Burngreave Businesses Join Forces

Businesses in Burngreave will be linking up to boost their profile both within Sheffield and beyond – thanks to the recent launch of the Burngreave Business Forum.

Around 60 local businesses were represented at the launch event, which also celebrated the publication of the first ever Burngreave Business Directory, which brings together details of more than 200 businesses in the Burngreave area. Both the Forum and the Business Directory are part of a major campaign, run jointly by BNDfC and Business in the Community, to encourage local business.

Agreeing the precise aims of the Business Forum will be the role of the newly established committee. However, key priorities are likely to include supporting new and existing businesses in the Burngreave area, raising the profile of the area as a business centre, and increasing awareness and involvement by business support organisations and potential investors. There will also be an advisory group to provide support to local businesses and to create enterprise support services to help both start-up and developing businesses.

Pulling together the information for the Business Directory has been a revelation, said Saghir Ahmed, Burngreave’s Business Champion: “We have more than 200 businesses in the directory, many of which are long established and successful, representing a wide range of different activities and industries.”

“I’m sure that most people – even those who live or work here – are not aware of the breadth of business activity going on in Burngreave. We hope that the Directory and the launch of the Forum will both help to raise awareness of and interest in what is happening on our own doorstep.

“Many of these businesses have succeeded thanks to individual energy and local commitment, in spite of problems in the past such as a lack of available business support and some negative perceptions about the area. Just imagine what Burngreave will be capable of with improved support and more investment for local businesses – and that’s what we’re determined to bring about through the Business Forum.”

Membership of the Forum is open to anyone running a Burngreave business. Copies of the Business Directory will be delivered to every household in Burngreave over the next couple of weeks. Copies will also be distributed to strategic organisations throughout the city, and additional copies are available on request from the Business Support Team, telephone 292 0462.