An organisation which delivers business support programmes across Shropshire has helped 180 new businesses get off the ground in the county during the past 12 months.

Business Enterprise Support Ltd, which works on behalf of Shropshire Council and Business Link West Midlands, operates from Staffordshire and has over 25 years’ experience of supporting new and existing enterprises.

David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for local environment and economy, said: “Shropshire Council is committed to helping new and existing local companies, particularly during the economic downturn.

“Working with Business Enterprise Support is playing an important role in assisting us to help many local entrepreneurs, who are vital to the local economy.”

Judith Kirkland, chief executive of Business Enterprise Support Ltd, said: “We are proud to be working with so many new businesses across the county and continue to work very closely with Shropshire Council’s economic development section with their delivery of business support services.”

One Shropshire company which has benefited from their support is Shrewsbury-based Mirrorworks, which has just finished its first year of trading.

Mirrorworks makes reproduction antique mirror glass for interiors, using traditional specialist manufacturing processes. The company has already developed a number of high-value and high-profile customers in London and now abroad.

Mirrorworks owner Rob Young said: “Business Link helped to channel my enthusiasm to start up on my own. The support and advice offered helped me to plan, prepare and build confidence to be able to start the business, and gave me the insight to leave full time employment to do so.”