Northumberland businesses encouraged to access “exciting” local support service

Ashington businesses looking to grow are being encouraged to get help from a bespoke support service. Accelerate Ashington delivers support services to local businesses, particularly those in the town centre to help them grow.

The service is being led by Advance Northumberland, working with Northumberland County Council, to deliver the Ashington High Street Innovation Programme (HSIP), funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority through the Towns and High Streets Innovation Programme.

Its goal is to enable access to digital tools for existing businesses within the town, as well as providing startup support for entrepreneurial individuals looking to begin the journey and establish new businesses, organisations, or social enterprises. The support offer comes in two different strands:

• Digital: Supporting existing businesses and working alongside industry experts. This will provide funded access to the introduction of digital tools for day-to-day business activity including Digital Audits, Digital Marketing Campaigns and Website Capability.
• Startup: A programme of workshops covering the key skills individuals need to start and establish new businesses.

Since its launch, the programme has “hit the ground running”. A number of local businesses have already engaged with the Digital Audit and Marketing Campaigns as well as several entrepreneurs looking to start up their own new enterprises.

Applicants have expressed an appreciation for the openness of conversation with the programme’s Business Growth Advisors and direct support in finding the appropriate support option for them.

Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for Business at Northumberland County Council, commented: “These are exciting times for Ashington, with major investment coming into the town, regeneration opportunities and the construction of the Northumberland Line.

“We’d encourage businesses to get involved with this programme – it’s an excellent opportunity to grow, develop new skills or improve their digital offer.”

Programme manager Andy Leigh added: “There is a great community of businesses in Ashington, and it is a pleasure to offer businesses this unique support to help them on their journey.”

The programme is currently offering help with website design and development for businesses in Ashington. This allows businesses to apply for grant funding for projects with a minimum spend of £1,000 to a maximum of £5,000. The closing date for applications is 28th April 2023 when they’ll be assessed and screened for eligibility.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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