‘Great turnout’ to celebrate launch of Northumberland business support service

A new support service aimed at supporting rural business across Northumberland gathered key partners and over 100 businesses at a launch event held at The Alnwick garden.

The event marked the official launch of the much-anticipated Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS). The Northumberland Small Business Service is delivered by Advance Northumberland delivering on behalf of Northumberland County Council.

The project is part funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority Investment Fund and by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund with the North of Tyne Combined Authority as the lead authority.

The programme offers a range of support for businesses looking to grow, farm enterprises looking to diversify and individuals looking to start a business across Northumberland but predominantly in the rural areas. The team and its range of experts will work directly with individuals and businesses to help them to start, grow, diversify and sustain their business.

There is also access to a £2m rural capital Grant Investment Fund which will support eligible businesses in rural areas with clear growth plans to access direct capital investment to expand productive capacity or diversify into new markets or products.

As part of the service, all businesses can have access to a Rural Business Adviser who will work directly with the business or individual on a 1:2:1 basis to understand the business and help put a plan in place for its growth.

There is also a workshop and events programme as well as a range of technical specialists on hand to work directly with a business on a particular challenge, growth desire or to access the Capital Grant Investment Fund,

The rural focused support, particularly the new Farming Advisory Service, delivered by the Northumberland National Park Authority, bridging the gap previous business support offerings didn’t fill, has all been well received from businesses in attendance.

The morning saw Programme Manager, Lucy Evermore give a detailed insight into the new support service and what it has to offer. Following the event. Lucy said: “I am excited to finally be able to launch the service properly.

“After some months of planning, it’s really great to see all of the team’s hard work come together and showcase the breadth of support we have on offer. There really is something for everyone, regardless of what stage of business you are at!”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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