Call to scrap enterprise company

Some small businesses want to see SEDG scrapped and replaced

Small business owners have called for the scrapping of Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway (SEDG).

The move came at a recent open meeting of the region's Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Upper Nithsdale Business Forum (UNBF).

They claim SEDG is biased in favour of bigger companies and is no longer fit to be trusted with the public purse.

A spokesperson for SEDG said it had a strong history of supporting small business and refuted claims of bias.

FSB local chairman Graham Nicol said it was no surprise the call had been made to replace SEDG with a more "accountable" organisation.

"We have had years of corporate central belt-orientated policies being imposed on a predominantly unincorporated rural region which are quite clearly not working," he said.

"The role of the small unincorporated micro-business in rural areas such as Dumfries and Galloway can't be over-emphasised."

SEDG has a strong track record of supporting small businesses in Dumfries and Galloway and strongly refutes any suggestion that we have in any way abandoned support to local businesses SEDG spokesperson

He added: "They are often the sole source of employment in these communities and should be acknowledged for that vital role they play and be supported accordingly."

Mr Nicol also emphasised problems with the lack of vocational training in the region.

Carol Baker of the UNBF highlighted the communication issues between businesses, training facilities and agencies.

"Currently our members' progress is being hampered by lack of support and decisions which impinge on their future competitiveness and sustainability being taken without consultation," she said.

An SEDG spokesperson rejected accusations of bias towards big business.

"SEDG has a strong track record of supporting small businesses in Dumfries and Galloway and strongly refutes any suggestion that we have in any way abandoned support to local businesses," she said.

'Same direction'

"Last year saw the Business Gateway achieve a record level of 333 business start ups, five of these being of high growth status."

She added they had also helped 428 existing businesses with a range of issues and assisted 70 companies with e-business aspirations.

"We also supported 101 companies in their overseas ambitions," she said.

She said SEDG worked with all organisations, including the FSB, to "ensure we are all pulling in the same direction".

Hearings are currently continuing at SEDG into the cases of four senior managers suspended over an "employment matter".