Businesses Rank Business Link's Success in Latest Customer Surveys: "It Delivers" say its Customers; "Use it" say Leading Entrepreneurs

National News Release

LONDON, December 15 - Figures revealed from a number of separate reports show that businesses
believe they save time, increase their sales and raise profits as a direct
result of using the Business Link service.

Huge numbers of business owners and budding entrepreneurs are turning to
the service. The regional network of Business Link providers reached a
staggering 942,000 customers in the 2008/2009 period and businesslink.gov.uk
hosted more than 14 million visits, proving itself as a favourite site for
business.

The Minister for Regional Economic Development, The Rt Hon Rosie
Winterton MP, said today: "The recent surveys asked Business Link customers
to provide feedback on the service and the impact it has had on their
business. The figures clearly demonstrate the service is making a difference
to their bottom line; and in addition, over 103,000 businesses since October
last year have benefitted from a free health check, offering them an
impartial and objective assessment of their business."

In the surveys businesses reported that they:

    - SAVED MONEY: they saved roughly 5.7 million hours (which they valued at
      approx GBP121m) and GBP158 million in cost savings by using the free
      information and advice on the Business Link website

    - INCREASED THEIR PROFITS: they attributed additional sales of GBP360
      million and increased profits of GBP54 million to using the information
      and guidance on the website

    - SAVED VALUABLE TIME: the advisory service saved them valuable time
      researching and gathering information - an average of 17 hours per
      customer

Commercial lawyer Penina Shepherd of Acumen Business Law is
one of the businesses who took advantage of the Health Check. "At first, I
was a little sceptical," she explains. "Acumen Business Law was already a
successful business and I couldn't see what value Business Link could add. I
now know that, had I not taken Business Link's advice, our success would have
been short lived. The advisers had plenty of business expertise, practical
experience and provided a five star service. As a result of meeting them, we
made several significant changes, and put fundamental systems in place to
measure financial success. We recommend that all our clients use Business
Link. It can save a lot of time and money, and provides a trustworthy service
completely free of charge."

As the figures were released a selection of the UK's top entrepreneurs
attended an event to sign up to the official Business Link Ambassador
Programme. Karen Hanton of Toptable.com said:

"Business Link is a service that is performing extremely well and
delivering fantastic free support and advice to businesses at a critical
time. I am happy to show my support and do all I can to encourage those
budding and existing business owners to use and benefit from the vast free
support and guidance they are entitled to."

The Minister continued; "Business Link is a vital resource for
businesses, however big or small, providing them with the advice and support
they need and enabling them to run their businesses more efficiently.

"The Business Link Ambassadors' endorsement will act as a spur for other
businesses to take advantage of the free, expert advice and support
available."

Other Business Link ambassadors include: Karen Darby (Call Britannia)
John Bird (Big Issue) Imran Hakim (iTeddy) John Cowell (Cowell Co) and Claire
Young (former Apprentice finalist).

Report sources include:

    - The 2009 Impact Assessments carried out by Databuild

    - The 2008/2009 Business Link Regional Performance Report

    - The BIS Early Assessment of Business Link carried out by the Institute
      for Employment Studies and the Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)
      Mystery Shopping Report of the Business Link Service carried out by
      Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR)

About Business Link

    - Business Link is a regional network of highly skilled and qualified
      business advisers and businesslink.gov.uk is the official website for
      business.

    - Business Link helps people succeed in business.

    - Business Link services are available online at
      www.businesslink.gov.uk and through a helpline number,
      +44(0)845-600-9-006.

Note to Editors:

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Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

    Press enquiries
    PR4: Jan McGinley or Kat Adams jan@pr4.com & kat@pr4.com
    +44-207-637-3845 / +44(0)7789-905304 (out of hours)

Press enquiries: PR4: Jan McGinley or Kat Adams jan at pr4.com & kat at pr4.com, +44-207-637-3845 / +44(0)7789-905304 (out of hours)