NEWS

EEDA launches business advice map

Business and entrepreneurs in the East of England can be forgiven if they have been unsure where to turn for business advice in the past.

They have faced a maze of different public and private sector bodies all seeming to claim to offer advice.

But this week the East of England Development Agency (Eeda) has launched a new interactive map to help guide people through that maze.

Nine months in the making, the new website takes the form of a London Underground style map.

Each station represents the specialist advisory bodies - and each underground line shows how to move from one advisory body to the next.

Richard Ellis, chairman of Eeda, said: "The East of England has a thriving and entrepreneurial business community, with more than 430,000 businesses.

"We have been listening very carefully to what those businesses are asking for, and one clear and reoccurring theme is the need to explain what is often perceived as a complicated landscape - public sector business support.

"If businesses want to continue to flourish in our region, it is absolutely essential that they have access to the right support that is tailored to their needs.

"The business map has been developed with this in mind, and is truly unique as it provides businesses, regardless of their size, sector or aspiration, with an easy-to-access and visually-led explanation of the support options they could take advantage of.

"Business Link, which is supported in the East of England by Eeda, remains the first port of call for businesses looking for advice and support, but the map gives them the full range of options available."

Richard Tunnicliffe, regional director of the CBI, said the map have a simple view of what advice was available.

"Eeda's new business map illuminates the array of public-sector business support that is on offer in the East of England," Mr Tunnicliffe said.

"This type of support can prove crucial in unlocking a business' full potential or helping them realise their aspirations. It's an old adage, but 'time is money' in business, and people really can't afford the time to search through the reams of information traditionally associated with public sector support. Eeda's business map gives them a simple view of the options available."

To view the map visit www.bizmapeast.com