DOWN TO BUSINESS… Over 60 companies attended a recent First Stop Shop meeting at the Clinton Centre
OVER 60 Fermanagh companies attended a First Stop Shop information evening aimed at sourcing grants and finance for local businesses.
A wide range of companies from across the county attended the event at the Clinton Centre in Enniskillen seeking advice and support in developing their organisation, as speakers outlined the help available from a variety of business support agencies.
“It was great to see so many local companies represented,” said manager Yvonne Megahey.
“There is a lot of help and support out there for businesses but it can be difficult to navigate your way through it all and find the assistance that is relevant to your specific situation.
“The huge turnout demonstrates a real desire among local businesses to take advantage of that support, and the First Stop Shop team can assist them in making the procedure as easy as possible. This event was just the first in a series we are planning to run across the county.
“I would encourage any other businesses who were not at the event to get in touch so we can connect them to funding and advice.”
The evening was designed to meet the needs of a wide range of businesses across all trade sectors, and addressed the types of assistance available for start-up businesses as well as more established companies.
Influential speakers from Invest Northern Ireland, Inter TradeIreland, Enterprise Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund, the Department of Employment and Learning, Fermanagh Enterprise and Fermanagh District Council were all on hand to outline the services they provide, and companies were then free to approach the speakers to talk about their individual needs.
Seamus Maguire of J.M Engineering in Derrylin, who attended the event, said he was pleased with the information on offer.
“It was a really good opportunity to get an overview of everything that is out there,” he added.
“I had no idea that there was so much in the way of help and support. At the end of the event I was able to chat with one of the speakers and I think I have identified a programme that could be very helpful to us as we look to grow the business.”
The First Stop Shop, based at the Clinton Centre in Enniskillen, is a newly formed organisation designed to provide information, sign-posting and support to local start up and established businesses in order to facilitate the growth of their businesses and encourage take up of the current help available.
There will be further information sessions on a variety of different topics over the coming months, but businesses can contact them at the Clinton Centre.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere