Cookstown Enterprise Centre

Cookstown Enterprise Centre’s recently launched Home Purchasing Scheme has proved extremely popular with first time buyers, with all properties in the first phase occupied.  The highly innovative scheme offers predominately first time buyers the opportunity to rent a new turnkey house from CEC for a period of 2-years with the option of completing the purchase at any time during that period.   Should the individual purchase the property within this period of time, CEC will refund a significant portion of the rent paid to date, to assist the Tenant/Buyer to accumulate a significant deposit for a mortgage.  The individual will have the option to buy the property at a price which is anchored – meaning the property doesn’t get further out of reach financially and the purchaser will know the fixed price of the property before entering the scheme.  An added benefit is that they can live in the home prior to actually completing the purchase.  Essentially the Tenant/Buyer is renting the property until they can complete the purchase before the option period expires. 

 Ciaran Higgins, Manager of Cookstown Enterprise Centre stated, “The main challenge for first time buyers at present is access to mortgage finance.  In the past year, those who believed that the market slowdown would finally bring a home within reach have been shocked to find that mortgage lenders are demanding bigger deposits.  Just a few years ago first time buyers could get mortgages for 100 percent of the property, but this has now all changed. Currently first time buyers would be lucky to find a mortgage for 90 percent of the property value, which just a few years ago was the norm.  The problem is further compounded by the fact that that first time buyers have no previous property from which to take equity.  The scheme designed by Cookstown Enterprise Centre assists the first time buyer to accumulate a deposit over a given period of time which will help them to secure a mortgage”.  He added, “We are delighted with the success of the scheme to date and following the completion of phase 1 we are hoping to commence phase 2 of the scheme in the latter part of 2012”.    

Growing Your Business during a recession Seminar

21^st March 2012 at Cookstown Enterprise Centre  9.00am – 12.00pm

Cost – £25 per person

Cookstown Enterprise Centre is running a ‘Growing your business during a recession’ seminar delivered by local entrepreneur, Philip Bain, who is the co-founder along with James Carson of on-site shredding company – ShredBank which they established after the collapse of Northern Rock. Philip has recently won entrepreneur of the Year 2010 and Young Businessperson of the Year 2011.

 The seminar includes information on key areas that all businesses need to address to survive through difficult economic times including the importance of marketing, selling, innovation and having a business model that works.

The document shredding company market was dominated by well established multi-nationals and a deteriorating economic climate.  Despite this, under Philip’s commercial leadership ShredBank has become a fast growing multi-award winning company that has experienced high levels of growth year on year and disproved the notion that success in a recession is impossible.

 Please note that pre-booking is necessary – to book a place contact Karen Cox on 867 63660 or e-mail karenc@cookstownenterprise.com before 9^th March 2012.

        Cookstown Enterprise Centre has supported the work of 2 local charities in the run up to Christmas.

             Pictured  is Trevor Wilson Chairman and Ciaran Higgins, Manager of CEC handing over a

                                    donation to Helen Jordan and Joanne Morgan representing the

                                                                            Lilac Centre, Cookstown

             Trevor Wilson Chairman and Ciaran Higgins Manager of CEC are pictured handing over a donation

                      to  Anne Rea and Jean Farr representing Robertas Wish for Chrons and Colitis, a local

                                                                 charity based in Cookstown. 

Cookstown Enterprise Centre recently received a Civic Award from Cookstown District Council for outstanding contribution to Industry in the Cookstown Council area.  Picture with the award is the CEC staff.

The Mid-Ulster Business Awards took place recently.  The CEC manager Ciaran Higgins was part of the judging panel for the awards.  He is pictured with other judges and event organisers at the awards dinner which took place in the Glenavon Hotel.

As a result of the first Exploring Enterprise Programme being a resounding success across Northern Ireland, Cookstown Enterprise Centre have just launched a follow up programme, Exploring Enterprise² starting this September. The programme was launched in the Enterprise Centre on Monday by Cookstown’s own star of the Apprentice Jim Eastwood. The Exploring Enterprise² initiative will enable those who are unemployed or economically inactive to develop skills to enhance their individual chances of securing employment or entering self-employment. The accredited programme will also provide participants with a QCF in Understanding Business Enterprise.

Cookstown Enterprise Centre have been awarded the contract to deliver the Exploring Enterprise2 Programme. Pictured is Apprentice Star Jim Eastwood alongside Cookstown Enterprise Centre Representatives, Ciaran Higgins (Manager), Trevor Wilson (Chairman), Charlene Colton (Enterprise Officer) and Dana McKeown (Business Advisor).

 Speaking about the programme Jim Eastwood said, ‘This is a very exciting initiative for the people of Cookstown and will allow the entrepreneurial spirit of local people to flourish while giving them the qualifications required to become more attractive to employer’s at a time when competition for jobs is extremely high’

Pictured is Roy Woodward past participant of Exploring Enterprise Programme receiving  his Level 2 certificate in Business Enterprise from Charlene Colton (Cookstown Enterprise Centre).   Also pictured is Cookstown’s Apprentice Star Jim Eastwood and Trevor Wilson (Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre).

