People Encouraging Enterprise in Rossendale
People Encouraging Enterprise in Rossendale (PEER), has been announced as regional winner of the Enterprising Britain 2007 Awards for the North West of England.
PEER has been recognised for its invaluable role in turning the economic fortunes of the borough of Rossendale around by encouraging the creation and growth of businesses and social enterprises throughout the area.Historically the farming and cottage woollen industries formed the backbone of Rossendale’s local economy. However, like so many other manufacturing areas before it, the borough experienced sharp economic decline. By 2002 Rossendale had become an economic backwater with one of the lowest average wage levels in the North West. The Borough Council struggled and was rated as one of the worst performing local authorities in England. Rossendale had the weakest results in East Lancashire for business start-ups, well below the national average. With all this to face, perhaps unsurprisingly, perception surveys at the time recorded that local communities had a very poor self-image, and had become dejected and disengaged.
By early 2002 community leaders had had enough and were eager to stimulate change. After much local consultation PEER was formally established in September 2003. PEER offers support and mentorship to people and groups who have an idea for a new business, an existing business or a community enterprise. It is a completely free and confidential service. PEER became the UK's first Enterprise Facilitation project based on the SirolliTM approach to local regeneration, now widely used in North America. From the earliest stage the project was taken up and led by members of Rossendale’s Community, which led to a real ownership by the community and has been pivotal to the project’s success.
At the heart of the model is a forty strong community Board made up of local people; some from business, some community leaders and others just interested in making Rossendale a better place in which to live and work. The Board shares its knowledge, experience and contacts to help others succeed. It employs a full time Enterprise Facilitator, who can best be described as the local “Business GP.” The Facilitator, an experienced business coach, gives guidance and support whilst drawing upon the combined experiences and contacts of the Board.
The Facilitator meets people where they are most comfortable, whether that be at home over coffee or in the local pub over a foaming pint of ale. This casual approach recognises that many people are wary of anything that looks like a public sector support agency. PEER goes out of its way to develop a network of direct contacts throughout the community and, via hundreds of one-to-one conversations, gets close to would-be entrepreneurs to gain their trust.
Amongst PEER’s 200+ clients are the Local Strategic Partnership, the Adrenaline Gateway Rossendale Leisure Trust, Rossendale Academy of the Arts, Bacup and Stacksteads Surestart, The Doals Centre, Rossendale Enterprise Anchor Limited and Rossendale Hospice. In each case PEER has mobilised the passion, networks, energy and expertise of its Board and Facilitator to help these organisations develop and implement ambitious enterprise programmes.
The Adrenaline Gateway is one such example. The Gateway is a long-term programme to develop an “adrenaline sports” brand and infrastructure serving East Lancashire, based in Rossendale’s quarries and moor lands. In 2006 a full feasibility study was completed and the initiative has since reached the final of the Big Lottery’s Living Landmarks competition. In 2007 the scheme was reconfirmed as the Rossendale Regeneration Board’s top priority. PEER continues to support the initiative, the next step for which is to secure funding for the second stage of the development, which will culminate with a major multi sports event.
PEER has also been instrumental in assisting the North West Academy of the Arts. The social enterprise has developed rapidly since taking over the upper floor of a previously disused building in Bacup. In March the Academy took another step forward by purchasing audio visual and printing equipment, enabling it to generate its own income and lay on a greater variety of courses. The Academy’s most recent initiative is the Bacup Film Festival, the purpose of which is to help young film makers. It will be held in October 2007, and it hoped to become an annual event.
PEER’s emphasis is always on helping clients to help themselves. It likens itself to a good friends and family network: it seeks to release the latent entrepreneurial drive that is so often stifled by isolation, lack of confidence, lack of role models, the need for validation and even overly judgemental support. This approach is paying dividends: groups from across the UK are now visiting Rossendale to find out how to turn their local economy around. In recognition of the success of its pioneering example PEER has been invited to address the British Urban Regeneration Association National Conference and the Business Link University Community Enterprise Seminar.
Commenting on PEER’s victory Mark Hughes, Director of Enterprise Innovation and Skills of the NWDA, said:
“PEER has shown that when communities are engaged, inspired and empowered they can truly drive local economic transformation. PEER has successfully brought together interested members of the community to support local businesses and social enterprises set up and develop and improve the environment where they live and work. We are delighted that PEER will represent the Northwest in this national competition.”
“This region is rightly proud of our strong entrepreneurial spirit and I am sure the entire Northwest will now back our regional winner to be named UK and European Capital of Enterprise.”