22 October 2009Since Sharing the Success began in 2007 over 300 businesses have been helped to start in some of the poorest parts of Leeds. Programme manager Simon Brereton gives us an update here:
"Areas such as Chapeltown, Beeston and Bramley, which just three years ago had some of the lowest levels of business start up anywhere in the UK, are becoming some of the brightest hotspots of business growth in the country. This is remarkable! It shows just what an enterprising bunch the people of Leeds are and just how brave they are even in these uncertain times. There's a great range of trades coming through including cleaners, gas fitters and decorators and the more unusual ones like tattooist, vintage clothes store, fruit box supplier and hoodie designer.
Our work with existing businesses is also showing fantastic results. Taurus (mentioned in a previous news item) is just one of over 800 businesses that have been helped leading to the creation of 300 new jobs and hundreds more jobs being safeguarded. Doing what we can to support the 40,000 businesses that are based in Leeds is a really important part of our programme.
However, its the work with young people that will have the greatest impact. Through a dedicated team of enterprise ambassadors working for Education Leeds, enterprise action plans have been developed for their pupils and teachers. Working with enterprise in lessons across the curriculum is giving schools a better way of getting real excitement from young people. And as the years go by, we are sure we will see a new generation of entrepreneurs emerging from Leeds, helping to make the city an even greater place to live and work."
Sharing the Success is the Leeds Enterprise Growth Initiative. It currently runs to March 2011. For further details call 0113 220 6350 or 0800 048 0054.
Pic: Over 30 partner organisations are working within Sharing the Success to help regenerate Leeds through enterprise..
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