ENTREPRENEURS can receive support from a new club set up in Clevedon to help people who have been made redundant.

Clevedon Enterprise Club, the first of its kind in the UK, has been created as part of an initiative by Job Centre Plus and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to give people the help they need to set up their own businesses.

Now, the club is looking for those who have started their own business to visit and share their knowledge.

FSB member of Clevedon-based Dart Digital, Steve Sharp, said: “Due to the current economic climate, a lot of people, but particularly those in their 40s and 50s, are finding themselves being made redundant from careers they have been following all their lives.

“They are then faced with the daunting task of getting back into work where, on average, 35 people are chasing each new role.

“That’s where the enterprise club comes in - it shows people that there is another alternative - working for yourself.”

The Clevedon Enterprise Club is free to attend and meets twice a month, welcoming speakers on a range of topics including business plans, basic accounting, bookkeeping, funding, website use, marketing and networking.

One person who has already benefited from the club is 53-year-old Gary Wooten, a management accountant from Clevedon, who was made redundant three months ago.

After struggling to find a job, he found out about the club and eventually set up as a freelance bookkeeper.

Gary said: “The club gave me the confidence I needed to set up on my own and by talking to others I soon found a niche.”

Clevedon Enterprise Club meets on the second and third Friday of each month from 9.30am-12.30pm at Dart Services, 12a Hill Road.

For more details contact Steve Sharp at steve@dart-digital.co.uk or on 01275 79977 or Chris Long at chris.long1@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk or on 01275 515513.