WARRINGTON’S economy has received a £72 million boost thanks to a record number of businesses using the Business Link North West service.
Since all Business Link centres were amalgamated into one dynamic facility, more and more businesses across the North West have benefited from their improved quality of service.
The new streamlined organisation has cut down on administrative overheads and has focused on providing a greater level of local face-to-face support to help businesses thrive.
An estimated 12,000 businesses from across Warrington and Cheshire used the improved Business Link service last year.
In addition more than 800 companies across the country received tailored one-to-one support from a Business Link broker, an increase of 18 per cent from 2006/07.
This has been achieved in conjunction with 90 per cent customer satisfaction and 71 per cent of companies now being fully aware of the Business Link Service.
The focus for Business Link this year now turns to improving the understanding of how Business Link can support local companies.
Managing director of Business Link North West, Peter Watson, said: “We’re delighted with our achievements in our first year but crucially our greatest success has been the difference we have made to the businesses we have worked with.
“Our website provides a superb 24/7 resource and our brokers bring industry knowledge and business expertise to the team; a service that’s customer focused, fit for purpose and stronger than ever.
“As we move through 2008/9 we’ll strive to build on this strong foundation, providing free-to-use, quality and impartial advice and support to enable our customers to build better businesses.”
Mark Hughes, the North West Development Agency’s executive director for Enterprise and Skills, said: “It has been a busy and successful first year for Business Link North West. The regional business support service is now aligned with the Regional Economic Strategy and is providing businesses with a consistent and high-quality service. We have a more efficient service with high awareness levels, the next job will be to ensure we have a higher understanding level of what Business Link can do for businesses in the region.
“We are currently looking to guide progress towards an ‘enhanced Business Link’ service which will provide all business Information, Diagnostic and Brokerage activity in the North West, making it even easier for businesses to access support in our region, whilst also ensuring the North West is leading the way on the government’s Business Support Simplification agenda.”
Anyone requiring more information about Business Link North West should contact 0845 00 66 888 or log on to www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
WARRINGTON'S economy has received a £72 million boost thanks to a record number of businesses using the Business Link North West service.
£72m boost for local economy
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
