News on small businesses & start up business in Newcastle, Teesside and the North East

Whitley Bay couple launch SmartBakes business

WHEN food technology teacher Alison Patmore spoke to husband Simon about her dream to give up teaching and bake cakes every day, she never really thought it was possible.Read

Banks must deliver in SME scheme

A BUSINESS support group has welcomed the Government's new Finance Fitness campaign.Read

Taking out profit needn't be taxing

MANY business owners trade via a company. A company is a separate legal entity and it provides a measure of protection to the shareholder/director.Read

Ashington mum starts children's party goodie bag business

A FORMER teacher has her new business in the bag after she took voluntary redundancy and decided to put her experience of working with children to good use.Read

Celebration of Enterprise award winners to be announced this week

ENTERPRISING small businesses in East Durham will find out this week whether they have been recognised in this years Celebration of Enterprise awards.Read

Make the best use of December for your business

DECEMBER is almost upon us so why not turn it to your advantage and take the opportunity to remind your customers and contacts that you’ve enjoyed doing business with them?Read

Bespoke Radio nets goal after competition win

A SMALL firm creating sports commentaries and radio shows for customers has won a weekly Twitter-based competition run by Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.Read

Groups lobby to drive ailing UK economy ahead

GROUPS representing small businesses have joined forces to lobby for a day to recognise the importance of the smallest firms in driving the UK economic recovery.Read

Prepare for the worst

OWNERS of businesses tend to lead busy lives, and thinking about legal and financial protection for the future is often sidelined – not just for the business but also for personal affairs.Read

Head2Toe clothes shop opens in Bedlington

A MUM who struggled to find shoes and clothing for her two daughters' dancing classes has started her own shop selling clothes and accessories in Northumberland.Read

North East firms must be ready to weather the storm

SMALL firms should start preparing now to avoid being caught out by Arctic conditions this winter, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).Read

The Refurbished Furniture Company opens in Newbiggin

AN online auction seller has switched to a bricks and mortar shop to launch her second-hand chic business.Read

North East small firms lobby for relief over sickness costs

STAFF sickness-related absences are costing small firms an average of £1,500 each, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).Read

New waste rules not to be rubbished

IN MARCH this year, the law on how waste is handled changed yet again following the introduction of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.Read

Timeless Photography business launched in Newbiggin

THE sky's the limit for a civil engineer after he followed his passion for taking pictures and set up his own business.Read

Small businesses call for utilities' code of conduct

HIGH energy costs are hitting small firms hard and affecting their ability to control their cashflow.Read

Alnwick firm helping redundant servicemen

A FORMER RAF officer is using his skills to help servicemen and women being made redundant during the latest round of Government cuts.Read

Banks need to do more repair work

EFFORTS to repair the relationship between the banks and small businesses need to go further, according to research by the Forum of Private Business (FPB).Read

Localism and the Big Society potentially means big changes

ONE of the cornerstones of the Prime Minister's flagship Big Society vision is the Localism Bill, through which the Government intends to devolve centralised control and empower local communities to manage and maintain aspects affecting their members, such as transport services and property development.Read