Royal success for boss

TOP HONOUR: Paul Davies with client and
translator Monika Wroblewska

An enterprise adviser is to be presented with a royal honour after helping residents from a former mining community set up their own businesses.

Paul Davies, volunteer chief executive and enterprise coach, of Clowne Enterprise Centre, on Station Road, was proud to learn he has been named among an elite group in the UK to receive the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion 2011.

Mr Davies said: "There are only ten of these being awarded this year so I'm delighted to have been included.

This announcement is a credit to our volunteer board and the existing businesses who continue to help others get started."

Mr Davies' success was announced on the Queen's Birthday and he is due to be presented with the award on July 14 at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, in London, before visiting a Buckingham Palace reception.

The award recognises his work at the centre which provides free coaching and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to start businesses.

Clowne Enterprise Centre was originally called Bizz Fizz and was launched in 2004 with Government funding. It has since advised about 450 people, helped over 140 businesses start up and created over 170 new jobs.

Success stories include sport therapist Phyzical Therapies, Elizabeth Brysz Bespoke Table Decorations & Favours and Tracey and Allan Stoddart's wedding fayre business.

The centre is backed by Bolsover District Council and funded with a combination of Government grants and takings from consultancies and office rental.

Mr Davies added: "The centre's been important in this area because setting up a business might be the only opportunity for people made redundant."

Those interested can contact Mr Davies on 07973 522772 or can email him at paul@clowne-enterprise.org.uk.

Printed in: Worksop Guardian, 2011