Business Support
Inspiring Derwentside – A Great Place to Live, Work and Relax!
Durham County Council provides a range of services for businesses, delivering what is needed to create a successful and buoyant economy for the district. Local companies based in the former district of Derwentside have access to financial incentive packages, bespoke business advice, training programmes and an array of modern floorspace.
Business Start-up Project
The Emerge business start-up project as been established for a number of years, funding and supporting Derwentside residents to set up in business, creating new jobs for the District. The project offers financial support, specialist advice and mentoring and bespoke training tailored to suit the needs of the small business. If you are a interested in starting a business in Derwentside and are hoping to target 60% business to business then we want to talk to you.
To find out more about the Emerge project contact Joanne Urquhart-Arnold on (01207) 218063.
Be Enterprising
Be Enterprising is part of the national Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). It aims to increase economic and productivity potential through enterprise and investment, thereby boosting local incomes and employment opportunities within particular areas of Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley Districts.
If you have a business idea and need advice and support starting up, or you are an existing company looking to expand, you may be eiligible for one of Be Enterprising's business support packages. To see what is on offer visit www.be-enterprising.biz or telephone 0800 030 4134.
Grants for Growing Businesses
The Business Development Team at Durham County Council has been operating a grant scheme for a number of years which provides financial incentives to companies who are moving to the district from another location, starting their business and taking on premises immediately or those who are already based in Derwentside but are planning to expand. The grant support can be used at the start up and expansion stage and contribute towards relevant capital costs. This may include overheads and expenditure in areas such as investing in eligible productive capacity, marketing, exporting, product innovation and improvements to ICT in terms of networking and e-enablement.
To find out how to access the financial incentives scheme, please contact Andrea McGuigan, Business Development and Marketing Officer, on 01207 218219 or email andrea.mcguigan@durham.gov.uk
Other Business Support Providers include:
Derwentside Enterprise Agency http://www.dida.co.uk
Business Link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/
