SMART way to celebrate

Atrium business centre in Coatbridge was the venue for a special event celebrating a milestone for Business Gateway Lanarkshire’s“SMART Accelerator”programme.

The programme has now been running for three years and has to date helped 100 businesses across the county by providing tailored support – on topics such as social media and expanding customer bases – to help with their growth plans.

Previous participants exhibited their products and services, and delegates heard a keynote address from Petra Wetzel of West Brewery.

North Lanarkshire enterprise convener Councillor Allan Graham also spoke at the anniversary event to celebrate the business initiative, which is supported by the European regional development fund.

Liz McCutcheon of Business Gateway Lanarkshire said:“The evening allowed us to celebrate not only the programme but the wide array of businesses who have gained so much from being accepted on to SMART Accelerator.

“It allows companies to work with industry experts to look at business strategy, finance, branding, marketing, sales and people; receive advice and mentoring and help create and implement an action plan to accelerate growth and gain market share.”

The programme runs three times per year and is currently seeking applications – for more details, visit http://smartaccelerator.co.uk/, www. bgateway.com/lanarkshire or call 01236 884825.

Pictured from left are South Lanarkshire councillor John Anderson, Petra Wetzel, Lanarkshire Enterprise Services chief executive Ronnie Smith, South Lanarkshire councillor Collette Stevenson and North Lanarkshire enterprise convener Councillor Allan Graham. Photograph courtesy of Murdoch Ferguson.