Thursday 11 May 2006
The Entrepreneurs campaign, which has been devised by Aylesbury Vale District Council and Aylesbury Vale Advantage, features advertising on railway station posters and in regional newspapers and magazines.
It is designed to promote a positive image of Aylesbury Vale among existing and potential entrepreneurs, both inside the area and in the surrounding region, as well as encouraging people to consider the Vale as a location for their new business idea and start up.
The 6ft by 4ft railway posters, which feature a man sitting on a deckchair whilst working on his laptop, are being particularly targeted at businessmen and women who live in Aylesbury, or the outskirts, but who commute to London or elsewhere for work. It is hoped that these people can be persuaded to set up their own high-value, knowledge-based business, such as IT or technology.
The Entrepreneurs campaign forms part of a long-term plan to raise the profile of the district as a growing economic centre and ensure that new jobs are created to support the housing growth planned for the Vale.
Cllr Peter Cooper, Aylesbury Vale District Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said:
“Aylesbury Vale is a business friendly district and with its designation by the Government as a major growth area, it is well positioned for significant economic growth.
With the launch of the Entrepreneurs campaign we are letting people know that Aylesbury Vale is open for business and we look forward to welcoming more new businesses into the area."
In its first year, the Aylesbury Vale Enterprise Hub has been tremendously successful in attracting entrepreneurs which clearly demonstrates that the Vale is becoming increasingly recognised as a great location to start and grow a business. The quality of life together with the business support in place through, for example, the Hub, Business Links and AVDC’s own grants scheme, make the Vale a very competitive and attractive proposition.”
Greg Lomax, Managing Director of Aylesbury Vale Advantage, said: “Over the next two decades we are aiming to bring thousands of new people, homes, businesses and investment into Aylesbury Vale.
Through the Entrepreneurs campaign we are aiming to demonstrate the benefits of using the Vale as a location for their new business idea and start up, as well as continuing to help existing businesses to grow.”
There are currently over 7,000 businesses operating in Aylesbury Vale. The district has a high ratio of business start-ups per 10,000 of population – 412 compared to the South East average of 348.
It also has an above average level of VAT registration – 41 compared to 38 in Milton Keynes, 25 in Oxford, 33 in Reading and 36 in the South East as a whole.
Business people thinking of setting up or relocating their business to Aylesbury Vale can contact the Enterprise Hub, which is based at the University of Buckingham. The Hub was established to deliver a development programme for entrepreneurs, start-up and early stage companies seeking to bring a technology or knowledge-based idea to market.
Nick Davey, Managing Director of Davey Communications, is an Aylesbury-based entrepreneur who is backing the campaign. He said: "I am delighted that AVDC has launched this campaign to attract more entrepreneurs to Aylesbury Vale. There are many enterprising individuals in this area with the potential to be the successful businesses of the future.
Campaigns of this kind are exactly what is needed to encourage new businesses to be formed and expanded...and credit must go to the council and Aylesbury Vale Advantage for this initiative.
The council recently demonstrated its commitment to helping new businesses by giving financial assistance to my own company. That support will assist our healthy business growth and has helped us launch a range of new products.
"Budding entrepreneurs, in particular, greatly value any support that is available. It can often make all the difference.”
For further comment or information please contact Teresa Lane, Head of Communications and Marketing, Aylesbury Vale District Council, on 01296 585006.
Raising the profile of the Vale
As one of the Government’s designated growth areas, Aylesbury Vale has an exciting and challenging future.
Many thousands of new homes are planned by 2031 and Aylesbury Vale District Council and Aylesbury Vale Advantage – the organisation responsible for delivering the growth - are structuring the expansion by encouraging new business start-ups, relocating businesses, creating new job opportunities and improving local services for existing businesses.
To help communicate this vision, a three-year marketing and communications
(marcomms) action plan has been developed by AVDC, AVA, BCC and other partners to communicate key messages to local people, businesses and stakeholders and put Aylesbury Vale on the map as a growing, prosperous economic centre.
This will be followed by a campaign to raise brand awareness and ‘sell’ Aylesbury Vale as a great place to live, work, run a business and visit.
