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British Enterprise shines in Europe

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2007/121) issued by The Government News Network on 7 December 2007

Winner of the Enterprising Britain competition, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone (NSRZ) and Enterprising Britain runner-up, The Paper Trail, are celebrating again today following the European Enterprise Awards.

NSRZ was crowned the runner-up in the Enterprise Support category, while The Paper Trail was announced as the runner-up in the Responsible Entrepreneurship category at the awards ceremony, which took place in Portugal. The projects beat off competition from over 350 entrants across Europe.

Now in its second year, The European Enterprise Awards recognise outstanding initiatives that support entrepreneurship at a regional level. The awards are inspired by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's (BERR) successful Enterprising Britain competition, which celebrates and rewards the most enterprising places in the UK.

Welcoming the news, Stephen Timms, Enterprise Minister, said:

"North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and The Paper Trail are fantastic examples of British enterprise and thoroughly deserves this recognition. By adopting a positive "can do" approach to local enterprise and regeneration, both initiatives have helped to transform the social and economic prospects of their areas. I congratulate the teams behind the projects wholeheartedly."

North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, which covers the urban core of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme, was recognised for successfully transforming one of the most deprived areas in Britain into an economic hub of enterprise activity.

Following a massive decline in their traditional industries, North Staffordshire was branded by Barclays in 2003 as the 'worst place in England to start a business'. Since then, the various projects set-up by NSRZ have helped to reverse the decline by encouraging and supporting over 500 new start-up businesses and helping to create more than 1,000 new jobs.

NSRZ has created 21 sustainable social enterprises in North Staffordshire schools, giving over 7,500 young people the opportunity to run a real business. One example of a school-based business is The Mitchell Juice bar, an enterprise that was set up in Mitchell High School with a £12,000 funding grant from NSRZ. The students run all aspects of the business and all profits are ploughed back into the enterprise.

Commenting on the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone's success, James Murray Wells, founder of Glassesdirect and Enterprising Britain 2007 national judge, said:

"The grass roots transformation of North Staffordshire is inspirational. The achievements of the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone illustrate what can be achieved if a community works together to improve their local economy. Their business model is excellent and I am sure their success will inspire other deprived areas and communities from across Europe for years to come."

The Paper Trail, a unique enterprise initiative that has converted a Victorian paper mill and disused industrial buildings into a self-financing centre for education and innovation, was recognised for bringing social and economic success to the local community.

The Paper Trail offers a wide range of income generating activities, including recycled paper making, conference facilities, schools' enterprise projects and training courses. Since it was first established in 2002, the initiative has housed over 26 start-up and small businesses, created at least 300 indirect employment opportunities and helped local recycled paper production to increase by 65 per cent.

Commenting on The Paper Trail's success, Sue Brownson, Managing Director of Blue Bell BMW and Enterprising Britain 2007 national judge, said:

"When I visited the Paper Trail, as part of the national judging this year, I was greatly impressed by what has been done so far. The Paper Trail is a well managed community-led enterprise project, and has optimised every aspect of its assets; the buildings, heritage paper making equipment and staff skills. By transforming disused industrial buildings into a flourishing education, business and heritage centre, The Paper Trail has benefited the whole community. It is a truly inspirational project and I am delighted that it has received the recognition it deserves by being named runner-up in the Responsible Entrepreneurship category in the European Enterprise Awards."

Jacky Bennett, Chief Executive at The Paper Trail, said:

"Being named runner-up of the Responsible Entrepreneurship Award at the European Enterprise Awards means the world to us. We have worked extremely hard over the last six years to make The Paper Trail the success it is today and I am really proud of everyone involved. Hopefully, this achievement will help raise the profile of The Paper Trail further, so that we can continue to act as a role model for other communities and regions from across Europe.'

James Capper, Enterprise and Innovation Strategy Manager, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, said:

"Being recognised in the European Enterprise Awards is an incredible achievement and I am overjoyed that the hard work of the community has been rewarded. We will take this accolade back to North Staffordshire and continue to improve the community through enterprise, and hopefully, we can now share our experience with other areas."

For further information on the European Enterprise Awards please visit http://www.european-enterprise-awards.org/ or contact Nicola Green or Emma Cowlard at Geronimo Communications on 020 7299 8764 / 07863 543 951 emma.cowlard@geronimocommunications.com For further information on the Enterprising Britain competition please visit http://www.enterprisingbritain.org or contact Nicola Green or Emma Cowlard at Geronimo Communications on 020 7299 8764 / 07863 543 951 emma.cowlard@geronimocommunications.com

For further information on the involvement of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in Enterprising Britain, contact Alison Culshaw at the RDA Secretariat; Tel 020 7654 1552; alison.culshaw@rda-secretariat.com

Notes to Editors

* The European Enterprise Awards are inspired by the Enterprising Britain Competition, and aim to reward local and regional initiatives that are improving business prospects. The Awards are open to the 25 Member States of the European Union as well as Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, Romania and Turkey

* The overall winner and runner-up of Enterprising Britain 2007 were entered into a Europe-wide competition - the 'European Enterprise Awards' http://www.european-enterprise-awards.org/

* 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.enterprisingbritain.org

* The Enterprising Britain 2007 winner was North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone (http://www.nsrz.org) and the runner-up was The Paper Trail http://www.thepapertrail.org.uk

* The Enterprising Britain 2006 winner was West Kilbride Craft & Design Town. For more information go to http://www.westkilbride.org.uk.

* The Enterprising Britain 2005 winner was Sherwood Energy Village, Ollerton. For more information go to http://www.sherwoodenergyvillage.co.uk

* 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

* The regional heats for the competition ran from 31 January to 31 May 2007. The 12 regional winners were visited by members of the judging panel over the summer

* The competition is open to towns, cities and communities as well as public-private partnerships between public authorities and entrepreneurs, educational programmes and business organisations

* The selected town, city or area must be able to demonstrate how it has affected a step change in its approach towards supporting & promoting enterprise over the last three years. The national nominations are based on how the nominated place has demonstrated:

- that it has faced the challenges of promoting enterprise in their areas;

- that it has formed partnerships and policies to tackle those challenges; and,

- that its actions have had a positive impact in promoting enterprise.