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SENTA giving BiG hand to business in Sheffield’s poorest communities Print E-mail
Tuesday, 08 January 2008
Sheffield Enterprise Agency (SENTA) is giving a ‘BiG’ helping hand to a multi-million initiative to increase entrepreneurship in the city.

SENTA has been appointed by the ‘BiG – Make it your Business’ scheme to deliver a structured programme of community-based business training to individuals in some of Sheffield’s poorest neighbourhoods.

SENTA’s intensive business support programme for start ups is one of BiG’s nine business activity areas, delivered in partnership with a number of specialist agencies, to encourage and nurture entrepreneurship in Sheffield.

A team of the agency’s own business advisors has begun to work with individuals from start-up businesses in Southey and Owlerton, Netherthorpe and Upperthorpe, Manor and Castle and Burngreave.

SENTA advisors offer free practical advice to budding entrepreneurs thinking about setting up their own business, including help with business plans, cashflow management, marketing and legal advice. They are also holding a series of community workshops in each area to help generate business ideas.

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SENTA enterprise director Mandip Dosanjh said: “I’m proud that SENTA has been chosen to take a leading role in delivering one of the most important business growth programmes Sheffield has ever seen.

“Working with pre-starts and small existing businesses, our approach is completely flexible and client led.

“Our aim in each of the key target areas is to break down the barriers to business, particularly amongst individuals who would ordinarily find it hard to set up their own business, including women, young people, over 50s and people from minority ethnic groups.”

The £25m BiG programme will, over four years, boost enterprise in Sheffield by helping more people to set up in business, supporting sustainable business growth and increasing the success rate of locally-owned businesses in Sheffield. This is the first four years of a ten year programme, funded through the Government’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).

SENTA is part of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and provides fully integrated support to new business start-ups and businesses up to two years old. Its start-up programme is funded by Yorkshire Forward under contract with Business Link South Yorkshire.

SENTA has been part of Sheffield Chamber since 2002 and encourages new entrepreneurs in Sheffield to develop their ideas and skills, creating business growth, regeneration and new employment opportunities within the local economy.
 
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