Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Visits Cookstown Enterprise Centre

On Friday 28th March 2025, Minister Fleur Anderson MP accepted an invitation from Cathal Mallaghan MP to come to Cookstown Enterprise Centre (CEC).

Minister Anderson who spent two hours at the company’s Derryloran Industrial Estate Head Office was welcomed by the Chair, Trevor Wilson and Vice-Chair, Elizabeth Kearns

Mrs Kearns provided a brief account of the background of the company which was established as a social enterprise in 1992. She explained that CEC has been a registered Charity with accreditation since 1996. The Board comprising six volunteer directors provide strategic direction to the management and small team of loyal, long-term staff.

The General Manager, Jim Eastwood, delivered a presentation outlining the progress the company has made during its thirty-three years. He stressed the importance of rental income generated from the CEC owned and managed property portfolio located at six sites within Cookstown.

He explained that the company had undertaken six major capital property projects since 1992 and the impact which CEC has made on the micro and small business sector locally.

The company provides a range of space for various local small businesses with an average occupancy of 95% consistently achieved.

Mr Eastwood went on to outline the most recent property acquisition which is the vacant Social Security offices located in the town centre at Fairhill Road. Plans to refurbish the derelict listed building are at an advanced stage with its important heritage being retained and displayed for the public.

This initiative represents a further investment of just over £1 million in Cookstown with essential funds being sought from several sources to match CEC’s own investment.

Following a positive round table discussion during which the Minister agreed to keep CEC updated with any significant potential funding opportunities, the Minister agreed to take a short tour of the CEC facilities. She was particularly impressed with the new CEC Flexi Space, a co-working facility which the company launched in 2023.

Minister Anderson wished the organisation continued success and congratulated the directors, management, and staff of the Enterprise Centre, for their entrepreneurial initiative and innovation that has benefited the local community.

https://www.midulstercouncil.org/business

Innovation Voucher Workshop

Cookstown Enterprise Centre

Friday 31st January 2025

South West College invites you to their Innovation Voucher Workshop in collaboration with Invest NI. Whether you are looking to develop a new product, improve a process, or find a solution to an existing problem, an innovation voucher can help you explore innovative ideas and opportunities, and provide a boost to your business.

09:30      Registration & Tea/coffee

10:00      Opening address

Innovation and industry support – Sean McKenna, Innovation Manager, SWC

Climbing the Innovation Escalator – Gerard Heatley, Grace Consultancy

My Innovation Journey with WYSEBITES – Joanna Neeson, WYSEBITES

Innovation Voucher application process – Pearse McAnallen, Invest Northern Ireland

One-to-one conversation with Invest NI technical advisors and SWC about your project idea and help with the voucher application

11:30      Close

To register please click the link below:

Innovation Voucher Workshop – 31st January 2025

For further information, please contact Paul Cairns on 028 8225 5223 or email paul.cairns@swc.ac.uk

Cookstown Enterprise Centre recently made its annual Christmas donation to two locally based charities.

This year we donated £250 to Charis Cancer Care  and £250 to The Hub Cookstown. This was in lieu of sending Christmas cards.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Trevor Wilson Chairman and Directors of Cookstown Enterprise Centre present cheque donations to Rose Perry from Charis Cancer Care and Carol Doey representing the The Hub Cookstown.

GO SUCCEED NI workshops

These FREE workshops cover a variety of topics to help you on your business journey, get registered now!

For the full list of upcoming events go to https://go-succeed.com/events/  and click the ‘Start’ option in the business stage dropdown!

This year’s theme is ‘Create, Connect, Inspire’; with a line up of in person events and webinars to suit all business sectors. The full calendar of events can be found at www.midulstercouncil.org/enterpriseweek or via the digital brochure here https://issuu.com/dgnent/docs/mid_ulster_enterprise_week_2024

The table below also conveniently outlines the events and booking links for Mid Ulster Enterprise Week.

We would love for you to sign up and benefit from some of these wonderful free events!

Friday 25th October 2024

 10am – 12.00pm

Cookstown Enterprise Centre

InterTradeIreland is hosting a series of free export drop-in clinics to help businesses across the island to grow through trading cross-border.

The clinics are aimed at businesses considering trading across the border for the first time or seeking to increase cross-border sales but don’t know where to start. If this is you, they would like to talk to you at their next drop-in clinic and help you on your journey.

Clinics are taking place over the coming months in various locations across the island to provide you with assistance in all areas of your cross-border export journey including; creating an export plan, building sales techniques and navigating cross-border trade requirements.

These are informal clinics where staff will be available during the advertised times for you to drop in, grab a coffee and have that all important initial chat.

You’ll also find out more about the range of fully funded support offered by InterTradeIreland to succeed and grow your business.

Cookstown Clinic:  Cookstown Enterprise Centre, Wednesday 20th November 2024, 10.00am -12.00pm

The registration link for the Trade Export Clinic is: Trade Export Clinic | InterTradeIreland

Go Succeed

Go Succeed is the new go-to source for expert business advice led by Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils.
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur thinking of starting out; are looking to grow your business; or are planning to scale up; a team of advisors will provide tailored support and guidance to help you achieve your business goals.

Go Succeed – Start Up
You have a great idea but you’re not sure how to turn it into a business, or you have already started out in business and require mentorship on your next steps. Our Go Succeed Start experts will help you to create a business plan, seek funding and put all the foundations in place to get your business up and running

Go Succeed – Grow Your Business
Your business is already established and is now ready to expand, but growth is slow and you’re not sure how to progress. Our Go Succeed Grow experts have seen it all before in just about every sector, so they’ll provide tailored support to help shorten the journey to business growth.

Watch this space…..Coming 2025

info@cookstownenterprise.com