Knowsley Economic Forum
The North West regional winner of the Enterprising Britain 2006 competition was Knowsley Economic Forum.
Knowsley Economic Forum was recognised for successfully encouraging and supporting people to develop their business ideas, and stimulating an entrepreneurial culture in the deprived area of Knowsley.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Knowsley was suffering from industrial decline - 22 per cent unemployment, 12,400 manufacturing jobs lost, derelict sites and continuous population decline. Knowsley is the UK's third most deprived borough and traditionally is dependent on large firms and satellite factories of companies. This dependence had led to the borough having a weak enterprise base.
To respond to all these challenges, the Forum was established to drive an ambitious change programme within the borough. Early actions concentrated on changing the physical environment, attracting major inward investment and introducing an after-care programme to ensure new businesses had access to ongoing support. By 2000, what had happened in Knowsley was nothing short of a major turnaround: population stabilised at 154,000, increased business investment of more than £1 billion since 1990, unemployment to 10.7 per cent and a diversified employment base with over 70 per cent in the service sector.
To build on this success, the focus was then placed on developing a grassroots enterprise culture to change the lives of local people and improve the wealth of the borough. From a borough that had one of the lowest business start-up rates in the country and a low stock of small business, Knowsley now has the seventh highest employment growth rate nationally and the highest on Merseyside. Moreover, there has been a 70 per cent increase in self-employment and Knowsley is now actively encouraging young people to embrace the newly found entrepreneurial culture. The unemployment rate is now around 4 per cent making the drop in unemployment in Knowsley over the past 20 years between 1984 and 2004 the largest drop of any local authority in Great Britain - a drop of 14.6 per cent.
The borough has created its own approach to enterprise development and support - 'Total Enterprise'. Implementing the 'Total Enterprise' strategy ensures Knowsley is creating its own approach to enterprise development and support by focusing on key initiatives such as business premises, simplified business support and next generation entrepreneurs. Through 'Total Enterprise' Knowsley is developing a reputation for results that have delivered a strengthened enterprise culture at neighbourhood level, more local jobs and an improved quality of life for all residents.
Knowsley Business Resource Centre accommodates the growing community of entrepreneurs in Knowsley and is also the local base for business support agencies. It has adopted purpose-build accommodation, including 'Creative Space', a centre offering low cost office and exhibition space to businesses in the Creative Industries sector. The Forum also uses the Knowsley Enterprise Academy, the UK's first purpose-built facility to provide young people with opportunities to start their own business and gain help in developing their careers, working with schools and youth enterprise bodies.
Feedback from businesses in 2002 indicated there was confusion at the plethora of agencies. In response, a "one team approach" was established, simplifying support for business by offering a "Single Product Book" of partner services and a single telephone number, local access point and business website.
This one team delivers simplified business support through projects such as 'Silver Entrepreneurs', helping the over 50's start new businesses, and 'Fresh Start', an EU funded project offering startup finance and support. A Fresh Start bus delivers roadshows in local communities and applicants can call a central Help Desk or visit the bus to apply for a £500 grant - proving that a small grant and the right help can be two key factors in encouraging someone to get started. More than 100 businesses were created through this programme in its first nine months.
Moreover, once businesses have started up, there are a number of clubs and networks that can be accessed, including Knowsley ICT Club, a business led initiative to help develop local ICT opportunities; the Business Environment Club, supporting local business engagement in environmentally sustainable business practice; and 'Memberlink', an online initiative encouraging more inter-trading and local purchasing opportunities. There are also plans for a 'Women in Business Network' to provide support and mentoring for women that have recently started their own ventures.
Encouraging the next generation to embrace enterprise is also key to the Forum's vision. Its approach engages with people of all ages to raise aspirations. In 2004 every school in the borough took part in 'Enterprise Week' - the key focus of Enterprise Insight's 'Make your Mark' campaign. As noted above, Knowsley Enterprise Academy is also playing a pivotal role through its aim to increase the number of local young people starting their own business. To develop the skills required for self-employment, projects such as the Huyton Floorlaying Academy offer a route for unemployed people to gain skills and work experience that could eventually lead to self-employment.
Since the Forum began, it has achieved transformational results in the community. The 'Total Enterprise' strategy has seen innovation and creativity at every level. Its approach to changing attitudes is especially creative operating as it does across different age groups from school days with, for example, Knowsley Enterprise Academy to Silver Entrepreneurs. The Forum really has shifted the attitude of people in Knowsley, providing them with opportunity and support.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Knowsley's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Neighbourhoods, sums it up best:
"Our success in the Enterprising Britain 2006 competition reflects our achievements encouraging enterprise over the past four years. The increase in entrepreneurial activity is living proof of the quality, support and encouragement that Knowsley Economic Forum provides to the people of Knowsley. We're delighted to have been chosen as the North West regional winner."