Enterprising Macclesfield, the volunteer-led scheme that promotes local enterprise and commerce, has announced the next phase of its development by establishing an independent Community Interest Company (CIC), supported by local MP, David Rutley, as an Honorary Patron.
Established in 2015, Enterprising Macclesfield provides free business coaching, access to local business advice and signposting to sources of funding and further support and training for both local commercial and social enterprises. Funded through the Make it Macclesfield initiative and Macclesfield Town Council, it has, since its launch, grown to have a pool of 17 volunteer coaches and 16 local advisory partners. It has also received over 120 support requests from local businesses. Some of the clients already assisted by Enterprising Macclesfield include an on-line estate agency; a financial services firm, a fitness company and even a wild food foraging business.
CIC status will enable Enterprising Macclesfield to embark on its next phase of growth, seeking sponsorship from the local business community, in addition to the support it has received in its start-up phase from Make It Macclesfield and Macclesfield Town Council, which will remain Patrons. This will enable Enterprising Macclesfield to more fully realise its ambitions of building an enterprise driven economy in Macclesfield and delivering economic benefits for the local community.
Speaking at the launch of its sponsorship scheme, Tim Shercliff, Chair of Enterprising Macclesfield, said, “We are very grateful to Make it Macclesfield and Macclesfield Town Council for playing such a key role in funding and supporting the organisation to reach this stage and encouraging the delivery of this important service to the local community. In establishing Enterprising Macclesfield as an independent Community Interest Company, we now need to build on that support to enable us to meet the continuing demand and expand our services. That is why we are, today, launching a sponsorship scheme aimed at local businesses to secure our future funding.”
Speaking at the launch, David Rutley MP added, “This is an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the success that Enterprising Macclesfield has already had in promoting our town as a great place to do business. I would encourage the local business community to take advantage of the opportunities that the new CIC presents, and I will continue to actively work with Enterprising Macclesfield in my role as an Honorary Patron and as the local Member of Parliament as they enter this exciting new phase.”