‘I want to see diverse businesses growing and thriving throughout Bristol’

Sarah Ives is a project manager at YTKO, which is delivering the North and East Bristol Support (NEBS) programme. This provides fully-funded business support to pre-starts, startup and SME businesses in north and east Bristol to help grow local economies and create jobs in the area.

The programme is funded by Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
Knowing that the work YTKO is doing helps to support Bristol’s vibrant independent scene. We’re fortunate to be able to work directly with so many brilliant people and businesses every day by giving them one-to-one advice and delivering workshops across different topics, so each day is completely different.

If you could pick one thing to change in Bristol, what would it be?
Definitely reducing traffic and better pedestrianised zones in the areas surrounding the city centre. But I know that the New Green Deal will help with this as part of tackling the climate emergency, as well as transforming the local economy and creating jobs (which YTKO are helping to do).

What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
Being fully prepared to recover and thrive following the devastating effects of the pandemic. This includes supporting hard-hit industries such as food, hospitality and nighttime economy, and being ready to help these loved industries as much as possible once lockdown ends and restrictions are lifted. The NEBS programme is focusing on those hardest hit to give them the business support they need to help recover.

Sarah tries to shop locally when possible – photo by Ellie Pipe

What one action could you as an individual take?
I try to shop local and support independent businesses wherever possible, whether that includes heading down to my local high street in St George to fill up empty containers or buy weekly cook-at-home meals from restaurants that closed during lockdown.

And what action could your company take?
At YTKO, we are proud to be able to support so many local residents and businesses across a range of areas such as enterprise, housing, employment, skills, confidence building and more. This support has never been more needed than it is now. So, we will continue to work with local government, partners and the business community to drive the recovery of our vibrant city.

What do you want to see from the Bristol business community in the next five years?
NEBS is running until March 2023 so within the next two years, I want to see more new and diverse businesses growing and thriving throughout Bristol.

Within five years, I would love to see the Bristol business community continue to support new enterprises and entrepreneurs, as well as existing industries and demographics that have been most affected by Covid-19.

YTKO is launching a Bristol women in business networking group on Thursday, March 11. Full details are available via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-social-womens-bristol-network-international-womens-day-tickets-141968512643?fbclid=IwAR1yts5paaqk65DOVx5zRZl7-JDYML2p6qLsbmMv4aXOJ-dfxAUEX3HzlW0

Main photo courtesy of Sarah Ives

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