France/ Economic development: a local business club has been set up in Neufchâtel-en-Bray

A local business club has just been launched by the Communauté de communes Bray Eawy, which has teamed up with Domitille Ridel, director of the Neufchâtel coworking space.

The Communauté de communes Bray Eawy has joined forces with the "La suite dans les idées" coworking space in Neufchâtel-en-Bray(Seine-Maritime) to create a local business club to meet the expectations of the main stakeholders.

A club for up-and-coming businesses

The aim of this partnership is to bring together companies who wish to do so within a non-formal structure, but whose animation has been proposed to Domitille Ridel, who manages the coworking space in the heart of the Pays de Bray.

"La suite dans les idées" will become the com'com's economic arm. It's the next logical step in our approach, and I think that when the private sector knows how to do things, the public sector should support it and step aside," confides Nicolas Bertrand, Chairman of the Intercommunal Council.

The young entrepreneur has therefore been entrusted with the task of leading this up-and-coming club.

Business needs

To date, a questionnaire has been sent out to several hundred Bray Eawy companies to find out what their expectations are, at least initially. "For the time being, what stands out is the desire and need to meet with other professionals, and for business development. The two are linked. Exchanges can help you expand your networks, find new customers, share information... This club can help certain companies increase their sales force", insists Domitille Ridel. She adds:

For me, the survival or development of companies depends on making their voice heard, and becoming stronger by being more numerous.

This club could also enable us to pool certain expenses, in short, to federate so that everyone benefits.

Bringing companies out of isolation

To kick-start the process, the communauté de communes has decided to contribute 12,000 euros. It's a substantial sum, but one that the club hopes will be a driving force for the local economy. "I don't think we hunt in packs enough. Everyone's looking after their own business, whereas there are some big projects coming up. We're looking for concerted action and results," says Nicolas Bertrand.

In his opinion, "La suite dans les idées" is already a recognized place that can help meet the needs of companies and help them to break out of their isolation, "when we're going to need each other more and more. It won't necessarily be quantifiable at first, but we want to create links and make a contribution," explains the coworking manager.

Services for businesses

Thematic meetings will soon be offered.

It won't be a meeting for the sake of a meeting. Entrepreneurs like us don't have time for that.

An employment forum is also planned for the coming months. Domitille Ridel, who already regularly offers services to local businesses in the form of conferences, events, room and office rental... but also inter-company visits, information on communication channels and social networks, to name but a few examples, knows that there's a lot of work to be done to bring the Pays de Bray's economic fabric together.

But isn't that what's most exciting! In any case, mobilizing is the leitmotiv of this up-and-coming business club, which won't be asking for memberships for its launch.

Source: actu.fr/normandie