Local businesses given a voice

Businesses in Burngreave have been given a voice on the Burngreave New Deal for Communities (BNDfC) Partnership Board, following the appointment of two local business people.

Amanda Wells and Peter Handy – both members of the Burngreave Business Forum – have been formally accepted on to the BNDfC board.

Amanda is a self-employed entrepreneur who runs her own company, Stress Solutions, which offers a range of solutions to stress related issues such as massage therapy, while Peter is a Co-Director at Allequip Ltd, who sell and service commercial catering equipment. Both businesses are based in Burngreave.

Their appointments reflect the strength of the business forum – a platform in Burngreave for businesses to get together to share views and ideas. The forum has grown substantially since it started in March 2004 allowing members to be put forward to join the partnership board.

Rose Ardron, Chair of the BNDfC partnership board, said: "We are delighted to welcome Amanda and Pete to the BNDfC board. While they will bring their own individual experiences and knowledge to us as local business people, they will also provide a direct voice for local businesses on the partnership board to keep them informed of the work BNDfC is involved in.

“BNDfC is a community led regeneration programme that is all encompassing and includes the local business community. The fact that two members, who are representing businesses in the area, have now joined the board reflects the strength of this part of our community,” she added.

Businesses in the Burngreave area of the city now have the opportunity to get involved in discussions and the BNDfC decision-making process.

Says Amanda: "As I both live and work in the area, I am delighted to join the BNDfC partnership board and hope to effectively represent the variety of businesses that we have here in Burngreave. I hope any local business person will feel they can approach me, even if they are not part of the Business Forum, so I can report views and opinions back to the board.

“In my new role, I am particularly interested in continuing the work already being done to ensure that local people have access to information through public consultation. This is a very important aspect of BNDfC,” she added.

Peter said: "Burngreave has a long history and a terrific future ahead of it so I am very honoured to be part of the changes that are taking place. I am looking forward to getting stuck in and working for the benefit of our community – especially those involved with business.

“Being involved with the Burngreave Business Forum and BNDfC lifts our own businesses profiles which in turn helps to bring wider regeneration to the area. If every business put a little time and effort into our community then we will all benefit – it is a very exciting time,” he added.

The BNDfC partnership board is accountable for allocating the £52m from the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and consists of 22 members from the public, private and voluntary sectors along with elected residents.