Member Article

Be Enterprising in County Durham

An enterprise programme has appointed 19 business coaches to some of County Durham’s most disadvantaged areas. Be Enterprising, a new £10m programme, will work with individuals and existing small businesses to help them develop their business ideas. The Be Enterprising coaches aim to help potential start-ups realise their ambitions to run a business.

Richard Prisk, Director of Regeneration and Development at District of Easington Council and Chair of Be Enterprising, said: “The basic premise of the business coaches is to bring business advice, hands-on support and financial assistance into some of our more economically disadvantaged communities so that individuals and community groups with a business idea can be supported to turn it into a reality.

“Through the Be Enterprising programme and the business coaches we are looking to capture new business ideas, and start and grow companies which will have the potential to transform the lives of individuals, their families and the communities they live in.”

The Be Enterprising programme includes access to a business simulation model, an online Virtual Office suite of tools, work space facilities, specialist consultancy services and access to finance.

Anyone thinking of starting up their own business and who lives in the District Council areas of Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield or Wear Valley can contact Be Enterprising on 0800 030 4134.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .