CHESHIRE West and Chester Council is sponsoring the Business Start-Up category.

A spokesman said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council works in partnership with Blue Orchid, the accredited provider of business start up advice across the borough and are delighted to support the start-up category for the 2011 Business Awards.

“Encouraging enterprise and attracting new businesses is a key priority for the Borough, there are many brilliant ideas out there for a wide range of new businesses. We aim to provide a mix of support via the local authority and Blue Orchid to help individuals get their businesses off the ground.

Blue Orchid deliver a free business support programme, offering one to one advice and support to eligible individuals who are considering self-employment, in easily accessible venues within their local communities including libraries and community centres.

“The range of support available includes business planning, financial forecasting, developing marketing strategies, finding premises and signposting to local networking opportunities.”

For more information, contact Blue Orchid on: 01244 559032, email info@theblueorchid.co.uk or visit www.theblueorchid.co.uk or contact Cheshire West and Chester Council business engagement team email: Business@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.