Supporters

Your quick reference guide to all the projects managed by Erewash Partnership, complete with direct contact details.

A special event aimed at introducing businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to exporting will be held later this month.

The seminar and exhibition looking at what is called ‘the great untapped opportunity’ will take place at The Novotel, Bostock Lane, Long Eaton, on July 14.

It is organised by enterprise agency Erewash Partnership and Erewash and Broxtowe Borough Councils and sponsored by the University of Derby under its Ingenuity Programme.

“Exporting has traditionally been seen as the domain of big manufacturers and corporate plcs such as engineering companies,” said Derek Hogg, the Partnership’s senior economic development officer.

“But with the shift in business over the years nothing could be further from the truth. A huge amount of exporting is done by small to medium businesses from a wide range of sectors, particularly the service and creative industries such as the arts.

“With the internet expanding market opportunities for businesses in the UK, more and more companies are looking abroad to do business.”

The keynote speaker at the meeting will be John Proud of UK Trade and Investment, which has a presence in 96 countries. John has a wealth of experience helping businesses explore exporting for the first time, identifying opportunities, and taking businesses through the process.

He will talk on the possibilities offered by exporting, what help and support is available and will also talk about what happens on a trade mission to help businesses access new and exciting markets.

“Starting to trade overseas can be a daunting business and hard work but, as many UK businesses are finding, the rewards are worth it,” said Derek. “There is no reason why firms in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire should not grab a share of this success. This event will help them do that.”

The free event starts at 5pm and includes a buffet. It is open to all businesses in the two counties, whether or not they are members of the Partnership.

Anybody interested in attending should contact the Partnership on 0115 944 3944.

Networking Opportunities

Events Programme – Regular events are held throughout the year, which involve seminars on relevant business topics, exhibitions from local business support organisations, ‘factory’ visits and the opportunity for businesses to network and do business with each other.

Women’s Networking Group – Meeting every two months, the group provides the opportunity for local businesswomen to meet, network and share information and experiences in an informal atmosphere.

Partnership Open Meetings – These are for Associate Members of Erewash Partnership only and provide a forum for Members to be updated on the activities of the Partnership and hear talks on relevant local issues. They are held two or three times per year.

Promoting Your Business

On the World Wide Web – Associate Members of the Partnership can have a free link to their own website from the Partnership’s site on the web.

Associate Members Directory – All Associates of Erewash Partnership will automatically receive a comprehensive entry into the directory, which has contact details and business descriptions for all Associates. A copy is sent out on request (MS Excel format) to Associates.

Mail shots – For Associate Members only. You supply us with a leaflet, flyer or letter and for a modest fee we will include it in one of our regular mailings. Currently this will reach 450 local businesses and relevant local organisations.

Sponsorship – Become a full sponsor of Erewash Partnership or sponsor one of our events and we will help to promote your business on a wider scale. Contact us for full details on what sponsoring us can do for your business.

Local Help For Businesses

Information Services & Grant Search - Access to local information, property guides and signposting to other relevant organisations and businesses. Businesses can also get access to our COBRA database; a comprehensive source of technical information which is updated regularly. Tailored Europe-wide grant searches can also be undertaken.

Industrial Units & Office Accommodation – for current availability please contact us. We can also undertake searches amongst Partnership Associates and assist in the marketing of commercial property in the area.

Virtual Office - For people who are currently working from home, the Old Police Station Virtual Office is a practical resource offering a professional mailing address, mail box, message forwarding and use of the meeting room facilities for a modest monthly fee.

Conference & Meeting Rooms – Erewash Partnership has a range of Conference, Training and Meeting Rooms including a fully equipped ICT suite available to hire. All are complemented by Broadband connectivity and a comprehensive range of supporting equipment . To find out more, please contact us.

Advice – Confidential, impartial and free advice for both pre-start and existing businesses is available from our experienced, nationally accredited business advisers on all business topics. Regular clinics are held in both Ilkeston and Long Eaton, with visits available to business premises. Bookkeeping checks for new businesses plus Health & Safety and DDA reviews for existing businesses are available also.

The Small Business Skills Programme – Practical, hands-on training delivering a comprehensive, four-day, training programme that covers all aspects of planning and running a small business. The course is spread over three weeks and delivers the practical steps needed to plan and run a small business successfully. There are two days of business planning (including cash flows and profit & loss accounts) and one day each of marketing and bookkeeping.

Vocational and Skills Training for Small Businesses – In conjunction with South East Derbyshire College, Derby University and local private sector providers the Partnership acts as a conduit to help business owners and their employees access local training.

Business Simulation Training – For the larger business, the Partnership delivers a unique, practical experience that allows employees to experience what it is like to plan and run a business. Over two days delegates will learn all aspects of business finance and how their planning decisions affect bottom-line profitability. What they learn can be instantly transferred back to the work place where they will be instantly more profit-orientated. The Partnership also delivers a three-day version that has the additional benefit of looking at Myers Briggs and Belbin personality and team-role preferences. Both courses are ideally suited to junior or middle managers or any employee who wishes to have a better understanding of how they affect their company’s profits and how it ultimately affects them.

Promoting Erewash

Erewash Borough Information – The essential facts and figures regarding the Borough, it’s businesses, workforce and geography.

The Erewash Business Database – The Partnership maintains a comprehensive database of local business and commerce as an aid to encouraging local sourcing of products and services. The database contains over 2000 records with enhanced details of Partnership Associates.

Representation – Representing the business community of Erewash as the place to do business with locally, regionally, nationally and overseas.

Erewash Partnership Newsletter – A periodic publication that updates both businesses and the community on the activities and successes of both the Partnership and it’s Associate Members.

Projects

Town Centre Maps – Detailed 3-D maps of Ilkeston and Long Eaton showing local businesses, parking and general information. Free and available on request.

Paul Calladine(0115 944 3944)

RadioLink – An initiative for Ilkeston and Long Eaton, where shops and licensed premises are linked by radio and share information to reduce criminal activity in the area.

Philip Poulter (0115 944 3944)

Town Centre Forums – Both Ilkeston and Long Eaton have a forum where discussion takes place between those with a common interest in the economic success of the respective town centres. The forums also promote joint working and partnership approaches to the further improvement of the town centres, their management and promotion.

Philip Poulter (0115 944 3944)

Cotmanhay Enterprise Centre – Adult education and business training centre based in the heart of Cotmanhay providing a range of courses from basic key skills, to GCSE’s, Sage Accounts and IT. Taster courses cover Beauty Therapy, First Aid and many more. There are also regular health courses such as Keep Fit and Tai Chi.

Workspace – The creation of managed office space for new / small businesses in Ilkeston – project completion expected in 2008.