Ballymena Enterprise Strategy 2018 - 2021

EEn ntte errp prriisse e SSttrra atte eg gyy 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 2 1 Our Vision To see Ballymena become a thriving and vibrant economic area driven by enterprise

028 2565 8616 www.ballymenabusiness.co.uk info@ballymenabusiness.co.uk 62 Fenaghy Road, Ballymena BT42 1FL

and entrepreneurship

Chairpersons Foreword

PJ McAvoy - Chairperson Ballymena Business Centre

The Board of Directors of Ballymena Business Centre has prepared this Enterprise Strategy for the period 2018 to 2021. It sets out the Company's ambitions and highlights the strategic themes and priorities for the fulfilment of charitable objectives. As the Local Enterprise Agency for the greater Ballymena area we look forward to working in partnership with our stakeholder network to see Ballymena become a thriving and vibrant economic area.

Enterprise Strategy 2018-2021 Contents 1 Introduction 2 Charity Trustees 3 Vision, Purpose, Mission and Values 4 Pillars of Support 5 Performance 2012 to 2017 6 Enterprise Themes and Priorities 7 Enterprise Actions 8 Unique Selling Points 9 Conclusion

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1 Introduction

Ballymena Business Centre Ltd was established in 1989 and incorporated a year later as a Local Enterprise Agency to work at a grass roots level promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship.

As a non-profit taking Social Enterprise, approval was granted in 2005 to be recognised as a Northern Ireland Charity and subsequent approval was granted under the newly formed Northern Ireland Charity Commission in 2015 [Charity Number 101472].

In preparing this Enterprise Strategy, the Board of Directors has given due consideration to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Community Plan and Amplify Economic Development Strategy. In addition consideration has also been given to regional Government documents focusing on the economy, innovation and community development.

Ballymena Business Centre is a Northern Ireland Charity and founder member of Enterprise Northern Ireland.

Ballymena Business Centre is an ISO 9001 Quality Registered organisation supported by professional membership held by the Executive Team.

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2 Charity Trustees

Ballymena Business Centre has a Board of Directors who as Trustees of the Charity give of their time on a non-commercial basis and have a diverse mix of skills providing strong leadership, high standards of corporate governance and are entrepreneurial in their vision.

PJ McAvoy Chairperson

James Perry MBE Councillor Vice Chairperson Audrey Wales MBE Charity Trustee

Jim Briggs Charity Trustee

John Stuart Charity Trustee

Mary Hamilton Charity Trustee

Paul Livingstone Charity Trustee

The Board of Directors is supported by an Executive Team led by Melanie Christie Boyle, Chief Executive. The team has demonstrated a long term commitment to Ballymena Business Centre and the community which it serves, going the extra mile for all its customers.

Top left to bottom right - Hillary McMillan, Yvonne Marks, Adeline Wright, Jenine McIlory, Jim Stevenson, Melanie Chtristie Boyle, Stephen Scullion.

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3 Vision, Purpose, Mission and Values

Our Vision

To see Ballymena become a thriving and vibrant economic area driven by enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Our Charitable Purpose Focused on reducing poverty and promoting wealth creation through the public benefits that flow from: Urban and rural regeneration Enterprise and entrepreneurship

Our Mission

'To promote enterprise and entrepreneurship by delivering initiatives to support economic and community regeneration in the greater Ballymena area of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council'

Our purpose and mission are underpinned by a set of core Values: Integrity: Respect: Professionalism: Quality: Community Involvement: Enthusiasm:

we build open, honest and trusted relationships with stakeholders we promote equality and respect for all within our everyday working environment we endeavour to do our best and seek to improve our skills in all areas of our work we deliver a high quality service focused on customer need and innovation we adhere to the principles of social enterprise for the benefit of our community we approach our work positively with enthusiasm and willingness to help others

4 Pillars of Support

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Each year Ballymena Business Centre supports 500 individuals and businesses through a range of interventions under three main pillars:

Business Support Initiatives Supporting entrepreneurs at the pre-start, start-up and growth stage of their business journey.

Property Infrastructure Including light industrial, town centre retail, town centre office accommodation, business hub co-working space, conference and meeting rooms.

Community Regeneration Promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship at a local level through engagement with education, statutory, voluntary, community, banking and private sectors, including non-commercial representation on a range of voluntary committees.

Ballymena Business Centre was initially supported through seed capital funding from Ballymena Borough Council, Local Ecomonic Development Unit, European Regional Development Fund, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, International Fund for Ireland and Company Investment through Bank Borrowings.

Through property rental income, commercial tendering opportunities, consultancy and charitable grant aid, Ballymena Business Centre operates as a self-sustainable social enterprise with a stable financial position, well managed assets, cash-flow and profitability.

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5 Performance 2012 to 2017 453 start-up business plans completed 120 workspace units and offices managed across 4 enterprise hubs [100,000 sq ft] 300 plus jobs created through employment space 98% property occupancy levels 8,000 sq ft town centre capital investment £120,000 voluntary time contribution £15,000 community sponsorship £350,000 funding secured for greater Ballymena area

During the term of our previous Enterprise Strategy 2012 to 2015 [extended to 2017] we delivered a number of initiatives.

