Turn that bright idea into reality (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Turn that bright idea into reality

HELP is at hand for any budding young entrepreneurs who has made it their New Year resolution to get a company off the ground.

Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire (BLBW) says its research has shown more new businesses registered in Swindon last year than ever before and figures have increased each year since 1995.

Chancellor Gordon Brown has launched a national campaign to inspire and mobilise young people aged between 14 and 25 to be enterprising to believe in their own entrepreneurial potential and to make their mark in the business world.

BLBW, the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and the Prince's Trust, are hosting an Enterprise Roadshow at the Holiday Inn in Marlborough Road, Swindon, on Tuesday, February 22 to make young entrepreneurs, and would-be entrepreneurs, aware of what help is available to turn their business ideas into reality.

The roadshow will take place from 10.30am to 4pm, and will include a chance to develop their DJ skills with local DJ Android Dolls (Andre Clemmings).

Andre started in business with a small loan from the Prince's Trust earlier this year and regularly plays in Swindon venues.

He has been shortlisted in a recent south west DJ competition and is in the process of producing demo CDs, all under the guidance of his Prince's Trust mentor Greg Spencer of Boss Tunes.

Attendees will also be able to pick from a choice of ten free training sessions, each covering a different business issue such as sales and marketing, access to finance and e-Technology. A variety of displays and free one-to-one advice sessions with business advisers will also be available.

"Starting up a new business in any sector or at any time of life can be a daunting process," said Andy Reeve, BLBW business start up adviser manager.

"This roadshow has been designed to offer all the information that someone looking to start up a business would need to make their idea become a reality and start the New Year as they mean to go on growing from strength to strength."

Spencer Hill, development adviser at the Prince's Trust, said: "Last year the Prince's Trust helped over 4,000 young people to start working for themselves through funding and support.

"We are working closely with enterprise agencies in Wiltshire to enable young people to make the move into self-employment. This roadshow will be an ideal opportunity to show young people the future of Swindon's business community what they need to know and do to start their own successful companies."

Other enterprise roadshows taking place in Wiltshire during February include:

l Focus on Rural Enterprise February 15, Corn Exchange, Devizes

l Focus on Women Entrepre-neurs February 17, Hartham Park, Corsham

l Focus on Later in Life February 24, White Hart Hotel, Salisbury

To book your place at any of these event contact Katie Green on 01793 428336 or email katie.green@blbw.co.uk

For information, advice and access to experts on all issues relating to running or setting up a business contact Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire on 0845 600 4141 or visit www.blbw.co.uk