MORE than 155,000 jobs in failing businesses are at risk in Greater Manchester.

Figures released by Business Link Northwest have shown that almost 20 per cent of businesses in Greater Manchester are in danger, leaving those jobs vulnerable.

In response to the current situation, the Manchester Evening News and Business Link Northwest have joined forces to launch a campaign, Supporting Our Businesses. The campaign will give the Greater Manchester business community the information, help and practical support they will need in the coming months.

As well as regular features and news stories, the campaign includes a strong online element with a dedicated web page featuring information and videos offering advice from some of the 50 Business Link advisers working across the whole of Greater Manchester. Events and drop-in clinics will also provide an opportunity for businesses to get face to face support.

Although the commercial risk faced in Greater Manchester is the highest in the north west, the statistics are not all doom and gloom.
More than 37 per cent of businesses are managing the recession very effectively. Businesses in Bolton fare best with more than four in every 10 businesses below the average risk.

Central Manchester has the highest number of businesses at maximum risk with almost 25 per cent, closely followed by Salford with over 23 per cent and Trafford with almost 21 per cent. High overheads, higher rents, parking, transport and competition from out of town shopping centres are among the major factors.

The risk has been calculated using data provided from the global credit management company Experian, this data has been built into an innovative Business Performance Index (BPI) developed by the Business Link data analysis team.

The BPI data will provide the opportunity over the coming months to track and monitor the health of Greater Manchester’s business community and provide insights into which issues are most pressing and the areas that need assistance as a priority.

The regular help and advice offered through Supporting Our Businesses in the business pages and on the newspaper’s website will address a range of business issues identified by the BPI as most relevant to Greater Manchester. 

Peter Watson, managing director of Business Link Northwest, explained: “Businesses in Greater Manchester are facing tough challenges. They need to take direct action and we will be providing the help they need through our partnership with the Manchester Evening News.

“We know from research that businesses that seek help from external sources are more likely to prosper. Business Link provides a gateway to a wide range of support and help for companies via our team of experienced advisers. The newspaper and online site provides a powerful voice in the region and by working together we are determined to help businesses through the current challenging times so they are able to take advantage of more favourable conditions as and when the opportunities arise.”

Supporting Our Businesses also aims to help safeguard jobs in the area. The figures show jobs are most at risk in small businesses with fewer than 25 employees who have so far weathered the recession but have now made all the savings they can.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which manages Business Link Northwest said: “There is already a high awareness of Business Link in the region and our objective is to make sure everyone fully understands exactly what the service can do to help businesses. By working in partnership with the Manchester Evening News we can improve that understanding and direct people to the help they need.

“We must all be realistically optimistic as we enter the second half of 2009. After all, confidence is a key factor in the growth of our economy and our aim is to instill more business confidence into the region’s economy by providing assistance to businesses and showcasing those that are succeeding. Our partnership will have a positive outlook by focusing on successful companies and sectors that are performing in our region, despite the difficult economic conditions.”
For more information on the help available from Business Link Northwest visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest or call 0845 00 66 888.