WIDER ACTION

GLASGOW BUSINESS SERVICES SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME

One of the key aims of a community-owned enterprise is to reinvest part of its profits, when possible, into supporting community projects. In 2004 PartickWorks Ltd, a subsidiary company of Partick Housing Association Ltd, entered into partnership with Glasgow Business Services to sponsor a service providing small grants to suitable applicants setting up new businesses in west Glasgow. Over the past two years twenty new businesses have been awarded this grant, and fifteen new jobs have been created (excluding the proprietors themselves). Although the grant is limited to £500 per applicant, it has proven added value by improving the ability of new business people to draw in seed capital from other sources. The programme, managed through the Glasgow West Regeneration office at 357 Dumbarton Road, Partick, was extended for a third year in March 2006.