HL Deb 31 March 2003 vol 646 cc99-100WA
Lord Fearn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What start-up help and funding are available to small new businesses wishing to enter (a) the tourism market; and (b) the leisure industry. [H L2205]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Small Business Service (SBS) provides a range of support programmes designed to help small businesses in all sectors (including start-ups) to obtain finance. These include regional venture capital funds; the Phoenix Fund; and the Early Growth funding programme.

The number of active and passive surveillance cases of BSE confirmed in Great Britain during each week of 2002 and in the current year to 7 March, and the moving annual totals of confirmed and reported cases for each 52-week period
2002 2003
Passive surveillance Active surveillance Reported Passive surveillance Active surveillance Reported
Week No Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Running 52 week total Week No Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Number confirmed each week Running 52 week total Running 52 week total
1 0 751 0 261 1,207 1 0 513 0 593 883
2 19 734 0 259 1,209 2 7 501 15 608 870
3 22 742 0 259 1,208 3 2 481 10 618 857
4 12 742 51 310 1,200 4 2 471 28 595 850
5 2 733 21 331 1,201 5 4 473 7 581 835
6 25 747 29 359 1,184 6 5 453 7 559 832
7 15 731 30 385 1,185 7 6 444 4 533 819
8 9 728 7 390 1,182 8 5 440 37 563 798
9 17 733 14 402 1,174 9 6 429 5 554 787
10 10 733 4 405 1,160 10 3 422 13 563 780
11 16 743 29 433 1,151
12 19 749 0 432 1,153
13 12 756 34 466 1,146
14 0 737 0 464 1,152
15 26 753 13 474 1,154
16 2 751 29 501 1,156
17 20 758 0 501 1,162
18 16 755 13 514 1,169
19 7 749 8 519 1,162
20 15 749 1 519 1,161
21 7 740 12 531 1,158
22 16 741 9 540 1,154
23 0 732 1 541 1,135
24 17 735 22 561 1,140
25 9 729 4 565 1,139
26 5 721 16 581 1,141

Those wishing to start up a business in the tourism and leisure sectors, as in other sectors, may be eligible to apply for enterprise grants, regional selective assistance, Smart awards, help from the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme (SFLGS) and other forms of support. From 1 April an extension to the scope and eligibility for the SFLGS will increase the number of businesses, including within the tourism and leisure sectors, which can benefit from the scheme.

In addition, SBS provides advisory support to startup businesses through the network of business link operators. Business link services are either free or charged at affordable rates. People wanting to access support can contact their local business link operator via telephone on 0845 600 9006 or via the website www.businesslink.org.

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