Herefordshire is in the running to become Enterprise Capital of Europe after winning the UK runner up prize in the prestigious 2008 Enterprising Britain awards in London.
Herefordshire Council narrowly missed out on the top spot at a ceremony at 11 Downing Street (Thursday 16 October) - which was won by Scarborough. But the county, which until now was largely famous for cider and cattle, beat ten other contenders from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It means that both Herefordshire and Scarborough go through to the European finals and both stand a chance of being crowned Enterprise Capital of Europe.
Herefordshire Council is promoting the county as being much more than a rural idyll. Despite the credit crunch, many high quality jobs continue to be created, and community and economic projects developed, that have made a difference to people's quality of life. Working with local companies, the council's vision is for Herefordshire to be a place where people and businesses work together to bring about sustainable prosperity for all. Other benefits, such as a stunning rural location, better quality of life, good schools and educational achievement, low crime levels, high quality workforce and improved health all contribute to the reasons why businesses are happy to be in Herefordshire.
Natalia Silver, head of economic and community services at Herefordshire Council, said: "This award is recognition of the combined effort we have made in the county to create the opportunity for enterprise, for business and voluntary sectors to take the next steps in their development and growth. We were in competition with big cities with big spending projects, but the award focused on Herefordshire as a place for enterprise and that rural areas have a role to play in supporting the economy. Coming in runner up position acknowledges the work we have done, but still need to do in the coming years with big schemes like ESG, but also the small projects which make a difference to communities and business".
Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for economic development and community services, said: "We are delighted that Herefordshire's spirit of enterprise has been recognised. Over the last few years, we have worked hard in the face of many challenges to encourage the growth of a broad spread of businesses in terms of size and specialism, with some now competing effectively on a global scale."
Debbie Gittoes, financial director, Arctic Circle Ltd is a business based on Rotherwas Business Park who has seen the benefit in the county, not least the building of the new Rotherwas access road. She said: We ship all over the world but we were having problems getting some of our products out of the county. The access road has made a massive difference and it was a bold step for the public bodies to respond to what businesses really needed".
Debbie added: "What I have seen is an added confidence in businesses in the county, and that confidence has bred success with new contracts being secured".
The Rotherwas road has just opened to improve the access to the main business park in the county, which will result in expansion, with an £18-million investment, creating over 850 quality employment opportunities.
Herefordshire was named Enterprise Capital of the West Midlands in June this year because the county's economic prospects have been transformed. Judges for the competition visited Herefordshire in the summer and met people who run local businesses and organisations that have worked to develop skills and training. They saw a new culture of enterprise that has been created in the county.
There are over 500 creative industry businesses in the county and a programme of support for this sector has seen average profits increase by 314 per cent between 2002 and 2007.
Enterprising Britain 2008 is a nationwide competition run by Make Your Mark on behalf of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), and in partnership with Advantage West Midlands. Now in its fourth year, the competition celebrates and rewards the most enterprising areas the UK; those places of enterprise excellence that have helped transform the social and economic fortunes for their area.