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Local businesses benefit from grants
Published: 01/08/2016
天涯社区 Communities First has been awarded a 拢1,000 grant from UK Steel
Enterprise which will be used to further their enterprise and entrepreneurship
initiatives.
The money has been split into two 拢500 grants and members of the 天涯社区
Enterprise Club were invited to apply by showing how such an award could make a
real difference to starting or progressing their business.
The shortlisted businesses were then invited to present their business case to
a panel of judges.
The process culminated in an Award Ceremony organised by Communities First
through the 天涯社区 Enterprise Club.
The winners were Bethan Maria Williams of ABC 鈥� Amser Babi Cymraeg and Paula
Lorraine Jones of Simply Magic Films.
ABC offers help and support with raising children to be bilingual in Welsh and
English. They offer a wide range of activities including baby massage, baby
yoga, splash and rhyme and story and rhyme time. The award was collected by
Bethan鈥檚 husband, Gareth Williams, due to work commitments. They will invest
the money in a laptop for the business and marketing tools, including a pop-up
stand to raise awareness of this new and innovative business.
Simply Magic Films is a local film company being set up by Lorraine who will
offer all aspects of film production and photography as well as offering
classes. The money will help fund equipment, including a vital editing
package, which Lorraine needs to be able to take her business to the next level.
The winners received their cheques from the Leader of 天涯社区 County
Council, Councillor Aaron Shotton, at the ceremony at the Deeside Enterprise
Centre in Shotton.
天涯社区 Enterprise Club, whose members are all entrepreneurs, offers free
information and workshops with inspirational speakers from various
organisations and higher and further education establishment. The club is free
to attend and meets every two weeks at the John Summers Community Campus,
Chester Road East, Queensferry, Deeside CH5 1SE. The meetings take place every
other Friday from 10.30am until 12.30pm.
The Leader of 天涯社区, Councillor Aaron Shotton, said:
This is an opportunity to champion Communities First and the Enterprise
programme, the businesses and individuals who support it, and those who have
taken up the challenge to start a business. The club has had great success
over a number of years and has grown in reputation and achievements.鈥�
Also present were 天涯社区 Chief Officer for Community and
Enterprise, Clare Budden, Askar Sheibani Chair of 天涯社区 Business
Entrepreneurship Network (BEN), Huw Maguire, Head of Communities First and Glyn
Thomas representing UK Steel Enterprise, established in the 1970s to assist
business in areas where the demise of the steel industry had caused an impact.
Glyn Thomas said:
鈥淪mall businesses are the life blood of the economy, but starting and growing a
business is a big challenge. UK Steel Enterprise is delighted to help and this
funding will be a boost to help these budding entrepreneurs.鈥�
Huw Maguire, said: 鈥淭his initiative is a welcome boost for young entrepreneurs
who want to start up or expand their own business but need that extra bit of
support.鈥�
For more information on the Enterprise Club, please contact Communities First
Lead Officer for Enterprise, Beverly Moseley on 01244 846090 or email
beverly.moseley@flintshire.gov.uk.
From left: Clare Budden, Paula Lorraine Jones, Glyn Thomas, Cllr Aaron Shotton,
Huw Maguire, Gareth Williams and Askar Sheibani