Business support

Summary

Work has involved feasibility studies for physical developments, as well as the design and funding of a wide variety of business support projects. We have been particularly concerned with small business start-up and growth, especially where there is an element of innovation. We have also focused on support for enterprise formation in hard-pressed communities and disadvantaged groups.

Some highlights

Social Enterprise Support

We were commissioned by Social Enterprise North East (SENE), with support from Capacitybuilders, to review the support infrastructure available to social enterprises across the North East. This involved desk research into the evolving national and regional policy context and a survey of the organisations that currently provide support.

We were then able to develop a ‘map’, to identify gaps and to see how sustainable the infrastructure was. The work also included an examination of the practice in other regions of the UK. The results of the research are being used as the basis for a review of future options.

White Lea Farm Business Plan

We were commissioned to produce a business plan for the development of The National Trust’s property at White Lea Farm on the Durham Heritage Coast. The work was commissioned by Acumen Community Enterprise Development Trust Ltd. in association with The National Trust, and funded by Durham Community Project Development Fund.

The project involved the development of options for the use of the site and buildings, and working-up the chosen option which comprised a mix of residential and non-residential learning, enterprise and other activities.

White Lea Farm field   White Lea Farm cliffs  

Seaham Harbour project

We assisted with the preparation of a business case for the development of workspaces and marina facilities at Seaham North Dock. The work was commissioned by Social Enterprise Sunderland, and we collaborated with Roger Clubley Associates to complete it. The project has subsequently been allocated over £2 million of funding by One NorthEast.

Seaham Harbour   Seaham Harbour chains  

Examples of work undertaken

  • Research into alternative models for the provision of support for personal assistants and their employers in adult social care
  • Concept development and preliminary business planning for a new training centre at the Nissan plant in Sunderland
  • Advice on self-assessment systems and procedures for a national training provider, including facilitation of regional staff forums
  • Development of case studies on business improvement activities in private businesses (including Nissan, Komatsu, Calsonic and Allied Bakeries) and public organisations (Including hospital trusts, DWP and local authorities)
  • A business plan for the development of a residential learning centre in Easington
  • A business plan for the development of workshops and marina facilities at North Dock, Seaham
  • Research into worklessness and business support mechanisms to provide a context for a bid for LEGI funding
  • Business planning and funding bids in support of the development of the North East Business and Innovation Centre
  • A business support strategy for a consortium of development agencies in Northamptonshire
  • An online database and model of business support services for County Durham, later extended to the whole North East
  • A strategy for the possible extension of Business Link services into rural areas of County Durham
  • A strategy for SME development and support in Sunderland – including best practice master classes from across Europe
  • Feasibility study, business plan and funding bids for a major new business and learning centre at Stratford in east London
  • Feasibility study for a clothing industry centre of excellence in east London
  • Feasibility study for new managed workspaces in Durham City
  • Feasibility study for new conference facilities and workspaces at Beamish in County Durham
  • A business support strategy for the North East Region to draw down EU funding
  • Feasibility study for a new management and ‘telebusiness’ centre at the University of Sunderland
  • Support for the establishment and implementation of North East Productivity Alliance (NEPA), including website development and making the case for funding
  • An investigation into best practice in local economic development and business support, including work in Scotland, Netherlands and the USA, and focusing on public-private partnerships and innovative business start-ups
  • Workshops on best practice in European support for small business innovation