A GOVERNMENT scheme aimed at rejuvenating the local economy has been named as the leading scheme in the North West.
No Limits, a multi-million pound business support initiative, was named the most enterprising scheme in the Enterprising Britain 2009 competition.
It is run by Enterprise Insight on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, in partnership with the regional development agencies.
No Limits impressed the judges with its innovative approach to enterprise, using ways that would engage young people from East Lancashire.
Uniquely, No Limits was able to work with a number of high- profile football clubs in the area to set up enterprise centres, including Burnley’s Turf Moor Enterprise Haven, and Blackburn Rovers Enterprise Centre.
The enterprise havens are part of a £30million programme to regenerate the East Lancashire economy through supporting new and growing businesses, creating up to 13,000 jobs and 4,000 new businesses over the next decade.
Steve Hoyle, director of the Pennine Lancashire No Limits initiative, said: “Our starting point was that our area had low levels of business start-ups and a poor enterprise culture.
“The No Limits programme is all about removing barriers, encouraging ambition and creating role models in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.”
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