The Business: The Business Investment Blog from Northamptonshire Enterprise

This week we announced the launch of two initiatives in the county – the Northamptonshire Enterprise Hub and the second funding round for the INV-ENT programme – that will both support local businesses and encourage growth.

As this week’s growth figures show the UK has slipped back into recession, the latest economic statistics from Northamptonshire show that, despite the tough times, the county is showing strong indications of both current and future growth.

As Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, home to the world’s leading collection of shoe heritage, opens its doors to the public after a £310,000 refurbishment programme, one of the UK’s most iconic shoe brands, Dr Martens has been named one of the UK’s fastest growing companies – illustrating that the county’s world-renowned footwear industry continues to prosper.

Challenge 2016 is a new initiative aiming to create 2,016 jobs for young people by 2016, and Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership is working in partnership with other local employers and partners in the county to make this possible.

The first in a series of interviews with Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership staff, this month featuring Colin Lewis - Business Support Manager