This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.
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SHINE Programme
The SHINE Programme is the Council’s principal business support and growth programme. The programme has continued to deliver and provide mentoring support and specialist business advice to help businesses to recover through the COVID—19 crisis. The programme is continuing to support businesses through their recovery as we begin to emerge from the pandemic.
How to Apply or Express your interest
To apply, please complete our on-line application form. If you require assistance with completing the on-line application form ring 028 9147 3788.
Alternatively you can express your interest before applying to the programme and an officer will get in touch with you.
*Please note that the online application form is best accessed from a desktop or laptop using Google Chrome
For more information on the programme or for support with your application please contact Maura Bettes on maura.bettes@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
The SHINE Programme
The SHINE Programme is the Council’s principal business support and growth programme. The programme is continuing to deliver and provide mentoring support and specialist business advice to help businesses to navigate through the current COVID—19 crisis. The programme is open to companies with less than 50 employees located in the Ards and North Down Council area.
The SHINE Programme provides:
- Support the creation of new sustainable jobs
- Refer businesses to Invest NI
- Support businesses to become more competitive
- Promote business growth and innovation
- Provide accessible and need driven support
The Shine Programme provides tailored and specialist business support to micro and small enterprises to support the development of a more prosperous economy within the council area. This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.
The SHINE Programme provides support in areas of;
- Business Management; tendering, strategic planning, management techniques,
- Marketing; Market Research, Marketing Planning, Effective PR, Sales Development,
- Finance; Cash Flow, projects, book keeping, cost reduction, cost/price analysis,
- R&D; New product development exporting, change management, product research,
- Online Marketing; website design, SEO, Social Media, email marketing, Google Adwords
- Operations; production management, process planning, quality accreditation, green management
Participant Testimonials
“Participating on the Shine programme has been fantastic for my business. I have received great support from my mentor John Hughes.
John has helped me gain a better understanding of my target market and has helped me achieve SMART goals through business development and looking at different business strategies. I would recommend this programme to any small business who is stuck in a rut or new to the market looking for support, guidance and advice”
- Michelle Tyson, Tyson Wilson Recruitment Ltd
Tracey Jeffrey
Tracey’s Farm House Kitchen producing home baked goods from her family home in Killinchy. Tracey started her business wanting to attract international visitors to the amazing food and drink offering in Ards and North Down. Tracey needed support in Digital Marketing in an area that she feels she is lacking in skills. Through the programme mentoring Tracey has developed her website and social media audience where 90% of visitors were booked on-line from as far as USA and Canada.
Credit:
Ards and North Down Borough Council
William "Bill" Mayne
William, from Bullhouse Brewery specialist and flavourful Craft Beer producer from his family home outside Newtownards. William started the programme in April 2019 and worked with a business mentor where he could bounce ideas and use as a sounding board while putting focus in areas that help to drive growth.
Credit:
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Adam Stanex
Adam, owner of Northern Card Game who specialise in retailer board games, trading games and various hobby games. Adam started his business initially by developing a website and has now grown and developed into a retail shop in Newtownards. The Shine Programme added value to Adam’s business by increasing his knowledge in managing stock levels, how to optimise his SEO and appear higher on google rankings.
Credit:
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Find out more
To find out more about the SHINE programme and how it can help your business, contact Maura Bettes.