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recent releases from Leicester Shire Development Agency, Business Link for Leicestershire and Business Link Lincolnshire & Rutland | 
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9 November 2001
PRESS RELEASE
DEMAND FOR BUSINESS ADVICE HOTS UP
The new Business Link for Leicestershire has begun to deliver a "step change" in business services.
Figures for the first six months of the new-look organisation show nearly eight per cent of Leicestershire firms using its services, the highest penetration level yet recorded.
Management of Business Link was taken over in April by Leicester Shire Development Agency with a promise to government that it would deliver a "step change" in services to small and medium businesses in Leicestershire.
The figures show Business Link meeting half-year targets set by the DTI's Small Business Service and also give a snapshot of the small business economy in Leicestershire:
· Rising interest in self-employment: Between July and September, 2,027 people approached Business Link for advice about starting in business compared with 1,211 in the previous three months.
· More businesses looking to grow or overcome challenges: The number of existing businesses assisted by Business Link rose significantly - from 1,313 in the first three months to 1,502 in the second quarter.
· Service: Customers gave the organisation an 82 per cent satisfaction rating.
LDA chief executive Tina McEwen said the figures reflected growing interest in self-employment and increasing awareness of the new-look Business Link for Leicestershire.
She added, "We are meeting our targets, providing assistance to more businesses and getting excellent feedback."
Among other key targets reached, 65 organisations committed to Investors In People and more than 1,600 businesses have seen a business adviser.
Meanwhile, Leicester Shire Development Agency's inward investment team reports no loss of interest in Leicestershire as a business location despite world economic unease. A late surge of investor enquiries in September took the half-year total over 250, in line with last year.
Inward investment and aftercare were the original focus of the LDA when it was formed in 1998 and remain an essential function. The agency now delivers a larger suite of services under one roof. Greater coordination has seen Business Link staff referring more leads to the inward investment team than ever before.
Ends
For further Media Information
Contact Duncan Hopwood
hopwood pr and marcoms
0116 254 4472 or 07802 491096
duncan@hopwood.co.uk
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