Prospective Gateshead franchises offered £6000 start-up support package

Start-up franchises in Gateshead are being given the chance to bid for over £6000 of specialist support to help find their feet in the business world.

Ten franchises will be given a £6420 package from Gateshead Council, including help with start up legal costs and three months of free office and workshop space.

The successful applicants will also receive specialist advice and training from franchising experts and help with sourcing funding.

The support packages, arranged by Gateshead Council, will also contribute up to 100% towards to the franchise’s legal fees and 12 months of subsidised office and workshop use with the first three months completely free.

Any franchise planning to locate themselves in Gateshead are eligible to apply for the packages but must have between 30-50% of the funding required to start their franchise already arranged.

Prospective franchisees must be in a position to be up and running by September 2013.

Gateshead Council cabinet member for employment and skills, Cllr Malcolm Graham, said: “Franchising can offer a great way to become your own boss whilst still having many of the advantages of being involved with a bigger business.

“Some of the biggest business names in the world operate on a franchise basis.

“We hope that this funding will be the catalyst needed for ten new franchises to find their feet and become successful.

“I’d urge anyone who thinks they might have a franchise opportunity they’d like to take further to apply.”

The deadline for prospective franchisees is March 15.

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