Potteries named most enterprising place in Britain

A North Staffordshire project dedicated to bringing enterprise to forefront of economic development in one of the West Midlands most deprived areas has beaten off stiff national competition to win Enterprising Britain 2007.

North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone (NSRZ), which covers the urban core of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme, beat eleven other finalists to win the Enterprising Britain 2007 title. The award recognises NSRZís success in turning The Potteries from ëthe worst place in the country to start a businessî into an economic hub of enterprise activity.

Enterprising Britain 2007, which is run by the Mark Your Mark campaign on behalf of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, is a national competition that celebrates and recognises the most enterprising places in the UK. It is a key part of the Governmentís drive to increase British entrepreneurship, and identifies areas of enterprise excellence: those places that have created jobs, forged links in communities, and improved the local climate for businesses and residents.

North Staffordshire was once home to some of the UKís great innovators, industrialists and entrepreneurs, including Josiah Wedgwood and Thomas Minton. However, over the past 30 years the area has suffered a massive decline in its traditional industries, which has had a catastrophic impact on the local economy. In 2003, with over 38,000 unemployed and 2,000 businesses short of the national average, Barclays branded North Staffordshire ëthe worst place in the country to start a businessí.

The various NSRZ projects set-up over the last six years have helped to reverse the decline by encouraging and supporting over 500 new start-up businesses in the local area as well as instituting many innovative education projects, including a ìliveî fruit trading floor game for primary school students, which has proved a fun and innovative way to teach the basics of profit and loss. Next year the initiative will grow still further with Enterprise Units opening in the newly refurbished stand at Port Vale Football Club.

As well as 500 new businesses, NSRZ has helped to create more than 1,000 new jobs, 21 sustainable social enterprises and given over 7,500 young people the opportunity to run a real business. One example of a school-based business is The Mitchell Juice bar, an enterprise that was set up in Mitchell High School with a 12,000 funding grant from NSRZ. The students run all aspects of the business and all profits are ploughed back into the enterprise.

John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, said:

ìAll twelve finalists were fantastic examples of enterprise, however the grass roots transformation of North Staffordshire really stood out for the judges this year. The achievements of the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone illustrate what can be achieved if a community works together to improve their local economy. Through strength and determination as well as a well thought out business plan, NSRZ has transformed North Staffordshire into a successful and rewarding place in which to work and live ñ it is a truly worthy winner of Enterprising Britain 2007.î

James Murray Wells, founder of Glasses Direct and national Enterprising Britain judge, said:

ìNorth Staffordshire Regeneration Zone is an inspiring example of what a community can do when everyone really rolls up their sleeves, digs in and works to change their own backyard together. I am particularly impressed with the whole communityís enthusiasm for enterprise, including the savvy eight year olds I met who had learnt the difference between net and gross profit on one of NSRZís innovative education projects! I am really excited about NSRZís achievements; their business model is inspiring and, importantly, offers powerful insights and lessons to other deprived areas. I hope North Staffordshire becomes a role model for many more communities around the country.

The Paper Trail, a Hertfordshire based charity that has turned disused industrial buildings into a flourishing education, business and heritage centre, was the Enterprising Britain 2007 National Runner Up. Both The Paper Trail and NSRZ will now go on to represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards later this year.

Twelve projects, representing each of the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations, were shortlisted for the award in June, and visited by the Enterprising Britain judges over the summer.