Bid for Exeter to be a Social Enterprise City

ESSENCE, an active network for social enterprises and co-operatives and part of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, held an event on 20 November to launch a campaign to see Exeter apply for Social Enterprise City status. The event, held on Social Enterprise Day at Foot Anstey’s offices, saw over 60 delegates from the local business community come together to discuss the new bid.

The group, run by social enterprise companies in the city, plans to apply to Social Enterprise UK for Exeter to be granted with Social Enterprise City status. ESSENCE asked the 60 delegates in attendance to break into small groups to discuss the application and what the desired status would achieve for the city.

It was agreed that a key group of stakeholders is needed to get behind the bid, organisations such as Exeter City Council and Exeter Chamber of Commerce are already in support but the application does also need the support of other influential businesses in the city. The status, it was discussed, would act as a unique selling point for Exeter as a place for innovation and productivity for start-ups and step-ups. The status would aim to see social enterprise companies fully integrated with the Exeter business community and enable open conversations to help develop the social sector and increase diversity in the local economy.

Ben Bradshaw MP said “I fully support this bid for Exeter to apply for Social Enterprise City status. The status will recognise the growth and success of the social enterprise sector in the city and highlight that it is a sector that is vital to our local economy.”

Lorna Turner, owner of The Fruit Tree for Business and a founder of ESSENCE said: “We were delighted to see so many people turn up to the event to support the Social Enterprise City campaign. For this application to be successful we need the full support of the business community and a key group of stakeholders and supporters. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved.”

Also speaking at the event was Foot Anstey’s Head of Charities James Evans, on the legal issues facing social enterprises’ and Miles Leonard from Lloyds Bank who spoke about his involvement in the Lloyd’s social enterprise mentoring scheme in association with The School for Social Entrepreneurs. 

For further information about the Social Enterprise City application or to get involved, please contact Heather McLeod at Exeter Chamber on heather@exeterchamber.co.uk.