Exeter Business Support wins Devon award for Best Planning Initiative

A group that supports businesses starting up has beaten off stiff opposition to win a prestigious award.

Exeter Business Support won Best Planning Initiative at the Federation of Small Businesses Devon Council Awards Scheme 2013.

The Awards aim to highlight best small business practice throughout the county and to build better working relationships between local authorities and small businesses.  Exeter Business Support fought off tough competition from other local authorities to claim the award. 

Exeter Business Support is funded by Exeter City Council and provides free business support for those living in Exeter and for all business sectors including social enterprises for pre start, those going through the process of starting a new business and existing businesses. 

Exeter Business Support is a partnership consisting of Peninsula Innovations Limited which is responsible for the management of the University of Exeter’s Innovation Centre, Exeter College’s Business School, and the Fruit Tree for Business. 

The range of advice offered by Exeter Business Support has the main benefit of ensuring expertise is available in the city across a wide spectrum of business needs that encompasses privately owned entities, social enterprises, co-operatives, and mutual’s and spans traditional smaller to innovative/high growth businesses.

Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy & Culture, said: "Exeter City Council is delighted that the Exeter Business Support initiative has won a Federation of Small Business award.  Providing free business support and advice for people wishing to set up their own business is unique and we are very proud of this service offered to the residents of the city." 

For more information on the services offered through Exeter Business Support please visit www.exeter.gov.uk/support