Business Link NW to shed 194 out of 338 staff
MORE than half the staff at Business Link North West – 194 people – are to lose their jobs as a result of funding cuts, the organisation has said.
The Preston-based organisation, which provides free advice and support to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the region, said the cuts would come across all departments.
Funded by the North West Development Agency – which has had its own budget slashed by the Government in its bid to reduce public spending – Business Link North West currently employs 338 people.
Formal consultation with staff has begun and redundancies are likely to take place before the end of March 2011.
In a statement Business Link said it had conducted a detailed review of its operations to bring it in line with budget reductions at the NWDA, which had also taken into account anticipated budget reductions for 2011/12, when funding is expected to be reduced further following the Comprehensive Spending Review next month.
Peter Watson, managing director of Business Link North West said: “We know there will be changes to the delivery of government business support and a White Paper will be released in the autumn setting out the coalition’s proposals in more detail
“The proposed restructure will allow us to be in a position to work with the Government and the emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships in order to allow for a smooth transition”
“In the meantime Business Link will continue to offer support to North West companies, and those considering starting a business. We are very much open for business and have a wealth of expertise here waiting to help businesses get growing again.”
