Mobile advice service for small businesses

Nov 17 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

SMALL firms are being offered help to secure public sector contracts via a mobile business advice service.

A team from the Procurement Centre – a partnership between Go Wansbeck, Northumberland County Council and the North East Chamber of Commerce – is taking to the road in south east Northumberland later this month to offer advice on opportunities available from bodies such as local authorities and the health service.

A mobile unit will be visiting industrial estates in Cramlington, Morpeth and the Wansbeck area between November 24 and 26, with staff offering a drop-in advice service for any businesses considering bidding for this type of work.

Joanna Urwin, business development co-ordinator at the Procurement Centre, said: “Many businesses are unaware of the range of opportunities that are available to them.

“We are offering free information and advice which will explain how people can increase their sales and profits by taking advantage of the opportunities on offer.”

Opportunities range from catering to vehicle maintenance.

Keith Raine, Go Wansbeck programme manager, said: “One of Go Wansbeck’s principal aims is to encourage local people to grow their businesses and I would encourage businesses keen on finding out more about winning new contracts to visit the team as they tour the area.”

The team will be visiting:

Riverside Industrial Estate, Blyth – Nov 24 (am)

Nelson Drive, Cramlington – Nov 24 (pm)

Coopies Lane, Morpeth –Nov 25 (am)

Lintonville Industrial Estate, Wansbeck –Nov 25 (pm)

Jubilee Industrial Estate, Wansbeck – Nov 26(am)

North Seaton Industrial Estate, Wansbeck – Nov 26 (pm)