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Local businesses benefit from grants

Published: 01/08/2016

Flintshire Communities First has been awarded a £1,000 grant from UK Steel Enterprise which will be used to further their enterprise and entrepreneurship initiatives. The money has been split into two £500 grants and members of the Flintshire Enterprise Club were invited to apply by showing how such an award could make a real difference to starting or progressing their business. The shortlisted businesses were then invited to present their business case to a panel of judges. The process culminated in an Award Ceremony organised by Communities First through the Flintshire Enterprise Club. The winners were Bethan Maria Williams of ABC – Amser Babi Cymraeg and Paula Lorraine Jones of Simply Magic Films. ABC offers help and support with raising children to be bilingual in Welsh and English. They offer a wide range of activities including baby massage, baby yoga, splash and rhyme and story and rhyme time. The award was collected by Bethan’s husband, Gareth Williams, due to work commitments. They will invest the money in a laptop for the business and marketing tools, including a pop-up stand to raise awareness of this new and innovative business. Simply Magic Films is a local film company being set up by Lorraine who will offer all aspects of film production and photography as well as offering classes. The money will help fund equipment, including a vital editing package, which Lorraine needs to be able to take her business to the next level. The winners received their cheques from the Leader of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Aaron Shotton, at the ceremony at the Deeside Enterprise Centre in Shotton. Flintshire Enterprise Club, whose members are all entrepreneurs, offers free information and workshops with inspirational speakers from various organisations and higher and further education establishment. The club is free to attend and meets every two weeks at the John Summers Community Campus, Chester Road East, Queensferry, Deeside CH5 1SE. The meetings take place every other Friday from 10.30am until 12.30pm. The Leader of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Aaron Shotton, said: This is an opportunity to champion Communities First and the Enterprise programme, the businesses and individuals who support it, and those who have taken up the challenge to start a business. The club has had great success over a number of years and has grown in reputation and achievements.” Also present were Flintshire County Council Chief Officer for Community and Enterprise, Clare Budden, Askar Sheibani Chair of Flintshire Business Entrepreneurship Network (BEN), Huw Maguire, Head of Communities First and Glyn Thomas representing UK Steel Enterprise, established in the 1970s to assist business in areas where the demise of the steel industry had caused an impact. Glyn Thomas said: “Small businesses are the life blood of the economy, but starting and growing a business is a big challenge. UK Steel Enterprise is delighted to help and this funding will be a boost to help these budding entrepreneurs.” Huw Maguire, said: “This initiative is a welcome boost for young entrepreneurs who want to start up or expand their own business but need that extra bit of support.” For more information on the Enterprise Club, please contact Communities First Lead Officer for Enterprise, Beverly Moseley on 01244 846090 or email beverly.moseley@flintshire.gov.uk. From left: Clare Budden, Paula Lorraine Jones, Glyn Thomas, Cllr Aaron Shotton, Huw Maguire, Gareth Williams and Askar Sheibani