Member Article

Street theatre is the business in South Tyneside

Actors have been touring the streets of South Tyneside to launch a new marketing campaign promoting opportunities for business and enterprise in the area. The street theatre, featuring actors from local company Lobster Productions, toured Hebburn, Jarrow and South Shields to promote South Tyneside Means Business, the £16.2 million initiative encouraging people to start and grow businesses in the borough.

The sketches feature a washing machine, sofa and lamp stand, with actors searching around the props – looking for ideas they can turn into business propositions. The campaign, which also features billboard and TV advertising, supports an array of projects encouraging local people to start or grow their own business. Three Business Matters outlets open this summer, along with a help line and website offering advice and information.

Darren Palmer, who runs Lobster Productions, said: “It’s been really interesting getting involved with this project and we hope the street theatre will create a real buzz about the place, and get people talking – and most importantly, thinking. “Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and the ideas for them found anywhere. “The hard part is making the leap to turn ideas into reality, but the support available means now is a great time to start or grow an enterprise right here.”

Councillor Paul Waggott, leader of South Tyneside Council, said on behalf of South Tyneside Means Business: “Being awarded the £16.2million last year was a great opportunity for the borough. We very much hope the marketing campaign will inspire people from all walks of life to think about starting or growing their business. We know that taking those first steps can sometimes be a daunting prospect, but with the help and support available our team of experts can guide you through every step of that journey and I’d encourage people to get in touch and talk through their business ideas.”

For more information about South Tyneside Means Business, contact 0845 4603333 or visit www.southtynesidemeansbusiness.co.uk.

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