Member Article

New enterprising vision from the heart of Newcastle's West End

A Newcastle enterprise charity aims to expand its business programmes across the North East, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Reviving the Heart of the West End (RHWE) hopes to expand its enterprise projects – particularly Business Sparks - across Newcastle and more region-wide. Links with business partners are being strengthened to develop and grow a business mentors bank along with a group of enterprise champions.

Based in the heart of the west of Newcastle, RHWE was established 10years ago to offer managed office space along with enterprise and educational projects across the local community.

The organisation – fronted by chief executive Alexandra Johnson – was originally set up to encourage business growth and entrepreneurship in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the city. The landscape is changing.

During the last 10 years and during the UK’s worst post-war recession, RHWE has supported around 80 businesses, helped create more than 300 jobs and launched various enterprise and educational partnerships in this part of Newcastle.

Alex Johnson said: “It’s been a roller-coaster for us and many of the businesses and individuals we’ve worked with. We’ve helped each other, survived, grown and are coming through the other end with a renewed sense of purpose.

“We’re delighted we’ve supported so many companies to start up, while also helping others grow and move on beyond our office space – some great businesses, including fashion retailer Pink Boutique, catering experts Fresh Element; and Neuro Partners who now employ over 300 people nationally.

“Just as importantly, we’ve coached and mentored many young people and business people of the future. We’ve got some proven enterprise projects that are inspiring young people who might not have thought about self-employment or starting their own businesses.”

She added that RHWE intends to develop some of its enterprise programmes, introduce new ones and expand them across the North East.

RHWE chairman Peter Snowdon said: “This is an exciting time for our charity as we reflect on the last 10 years and prepare for the future.

“Our mission is to invest in the future of our community by enhancing life experiences to enable the creation and growth of jobs and businesses; and, the work across our business centres supporting SMEs from across the region is testament to this.

“With a strong network of business contacts we have been able to design and create some innovative projects that encourage young people’s aspirations towards enterprise, education and training. We look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Some milestones during the last 10 years:

Supported 77 businesses within the managed office space of Buddle House and John Buddle Work Village Around 50 of these businesses were start-ups or growing local companies More than 300 jobs have been created by these businesses Housed several award winning businesses, including Pink Boutique, Love Food and The Brownie Bar Launched Business Sparks programme (2012) supporting young people with new business ideas; 10 businesses now trading; 25 people into work or work experience; more than 150 people accessing enterprise or education as a result of this project RHWE scholarship launched (2012) – 13 people from the west end of Newcastle received finance and support towards degree courses Newcastle Enterprise Club launched (2013) – which has directly supported 74 businesses

Other projects undertaken that include – enterprise champions, community grant funds, and school uniform grants.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Reviving the Heart of the West End .