Partner Article

New business forum looks forward to new year

A group of determined Wansbeck business people have made a New Year’s resolution to help other businesses within the district succeed in 2012.

The newly formed Wansbeck Business Forum rises from the ashes of a previous organisation which existed during the tenure of the recently closed Go Wansbeck programme but unlike that, the new forum is run entirely by volunteers on a not for profit basis to encourage businesses in Ashington, Bedlington, Newbiggin by the Sea and surrounding areas to prosper.

The small team of volunteers all have a wealth of experience of running a business in Wansbeck including training consultant Mica MacInnes, graphic designer Amy Purdie and wildlife tour guide Martin Kitching. The fact that the volunteers know what it’s like to operate a small business is one of the key advantages that web designer Jason Thompson from Newbiggin by the Sea believes will help the organisation grow.

“We need to be totally self-sufficient as we are not funded in any way and need to operate the forum in a business-like manner by providing relevant activities that small businesses will find useful,” he said. “We have a real understanding of the challenges small businesses face and by keeping people linked together through our networking events and meetings we can start to make a real difference to the local economy.”
The fundamental aims of the forum are to build on the good aspects of the previous forum and to do something new to encourage business, enterprise and networking within the district.

“At grassroots level, there are lots of good things happening all over the region but not one single organisation driving it,” said Jason. “There are also many businesses that have never been involved in a forum before and we want to reach out to them and share our experiences to their business advantage.”
To kick start the forum, the group are holding a post-Christmas networking event on 27th January where the guest speaker will be Scottish ex lawyer , Kenny Harris who has worked for more than 15 years in leading advertising and marketing agencies as well as being a renowned stand-up comedian.

The event at Ashington’s Hirst Castle is open to all North East businesses and will include networking opportunities, live music, a meal with drinks and a charity raffle. Tickets are £10 and available online at [www.wbfpostxmasparty.eventbrite.co.uk](http://www.wbfpostxmasparty.eventbrite.co.uk/? rel=? target=)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amy Purdie .