Enterprise Support initiatives delivered include: New Start Redundancy Seminars Start a Business Roadshows Erasmus Northern Regional College World of Work Partner Exploring Enterprise Programme World of Enterprise Visits Neighbourhood Renewal Women Into Business Neighbourhood Renewal Community Enterprise Steps to Work Self Employment Option Regional Start Programme Enterprise Workshops Growing a Micro Business Programme Retail Ready Programmes Creative Sector Retail Incubation Programme Business Improvement Programme 3M Development Programme Tradelinks Programme Business Consultancy

5 Performance 2012 to 2017

5 continued

Enterprise Property Management sites include: Ballymena Business Centre - Galgorm Complex 63 units Ballykeel Business Centre - Service Level Agreement 25 units Ballee and Harryville Community Enterprise - Service Level Agreement 15 units Maine Business Centre - Service Level Agreement 7 units, 7 offices, management completed May 2017 Business Hub - Town Centre Regeneration, 6 offices Enterprise Co-working Space - Town Centre Regeneration, 11 spaces Midtown Makers Studio & Shop - Town Centre Regeneration, 54 makers

Community Support and Non Commercial groups include: Neighbourhood Renewal Economic and Employability Sub Group Ballymena BID Business Support Sub Group Michelin Development Sponsorship of Young Enterprise Trade Fairs Sponsorship of Ballymena Community Cluster Awards Sponsorship of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

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6 Enterprise Themes and Priorities Ballymena Business Centre will build upon the existing Strategic Themes of People, Business and Community.

Strategic Priorities have been identified under each Theme.

Enterprising People Priority 1 Inspire individuals to be enterprising Priority 2 Ensure enterprise is accessible to all within our community

Enterprising Business Priority 3 Encourage the creation of new business and social enterprise Priority 4 Support growth within existing businesses and business tenants

Enterprising Community Priority 5 Provide a nurturing environment for businesses to start and businesses to grow in our town centre, rural community and neighbourhood renewal areas Priority 6 Promote our enterprise hub model in the project management of new employment space and the regeneration of existing employment space

7 Enterprise Actions

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Ballymena Business Centre has developed a 4 year action plan. This action plan will ensure best use of company resources and a strong focus on customer needs and stakeholder requirements.

People Action 1:1 Showcase local entrepreneurs by telling their story and showcasing their achievements.

People Action 1:2 Establish a network of entrepreneurs to share knowledge, champion enterprise and be positive role models for others.

People Action 2.1 Deliver Enterprise Outreach Activities across urban, rural and disadvantaged communities.

People Action 2.2 Deliver Enterprise Outreach Activities to groups including young persons, women and unemployed.

Business Action 3.1 Deliver and manage business start-up initiatives.

Business Action 4.1 Deliver and manage business development initiatives.

Community Action 5.1 Manage employment space at Ballymena Business Centre, Galgorm; Midtown Makers Studio and Shop; Town Centre Business Hub; Ballykeel Business Centre and Ballee and Harryville Community Enterprise.

Community Action 6.1 Extend our enterprise offering and expertise to the development and management of new employment space and regeneration of existing employment space in Ballymena Town Centre, rural and neighbourhood renewal areas.

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8 Unique Selling Points

Connected: long established partnerships and community networks Respected: embedded and trusted within the local community Knowledgeable: extensive knowledge of local business needs Entrepreneurial: willingness to explore new ideas Innovative: keen to experiment with new concepts Responsive: flexible and responsive to market demand Approachable: ability to work with individuals at all levels within the community

9 Conclusion The Ballymena Business Centre Enterprise Strategy for the greater Ballymena area is focused on Enterprising People, Enterprising Business and Enterprising Community. This Strategy is balanced in nature and designed to have maximum impact at a local level with flexibility to incorporate new opportunities and manage unforeseen economic threats.

The Board of Directors of Ballymena Business Centre is confident that the proposed Enterprise Strategy will help support the achievement of economic and community regeneration.

For more information about this Enterprise Strategy or Ballymena Business Centre contact me.

Melanie Christie Boyle MA MCIM Chief Executive Ballymena Business Centre

T: 028 2568 9430 E: melanie@ballymenabusiness.co.uk

Ballymena Business Centre Ltd 62 Fenaghy Road Ballymena BT42 1FL T: 028 2565 8616 E: info@ballymenabusiness.co.uk W: www.ballymenabusiness.co.uk

Business Hub 51 - 53 Church Street Ballymena BT43 6DD T: 028 2568 9430 E: info@ballymenabusiness.co.uk W: www.ballymenabusiness.co.uk

Midtown Makers Studio and Shop 51 - 53 Church Street Ballymena BT43 6DD T: 028 2568 9430 E: info@ballymenabusiness.co.uk W: www.midtownmakers.co.uk