Monday 28th September 2015
Gosport Borough Council has been acknowledged as the 2015 most ‘Small Business Friendly’ Council within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The Council received the award at the annual FSB Small Business Friendly Awards for their ongoing support for micro and small businesses. The Award is designed to acknowledge the vital support work being undertaken by Local Authorities, and to encourage Councils to share examples of best practice where the Council has gone ‘above and beyond’ to ensure that the small business community is supported.
Councillor Stephen Philpott, Chairman of the Economic Development Board at Gosport Council said: “Small businesses play a vital role locally and nationally in generating wealth, employment and opportunity; plus in supporting the communities in which they are based. Therefore we are delighted that our ongoing commitment to work in supporting both new and established small businesses within Gosport has been recognised by the FSB, the UK’s leading business organisation.
This work includes our core services such as facilitating free business advisor support and providing a bespoke website for businesses highlighting the support available to start, grow and relocate. Specific initiatives which have helped businesses to start and grow, secure new contracts, recruit and train staff and improve internet connectivity were also acknowledged; along with our targeted support to Gosport’s High Street, visitor economy and marine sector, which all have significant concentrations of small businesses.”
Neil Eames, Development Manager for Wessex said: ‘We are very pleased to acknowledge Gosport Borough Council for their significant commitment to providing support for small businesses to prosper and grow. It is very encouraging to see such great efforts to help stimulate and provide an impetus to the British economy through small businesses. We are always keen to promote specific projects or initiatives, which have had a positive impact on their small business communities, particularly notable in the challenging financial pressures and demands that both businesses and councils face on a regular basis.’
The FSB is the leading voice of business, and is committed to ensuring the growth and development of small firms’ remains a vital consideration for local and national Government.
Notes to Editors:
1. The FSB is the UK’s leading business organisation with over 200,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk
2. The Wessex Region is the largest region of The Federation of Small Businesses and covers Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It represents around 10,000 FSB Members.
Source: Gosport Borough Council
FSB Local Authority Small Business Friendly Awards
For more information on the FSB’s Local Authority Small Business Friendly Awards see the following link: http://www.fsb.org.uk/wessex/hantiowlaawardwinners