Business & Economic Development |  

Since Business Link Northwest

was launched in April 2007,

thousands of companies in Greater Manchester have accessed its free-to-use business support and information service. 

R
e-organised from five local Business Links into one regional organisation, customers are welcoming the new, flexible approach that is 
providing support to established businesses and start

up enterprises alike.

With an annual income of £18 million and a projected

staff of 300, it manages the ÔTrain to GainÕ programme,

works closely with UKTI and the Manufacturing AdvisoryService and acts as a gateway to the new start-up
support programme A4E. 

Business Link Northwest has also increased the number

of staff working on the ground with businesses

throughout the area and extended its opening hours.

There are now over 30 brokers in Greater Manchester

helping small and medium size companies in the regionÕs key growth sectors improve their competitiveness. 
Steve Connolly, Business LinkÕs Relationship Manager for

Greater Manchester said: ÒOur website not only brings

together national resources, it also offers informationtailored to the region to make the site more relevantand focused on the needs of local companies. There are
over 500 information guides covering issues from

finance and sales to marketing and IT.  WhatÕs more,

there are practical interactive tools to help businesses

write a marketing plan, create contracts of employment and get the best out of e-commerce. 
ÒWe are working in a variety of ways to engage with businesses every day. Our aim is simple. We want to help businesses to flourish and grow, and in turn, contribute to the regionÕs prosperity. WeÕll achieve this by striving to meet the needs of the areaÕs businesses through a straightforward, accessible and responsive service that delivers results for our customers.Ó 
Tel. 0845 00 66 888 | www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest