Building Up Our Businesses

Our Borough is a good place to do business in. We have rapid access to the main trunk roads of the A1 and A19 and the national motorway system. There are good local routes to Sunderland and Newcastle, with its international airport. The Metro public transport system links with East Coast mainline rail services from Newcastle Central Station and with the airport. There are funds available through South Tyneside MBC and other organisations committed to ensuring our businesses get the backing they deserve.

The South Tyneside Development Fund provides discretionary grants for new and established businesses engaged in manufacturing or the supply of services to industry. The grant is designed for firms employing less than 250 people, but applications for financial support must be made before expenditure is committed.

Business Expansion Grants

Grants are available to assist towards planned expansion. These include:

• Machinery Grant - up to £5k for production and computer operated items
  

• Production Research & Development Grant - up to £2k towards the cost of preparing a marketing plan
  

• Export Research Grant - up to £500 for onsite export research within the EU
  

• Promotional Grant - up to £3k towards attending exhibition if backed by a marketing plan
  

• Information Technology Grant - up to £2500 for equipment that will provide IT and admin improvements
  

• Building Improvement Grant - up to £5k towards extending or improving industrial and commercial property if additional jobs will be created

Other Grants

Business Start Up Grant - up to £5k providing assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a new business in South Tyneside

Youth Employment Grant - For all types of businesses that want to employ more staff help expand. Up to £60 per week is available, supplying £60 per week, supplying 30% of wage costs over 12 months. The person employed must be 16-24, live in South Tyneside and receive training.

For more details of the above grants, call the Economic Development Team on 0191 427 1717 (ext. 7577 / 7578)

Business Crime Prevention Grant - up to 50% of crime prevention measures costs if approved by Northumbria Police. Can include perimeter fencing, shutters and grilles, or locks, windows and alarms.

TEDCO Enterprise Loans

These are available to all businesses in South Tyneside:

• Business Development Loan Fund - Up to £5k loan for businesses after 2 or 3 year's trading.
  

• Discretionary Loan Fund - Up to £750 to help provide short term funding for temporary cash flow difficulties
  

• Start Up Loan Fund - To enable business establishment where capital could not be raised. Up to £2k available for up to 12 months.

For more information speak to Neil Plant on 0191 428 3397