The National Enterprise Network (NEN) was delighted to join Yorkshire in Business in Scarborough to celebrate an important milestone – 40 years of enterprise support for businesses and entrepreneurs across the Yorkshire Coast.
Operations Director Carol Daniels attended a special visit and celebratory lunch, bringing together partners, supporters and local creatives to recognise the organisation’s long-standing contribution to business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Celebrating innovation and practical enterprise support
The event was hosted at Grind & Tonic, Yorkshire in Business’s newest support initiative. The hospitality hub has been created to give chefs and food and drink entrepreneurs the opportunity to test ideas, refine concepts and build sustainable businesses in a real-world setting. Grind & Tonic is a strong example of Yorkshire in Business’s practical, innovative approach to enterprise support, designed around the needs of modern start-ups.
Guests enjoyed an exciting and creative menu from Rob Porter, trading under his new concept Four by The Green Room Dining. With extensive experience in professional kitchens, Rob’s concept focuses on seasonality, creativity and bold flavours, making Grind & Tonic an ideal launchpad to develop his offer while engaging directly with customers.
Showcasing local makers and independent businesses
As part of the celebrations, guests were presented with handmade gifts from local makers who have all been supported by Yorkshire in Business advisers. These businesses also feature in the organisation’s Explore Indie initiative, which champions independent traders and promotes local products through physical retail and wider promotional activity.
During the visit, Carol Daniels toured the Explore Indie shop, which is currently undergoing an exciting transformation into Indie Revival. CEO Jenn Crowther shared plans for the next phase of development, including the integration of the Grind coffee shop and the opening of a new high street retail space.
“We’re incredibly proud to be growing the offer,” said Jenn Crowther. “This next phase includes the opening of a new retail shop on the high street, allowing us to expand our support and showcase local businesses across three floors. It’s about creating vibrant spaces where enterprise, community and opportunity come together.”
A shared commitment to thriving local economies
The visit highlighted not only Yorkshire in Business’s impressive 40-year legacy, but also its forward-looking vision – combining enterprise support, placemaking and innovation to help ensure the Yorkshire Coast continues to thrive.
Carol Daniels, Operations Director at the National Enterprise Network, said:
“Yorkshire in Business is a powerful example of what sustained, place-based enterprise support can achieve. For 40 years, they have backed local people with ideas, talent and ambition, and continue to innovate in ways that genuinely respond to their community. It was a privilege to join them in celebrating this milestone and to see first-hand the impact they are making now and for the future.”