A virtual business environment for individuals who initially require a business address, a telephone number and mail handling services.

Mailbox/accommodation address service

Telephone answering and message forwarding service

 Use of our modern meeting rooms / conference facilities at discounted rates

Free access to our many networking events including Open Coffee Antrim; Business Bites

 Our hot desk facilities offer you the chance to work in a professional office environment at an affordable cost

£45 per month

Mailbox/accommodation address service

Telephone answering and message forwarding service

Hot desk work station with Monday - Friday access

Complimentary use of our canteen facilities

Access to a variety of on-site, chargeable business services such as photocopying, fax etc.

 Use of our modern meeting rooms / conference facilities at discounted rates

Free access to our many networking events including Open Coffee Antrim; Business Bites

 Renting a dedicated desk is ideal for early stage entrepreneurs looking for a base to start developing their business or established entrepreneurs looking for a change

£100 per month

Mailbox/accommodation address service

Telephone answering and message forwarding service

Private desk in shared office, that is complete with telephone and internet access

24/7 access to your office

Desk screens separate each Hot Desk to create individual space and reduce noise

Complimentary use of our canteen facilities

Access to a variety of on-site, chargeable business services such as photocopying, fax etc.

Use of our modern meeting rooms / conference facilities at discounted rates

Free access to our many networking events including Open Coffee Antrim; Business Bites

To find out more contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   9446 7774

Antrim Enterprise Agency has joined forces with multi-national company A4e to deliver the Department of Employment & Learning’s Steps to Work Self Employment option for those unemployed and looking to start a business in Antrim.

Steps to Work (StW) offers a number of different choices around work related activities that can be fitted to suit peoples needs when it comes to finding them employment.  Anyone over 18-years-old, lone parents aged 16 and over, who is not working or working less than 16 hours each week is eligible. People will be able to participate in StW if they are claiming benefit or if they are not working and not claiming benefit.

Dr Denis McBrinn, A4e’s Development Director - Northern Ireland says of the partnership: “We are delighted to be involved with the local enterprise network.  They have developed a significant capability and resource that ideally suits the needs of the Steps to Work programme.  They have a team of experienced business advisors and more importantly the local connection on the ground within the community.”

The Steps to Work Self Employment Option comprises of three stages; A basic awareness and information session on a one-to-one basis. Individuals will have the opportunity to discuss their idea in confidence with an experienced business counsellor.  

If an individual decides that self-employment is for them, they move to the next stage  which involves further training and one-to-one counselling covering all aspects of starting their own business.  The enterprise agencies experienced staff provide one-to-one mentoring support to assist the individual to develop their business plan. If at this stage they decide that they are ready to start their own business they move to the next stage.

During this stage individuals will have the opportunity to experience the realities and responsibilities of self-employment. They will be able to start and run their own business for 26 weeks, without losing their benefits and with full support from the advisers.

 Speaking on behalf of the enterprise centres, Jennifer McWilliams of Antrim Enterprise Agency stated that “ We are looking forward to this partnership with A4e; bringing together our individual skills in employability and self employment to help those individuals who are having difficulties finding a job in the current economic climate.”

The NMW rates are reviewed each year by the Low Pay Commission and from 1 October 2011:

If you are a business and are looking to find out what the current rates are or need assistance with payroll contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for guidance

Antrim Enterprise Agency in partnership with a number of its colleagues in the North East have launched a new website highlighting available property across the region - enterprisingproperties.com

Whether you are starting a new business or an established business looking to relocate to Antrim, the variety of workspace units can meet all needs - office space, retail units, manufacturing space, warehouse or storage units - in fact units are available that can be tailored to any business purpose.

So why not become part of a growing business community and take advantage of the additional services available close at hand.

The easy to navigate website provides all the information you require on available premises and includes testimonials from existing tenants so you have a feel for the full service being offered by enterprise centres.   

Antrim's Business Angels

Antrim Business Angels offer financial help, experience and advice to small businesses in the Antrim area. The Angels involved in the business have capital, experience and expertise they are prepared to invest in ideas, which have potential for growth.

We can offer help and assistance to individuals who are thinking about establishing a business but who do not have the capital to get started. We are also interested in businesses which have recently been established but can’t access the capital to realise the businesses potential.

We differ from other Business Angel organisations in that we will consider ideas and opportunities which may appear smaller and which require lower initial help. We will agree with each individual / business the level of input they require from us to help start or develop their business ideas.

Antrim Business Angels are looking for individuals and businesses who can answer yes to the following points and who can demonstrate this:

• Do they have an idea with good potential?
• Do they have a unique selling point?
• Do they have a realistic and creditable market in mind?
• Do they have the drive, energy and enthusiasm to make the idea work?

We will consider business ideas which are not traditional retail, where the level of initial investment is up to £10,000.

If an individual or business is interested in discussing their opportunity with us they should provide the following information as briefly and concisely as possible:

Contact Details:

• Contact Name:
• Contact Telephone:
• Contact Email:
• Company Name if it exists:
• Company address if it exists:
• Company website if it exists:

Business Idea: The answers must be brief.

• Describe the business idea or concept in one sentence
• What is the unique selling point
• What stage is the business or idea at
• If the business has already started trading when did it start
• What direct experience or skills does the person bring to the business
• How many people are involved directly with the business or idea
• Do they who how much money they need and if so what it will be used for and when it will be needed.

Please return the proposal to Jennifer McWilliams at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Antrim Enterprise Agency

Tradelinks is a business development programme designed to assist the micro-enterprise sector across Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal.

Companies committed to :
·        enhancing employment generation opportunities

·        developing exporting capability

·        addressing barriers to cross border trade.

·        investigating the opportunities afforded by new technology

·        encouraging new market and new product development

·        encouraging innovation

will find that that the Tradelinks  Programme is for them.