Business: Wiltshire

Robert Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what (a) public and (b) private/public sector partnership support is available to small and medium-sized enterprises in South Wiltshire.

Mr. Timms
The publicly funded Business Link service provides information and advice to small and medium enterprises, and where appropriate brokers clients on to public and private sector providers of business support.

Northern Arc Ltd. is contracted by the South West Regional Development Agency to provide the Business Link service in South Wiltshire. Northern Arc Ltd. maintains a local presence in the area by running business start-up clinics from their office in Salisbury College. Further information on the Business Link service can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest or by telephoning 0845 600 9966.

In addition to this, the South Wiltshire Economic Partnership (SWEP), is a partnership between the district and county councils, local businesses and business organisations. It works in partnership with others to drive forward the growth of the south Wiltshire economy by supporting existing businesses and other organisations and by attracting inward investment. By providing the local business community with a single voice on economic development issues, SWEP also works to influence all levels of government and to provide a focus for the delivery of strategic change. SWEP is administered by Salisbury district council economic development team. More information on the partnership and its activities can be found at:

www.salisbury.gov.uk/swep

Businesses can sign up to receive news on the partnership, strategic projects in the district and events by e-mailing: swep@salisbury gov.uk