East Lindsey Launch Event a Success!
On 28th June 2006, an inspirational presentation and lively discussion were very much the order of the day at the launch event for Advance Rural Lincs at the Royal Renaissance Hotel, Skegness. On a wonderfully sunny morning Ivan Annibal (Head of Lincolnshire Development) welcomed over 70 delegates from businesses across East Lindsey to the event.
The hotel manager Andrew Stewart then treated the delegates to a fascinating history of the hotel. The hotel (formerly called The Seacroft) was home to bomber squadrons in the Second World War, and has recently been extensively restored thanks to investment from local businessman Taj Bola.
By satellite link ex-rugby player Rob Andrew then “appeared” at the event to talk about his time as England’s most capped fly-half and then manager of the Newcastle Falcons. Rob’s main theme was the importance of self-belief in what you are doing, be that trying to win the world cup for your country or running your own business! Rob brilliantly illustrated the point by playing a clip of a much younger self being interviewed after beating Scotland in the semi-finals of the 1991 World Cup. Rob was ecstatic to have made the final but the subconscious message coming across was that reaching the final was enough. England then went on to defeat in the final against Australia, despite having enough ability to overturn the Aussies. Rob then powerfully re-affirmed to the delegates that belief is essential to succeed in business, as is tenacity and the ability to push beyond the limits.
After an opportunity for refreshment and some networking, Rob Andrew then fielded a Q and A session where again he talked about the importance of self belief and picking the right team for your business, something he admitted that he was still struggling to get right!
Eddy Poll, Executive Councillor for Economic Development then gave a good speech (again via satellite link) on the benefits of tourism and investment in the Lincolnshire area, echoing his comments made in the recent edition of “County News”, namely of the importance of promoting Lincolnshire’s tourism industry and the benefits of investment in the area, keeping skilled workers and jobs in the county.
After Eddy Poll’s speech attention was focussed on the delegates, who were asked through table discussions to discuss what they felt were the key issues affecting businesses in the East Lindsey region.
In summary the main issues were felt to be:
- A lack of road infrastructure in Lincolnshire
- A problem with the image/identity of Lincolnshire (i.e. stereotyped as an agricultural county)
- No local education centre/college for East Lindsey
- Lack of or no business-to-business networking
- Lack of or no business support services
- More work needed to promote tourism or diversify the tourism product
- More opportunities for businesses to trade with each other in Lincolnshire or supply the local authorities (i.e. “Meet the buyer” events)
- More support for Market Towns
- Need to simplify access to information / resources for businesses
- Need to utilize the skills of older or retired people within the county
The event was then rounded off with a networking lunch, giving businesses the opportunity to arrange for the local adviser Neil Brown to go out and see them; to discuss their business needs in more detail. All the business comments made were also fed back for analysis so that the Advance Rural Lincolnshire initiative will respond to the issues raised, and the most suitable support will be provided.
