A copy of the press release for this fantastic achievement is shown below:
Norfolk ward is East of England's most enterprising place
Bowthorpe in Norwich has been named as the East of England's most enterprising place, after BizFizz, the ward's business support project, won the regional heat of the Enterprising Britain competition.
Competing against projects and places from other counties in the region, Bowthorpe BizFizz impressed judges from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) with its originality, innovation, high number of successful entrepreneurs, and excellent levels of community involvement.
The initiative, which was developed by Norwich City Council and partners, is a community business support project that looks to stimulate an entrepreneurial culture and support people who want to turn their ideas and passion into viable businesses.
George Keiffer, EEDA deputy chair and competition judge, said: ''This competition is all about identifying those places that have created jobs, brought communities together and made a real difference to local people and communities, and Bowthorpe BizFizz does this excellently. It has tackled head-on the barriers that face the ward's residents, such as a lack of access to networks, skills provision and a poor infrastructure - and delivered positive results. Bowthorpe really demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit that people have long associated with the East of England as being a centre of enterprise and innovation.''
Operating for the past two years and serving one of the most deprived areas in Norwich, BizFizz consists of a business coach and a panel of local business people, community leaders and professionals who provide free local business advice and resources to entrepreneurs to help develop their businesses. And the straightforward structure of the project means that it can easily be replicated in other areas.
BizFizz business coach Anne Francis said: ''I am constantly impressed by the talents, innovation and determination to develop from local entrepreneurs, and by the number of people who have agreed to help in one way or another. I'm deeply indebted to the West Norwich Partnership for hosting BizFizz and to Norwich City Council for taking a risk with something that's very different.''
And Sharon Quantrell of Norwich City Council said: ''This is fantastic news for Norwich, and I am very pleased that we have been awarded recognition as an ‘Enterprising City'. Anne Francis has been an inspirational business coach and everyone has worked so hard to offer practical support to BizFizz clients. The relationship between coach and client is based on trust and tailored to individuals' needs, which is why I think it is such a success.''
One of BizFizz's major successes is the positive effect that it has had on real people who are starting up their own companies. One example is Lisa Angel, who started up her own company, Lisa Angel Customised Clothing and Jewellery, which benefited significantly from the support she gained from the project. She said: ''My whole way of thinking has changed. Anne has put me in touch with so many helpful people on the panel. I have had help with marketing, sponsorship for my fashion show, help with my website, and an ex-bank manager on the panel looked at my cash flow. I got a great contact with Radio Norfolk that resulted in a lot of local support for my business. The whole team of people have opened doors for me - there is nothing to stop me now.''
The Enterprising Britain competition is an annual national contest, which aims to reward towns, cities or areas of any size across the country that are best improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise in the regions. It is run by the Department for Trade and Industry's Small Business Service in partnership with the regional development agencies and devolved administrations. BizFizz will now go on to represent the East of England in the UK finals, which will take place over the summer, culminating in an awards ceremony on 14 September 2006.
Last year's regional competition was won by Lowestoft's Waveney Economic Partnership, which develops the entrepreneurial skills of school children by linking them to local businesses.