Roy Woodward completed the first Exploring Enterprise Programme and has turned his dream into a reality by opening his own business ‘RAW Surveying & Mapping services’ (www. rawsurveyingandmappingservices.co.uk).

Roy said: “It has always been a dream for me to open my own business and with the help of the Exploring Enterprise Programme I have been able to realise my dream. Cookstown Enterprise Centre helped me to research my business idea, put together a marketing plan, research legal issues concerning my business, develop budgets and forecasts but most importantly they helped raise my confidence which gave me the belief to start the business.”

Pictured is Jordana Cunningham (past participant of the Exploring Enterprise Programme receiving her Level 3 Certificate in Business Enterprise from Charlene Colton (Enterprise Officer, Cookstown Enterprise Centre).  Also pictured is Cookstown’s Apprentice Star Jim Eastwood and Trevor Wilson (Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre).

Jordana Cunningham also completed the Exploring Enterprise Programme and gained an additional qualification to assist with her UCAS application and she has just recently been awarded a place in John Moore’s University, Liverpool, to study marketing. 

Trevor Wilson, Chairman of CEC commented, “While this is a Northern Ireland wide programme, Cookstown Enterprise Centre is delighted to be able to deliver this programme for people in the local area.  We are all aware of the current economic situation and initiatives such as this will provide local people with the opportunity to improve their skills for employment and self-employment through advice and training while at the same time gain a Level 2 Qualification’. 

Dana McKeown, Business Advisor at CEC commented “This new initiative is particularly timely given the economic downturn and increased levels of unemployment.  Our aim is to deliver training and mentoring support to assist people in developing personal skills as well as achieving a qualification which will help them to re-enter the labour market”. 

The programme is designed for people who -

• like the idea of starting a business but don’t have a business idea
• have a business idea but are not ready to turn it into a business just yet
• want to explore a few possible business ideas
• want to gain a qualification and improve their CV

If you are interested in participating on this programme contact Charlene Colton, Enterprise Officer at Cookstown Enterprise Centre, on 028 8676 3660 or e-mail Charlene@cookstownenterprise.com.

Cookstown golfer Colin Risk has recently set up his own business with support from Cookstown Enterprise Centre.  Colin has opened Cookstown’s first Golf Superstore having received free business start-up support from Cookstown Enterprise Centre and Invest Northern Ireland’s Go for it programme. 

As a one stop shop for business support, Cookstown Enterprise Centre has established itself as the leading provider of business start-up and development assistance for businesses in the Cookstown District Council area.  As the local delivery agent for the Go-For-It Programme funded by Invest NI, Cookstown Enterprise Centre offers help and support to people thinking of starting a business.  Over 1,000 local people have availed of business start-up advice and training from CEC in recent years with almost 500 new businesses started, proving that Cookstown is one of the most entrepreneurial areas of N.I.

Under the Go for It Programme, Cookstown Enterprise Centre offers a FREE business advisory service, where an expert business counsellor will work with individuals on a one-to-one confidential basis.  A short training course is also offered and is designed to help the entrepreneur understand the issues and practicalities of setting up and running their own business.  In particular the course highlights Sales and Marketing, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Legal and Statutory issues, and general business practices.  In addition, the programme offers a financial planning service to highlight potential sources of finance which includes assistance to access grant support and small business loans.  Finally, individuals will be guided in the preparation of their own Business Plan and they can avail of a FREE Advisory Service to assist them during their first year of trading.  

Colin Risk has recently completed the Go-For-It Programme and he has opened a one-stop Golfing Superstore at Kilcronagh Business Park, Cookstown, catering for all golfing needs.  CR Golf retails a wide range of golf equipment ranging from clubs to clothing including top brands such as Wilson Staff, Nike, Callaway Golf, Titleist and Taylormade.  A unique aspect of the store will see golf training and instruction being provided to golfers of all ages.  A dual speed putting green and a custom-fit area within the store assists with the instruction and guidance, which is open to first time golfers as well as the more capable experienced golfer. 

Commenting on the support he received from Cookstown Enterprise Centre, Colin said, “Enrolling in Invest NI’s Go for it programme was a great help to me.  Not only did it explain all the business jargon, but it helped me to analyse the viability of my initial idea, set realistic objectives and develop a business plan.  The various classes helped me understand many aspects of day-to-day management including market planning, legal and operational issues, business planning, sourcing finance, cash flow and taxation.  I would recommend this programme to anyone as it has provided me with essential information and contact details, which I was then able to use with confidence in the development of my new business.”

Ciaran Higgins, Manager of Cookstown Enterprise Centre said, “We congratulate Colin in opening this excellent store in Cookstown.  He has followed in the footsteps of hundreds of other people in the Cookstown area who have started a business in recent years, despite the challenging economic climate.  For anyone out there considering going for it and being their own boss, this is your opportunity to avail of a range of skills and experiences free of charge.   Working for yourself can be a lonely experience but it need not be because our staff at Cookstown Enterprise Centre will understand your needs and you will also get the opportunity to meet others who are thinking of self-employment”.

CR Golf can be found at Unit 2 Kilcronagh Business Park, Sandholes road, Cookstown or contact Colin on 028 867 65162 / info@crgolf.co.uk.

To hear more about the Go-For-It Programme or to book a place on the next course please contact Charlene on 028 86763660 or e-mail Charlene@cookstownenterprise.com

The Go for it programme is provided by Invest Northern Ireland and is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund. 

• Pictured is Ciaran Higgins, Manager of Cookstown Enterprise Centre getting a few tips on putting from Colin Risk, owner of CR Golf, the new Golf Superstore recently opened in Cookstown

• Colin Risk shows Dana McKeown, Business Advisor at Cookstown Enterprise Centre the wide range of ladies golf clothing & accessories at CR Golf Superstore in Cookstown

  Enterprising Support at Cookstown Enterprise Centre

 A Business Development Programme being run by Cookstown Enterprise Centre is proving very popular with local businesses.  The Tradelinks Programme is funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme and is delivered locally by Cookstown Enterprise Centre.  A number of participating businesses have received support in areas such as ICT, financial management, marketing, HR, implementation of quality systems and business improvement. 

 One of the local businesses benefitting from support under the programme is  Solutions NI, a specialist ICT business offering a wide range of ICT services including web design and hosting, e-mail marketing, logo design, search engine optimisation, computer repairs and networking.  The business has been operating for a number of years and the owner of the business, Raphael Scullion recently participated on the Tradelinks Programme in order to receive marketing and sales support.  As part of the programme Raphael received a sales and marketing plan as well as assistance with implementation of the plan.  This included links to new customers and he has recently secured new business in the North and South of Ireland, which has led to Raphael employing a new full-time member of staff.  Raphael agrees that the Tradelinks Programme has been integral to expanding the business and taking it to the next level of success.  He commented, “The Tradelinks Programme has been a great source of support in helping me to grow and develop my business.  The marketing assistance has helped me to increase my customer base, particularly in the South of Ireland market.  The mentoring support provided under the Programme was ideal as it was tailored to meet the needs of my business, and I would certainly recommend the programme to other small businesses”. 

 Embroiderus Ireland Ltd. has recently joined the Tradelinks Programme.  Based in Cookstown, the business operates as a promotional and embroidery company supplying a wide range of embroidered and screen printed clothing and accessories for industrial work wear, uniforms, leisure wear and promotional clothing.  The business has received a Business Improvement Plan as part of the programme and over the next few months the business will receive mentoring assistance aimed at improving their ICT systems to deal with their expanding customer base as well as assistance in identifying new markets for the company.  Henry Mc Elwee, joint owner of Embroiderus Ltd, which is based at Cookstown Enterprise Centre, has the following advice for anyone with a business idea, ‘The best advice I could give anyone setting up in business would be to use the various resources available to you, such as your local Enterprise Centre and Tradelinks. There is always someone out there that can help you or offer advice’.     

 Trevor Wilson, Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre commented, “The Cookstown District is a stronghold for micro businesses with an enviable high level of entrepreneurship and business start-ups.  The Tradelinks Programme is very much about assisting the small businesses in our District to grow and develop to their full potential, and Cookstown Enterprise Centre is ideally placed to deliver this support.  Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and with support and guidance they can lead the recovery of our economy”.   

 For further information on Solutions NI or Embroiderus Ireland Ltd. log on to  www.embroiderus.com or  www.solutionsni.com

 Tradelinks is a business development programme designed at assisting the micro-enterprise sector across Northern Ireland and the Border counties of the South of Ireland.  If you are thinking of setting up a business or have already started a small enterprise, Tradelinks may be able to provide support and advice.  For further information contact Dana Mc Keown, Tradelinks Coordinator on 028 867 63660 or email: dana@cookstownenterprise.com; web: www.cookstownenterprise.com.

 About SEUPB / INTERREG IVA:

•  The Special EU Programmes Body is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IV designed to enhance cross border co-operation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within clearly defined areas including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.
• The INTERREG IVA 2007-2013 Programme is worth €256 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders. It has two distinct priority measures to create co-operation for a more prosperous and sustainable cross border region.
• For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu

 The Special EU Programmes Body is the Managing Authority for the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme.

Cookstown Rotary Club and Cookstown Enterprise Centre recently teamed up to make a donation to the Superstars Club, based in Cookstown.  The Superstars club caters for young people and adults with learning disabilities.   Pictured receiving the donation on behalf of Superstars is Anne Wilson and Anne Rea.  Also included in the photo is Alistair Laird and Tony Mc Minn of Cookstown Rotary Club and Trevor Wilson (Chairman) and Ciaran Higgins (Manager) of Cookstown Enterprise Centre. 

Pictured is Patsy McGlone MLA on a recent visit to Cookstown Enterprise Centre, alongside Ciaran Higgins, Manager and Trevor Wilson, Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre.