ANBC - STAR 2 Programme

Tender description

With a working population of over 66,000 Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area has over 3,760 enterprises registered for VAT, with many of these registered as micro-enterprises, employing 0-4 employees. The retail and service sectors are significant contributors to the local economy, representing a significant proportion of the business sector in the Borough. However, the current economic environment of slow growth, rapidly changing buying habits, rising costs and greater competition, presents businesses with a diverse range of development challenges. In its Corporate Plan, the Council has identified the need to offer support to the local business community that is needs-based and focused on making the Borough a more inviting place to live, visit and invest in. The Council is committed to supporting SMEs by providing a suite of business support programmes that are tailored and designed to increase business activity within the Borough. The Council recognises the need to provide further support interventions to enable retailers, hospitality, tourism and professional services businesses in Antrim and Newtownabbey who are not normally eligible for assistance from mainstream government agencies and programmes, to improve their business models and adapt to change in the current challenging economic climate. 2016 is the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink and the Council is committed to assisting local businesses from the sector to utilise mentoring in support of this opportunity. The Council is now seeking to appoint a delivery agent to deliver the Services, Tourism and Retail (STAR 2) Programme.