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25/11/2010
Tasting Success In Lisburn
There was an opportunity to sample the sweet taste of success at the 20th birthday celebrations of one of Northern Ireland's largest enterprise agencies, Lisburn Enterprise Organisation (LEO) this week.
Local MLA and Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots was on hand to try out a new range of luxury decorated apples, produced by Lisburn company, Gourmet Fruits, using a 'top-secret' recipe for a special caramel coating which the firm has developed. Mr Poots admitted a particular liking for the company's mint chocolate-flavoured topping.
The expanding company, which has already sold 5,000 of the apples, is one of 1,350 firms that LEO has helped to start up.
Since its inception, the Lisburn agency has assisted in creating some 3,600 new jobs in both start-up and existing businesses.
Congratulating the enterprise agency on its achievements, the Minister said: "Almost £3.2 million of financial grant aid has been awarded and hundreds of businesses have been supported in the development, export, employment, marketing and attainment of quality systems.
"I am confident that LEO will continue to grow and prosper and in so doing, Lisburn City will continue to benefit from its endeavours."
LEO's Chief Executive, Aisling Owens, said the agency could play a major role in the current uncertain economic climate: "Lisburn Enterprise Organisation was started up to help tackle unemployment during a previous recession."
"Now, once again, we are seeing an increasing number of 'necessity entrepreneurs' approach us, because they've lost their job and need to turn to self-employment," she continued.
"With the right specialist support they can build successful businesses, even in a recession.
"We're proud of the contribution we've made to the local economy over the last 20 years, and we know our work is particularly important during this challenging time for businesses."
In addition to providing tailored advice and training, the agency lets out 140 business units in which nearly 450 people are currently employed.
LEO has also levered in nearly £3.2 million of financial aid for clients in the form of grants, loans and equity investment.
(BMcC/GK)
Local MLA and Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots was on hand to try out a new range of luxury decorated apples, produced by Lisburn company, Gourmet Fruits, using a 'top-secret' recipe for a special caramel coating which the firm has developed. Mr Poots admitted a particular liking for the company's mint chocolate-flavoured topping.
The expanding company, which has already sold 5,000 of the apples, is one of 1,350 firms that LEO has helped to start up.
Since its inception, the Lisburn agency has assisted in creating some 3,600 new jobs in both start-up and existing businesses.
Congratulating the enterprise agency on its achievements, the Minister said: "Almost £3.2 million of financial grant aid has been awarded and hundreds of businesses have been supported in the development, export, employment, marketing and attainment of quality systems.
"I am confident that LEO will continue to grow and prosper and in so doing, Lisburn City will continue to benefit from its endeavours."
LEO's Chief Executive, Aisling Owens, said the agency could play a major role in the current uncertain economic climate: "Lisburn Enterprise Organisation was started up to help tackle unemployment during a previous recession."
"Now, once again, we are seeing an increasing number of 'necessity entrepreneurs' approach us, because they've lost their job and need to turn to self-employment," she continued.
"With the right specialist support they can build successful businesses, even in a recession.
"We're proud of the contribution we've made to the local economy over the last 20 years, and we know our work is particularly important during this challenging time for businesses."
In addition to providing tailored advice and training, the agency lets out 140 business units in which nearly 450 people are currently employed.
LEO has also levered in nearly £3.2 million of financial aid for clients in the form of grants, loans and equity investment.
(BMcC/GK)
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