North Belfast enterprise centre celebrates 15 years

Townsend Enterprise Park, one of the largest Local Enterprise Agencies in Northern Ireland is celebrating its 15th anniversary in business this week.

The cross community company which was established in 1987 was set up to encourage the development of small and medium sized businesses in the local community - creating employment and providing a focus for the social and economic regeneration of the district.

Speaking on Tuesday Sir Reg Empey the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment said entrepreneurial activity was “vital to the success of our economy” and that Townsend Park had played a key role in nurturing entrepreneurial talent in north west Belfast.

Sir Reg said: “Townsend Enterprise Centre was one of the first enterprise agencies to be set up in Belfast. It has overcome the challenges presented by its particular location to create and deliver a successful range of business initiatives to the local community for the improvement of economic conditions in the area.

“These include the BEST programme which offers training to the long term unemployed for the software testing industry, the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment and the Northern Ireland Business Start Programme.

“We need to encourage more people to think about self-employment and Townsend is to be commended for providing outreach services to the community in terms of enterprise clinics and business training clinics,” the Minister added.

Sir Reg also referred to the contribution that Townsend Enterprise Park has made to the recent West Belfast and Greater Shankill Taskforce report, and paid tribute to the Board, management and staff of the Park for their dedication and commitment to fostering cross community links during the last 15 years.

During his visit Sir Reg presented completion certificates to the first group of participants in the BEST programme.

(AMcE)