The lead project for Shropshire Enterprise Partnership for the coming three years is ENTERPRISE LOCAL – the first major support system for home based entrepreneurs.

The Rural Regeneration Zone [Advantage West Midlands] has signalled its commitment to the growing numbers of home-workers in Shropshire by agreeing funding of £450,000 towards this innovative new project, designed by the county’s leading Regeneration Company.

Home working in the UK is predicted to increase at an annual rate of 18% and by 2010 it is estimated that one third of the British workforce will either run a business from home or be spending part of the working week based in an office at home. SHROPSHIRE will make economic capital from these predictions and is actively supporting home-based enterprises, while inspiring new start-up numbers in this sector.

Enterprise LOCAL for Shropshire is a three year programme, comprising two key elements:

HOME HQ: SHROPSHIRE – www.homehq-shropshire.co.uk

Designed and managed jointly with the Shropshire Star, this scheme will promote the goods and services from the home enterprise sector delivering media coverage, business directories online and in print and inspirational events and exhibitions.

Business registrations from home-based entrepreneurs have recently passed the 200 mark – target numbers for the coming year are to bring together ONE THOUSAND local business operators and help increase their profile and profitability.

ENTERPRISE HQ: SHREWSBURY – www.enterprise-hq.co.uk

The first Business and Retail centre of its kind in Europe – this commercial venue has been specially designed to cater for the needs of home-based entrepreneurs and mobile workers from Shropshire’s rural area and is based at the heart of the county town.

“There are thousands of artists, designers, IT professionals, accountants and retailers running successful operations from home studios and offices in Shropshire. These enterprising individuals are boosting the area’s economy and having a positive impact on the environment as they avoid the daily commute to a corporate base. Through our Enterprise LOCAL project we will help these enterprising individuals as well as inspiring new business start-ups.”
Fay Easton, Partnership Director, Shropshire Enterprise Partnership