NEW business ventures are the lifeblood of commerce and in Test Valley they are eligible for additional help in the form of a £500 grant from the borough council.

The council works with Enterprise First and Business Link to provide free and impartial advice to those thinking of starting their own business. Over the last nine years, the council has helped more than 250 businesses.

Someone who recently benefited is Lucy Dom-inguez who has set up her own beauty and well-being salon. SevenTSix Ltd occupies one of the units in the new Waterloo Court development alongside Tesco Metro in Andover.

Lucy has worked continually for 11 years in the beauty therapy industry; as a therapist, salon manager and college lecturer; she is now enjoying the challenges her new venture has to offer.

With the new company doing well she has already taken on a full time member of staff to help her.

Lucy said the grant was very useful and helped her buy essential equipment.

Cllr Peter Giddings, economic portfolio holder said: “I am impressed with the ambition and energy of the many new businesses I have come across. “It is important for the council to continue to support the creation of new enterprises in Test Valley.”

For further details of the Business Incentive Grant and all the other business support the council offers including GRANTnet whi-ch is a comprehensive database with over 4,000 grants for businesses, charitable trusts and corporate sponsors visit testvalley.gov.uk/business or contact David Gleave, economic development officer at Beech Hurst.