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recent releases from Leicester Shire Development Agency, Business Link for Leicestershire and Business Link Lincolnshire & Rutland | 
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1 February 2002
NEWS RELEASE
HUGE INCREASE IN USE OF BUSINESS LINK SERVICES IN LEICESTERSHIRE
The number of Leicestershire firms using support services from Business Link has more than doubled since the organisation was restructured.
Figures for the first nine months since the new Business Link for Leicestershire came into being show 3,100 businesses received one-to-one information and advice compared with 1,350 for the whole of the previous year.
The figure is a key measure of the organisation's performance as measured by the government's Small Business Service. It estimates Business Link for Leicestershire has a target audience of 23,500 SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises with up to 250 employees).
This means 13.2% of Leicestershire SMEs have already directly benefited from Business Link services so far in 2001/02, compared with 5.7% for the whole of the previous year. The figure is put in context by a national survey (carried out by NOP for SBS) showing 82% of entrepreneurs never seek help because they believe they do not need it.
In April, the SBS restructured the Business Link network and awarded the Leicestershire franchise to a consortium of business leaders who deliver the service through Leicester Shire Development Agency.
The new administration immediately promised a "step change" in the delivery of business support services in Leicestershire and has recently published new plans for 2002/03. These are publicly available at www.leicestershire.businesslink.co.uk
Business Link's latest figures show the total of firms assisted, including seminar delegates, remained near the 1,500 mark in the third quarter (October to December) despite the shortened working period. Nearly 2,000 people have now attended Business Link seminars since April 1. The number of firms using personal business advisers stayed at 800 in the quarter.
Despite economic uncertainty, September 11 and Christmas holidays, enquiries for new business start-ups remained strong while five new businesses signed up to the hi-growth scheme aiming to turnover at least £1 million in their first three years of operation.
Start-ups who confirmed they had begun trading with Business Link assistance included a roller blinds manufacturer, a video production company and a web design operation.
Ends
For further Media Information
CONTACT Duncan Hopwood on 0116 254 4472
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