Business network organisation Made In Bury has launched a club to help bring success to borough firms.

A total of 11 firms have joined the Made In Bury Business Academy Patrons Club with the "shared vision of helping the next generation of business owners and nurture and develop successful entrepreneurship" in the town.

In association with Headline Partners, Connect Comms and Consilium Wealth Management, the patrons are on board to help take the Made in Bury Business Academy "to the next level".

They will mentor academy start-ups and sit on the loan panel, providing interest free loans (a first in the UK) to Bury start-up businesses via the Made In Bury Weekly £2,000 Draw, reaffirming their commitment to ‘helping tomorrow’s businesses today".

Back in early 2016, the Made In Bury Business Academy was born.

Partners Debi and Phil Fellone created 18 business modules based on their real-life business experiences.

Fast forward almost seven years and 125 startups have come through the academy with a clear business plan for the future.

And with over 70 per cent of them still trading today, that’s over double the national statistics.

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A spokesperson from Action Media Hire, which took part in the academy last year, said: "I highly recommend to anyone thinking of starting a business to join the academy.

"It is well and truly an eye opener and the support you get from Phil and Debi and other companies starting out like yourselves is absolutely amazing.

"I love being part of it and thank all the other new start-up businesses for their support too."

A spokesperson for Pad Foot and Paws, which was in the academy in 2020, said: "The Made in Bury Business Academy has been one of the best decisions I made for my business.

"The course has been fabulous and has really made me stretch myself to think about what I want from my business in terms of development and expansion, but also around the whole ethos behind the services I provide."

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Managing partner Phil Fellone said: “I’m really excited about the future, our patrons will add a new dimension to the business academy, giving their time and expertise to help develop Bury’s fledgling businesses.

"Our patrons are Oscar Majid from Connect Comms, Wayne Coleman from Consilium Wealth Management, Warren Court from Aspin FM, Sonja Butterworth from Dream Big Little One, Liz Cronshaw from Grow Your Mindset, Lee Sugden from Horsfield and Smith, Ross Allen from ISM Waste and Recycling, Oliver Caunt from JCS Nuclear Solutions, Liam Gately from Platinum Care, Luke Millington from Stay N Play Doggy Daycare and Sara Beaumont from WHN Solicitors.”

Sponsor, Joe Hague Photography went along to the meeting to capture the patrons on camera.

If you are a local business owner and would like to help support the next generation of entrepreneurs via the Made In Bury Weekly £2,000 Draw or if you are a new start-up business wanting more information about the business academy, email debi@madeinbury.co.uk.