THE organisation behind Outset Swindon says it is disappointed the service is coming to an end but is hopeful it can return in the future.

Last week, it was revealed the group’s funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERPD) and Swindon Borough Council comes to an end in June.

Outset Swindon offers support and funding to people who are looking to set up their own business and, in the two years it has been operational, has helped more than 200 businesses set up, creating more than 215 jobs.

Manor Singh, the programme director, said: “It is always disappointing when something which has been so successful comes to an end but we always knew funding would come to an end.

“We worked with local communities and people to give them an opportunity, if they had the ambition.

“We provide a service and the results were very good.

“We initially signed a contract for two years of match funding from Swindon Council and the ERPD fund. This expired in December last year but was extended by six months. This has now come to an end.

“There is disappointment from our clients but it is one of those things. We tell our clients who are setting up a business that they will come up against difficulties and they have to overcome them.

“That is what we are going to have to do.”

Despite the funding coming to an end, Outset Swindon will bid in the next window and is confident it will be successful. In the meantime, talks are ongoing with the council to see if a smaller service can be retained.

“The council has been absolutely fantastic and it has been really supportive of the project,” said Manor.

“This has not changed. We have been in talks with them to see if we can keep something going as it is key to what we do.

“But, like many organisations, the council is under immense pressure so we will have to see what happens.

“I am optimistic that in the future there will be a service for Swindon.”

While the local office in the town centre will be closing, the national service is still available online so people are being directed there.

The website offers advice for people setting up a business and video tutorials. It can be found at outsetonline.com