11:08am Wednesday 8th September 2010
By David Watkinson
A BUSINESS support group is to axe 194 staff in Lancashire after being hit by a funding blow.
Business Link Northwest is to lose over half of its 338 workforce because the North West Development Agency, which finances the organisation, has lost much of its budget.
A restructuring is now proposed to ‘deliver a streamlined Business Link service’.
Currently Business Link Northwest operates telephone and face-to-face advisers to support new businesses from its HQ in Preston but also has staff that work throughout the county.
Redundancies will be made across all departments. Details have not yet been released of staff affected.
Despite the cuts bosses said Business Link remains ‘open for business’.
Peter Watson, managing director, said: “We know there will be changes to the delivery of government business support and a White Paper will be released in the autumn setting out the coalition’s proposals in more detail.
“In the meantime Business Link will continue to offer support to North West companies, and those considering starting a business.
"We are very much open for business and have a wealth of expertise here waiting to help businesses get growing again.
“We will continue to work with growing businesses across the region, and, free and impartial advice is available for those looking to start their own business."
Formal consultation with staff has begun and redundancies are likely to take place before the end of March next year.
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