announced for promoting enterprise

AN East Lancashire council has been hailed as the North West's best at promoting enterprise within business.

And now Blackburn with Darwen Council is to receive £150,000 from the North West Development Agency with a message from its bosses: keep up the good work!

The award, due to be announced today, comes just a week after business leaders reacted with anger to an article in weekly business magazine En, which named Blackburn as one of the 10 grimmest towns in the region.

Every council in the North West was judged for the award and now Blackburn with Darwen goes through to the final, pitched against regional winners from across the country.

Enterprising Britain, as the award scheme is known, is supported by The Treasury and recognises and celebrates enterprise in the UK.

Candidates were asked to demonstrate how they have changed their approach towards supporting and promoting enterprise over the last three years.

Blackburn with Darwen Council highlighted its support to up-and-coming businesses, and the fact it had created specialist accommodation for hi-tech firms at several industrial estates in the borough.

Its mentoring scheme for small businesses and its proposed medi-park, which will bring medical-related industries to Blackburn, were also praised.

Bryan Gray, chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency and chairman of the judging panel, said: "Blackburn with Darwen was selected because it demonstrated not just an impressive strategy to encourage enterprise, but that the strategy had delivered a real step change in performance over the last three years."

Chancellor Gordon Brown will announce the national winner in the spring as the UK Capital of Enterprise.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: "This is a real boost and reinforces what we have been trying to do for a while now.

"We want to promote new business, for the good of the borough, by supporting them in an increasing number of innovative ways."

Editor of En magazine, Scott McCubbins, could not be contacted for comment.