News: Businesses get kickstart in Rotherham

Over 250 businesses have been financed over the last 12 months by the Sheffield office of UK Steel Enterprise, backing businesses in South Yorkshire, Humberside & parts of the Midlands.

Last year, following restructuring in the steel industry, UK Steel Enterprise established local Kickstart Funds to assist small businesses in the areas affected, such as Rotherham and Stocksbridge, working in partnership with local organisations including RiDO, SEntA, STEP and the Universities.

Over 65 businesses have benefitted from the Kickstart Fund in Rotherham including print and design company Bskope Ltd. Owner Chris Mays has a background in web development and sales and worked freelance for some time before consolidating his business at Manvers House, Wath providing image design, marketing and websites for small and medium-sized business in the region.

Chris said: "The loan from UK Steel Enterprise helped me buy a Printing.com franchise so all the printing of our designs for brochures, direct mailers, stationery and catalogues can be kept in-house."

Chris has already taken on his first employee, an account executive responsible for bringing in work, and he soon anticipates that more work arising from printing.com could mean further staff additions.

Tim O'Connell, business development manager at Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) said: "UK Steel Enterprise has been one of the stalwarts of business finance for many years in South Yorkshire and the partnership established between RiDO and UK Steel has made a real difference in helping companies to grow, combating the downturn in the steel industry fortunes.

"We have been able to work with UK Steel to help existing and new businesses access financial support when other avenues have not been willing to lend.

"Over the last year the Kickstart grant and loan scheme has been very beneficial to Rotherham and has been very welcome. Coupled with the practical help and advice provided by RiDO's business coaches and advisers it has stimulated business activity and has encouraged many people to set up new businesses in a time when sourcing suitable business finance for new ventures has not been easy."

Keith Williams, regional manager at At UK Steel Enterprise added: "We are very pleased to have been able to help so many businesses in such a short space of time.

"We have helped many different types and sizes of businesses from small businesses like Bskope to manufacturing operations employing 50-100 people and requiring finance of up to £750,000."

UK Steel Enterprise website
RiDO website

Images: uksteelenterprise.co.uk