Partner Article

Social Enterprise Zones for Black Country

Social Enterprise Zones will be created across the Black Country in a bid to increase employment opportunities and support growth.

The Black Country LEP intends to create the zones through a newly formed ‘sub-group’, chaired by LEP board member Dr Chris Handy.

Following the creation of the Government’s enterprise zones for business, the LEP is looking to create zones where social enterprises have a platform to flourish.

St Matthew’s Youth Quarter in Walsall and The Third Place in Halesowen have already been earmarked as two social enterprise zones that can anchor the concept.

The Walsall zone would be based around the existing work of the Vine Trust, which already provides a range of successful social enterprise initiatives.

It would feature a social innovation research facility and high quality office space that meets the needs of businesses which can demonstrate social, economic or environmental benefits to the Black Country.

A third zone in Halesowen town centre will build on the work of the Zion Christian Centre, and would see the creation of community and auditorium spaces as well as sports and leisure facilities.

Dr Chris Handy, the Black Country LEP’s lead on social enterprises, said: “The Black Country really is taking the national lead on social enterprise.

“We recognise that social enterprises can play a key role in boosting the economy, encouraging entrepreneurialism and creating jobs.

“The concept of Social Enterprise Zones is still in its infancy but the projects in Walsall and Halesowen are moving forward and could give us the cornerstone to develop a wider, joined up concept.”

Kevin Davis, chief executive of The Vine Trust, said: “The sites in Walsall and Halesowen in Dudley borough are ready made to become social enterprise zones but we also have sites in Wolverhampton and Sandwell which we believe can also become zones to ensure the offer is there for the whole of the Black Country region.

“Through the LEP and its private and public sector links, we believe we can progress this idea swiftly and see results in the very near future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .