‘Council programme further enhances opportunities for local business start-ups’

Sinn Féin’s Ciara Ferguson has welcomed significant progress on a new Council programme to assist business start-ups.

The StartUp Accelerator Programme (SUAP) seeks to support residents of Derry City and Strabane planning to start a business but require enhanced levels of personal and enterprise support than is currently provided through mainstream programmes.

Said the Foyle MLA: “The council only received the funding for the programme in December with a deadline for completion by the end of June this year.

“Despite this challenging timescale the project has already seen the establishment of three new incubation hubs in Ebrington, Skeoge and Strabane, one to one mentoring programmes, the roll out of business grants for participating businesses and the opportunity for six businesses to secure ‘Pop Up Shop Space’ within the city and district to showcase their products and services.

“Local Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are the lifeblood of our local economy.

“This programme will allow new start-ups to fast track growth which will further stimulate the ever improving performance of our local economy in the years to come.”

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