Backing start-up and small businesses

18th September 2012

Mike Penning was invited to play the role of one of the ‘dragons’ at a Dragons Den style event to celebrate the first year of the Maylands Business Centre. The centre is a Dacorum Borough Council initiative which offers affordable premises to start-up businesses. The aim is to nurture these businesses until they have grown enough to be able to move into commercial premises.

Mike was joined by fellow Dacorum ‘dragons’: Chris Taylor from Dacorum Borough Council, Andy Cook from FFEI and Maree Atkinson from the Federation of Small Businesses. New businesses were invited to pitch for a grant of up to £1,000.

Mike said:
“I was very impressed by the range of businesses seeking investment grants and eight businesses were successful on the day. I welcome this initiative as it shows that Dacorum is serious about creating the right opportunities for people to start up businesses.”

The grants were awarded at a special presentation on 14th September.

The winners were:
• Lush Pups | www.lushpups.co.uk
• Deli-ghtful Foods
• Baby Moments | www.babymoments.org.uk
• Aid4Disabled | www.aid4disabled.com
• Quest Joinery | www.questjoinery.co.uk
• Hemel Stags Rugby Club | www.hemelstags.com
• Grim Reaper Foods | www.grimreaperfoods.com
• Industrial Floorcare Machines | www.industrialfloorcaremachines.com