Getting Help

Running or setting up your own business can be daunting and sometimes isolating. But you shouldn't do it all on your own. The Toolkit provides you with a huge amount of information and resources, but sometimes there's no substitute for a voice over the phone or a face-to-face meeting. See below for key contacts.

Organisations who can help you

There are a range of organisations that can help you:

Business support organisations like Business Link and the North East Chamber of Commerce
Your local authority for advice on planning, signage, licences and health and safety
Banks, who will often provide business support as well as financial information
Professional services such as accountants, insurance advisors and solicitors
Tourism-specific organisations like the Area Tourism Partnerships, skills advisors and tourism associations

Business support organisations

Business Link, the North East Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are the three key business support organisations in the North East. There are also some online private sector websites worth using.

www.businesslink.gov.uk and www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk
Business Link are a fantastic resource for all things to do with setting up and running a business. Their website is full of information and tools and they have advisors across the North East.

www.necc.co.uk
The North East Chamber of Commerce is a large and active chamber of commerce representing more than 5,000 businesses across the North East region.

www.fsb.org.uk
The Federation of Small Businesses is a non-profit making and non-political membership organisation, with over 210,000 members across the UK. They offer 24 hour support and a legal helpline.

There are also some good private sector business websites. These are www.startups.co.uk (and it's partner site www.growingbusiness.co.uk ), www.newbusiness.co.uk , www.smallbusinessadvice.org.uk and also have a look at www.businessballs.co.uk for an alternative approach.

Local authorities and the National Park

Local authorities in North East England.
Contact your local authority to discuss local rules and regulations, licences, planning, environmental health, health and safety, rates and a wide range of other business information.

Northumberland National Park
The National Park Authority looks after the landscape, heritage and culture of Northumberland National Park, helping to make it a special place for people to live in and enjoy. They do this by making sure that communities and businesses in and around the National Park are supported with good advice, guidance and funding. They are happy to talk to anyone with an existing business or who is planning a business in the Park. They say, "It is our aim to empower local people to generate and run new ventures of all kinds that will enrich the economy and life of the community."
Click here to visit their site.

Banks

Since small and medium business is a huge source of revenue for banks, they go to considerable efforts to provide business managers who will offer a wide range of help and advice, not just on financial topics. Your bank should have a vested interest in helping you; if you don't get the help you need, consider changing banks. Click here or go to www.yell.com to search for banks or visit http://bba.moneyfacts.co.uk/ to compare business accounts.

Professional services

Accountants, lawyers, insurers, architects, designers and marketing agencies all provide invaluable professional help. Many professionals are very happy to talk over ideas and problems, for free, at an initial short interview. They will be steering you towards their solutions but can be very useful as a starting point. When engaging professional help, try to get recommendations from other businesses in your area, or ask organisations to provide you with a client list or references.

See the Business Benefits Pack for professional services and other businesses selected by One NorthEast Tourism because they offer specific services to tourism businesses. These businesses cannot pay to advertise in the pack - they must be invited.

Tourism-specific organisations

Public sector organisations and private sector tourism associations all offer advice, support, marketing and often training and research. Check our Who's Who in Tourism section for contact details of local, regional and national tourism organisations and to see how tourism is organised in our region and the UK. The main ones in the North East are as follows.

www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/one-northeast-tourism
One North East Tourism is the regional tourism organisation and provides research, strategic direction, product development and extensive marketing for the whole of the North East.

www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/county-durham-tourism- | partnership
County Durham Tourism Partnership is the Area Tourism Partnership for Durham County. They provide business support, visitor services and marketing.

www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/northumberland-tourism
Northumberland Tourism is the area Tourism Partnership for Northumberland. They provide business support, workforce development, visitor services and marketing.

www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/tourism-tyne-and-wear
Tourism Tyne and Wear is the Area Tourism Partnership for the Tyne and Wear area. They provide business support, workforce development, visitor services and marketing.

www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/visitteesvalley
visitTeesvalley is the Area Tourism Partnership for the Tees Valley area. They provide business support, workforce development, visitor services and marketing.

Tourism skills brokers

Business Link Travel and Tourism Skills Brokers
Business Link have specially trained Travel and Tourism Skills Brokers that work across the region. They only work with travel and tourism-related businesses and can help you on a wide range of business issues. Contact the correct advisor for your area:

Gemma Cooper, Tees Valley
Tel: 0845 6009006 Mob: 07810 301615
gemma.cooper@businesslinknortheast.co.uk

Nigel Martin, Durham
Tel: 0845 6009006 Mob: 07841 004966
nigel.martin@businesslinknortheast.co.uk

Alan Revie, Durham
Tel: 0845 6009006 Mob: 07717 734140
alan.revie@businesslinknortheast.co.uk

Mandy Dowson, Tyne & Wear
Tel: 0845 6009006 Mob: 07876 562119
mandy.dowson@businesslinknortheast.co.uk

Marian Bassam, Northumberland
Tel: 0845 6009006 Mob: 07970 552190
marian.bassam@businesslinknortheast.co.uk

People 1st
www.people1st.co.uk
People 1st is the skills agency for the tourism, leisure and hospitality industry. This is a public-funded organisation aimed at helping the people in these industries improve their skills, achieve qualifications, drive up quality and reach career success.

Tourism associations

www.visitalnwick.org.uk
Alnwick Tourism Association is a voluntary organisation the purpose of which is to promote tourism to the Alnwick District for the benefit of the local businesses and wider community.

North East Hoteliers Association Tel: 0871 3769029
This hotel association has 27 members operating across the 4 sub regions within the North East of England. Monthly meetings bring members together to discuss and address issues within the business and tourism community.
Please contact the Chairman, Damon Roberts, at damon.roberts@thistle.co.uk in the first instance.

www.nnta.org
North Northumberland Tourism Association was founded in 1985 and is the oldest established tourism association in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.

www.visit-rothbury.co.uk
Rothbury & Coquetdale Tourism Association (RACTA) is a voluntary organization consisting of diverse businesses in and around Rothbury and in Coquetdale.

www.whitley-bay-hoteliers.co.uk
Whitley Bay Hoteliers Association is for all types of accommodation providers in and near Whitley Bay.