Pictured: Fay Easton

A campaign to kick-start youth enterprise across Shropshire is calling on the next generation of business owners to sign-up to a series of free workshops that will run in the New Year.

StartUp Shropshire, inspired by StartUp Britain, a nationwide initiative encouraging the creation of new businesses and self-employment, has announced the January launch of its StartUp Clubs in Shrewsbury and Ironbridge.

The StartUp Clubs, which will meet once a month and more if demand is high, are aimed at providing 16 to 24-year-olds across the county with the practical skills, knowledge, and support they need to turn their own business ideas into reality. Each session will offer valuable advice on subjects such as registering as self-employed, accessing business finance, and how to promote a new business. Local business owners will also be on hand to act as mentors and share their own personal experience of setting up and growing a company.

"There are more than a million young people currently out of work across the UK, with almost a third unemployed for more than a year," Fay Easton, StartUp Shropshire's Project Director, commented. "If we sit back and do nothing, there's a real danger a 'Lost Generation' will be created. But we know the talent, the ideas, and the enthusiasm for business is there amongst young people in the county, and promoting self-employment as a real alternative to the traditional jobs market is a great way of allowing them to take control of their own destiny, and help to kick-start economic growth, jobs and prosperity."

In addition to the advice, guidance, and mentoring on offer, each of the StartUp Clubs will also run a 'Big Idea' competition, with a first prize of £500 start-up funding, a year's business mentoring, free business address registration, and a free mail-forwarding service up for grabs to the young entrepreneur with the most innovative business brainwave.

Fay Easton commented: "Despite the gloomy economic outlook, now really is a fantastic time to start a new business. Interest rates are at record lows, the rise of the internet and e-commerce offer countless opportunities and markets, and right across Shropshire, there's a real spirit of collaboration and camaraderie. We want our young people to flourish, we want our local businesses to thrive, and we will help each other to do so. Anyone interested in finding out more about the new StartUp Clubs should email me at fay@shropshireenterprise.co.uk for further details."

The first Shrewsbury StartUp Club, supported by Jobcentre Plus, will be held at 5pm on Thursday, January 5th, at the Greenhous Meadow football stadium. The inaugural Ironbridge StartUp Club, which is being backed by Telford and Wrekin Council, will take place the following Thursday, January 12th, from 5pm at Enterprise HQ in Coalport, with further events scheduled to take place at both clubs on a monthly basis.

For further information on the StartUp Shropshire campaign please contact Fay Easton on 07944 189436, email fay@shropshireenterprise.co.uk.