Last updated at 12:00, Monday, 23 January 2012

FURNESS Enterprise will be sadly missed if its closure goes ahead in August.

That’s the view of Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock writing a blog for CN Group’s in-Cumbria newsletter following news of the agency’s impending demise.

In the blog, sent to 1,300 recipients as part of in-Cumbria’s weekly newsletter, Mr Woodcock described the news as a “cruel blow”.

He said: “The impending demise of Furness Enterprise is a real blow to this region and is unfortunately yet another sign that the Conservative-led government is turning its back on areas like ours.

“For the past 21 years the not-for-profit agency has helped to create and nurture more than 10,000 private sector jobs and has safeguarded many hundreds more.

“I have this week been inundated with messages from small business owners and employees who have expressed their dismay at losing an organisation they rightly felt was on this area’s side when times were hard.

“So I welcome and wholeheartedly support the Evening Mail’s campaign to preserve the agency to help established businesses and new generations of budding entrepreneurs create jobs.

“But let’s be under no illusion about the way the odds are stacked against us.

“We have already witnessed the dismantling of the North West Development Agency and the closure of Barrow Regeneration – the urban regeneration company overseeing the marina development.

“Their disappearance has left the area bereft of free face-to-face business support.

“The Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses continue to give valuable assistance to firms here.

“And we have to redouble our efforts to make sure Cumbria’s new Local Enterprise Partnership can be a success, but so far it has not had the focus or level of resource of the organisations it is replacing.

“Furness Enterprise was instrumental in helping some of the area’s brightest and best small and medium size companies grow from being one-man-bands in back bedrooms.

“Another worry is the loss of a lobbying voice which has championed the importance of business re-investment or relocation to Furness.

“Furness has come through tough times in the past, but it is both ironic and alarming that an organisation which was set up under the last Conservative government is facing its demise because current ministers are depriving the area of help. At a time of increasing unemployment the last thing this area needs is to lose the experience and dedication of a job creation agency whose track record speaks for itself.”

To sign a petition calling for Furness Enterprise to be saved go to http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/27649

To register for the in-Cumbria weekly newsletter, visit www.in-cumbria.com

First published at 14:38, Thursday, 02 February 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk