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Taunton tops SW enterprise league
02 August 2010
Taunton has been crowned the most enterprising place in
South West, beating stiff competition from across the region in the
nation’s Enterprising Britain competition.
Now in its sixth year, the nationwide competition run by
Enterprise UK rewards cities, villages, towns and neighbourhoods
that have tackled the economic downturn head on and are
successfully creating jobs, boosting local business and nurturing
entrepreneurial talent as the UK emerges from recession.
Taunton was recognised for its success in encouraging budding
and fledgling entrepreneurs, particularly through the Business
Initiative for Schools, which both develops business awareness and
encourages the development of business ideas amongst 14-18 years
old, via Dragons’ Den style activities.
Cllr Norman Cavill, who holds the economic development portfolio
at Taunton Deane Borough Council, congratulated all who had made
the win possible, particularly Stephanie Payne, the Council’s
economic development lead officer, Lee Porter, business and
enterprise teacher at Bishop Fox’s School, Taunton, and Peter
Heath, Director of Business Initiative for Schools.
“Winning the regional heat of the Enterprising Britain
competition is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted to have
been recognised for our work in bringing change to the area,
creating jobs and transforming the community. Our initiative
doesn’t stop here though - we will continue to champion enterprise
and look forward to the national finals of the competition,” said
Stephanie.
Cllr Cavill added: “This is a great achievement. I congratulate
all involved, especially the Economic Development team for their
commitment to improve the economic fortunes of the Borough.”
During August Taunton will go up against the other 11 regional
finalists from around the UK for the Enterprising Britain 2010
national title. The overall winner will then go on to represent the
UK at the European Enterprise Awards next year.
Andrew Youl of the South West Regional Development Agency said:
“The success of Taunton demonstrates what can be achieved if people
work together to improve the social and economic prospects of their
community. We are confident that their great example will encourage
more entrepreneurial behaviour in the region that will continue to
benefit generations to come.”
For more information about the 2010 Enterprising Britain
competition go to http://www.gew.org.uk/.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition that
celebrates and recognises enterprise achievement throughout all the
regions of the UK. For more information please visit http://www.gew.org.uk/
- Enterprising Britain is open to all organisations in the UK
that are working in partnership to create an enterprising place.
The place can be a town, a city, a parish or a neighbourhood and
organisations must demonstrate that enterprise is central to the
economic and/or social transformation of the place.
- The competition runs nationally across England, Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland and operates in two stages: a regional
nomination stage and a national competition between the regional
finalists
- Six of the 12 regional finalists will pitch to a judging panel
and the top three will be visited by the judging panel in
September.
- Previous national winners have included:
- 2009 NWES Lowestoft
- 2008 Scarborough Renaissance Partnership
- 2007 North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone
- 2006 West Kilbride Craft & Design Town
- 2005 Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton
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