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Miners? Gala visitors inspired to start their own business

Over 100,000 visitors attended the 125th Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday to hear the bands and see the banners, but some of them came away inspired to start a business.

For the third year running, those attending the event were able to get advice on starting their own business from Be Enterprising. The business support organisation was on board the Launch Pad mobile exhibition unit.

Be Enterprising is County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).

Penny Parker, who set up English Sea Glass, is one of almost a thousand businesses Be Enterprising has supported. Penny, from County Durham, was at the event to display some of her work, jewellery made with glass from the seashore, and was on hand to talk about how she started her business.

Be Enterprising’s Gillian Khachikian was also at the event to speak to people who wanted help with starting a business of their own.

Gillian said: “Having the Launch Pad at the Durham Miners’ Gala was a great way to stimulate interest in enterprise. It gave us a chance to talk to people about business ideas they want to develop in a relaxed setting.

“It was great to have Penny on board too, as she was a real inspiration to others who might be considering setting up a business. There were a lot of people who came to speak to us and many took away information. Hopefully they will come back to us in the near future for support with the next steps of setting up their business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .