Bulldog spirit set to ride out storm
THE number of people out of work in the county has more than doubled in a year – but it is not all doom and gloom.
A new report looking at the impact of the recession has revealed that while the county has been hit by redundancies and a substantial slump in the housing market, there has been an increase in people asking for advice on starting their own business.
Since February 2008, another 8,824 people have registered as unemployed, taking the county total to 16,780.
However, the report by the Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL) also revealed there is a record low number of people not in education, employment or training and a marked increase of youngsters in full-time education.
Local authorities, businesses and individuals say they have been pulling out all the stops to boost the economy and support new businesses.
The Newlands shopping centre in Kettering is teaming up with Business Link to encourage more businesses to the town centre.
They will run a Dragons’ Den style contest and the winner will be given a unit in the Newlands for two months, free of any fees, to nurture their project.
Manager and chairman of Kettering Chamber of Trade Neil Griffin said: “We are doing this because we want to encourage new businesses.”
He said that although it wasn’t the best climate it wasn’t all negative.
He said: “Last week, for some reason, footfall was up by eight per cent.
“And talking to travel agents, it seems they are doing well. It seems people are still booking their holidays, even if it’s just one big holiday a year instead of maybe three.”
Towns in the area have proven they are prepared to invest in and support small businesses in a bid to kick-start the economy.
Kettering has just seen Chesham House in Lower Street open, which provides units for small and growing businesses, while Corby is due to get a new indoor market which will also provide units for fledgling and small companies.
Work will also begin on an 8.3m enterprise centre in Corby this summer.
Deputy leader of Corby Council Mark Pengelly said: “It was a big decision to have the enterprise centre but once it is up and running it will be able to provide units for small business, as well as offer them help and support which will help fight the recession.”
Stuart Milnes set up a market stall selling jewellery in Kettering six weeks ago.
He said: “People are struggling, but it can depend on the business.
“We are not doing too badly and we have managed to arrange to attend a number of events where we can trade in the summer, which is good.”
He said he wasn’t too worried about starting his business in the current climate.
Chef lecturer at Tresham Institute John Fahy said he agreed with the report that more people were signing up to full time education.
He said: “While there are issues with employment, education seems to be booming.
“Not only that, but students seem more committed and retention is high. I had 41 enrol in September and no-one has dropped out. There are no jobs for them to go to.”
Duban Sinclair, 20, from Wellingborough, is training as a chef at Tresham. He said: “It is hard to get a job at the moment and you aren’t guaranteed work when you do qualify. I do think more people are going to college.”
He said he had found Tresham had been helpful in helping students find work.
The NEL says it regularly meets local authorities and organisations to see how it can raise awareness of the forms of business support available and to increase take-up.
n Opinion – page 8
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Northampton Town: Boothroyd ‘It’s all about stability’
- Northampton benefits advice agency reports surge in people losing entitlements
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
