Gateshead Metrocentre hosts local business support event

Mastercard has launched Thrive Street, a month-long event to support small business owners from the North East of the UK.

Taking place in the Metrocentre in Gateshead throughout November, Thrive Street provides local small businesses with an opportunity to sell goods and services from pop-up stands made available to them for free.

Business owners will also be able to attend a series of masterclasses to develop skills to build long-term resilience and improve growth prospects, as well as network with other business owners within their community.

The event was opened by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett, and retail consultant, Mary Portas, who delivered a talk regarding the effect of the pandemic on business and the importance of digital tools for revenue growth, especially for local, high-street retailers.

Kelly Devine, president, UK & Ireland, Mastercard, said: “Small business owners told us they hope to achieve a collective £827 billion in growth over the next five years, but this won’t happen without support, particularly when it comes to digital tools which have been so integral during the pandemic.

“Thrive Street, and our wider Strive UK programme, aims to empower small businesses with the skills they need to not just survive but thrive in the digital economy.”

Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, added: “Thrive Street brings a whole host of opportunities and support for small business owners in the Northeast of the UK.

“Working directly with local communities is so important when it comes to developing small businesses, and Thrive Street offers business owners an invaluable platform for connecting with their peers, learning essential new skills and testing out physical retail for those who have not done so before.”