AN 'ideas bank' for small businesses in North Tyneside is touring the borough in search of more inspiration.
The database, put together by the borough’s start-up agency The Business Factory, already has a stock of 500 business ideas for potential entrepreneurs to exploit.
The initiative was designed to work as an easy access point for people who want to go into business but are not sure exactly what they want to do.
Gordon Hanna, business opportunities adviser at The Business Factory, said: “The Ideas Bank provides a visual reference for the numerous business opportunities that exist across North Tyneside and is really helping to encourage people to think about the merits of setting up their own business.
“Often people say ‘if only I had a good business idea, I would give it a go’ ….well, The Ideas Bank contains more than 500 good business ideas so provides a wealth of inspiration.”
The fact-finding tour of the area aims to reveal what sort of businesses people think are missing in North Tyneside. Already, suggestions such as a kite surfing shop and pet fitness classes have been put forward by local people.
Gordon said: “We need people to submit their ideas – be it a business they would like to set up personally or simply a business that they think is missing from the local area.
“Maybe people currently have to travel to Newcastle or further afield to access a service or buy a certain product which they would love to access locally – if so, we want to know, as it might provide an ideal business opportunity for a North Tyneside resident.”
So far, the Ideas Bank contains start-up suggestions from various sectors plus franchise opportunities and businesses for sale. They range from manufacturing, retail and services like beauty therapy to online ventures such as setting up an eBay store.
“If people are interested in any of the ideas held in the Ideas Bank, Business Factory advisers will help and support them through all the necessary pre start-up steps, helping to turn their business idea into a reality,” said Gordon. “Likewise, if people want to submit an idea that they themselves are interested in setting up, our advisers can help them too.”
The Ideas Bank works as an online service, which can be accessed at www.businessfactorynt.co.uk/sment-businesses, or people with either ideas or looking for business inspiration can drop into The Business Factory’s Wallsend office.
