News  |  Contact Us

Home / News

Business Link teams up with the Innovation Centre

02 Aug 2010

Free business support is now available at the Innovation Centre, Newport

Business Link clinics will be open from 3rd August, at the Innovation Centre, Newport, to offer free business support services to enterprises on the Island. Five Advisers, Hilary Morgan, Julia Damrow, Simon Realey, Steve Baker and Steve Reading make up the dedicated Business Link team on the Island.

Graeme Sibley, Chief Executive of Business Link in the South East, explains, “We are committed to supporting new and established businesses on the Isle of Wight and I’m keen to let people know that we are open at the Innovation Centre. Over the summer months, businesses can visit the Innovation Centre in Newport for a Business Link appointment or arrange for an experienced Adviser to visit them at their business premises.”

The Innovation Centre, at St Cross Business Park in Newport, is run by Natural Enterprise and has ready-made office space in a professional environment with conference facilities and free parking.

Graham Biss, Managing Director of Natural Enterprise said “We have always had a strong connection with Business Link and we are delighted to be working with them again. We see this new relationship as an opportunity to ensure start-ups and growing Island businesses are given the best opportunity to succeed and with Business Link working from the Innovation Centre we really are a one stop business support facility”.

Since April over 180 local companies have a full Business Review with an Adviser. A Business Review can help business owners to clarify their goals and identify areas for improvement. Business Link’s impartial Advisers have a comprehensive understanding of the public, private and voluntary support available and can refer customers to appropriate services available from partners on the Island.

Business Link customer, David French, who started his business 5 Star Pest Control last year comments, “Business Link has been a great resource for me whilst I’ve been getting my new business off the ground. My Business Link Adviser, Simon Realey, has been great. He has given me lots of encouragement and made some really insightful suggestions around ways to improve my marketing.”

Business Link services are easily accessible by all local businesses wanting to start and grow their business or benefit from information, support and free advice. To enquire about a Business Review or the Starting a Business Service call 0845 600 9 006 or visit Businesslink.gov.uk/southeast