£1m to inspire new entrepreneurs

Apr 8 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

AMBITIOUS plans to create jobs and businesses in Gateshead have received a boost with the confirmation of new funding from the European Union.

Gateshead Council is launching an initiative to develop the borough’s business community and encourage entrepreneurs by supporting social enterprises, start-ups and established businesses.

The £1m Inspire Gateshead project will accelerate the development of young companies by offering services and resources for entrepreneurs.

It will also seek to engage families and communities in a variety of enterprise development and business networking in disadvantaged areas.

Gateshead Council leader Coun Mick Henry said: “We need to create more opportunities for people to participate in enterprise activity and think more seriously about how they could convert ideas into commercial opportunities. We will engage directly with families, including sixth form pupils, in wards with higher levels of deprivation. Our enterprise challenge activities will give them an understanding of how to develop innovative and entrepreneurial ideas.

“At the same time, we will enhance our offer to small and medium sized businesses by improving access to specialist support through four business incubation units. This tailored element of specialist support will create new SMEs and jobs, as well as assisting existing start-ups.

“We also want to encourage community-based non-profit organisations to collaborate and exploit commercial opportunities”

The project is part financed by the EU’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £525,000 ERDF investment via development agency One North East. The council is finding the rest from its Working Neighbourhood Fund. The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 managed by One North East is bringing more than £250m to the region. ONE head of European and skills strategy Lesley Calder said: “This is an exciting project which will lead on grass roots community engagement with active street work, enterprise events and workshops through community centres and voluntary groups.”

“It will identify and work with under-represented groups and individuals and prepare them to take advantage of mainstream services such as Business Link.”

For more about the project, call Gateshead Council on (0191) 433-2020. For information on support for businesses, contact Business Link on 0845 600 9006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast