Member Article

New business roots for South Tyneside sisters

A South Tyneside sociology lecturer has taken up new roots in the organic vegetable industry. Joanne Green, along with business partner and sibling Angela Nixon, started organic vegetable retailer Roots and Shoots in October 2006, which sells produce from local suppliers and also has a box delivery service.

The pair received financial support through South Tyneside Means Business, enabling them to start up the buisness, which is based in North Guard, Whitburn, but currently delivers to Sunderland, South Shields, Washington, Seaham, Felling, Hebburn, Jarrow and Gateshead.

Joanne said: “Alongside the grant, we invested some of our own personal funds. Being your own boss can be stressful as it involves your own money and you are ultimately responsible for everything and friends and family were initially worried about the risk involved for us. However, they were also a great support, especially as we were doing something we were ultimately passionate about. “My advice for those thinking about starting up would be to do as much research as possible into your location and your market - for example, we visited local farms beforehand to find out about regional foods. We love the South Tyneside area; we’re based right by the sea and have been extremely well supported by both the local community and South Tyneside Council.”

Councillor Eddie McAtominey, lead member for jobs, enterprise and regeneration on behalf of South Tyneside Means Business, said: “South Tyneside Means Business is a partnership project that is responsible for increasing the number of business start-ups and survivals, supporting businesses to grow and attracting inward investment in South Tyneside. “We were delighted to support Roots and Shoots and look forward to supporting more potential entrepreneurs in the area.”

South Tyneside Means Business is delivering £16.2m of central government funding through the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) until March 2009.

For more information about Roots and Shoots, visit www.rootsandshoots.uk.net

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