Scheme brings Polish and UK businesses closer in Rotherham

A NEW business and social enterprise in Rotherham is bringing Polish and UK businesses closer together and promoting Yorkshire as a tourist destination

Along with his business partners, Mariusz Staniursk spotted an opportunity to set up a social enterprise and founded Yorkshire Tourist Organization (YTO) Ltd to encourage more tourists from Eastern European to visit Yorkshire.

They have also set up Narvia Tourist Info Centre (TIC) Ltd, an event management business that will run exhibitions and conferences that connect businesses from Eastern Europe with those in the UK for mutual benefit.

Mariusz took advantage of Rotherham’s Soft Landing Zone arrangement to inward businesses relocating to the UK and he has been able to access support with the legal aspects of setting up his social enterprise.

Rotherham Investment Development Office (RIDO) also supported Yorkshire Tourist Organisation by arranging legal advice for preparing a Memorandum of Association that will help them tap in to international grants as a social enterprise from the UK and Eastern Europe.

Narvia is currently organising its first major exhibition, the Yorkshire Investment and Tourism Expo, which takes place at the Hilton hotel in Manchester on January 28 and 29 and is designed to build links and connect businesses in the UK and Eastern Europe.

Mr Staniursk said: “One of the reasons we chose to establish our business and social enterprise in Rotherham is because of the support available through RiDO.

“We have received ongoing help and support and RiDO has helped us to establish a good network of contacts here in Yorkshire.

“Moorgate Crofts Business Centre is a great location for us and we are hoping to host a second exhibition in Rotherham later on in 2014, with the theme of promoting the Yorkshire region and building links between Eastern Europe and South Yorkshire businesses.”