'Go For It' Campaign Launched For Budding Entrepreneurs

Belfast City Council has announced the latest 'Go For It' campaign, which aims to help budding entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses.

The initiative will provide assistance with developing business plans, mentoring support, tailored workshops on building business skills, and opportunities for networking with other entrepreneurs on the programme.

Tracy Symington, a previous participant on the programme and has now set up her own business Scone Mad, said: "My initial aim was to seek help in building a business plan and possibly obtaining some financial support to get my business idea up and running. This meant that financially I was able to buy all of my equipment and promotional materials for events, fairs and markets.

"Without the help from the Go For It programme and its team of advisors, I feel that I would not have had such a positive start to setting up my business."

Entrepreneur and campervan member Martin Gilchrist saw a gap in the market and went on to develop Parchom, an 'airbnb' business for campervan and motorhome owners.

"I came up with the idea but knew I needed help and support on a number of business-related aspects. By participating on the Go for it programme and taking part in the seminars, I was able to develop my business plan fully and then implement it," he said.

"The business advisors were well informed and very helpful at every stage and I believe the Go for it programme should be the first port of call for anyone looking to start a business."

Councillor Aileen Graham, Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: "We run a number of successful business programmes every year supporting budding entrepreneurs to start their own enterprises or helping companies expand their operations and gain further skills.

"Go for it is a wonderful programme which will now help many more budding entrepreneurs in Belfast become their own boss while also contributing to the economy and business growth of the city."

To find out more about the programme or to register an interest, call the council's Economic Development team on 028 9027 0482 or visit belfastcity.gov.uk/business.

(MH/JP)