Small Business Development

Although you are a tourism business, you're a small or medium sized enterprise too, and that means you can access a huge range of support services on every aspect of starting, running and expanding a business.

In each area of the North East there are specific organisations set up to help businesses start, run and grow. Most of these are publicly funded or social enterprises and geared towards general business. In addition there are the area tourism partnerships, specifically for tourism business development.

Some agencies providing training themselves, others will signpost you towards existing provision. Contact the ones in your area to see what they can do for you, and to find out about one-off events, regular courses and meetings.

Across the North East:

NECC - The North East Chamber of Commerce

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) actively covers the whole of the North East and, with six training centres across the region, their highly active program of events and courses offers something for every business. With over 5,000 members the NECC is an extremely effective Chamber of Commerce. Very well connected, they have a huge range of services. Here are just a few tasters: breakfast networking events, free legal insurance, a legal helpline, a large range of training from one day events to full-blown NVQ, an office in each of the four areas of the North East, six training centres, a research and marketing service, a database and marketing service, a business directory.

They are one of the largest providers of training and business events in the region. Click here to view their website: http://www.necc.co.uk.

Project North East (PNE)

Project North East is an enterprise agency and economic development consultancy which has been operating for 21 years. Their website is: http://www.pne.org/

n-e-life

n-e-life are the North East Regional Portal, offering information, training and events for businesses and residents across the North East. They hold a comprehensive listing of business events, some of which they host themselves. Follow this link to their website: http://www.n-e-life.com/forbusiness/article2.php?id=78180

Entrust

Not to be confused with the landfill charity, Entrust is the enterprise development agency for businesses across the North East. It is very active with start up businesses. Events are usually free and delivered between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, covering topics such as starting up, sales and marketing and sources of finance. Click here for their website and more information: http://www.entrust.co.uk/page.asp?id=77

In Durham:

Wear Valley and Teesdale Enterprise Agency

This agency was formed by the merge of the Wear Valley Development Agency and The Teesdale Enterprise Agency. They provide a broad range of services to new, existing and developing businesses and provide advice, access to funding and training. They offer regular business events and courses. Click here to view their website: http://www.teesdaleenterprise.co.uk/about.asp

County Durham Development Company

This is the business development arm of Durham County Council. It offers support, advice and trade intervention for new and existing businesses, in a way that is tailored to the business' needs, rather than pre-packaged. Contact them to see what events or courses they may offer. Click here for their website: http://www.durham4business.com

East Durham Business Service

The enterprise agency for the district of Easington, the East Durham Business Service is active and committed. It provides support, advice, grants and training for start-ups and existing businesses as well as bespoke services on training, marketing and funding. For more information and to access their events, visit their website: http://www.edbs.co.uk/economic-development/index.php

In Tyne and Wear:

Tyneside Economic Development Company (TEDCO)

Covering the whole of Tyneside, TEDCO provide tailored support, advice and guidance to new and existing businesses. Contact them directly to find out what courses and events are being offered. Click here to visit their website: http://www.tedco.org

South Tyneside Business Support: South Tyneside Means Business

Funded by South Tyneside Council, this is an active and dynamic support service for new and existing businesses. Offering advice, guidance and funding information they have a regular program of interesting, practical and useful events, click here to view them: http://www.southtynesidemeansbusiness.co.uk/externallink.asp?id=46

In Northumberland:

Northumberland Business Service

With six centres across the county this proactive and committed business service offers advice, support, funding information, business events and workshops. Ranging from Selling and Customer Service, through Manual Book-keeping to Website Development these free workshops are usually between 3 and 6 hours. Follow this link to view all events: http://www.n-bs.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=28

The 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 encourage any existing or planned business in the Park area to pay them a visit, to discuss new ideas or to explore how to expand and grow in a sustainable way.
www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk

In Tees Valley:

Invest in Hartlepool

This is the service offered by Hartlepool Borough Council. They offer support, guidance, funding and training and a regular program of business events and networking. Follow the link to their website: http://www.investinhartlepool.com/index.php

Darlington Business Venture

Darlington Business Venture is the Enterprise Agency for Darlington, working to support new businesses and existing businesses through the provision of advice, training, counselling, business information, access to finance, workspace, conference and training facilities and business-to-business networking.
http://www.dbv-northeast.co.uk/

Middlesbrough Forum

Supported by Middlesbrough Council and other partners The Middlesbrough Forum provides business events, information and networking opportunities. View their website for more event to see the up and coming events, to find out more about the breakfast club and to download their latest newsletter: http://www.middlesbroughbusinessforum.co.uk

Area Tourism Partnerships

Each ATP offers support, guidance and workforce development opportunities specifically for tourism businesses. Contact yours directly to see what events, workshops and training opportunities are on offer.

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. Visit their website at: www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/one-northeast-tourism

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

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

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. Visit their website at: www.tourismnortheast.co.uk/tourism-tyne-and-wear

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