The Slough Creative Academy, Edinburgh Science Triangle and The Paper Trail, Apsley, are just three of the twelve places announced today as shining examples of the UK's enterprise spirit, with the publication of the list of regional winners of the DTI's Enterprising Britain 2007 competition.
The competition, which launched in January, is a key part of the Government's drive to increase entrepreneurship in the UK, and identifies areas of enterprise excellence: those places that have created jobs, forged links in communities, and improved the local climate for businesses and residents.
Twelve projects have been short listed, nominated by each of the nine Regional Development Agencies and three Devolved Administrations, and will compete against each other at the UK final in September, to become the national Enterprising Britain 2007 winner. The winner will then represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards later this year.
This year's finalists are:
- Edinburgh Science Triangle, a collective of seven of the Lothians' leading science and technology parks, nominated by Scottish Enterprise & Highland and Islands Enterprise;
- Galeri Caernarfon Cyf, an innovative arts centre and community enterprise, nominated by the Welsh Assembly Government;
- People Encouraging Enterprise in Rossendale, an Enterprise Facilitation project, nominated by North West Regional Development Agency;
- North Staffordshire Regenerations Zone, a network which has delivered economic regeneration, nominated by Advantage West Midlands;
- The Slough Creative Academy, which addresses skills gaps by training local people in the creative industries, nominated by the South East England Development Agency;
- The Paper Trail, Apsley, a self-financing education, business and heritage centre, nominated by East of England Development Agency;
- Croydon Enterprise, which provides support to budding enterpreneurs in Croydon, nominated by the London Development Agency;
- Knowle West Media Centre, which works with young people to unlock their creative entrepreneurial potential, nominated by the South West Regional Development Agency;
- Irvinestown Trustee Enterprise Company Ltd, a non-profit company, nominated by Invest Northern Ireland;
- Tempest Estates, which has redevloped redudundant parish buildings into offices, laboratories and housing, nominated by Yorkshire Forward;
- Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum, which has boosted the town's economy through a successful events programme, nominated by One NorthEast; and,
- Business Breaks for Young People, an an innovative community based enterprise programme run by Nottingham Business Venture, nominated by the East Midland Development Agency.
Minister of State for Industry & the Regions at the Department for Trade and Industry, Margaret Hodge MP, said of the Enterprising Britain regional winners:
"The regional winners are all excellent examples of projects that are helping to revitalise communities and provide a real boost to their local economy. The Enterprising Britain competition aims to recognise the importance of this sort of project - both to local enterprises and the communities they serve and is just one example of how the DTI strives to support and promote enterprise at all levels."
National competition judge, Lynne Franks, entrepreneur and social enterprise ambassador added:
"I am inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit both shown by the projects and their communities. These twelve projects are beacons of entrepreneurship and social enterprise and their impact is being felt both in regions the length and breadth of the UK and, in some cases, across the world. The Enterprising Britain competition is a great chance to recognise people at a local level who pool resources and create sustainable positive change."
The finalists have been recognised for their success in the regional heats. It is now up to an expert panel of national judges, who will be visiting the projects, to decide which one is the most enterprising place in the UK.
Last year's winner, West Kilbride Craft and Design Town in Scotland, managed to overcome above average unemployment and a town centre blighted by empty and unkempt shops by using a specialised theme to revitalise and transform itself into a thriving community.