News: Government hears Rotherham’s business success story

Chancellor Alistair Darling and Exchequer Secretary Angela Eagle heard the Rotherham success story on encouraging and supporting start-up companies this week. It was told by the head of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's Planning & Regeneration service, Paul Woodcock, at a prestigious national event at Number 11 Downing Street. The event marked the first Global Business Incubation Day, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship, and the Chancellor and Ms Eagle hosted a delegation organised by the UK Business Incubation. Paul Woodcock told the gathering that the council’s regeneration arm, Rotherham Investment & Development Office, part of the service, works on a daily basis with 105 new-start businesses. It has played a part in “incubating” more than 600 new enterprises, which in turn created more than 3,000 new jobs. Ms Eagle praised the work of UKBI, marking its 10th anniversary yesterday, as well as Global Business Incubation Day - the first of its kind worldwide, and the enterprise support activities around the UK and overseas. Paul Woodcock said: "It was an excellent opportunity to get across at a national level the work we're doing in Rotherham to promote enterprise, entrepreneurs and new-start businesses. That work has won Rotherham regional and national awards, but more importantly our state-of-the art business centres are making a massive difference to people's lives and the local economy. And the companies in them are contributing to the national economy."

RiDO website
Global Business Incubation Day website
Rotherham