Survive and Thrive Helps 60 Businesses in Tayside and Aberdeen City and Shire

Enterprise North East Trust today (DATE) announces that the Survive and Thrive programme has successfully helped a total of 60 businesses, which were struggling as result of the economic crisis, in Tayside and Aberdeen City and Shire. This has also safeguarded a collective turnover of £123 million and more than 1,000 jobs. The programme, delivered by Enterprise on behalf of Business Gateway and supported by Aberdeenshire Council and Dundee City Council, provides a platform for small and micro businesses to discuss issues they are facing. The support provided to businesses through Survive and Thrive has also been recognised in a recent research report into recent job losses as result of the recession for the Federation of Small Businesses.

Gary McEwan, chief executive of Enterprise says, "We first launched the initiative in Tayside and following its success, rolled it out to Aberdeen City and Shire.

"Without the support of Survive and Thrive, many of the businesses we have helped would not have made it through to the next year of trading. By launching the programme early in the year, businesses that were experiencing difficulties were able to take action and devise a way forward without getting deeper and deeper into problems. The programme has not only ensured that businesses survive the recession but it has also led to some businesses continuing to grow, even during these difficult times."

"Through Survive and Thrive companies are assigned a business advisor who will assess the current position of the business, prioritise the issues and then implement a stabilisation plan. Once the business is stable, our advisors work with the firm to look for potential opportunities emerging through the recession. Our advisors have a wealth of experience in supporting businesses through the challenges of a tough economic climate and help by providing structure and clear thinking during a time which is often filled with emotion and fear. Survive and Thrive has supported a range of business from small enterprises to large organisations turning over millions of pounds.

David Taylor, Director of Discovery Packaging and Design Ltd, a business based in Dundee which has been helped by Survive and Thrive says, "The Survive and Thrive programme provided us with a dedicated business advisor to guide us through any challenges we have been facing. With their support we have created a new business plan, financial projections and arranged meetings with investors, banks and funding agencies. This has been essential to get our business back on track and continue its development.

"Our advisor also suggested and set up workshops for us to attend in order to hone our skills within different areas of the business. The Survive and Thrive programme is very valuable and I would recommend it to any business that is experiencing difficult times as result of the recession."

Gary continues, "We are working across the region with companies in many different sectors and would advise any business owners who are worried about the affects the recession is having on their businesses to get in touch."

For further information on Survive and Thrive in Tayside call 01382 443400 or in Grampian call 01224 289700. Enterprise offers a range of services for new and growing businesses across the north east, including the delivery of the Business Gateway services. In addition to providing help and advice to companies Enterprise also operates fifteen serviced office centres across the north east. For further details on Enterprise visit www.enetrust.com.

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