Council celebrates 200th ‘Go for It’ business plan
Wed, October 03, 2018
R.S. Sandblasting in Dungiven has become the 200th business to benefit from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Go for It Programme.
To mark the milestone, the Mayor Councillor Brenda Chivers visited the premises to congratulate owner Robbie Starrett and hear how the programme has made a difference to him.
Speaking after the visit, she said: “I wish to congratulate all of the programme participants who have availed of the support on offer and turned their dream of starting a business into a reality. They play a key role in our local economy in the Causeway Coast and Glens area and in the creation of jobs for local people. I wish Robbie every success in the months and years ahead”.
The Mayor also took the opportunity to highlight that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council had exceeded its target for the 2017/18 financial year by 48%. “My congratulations and thanks go to all those involved in the delivery of Business Start support, particularly the advisors from Roe Valley Enterprises and Causeway Enterprise Agency and also the Council staff”.
The Go for It programme provides advice and support to anyone wishing to start their own business, guiding them through the process of creating a business plan. By testing an idea, setting goals and objectives, clarifying the financial position and mapping out markets and customers, many participants feel they can see where the best opportunities lie.
Speaking on behalf of the 11 councils currently running the Go for It Programme, Eugene McGuckin of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council said “2500 business plans in what is a relatively short space of time is quite remarkable. All great businesses must start somewhere and we are extremely impressed with the calibre of new start-ups coming through the Go for It programme. Some of those taking the initial step are following a long-held dream of becoming their own boss; others are turning a hobby into a viable business. Whatever the motivation, this important business start-up programme is here to provide the help, support and encouragement to get the wheels in motion for any business idea, large or small.”
The programme is supported by experienced Business Advisors in Enterprise Northern Ireland’s broad network of Enterprise Agencies.
Michael McQuillan Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland added “We’re really proud to support every single individual who has seized the opportunity and brought their idea to the Go for It programme for development. There are lots of great ideas out there and we’re full of admiration for all the individuals who are energetically pursuing the dream of starting their own business. Many candidates find that having a tried and tested business plan not only gives them the confidence to go forward, but is also the final push they need to make things happen. We wish all of them every success.”
Welcoming the milestone, Mary Gormley, Invest NI’s European and Partner Delivery Manager said “This is an encouraging result for local councils as they work collaboratively to encourage self-starters across Northern Ireland to fulfil their potential. Entrepreneurs and micro-businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and Go for It is a valuable first step towards thousands of new businesses in Northern Ireland.”
Go for It is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and The European Regional Development Fund, under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) programme.
If you have a business idea, visit www.goforitni.com to get your business started or call the team on 0800 027 0639.
Pictured celebrating the 200th ‘Go for It’ business plan with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Brenda Chivers are (front row) Bridget Mc Caughan, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Joanne Miller, Roe Valley Enterprises, (back row), Martin Devlin, Roe Valley Enterprises, Robbie Starrett, R. S. Sandblasting and Martin Clark, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.