Partner Article

North East new business figures up

DESPITE the onslaught of a painful recession, Business Link managed to help a record number of North East business ventures get off the ground in the last year.

In total, the organisation helped to create over 4,500 new businesses between April 2009 and March 2010 - an increase of over 16% from the previous year.

In addition, over 2,300 jobs were safeguarded after companies - who were actively looking to safeguard a position in the business - were provided with advice and guidance or were helped to access funds from the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC).

Business Link has said the reason for the growth is down to its commitment to provide more business facing advisors than ever before.

Alastair MacColl, chief executive of Business & Enterprise North East, said: “These results are very encouraging and demonstrate the drive and determination of the North East business community in the face of some of the harshest economic conditions they are ever likely to face.

“With signs that the economy is starting to recover, there is still plenty of work to be done to ensure that North East businesses maximise the opportunities the upturn will bring.”

Throughout the year, Business Link also hosted a series of events designed to help businesses combat the effects of the economic downturn.

Since February, over 250 Corus employees attended Business Link presentations and one-to-one advice sessions to discuss self-employment options and nearly 100 have gone on to meet with an adviser to progress their business idea.

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