House. The majority of these centres offer fully serviced facilities and they are all in the heart of Robin Hood country, within easy access to all major road and rail routes. 

Newark Beacon is a state-of-the-art business innovation centre in the market town of Newark-on-Trent. The Beacon offers 27 office units and four workshops with high quality facilities at low priced rentals. The smaller units are an ideal first business base, and for those wanting to relocate a business into the district, there are larger units of over 850 sq ft. Theo Paphitis star of the BBC series Dragons’ Den opened the centre in September 2007 and in just a little over a year since opening, the Beacon is already well over two thirds full.  There is a diverse range of tenants, some of whom have already upsized or taken on more units, as well as a couple who have won and been nominated for various business awards throughout the county.

So all is not doom and gloom. With excellent facilities and a wide range of support available, Newark and Sherwood is thriving and as more people start new ventures, this can only help to get the economy moving again. So think about taking the plunge and either start up or relocate your business in the Newark and Sherwood District…. a great place to work, play and live.

For further information please contact Sally Gillborn from Economic Regeneration Unit at Newark and Sherwood District Council on 01636 655260.