NI Villages Battle For TV Lottery Funds

Two enterprising Northern Ireland village communities are set to get a boost from prominent UK business experts in the latest stage of TV's Village SOS.

Ballygally in Antrim, and Belleek in Fermanagh had their ideas for starting up new community-run businesses shortlisted through Village SOS - a scheme to inspire a UK rural revival, run by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the BBC.

The two villages have now been paired with a Village Champion – an experienced professional who, over the next few months, will help them develop their initial business proposals into viable enterprises.

Sussex business man Richard Long, who is Managing Partner of top retail news agency and management consultancy, will work with Ballygally Community Development Association to help them develop their idea to build a retail shop and community hall in the village main street, transforming an eyesore into a vibrant social enterprise.

He said: "Ballygally was my first choice as I felt that the proposal was desperately needed and would help restore the village.

"I am looking forward to getting stuck in and hope that we will develop a successful business plan," he said.

James McCurdy, Chairman of Ballygally Community Development Association, commented: "There were many brilliant champions but Richard was top of the list for us. We wanted someone with experience in planning, retail and local government and Richard has skills in all those areas and much more."

Meanwhile, Welsh businesswoman Angie Ellis transformed an ailing business into a multi-million retail outlet and will now work with Belleek and District Community Partnership to develop plans to create a Youth Hostel and International language School in the heart of the Fermanagh village.

She said: "The Belleek project was attractive as my interest was in a good business proposition with a strong social element.

"Belleek offered both of these challenges in abundance. There is no question that the people involved in the project are forward-thinking, very positive, and determined to successfully complete this project."

Walter Rader, the Big Lottery Fund's NI Director, said: "This is a really exciting stage in the Village SOS process. These champions will add a great deal to the villages' business ideas, helping them to strengthen and develop them into robust business proposals."

Six of the best projects will be awarded up to £400,000 from the Big Lottery Fund in May next year and their respective Village Champions will move into the villages for a year to help the businesses get off the ground.

The process will be filmed for a new BBC One series, due to air in 2011. Twenty-eight villages were shortlisted in November and offered a development grant of up to £10,000 and in May 2010 around six projects will be awarded Lottery funding of up to £400,000 and their respective Village Champions will move into the villages for a year to help them turn their business idea into a reality.

BBC Wales will follow the stories of the six new rural enterprises from start up to trading for a major BBC One series in 2010.

(BMcC/KMcA)