The Agency has supported a large number of businesses across the years helping to create jobs and support the local economy. Their aim is to promote enterprise in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough by supporting the sustainability and growth of existing businesses.
They provide office space to entrepreneurs and business start-ups, enabling them to develop and grow a sustainable business. They have also been running a Hatchery programme for the last ten years which provides virtual administration support to businesses in America, Europe and across the UK.
During his visit, the Mayor met a number of tenant businesses to find how the support of Antrim Enterprise Agency has been critical to their success. The businesses included BB7, a leader in fire risk management, Savvy & Shine, an international hair products company and McIlroy Guitars who make bespoke guitars and export all over the world.
Speaking about the visit, The Mayor said; “I was delighted to visit Antrim Enterprise Agency and hear first-hand about the work Jennifer and the team do to support businesses in Antrim and further afield.
“The range of services and support provided is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Agency in providing a wraparound support for fledgling businesses. It is a vital part of supporting start-up businesses in our Borough that will sustain our economy as they grow.
It was great to talk to the tenants and hear what specific help they needed as a start-up business. The Antrim Enterprise Agency played a key role in bringing their ideas to reality and helping them grow with some now exporting all over the world!”
Jennifer McWilliams the Manager of Antrim Enterprise said: “We were delighted to welcome the Mayor and Officers from the Council to Antrim Enterprise recently to showcase the work that we do and the businesses we support. The Council are a key partner for us in the work that we do and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
Working with the Board of Trustees, the team at Antrim Enterprise are now looking to the next 30 years and planning for the future. Working with partners and the Council they intend to continue to grow and develop their services and support programmes. The team also are exploring options to expand their property portfolio to have even more rentable space to support entrepreneurship and support new and growing businesses.