30.05.06
Multitude of support and advice for all businesses on Stand 297, Royal Cornwall Show

Visitors to this year's Royal Cornwall Show can access a multitude of free business advice and support by visiting Business Link's mobile advice unit on Stand 297.

Eight specialist business advisers, in the fields of agricultural, food and drink and business information together with representatives from the counties' enterprise agencies, will be on hand each day to answer your business or business start up enquiries and identify help and support that can benefit your business.

Business Link helped over 1,500 rural and agricultural businesses last year, through a combination of advice and investment to help them diversify and improve their current business performance.

For farmers visiting the show and looking to improve their business performance the Rural Enterprise Gateway project aims to help groups of agricultural and land based businesses through access to information, training and business development support.

There is also specific help to hand on issues such as the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). Gary Ensor, agricultural manager at Business Link explains: "Our Rural Business Support Initiative, part funded by Objective One and Defra, can provide funding for a specialist consultant to deliver an 'Action Plan' for individual farms. Through one to one consultancy visits, farmers can discuss the SPS issues directly relevant to their business. Farmers benefit from an independent analysis of the financial and physical performance of their business and an updated SPS calculation together with recommendations for the future and we can signpost them to further areas of support as required."

James Bolitho, who owns Wilton Farm near Liskeard has been working with consultant Tim Manhire and found the 'Action Plan' of enormous benefit to the farm. "The consultancy work has been central to our success but I wouldn't have been able to fund it on my own. I only bought the farm in December 2002 so when it came to the single farm payment – I had no history to enable me to claim. But Tim was able to make an application to the National Reserve for me, partly based on the Action Plan and budgets and secure a good subsidy payment to safeguard the farm's future."

All farmers and other business operators, including those considering starting a business, are encouraged to call into the mobile advice unit on Stand No 297 to find out what help and support is on offer or call Business Link on 0845 600 9966.

For further information please contact Carolyn Daw on 01566 771863 or email: cdaw@marketing-pr.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Business Link and the Rural Enterprise Gateway Project through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Anyone considering a new horticulture, food and land based industries project is advised to speak with Martin Butler at Government Office South West on 01752 635134 before commencing development as there are now only limited funds available due to the successful uptake of funding by the agricultural sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Editor's notes:

Business Link provides a free information and enquiry service via an information gateway on the web www.bldc.co.uk and via the telephone on 0845 600 9966 to all businesses and those considering starting a business. Additionally, it provides impartial business advice and support through a network of partner organisations, which it co-ordinates, and a register of independent business practitioners.

Business Link for Devon and Cornwall delivers the national Business Link service to the region under contract from the South West of England Regional Development Agency, which was established by government in 1999 to promote the long-term economic success of the region. It does this by working with others to give people the skills they need, encourage enterprise, improve infrastructure, help communities with regeneration and promote the strengths of the region. Business Link has received Objective One investment (European Regional Development Fund and EAGGF) to help companies improve performance and grow.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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