Campaign can do its bit to help

Jan 28 2009 by Andrew Hebden, The Journal

A NOT uncommon criticism of the business support provision in the North East that frequently emerges from conversations with those at the sharp end of running a company surrounds the difficulty of making sense of the web of provision out there.

There’s been a real drive over the past few years to try to simplify these services, with the creation of the single Business Link service for the whole of the North East perhaps the highest profile example.

But nobody – even those charged with delivering these services – would pretend that things are perfect.

Faced with the most serious downturn that many business people in the region will have ever faced, it is now more important than ever that this support network is as user-friendly as possible.

There’s been a raft of announcements recently from a whole variety of agencies and it’s inevitable some firms, many of whom are facing a day-to-day battle to keep on top of their finances, are missing out on what could prove a lifeline.

That is why today The Journal has joined forces with development agency One North East in an attempt to raise awareness of what help is out there.

By highlighting examples of the real support on offer and illustrating it with case studies from across the region, we hope to provide a useful signposting service for firms who are in need of support.

And it’s not just a case of helping those finding the current climate a struggle.

There’s also a need to help those businesses that want to expand by taking advantage of the economic climate, perhaps creating work opportunities for those unfortunate enough to lose their jobs.

Similarly, our campaign will also provide guidance to individuals who are interested in setting up a business but who are finding finance tough to come by.

We won’t have the answers for everyone and, inevitably, there will be some who believe that the support should be directed in other ways.

For such critics, The Journal will continue to provide a forum for this important debate.

But for those who need a helping hand, we also aim to point them in the right direction.