Business Start-up in the North East

Last month, the Prime Minister personally launched a campaign called "Business in You" to encourage a new wave of start-up entrepreneurs. But a recent report (Cities Outlook 2012) makes depressing reading for the North East region. Of 64 locations surveyed, using a variety of indicators, Newcastle came 58th, Middlesbrough 61st and Sunderland bottom at 64th for business start-up rates.

Public sector funding cuts have a "double whammy" affect in this region; not only do they disproportionately impact on employment rates and supply chains, but they also reduce the availability of access to the support that start-ups need. In brief, there are more people unemployed, and there is significantly less resource to provide advice and funding about starting an enterprise.

Dan Brophy, Chief Executive of Entrust, the North East's longest-established Enterprise Agency, commented:

"The Prime Minister is making a big push to say there's a business in everyone. And we believe there is - it's just that everyone's idea of what an entrepreneur is, and what a business should be, are different. And all of them are right! For some it's being the next Richard Branson; for others it's all about life-style, choice and flexibility; and for many in today's economy it's replacing or supplementing income.
"Whilst there are some "givens" (tax, accounting, regulations, employment law, etc), if 30 years helping local people start-up in business for themselves has taught us only one thing, it's that every journey is different and every journey is unique. And so at Entrust we build the help around the individual.

"Working for a boss you don't like brings its own issues, but when you're the boss and you don't like the business you've created it can be a nightmare and not just for you but for those around you. Our input is designed to help individuals build the right path that is right for them, on solid foundations, and with experts to help find ways around all of the hurdles.

"And the great news is that lots of people are taking lots of advice. The Start-up Company at Entrust has never been busier! We've recently had to increase the number of workshops and staff dedicated to providing one-to-one support to meet the increasing demand. Not everyone who comes to us will start their own business. Whilst there may be a business in all of us as Mr Cameron believes, it may be that it's just not always a full-time one. There are lots of different kinds of living to be earned and there are lots of different ways of earning a living.

"At Entrust, we work with people to test the viability of their ideas and decide what is right for them. Whether it's stepping stones across the stream or riding the rapids of a raging river, we can help set priorities and find the safest route into self-employment."