Third time lucky for Plymouth?

The competition is a key part of the Government's drive to increase rates of entrepreneurial activity in the UK and sees fierce competition from towns and cities across the country. This year's Plymouth entry is based around the city's university and the increasingly important role it is playing in Plymouth's economy by producing highly-skilled graduates, working with key city organisations, carrying out world-class research and, under its Enterprise Solutions banner, providing facilities and support for individuals, businesses and the community. Last year, Plymouth won the regional heat of the competition to be named the most enterprising city in the South West and the bid's organisers are hoping that it will go one better this year and clinch the national title. Representatives from the University and the city will be giving a presentation about Plymouth's bid in Exeter on 11 May to a panel of judges including representatives of the South West Regional Development Agency, the Confederation of British Industry, the Regional Infrastructure for Social Enterprise (RISE), the Federation of Small Businesses and the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (CEMVO). Over the last few years, private, public and third-sector organisations in the city, including the University of Plymouth, have worked together on establishing a series of well-attended and high-profile events as part of the city's celebrations of National Enterprise Week and on drawing together a programme of cultural and fun events for the city's Summer Festival.