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Readers discuss Business Link’s future

AS SPECULATION mounts over Business Link and where its future lies, bdaily readers have given their views on the organisation online.

Business Link, the £20m-a-year organisation set up to get small businesses in the North East off their feet, could potentially be axed as the government rolls on with its aggressive policy of deficit reduction.

The new uncertainty for the business advisory firm comes on the back of business secretary Vince Cable’s announcement last week that regional development agency One North East is also destined for the scrap heap.

Ruxana Mahdi, managing director of Newcastle based Barter Angels Limited, has called for an end to Business Link and hopes a new online system replaces the current service.

She said: “I really hope it gets the axe as I cannot see the benefit. The payroll alone cannot be substantiated, generally the advisers know little about business and an online application system would be more economical.

“Business link advisers did nothing to stop the abuse of funding for over priced websites in previous years. They have added no value that I can see. Please get rid of Business Link and cut costs.” Another reader said the organisation is yet to back businesses which will make a real difference to the regional economy.

He said: “Business Link is almost a victim of its own position in that the businesses that seek its help are often the ones least likely to interest the private sector investors and serious corporate finance professionals.”

Bryan Harding of Armstrong Environmental was more positive about Business Link.

He said: “From an entrepreneurial point of view, it has been fantastic to have that support from Business Link; we are showing that these ideas are viable and are working in practice and, if you can go to them and demonstrate that you have a sound idea, you’ll be able to get that support to get the business up and running. I would just not have been able to do it without them.”

Meanwhile, Neil Robbins of online marketing agency Silverbean, said he would be glad to see the back of the exploitation of business funding.

He said: “We all know there are businesses out there taking advantage of things and this is costing the tax payer.

“I expect that some business owners are going to have to re-think their business strategy in the future if they can’t rely on clients getting funding assistance.”

David Seagrave Hindmarch, of It’s Your Picture described the support he received from Business Link as “priceless”.

“In the early stages it was sometimes difficult to stay positive, but my adviser was fantastic in helping me to stay focused as he totally believed in me and in the concept,” he said.

The government, so far, has declined to confirm its intentions for the Business Link and will only announce a decision once a full review has been carried out.

A spokesperson for Business & Enterprise North East (BE-NE) – which delivers the Business Link service - defended the good work of organisation.

He said: “The Government has not decided on the plans for the Business Link service, and we are not in a position to engage in speculation over the future of that service.

“We remain focused on delivering an excellent Business Link service on behalf of North East businesses and to generating results that have a real impact on the region’s economy.

“As part of our commitment to providing outstanding customer service, if you have any thoughts or opinions as to how we could improve what we do we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at feedback@be-ne.co.uk.”

JOIN bdaily’s group on LinkedIn to get involved in the debate about Business Link and other business topics.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .