June’s Sefton Economic Forum welcomed the latest new businesses that have been supported by InvestSefton’s collaboration with leading social enterprises, Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH) and Safe Regeneration.

Advice, guidance and mentoring

Sixteen new businesses have been supported by the Government-funded Sefton Business Start Up programme. The initiative provides dedicated business start-up advice, guidance and mentoring to Sefton residents wanting to start their own business. In total, 50 new businesses have been created by the scheme, which has been extended for a further year.

InvestSefton, Sefton Council’s business support service, works closely with MEH and Safe Regeneration. Both have thriving enterprises in the impressive Big Onion in Bootle Strand and St Mary’s Complex, which house a range of community-led activities including tenant businesses.

Chris Lewis from MEH brought along the latest cohort of new businesses to June’s Sefton Economic Forum, which attracted a 200-strong audience of businesses and support providers. The new entrepreneurs were able to learn about the latest support available to them and network with other established businesses providing new opportunities and contacts.

Dreams and ambitions

Councillor Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills said:  “It was great to see so many of our new businesses at the recent Economic Forum.  

“Helping these Sefton residents set up their own business is the result of tremendous hard work by InvestSefton, MEH and Safe Regeneration.

"However, the real accolades should go to those individuals who have taken the brave step of becoming self-employed and realising their dreams and ambitions.

“I wish them every success”

Budding entrepreneurs

Chris Lewis from MEH said: “The work we are doing as part of the Sefton Business Start Up programme is helping to unearth a growing number of budding entrepreneurs.

“Supporting them to shape their ideas into tangible products and services, grow their general business knowledge and connect and dial them into the growing Sefton business Ecosystem, is central to what we aim to do.  Bringing a number of these businesses here today helps to make them feel they belong’’

Organised by the Council’s InvestSefton business support service, Economic Forums are open to all Sefton businesses no matter what their size or sector. They are relaxed and informal events that provide local companies with opportunities to network.

You can find out about the June event here.

InvestSefton

InvestSefton, along with its partners Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH) and Safe Regeneration, offers 1:1 business start-up support. This can include research a business idea and building a comprehensive business plan and developing a marketing plan.

You can use this link to find out more about starting your own business in Sefton.

Or you contact InvestSefton on 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk.