UK Government Urged To Develop Businesses That Help Society

April 27, 2011 - PRLog -- The call was made recently at the national social enterprise conference at London’s 02 Arena when Tony Carr from Lancashire-based Social Enterprise Solutions came face-to-face with the minister with responsibility for the sector, Nick Hurd MP.

The idea of creating social enterprise zones is being developed in Blackpool as the town has seen a massive rise in cash generated by social enterprises in recent years.

Some of Blackpool’s most established social businesses include the Grand Theatre, Progress and N-Vision and the combined turnover of the whole sector in Blackpool has risen more than 65% from £16.8m in 2008 to over £26m in 2011.

A host of smaller businesses have been established in that time with the help of Social Enterprise Solutions. A wide range of services are delivered by these businesses including help for disabled people, disadvantaged youngsters and recycling projects that benefit the community.

Tony Carr, manager at Social Enterprise Solutions, said: “We have demonstrated here in Blackpool the benefits of supporting the social enterprise sector and seen great results. What we are saying to the government is that our success could be replicated across the country.

“The government is already talking about establishing enterprise zones with incentives to help new firms to develop; we want to see specific social enterprise zones being created that meet the unique needs of the sector.

“Nick Hurd was receptive to the idea and we intend to follow up the initial discussion with further meetings in due course.”

Social enterprises are defined as businesses that trade for the benefit of the community and profits are reinvested towards their social mission.

For more information, contact 01253 344123.

ENDS