‘Hello mum, I’ve had a bright idea’

Jan 13 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

THE North East’s young entrepreneurs are on the march.

With a burning desire to control their own destiny, workers are ditching the cosy nine-to-five lifestyle to turn their bright ideas into commercial gain.

According to national statistics, in 2007-2008 a whopping 30% of the North East’s population aged 16-plus were self-employed people between 16 and 35 - while the number of Tees Valley VAT-registered businesses rose by 6.2% in 2007.

Although the North East still has one of the lowest rates in the UK for enterprise activity, Tees Valley’s rising stars are painting a brighter future for the local economy.