StartUp Britain campaign set for fourth roadshow

The StartUp Britain campaign is readying to tour Britain for a fourth successive year, in a bid to provide inspiration and support to aspiring entrepreneurs across the UK.

NatWest has signed up to the national enterprise campaign, with its NatWestBizBus aiming to increase the number of new business start-ups in 2015 to record levels of 600,000-plus.

The iconic 1966 Route Master bus will be wrapped with campaign branding to catch the eye of the public on high streets and main roads across the country.

In addition, government funding initiative, Start Up Loans and Upwork – a global online work platform – will also be supporting the tour.

The national partners will be on board the NatWestBizBus to provide one-to-one guidance and workshops to budding entrepreneurs in the early stages of their development; while local business organisations and self-made entrepreneurs will also be on hand to offer mentoring and support.

Julie Baker, head of enterprise, NatWest, said: “Our mobile business bus is a great way to get out into local communities to support aspiring business owners.

“By collaborating with experts like StartUp Britain, Sage and Start Up Loans, we hope to provide a broader range of support to help more entrepreneurs realise their business ambitions than ever before.”

Matt Smith, director, StartUp Britain, is hoping the initiative will further serve to underpin the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit: the backbone of the national economic recovery.

“Since StartUp Britain launched in 2011 we have seen record-breaking numbers of people each year starting businesses, showing that the entrepreneurial spirit within Britain continues to grow.

“By parking the bus in town squares across the country, we want to give people the confidence and inspiration to turn their business ideas into reality.”

Where will you find the NatWestBizBus?

The campaign is set to stop in 25 towns and cities across England, Wales and Scotland. It begins in London on 22nd June and ends in Inverness on 8th August.

In between, the tour will include prominent locations such as Birmingham Library, Bournemouth Pier and Nottingham Town Hall; as well as other notable areas such as Plymouth, Margate, Dundee, Swansea and Middlesbrough.



Image: Jacquemart

Date published 9 Jun 2015 | Last updated 9 Jun 2015