Sharing the Success provides £5million boost to local economy

After two and a half years Sharing the Success is well on its way to achieving its targets to regenerate some of Leeds' most disadvantaged areas through enterprise.

The programme launched its mid term review recently in front of a mixed audience of partners, councillors, council leaders and other interested parties under the theme of 'Regeneration through enterprise is working.'

The audience were welcomed by Cllr Richard Brett, Leader of the Council, followed by presentations from Jean Dent, director of city development, Leeds City Council, Tom Morton, partner at PKF and chairman of LEGI Board, Steve Williamson, chief executive of re'new and Martin Dean, deputy director of the Leeds Initiative.

Mrs Dent confirmed the programme has helped start 320 new businesses and created 687 new jobs since it began in April 2007. Currently 40 projects are being delivered by 26 partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors aiming to promote enterprise within disadvantaged communities, support the growth of locally owned businesses and attract investment into deprived areas. She confirmed that represented a £5 million boost to the local economy from the combined turnovers of the new start businesses.

Key achievements included the creation of seven enterprise centres where residents could go for support with their business ideas as well as hot desking and office facilities. This includes Shine in Harehills and Hillside in Beeston. In addition much good work was being carried out to embed enterprise in the school curriculum through Education Leeds and the enterprise ambassador programmed funded by Sharing the Success.

The event ended with a call to the audience for support to continue such enterprise work which was having a real impact on the lives of the people of Leeds. Current funding comes to an end in March 2011.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the report email here.

Pictures from top:
Tom Morton, Leeds LEGI chairman
l-r: Speakers: Steve Williamson, Cllr Richard Brett, Jean Dent, Martin Dean, Simon Brereton, Tom Morton
Martin Dean of Leeds Initiative
Steve Williamson of re'new
The audience at the mid term review launch

More images can be seen here.