Business support

North Tyneside Council's Business and Enterprise Team is committed to delivering a comprehensive programme to support your business. We offer general advice and guidance on wider available support for your business as well as business start-up advice, recruitment and training support, financial guidance, and assistance with locating premises. 

All business people, regardless of how much experience you have, benefit from someone to talk to about general business issues. If you are looking to expand or need advice on how to grow, we can help you achieve your objectives. We will listen to you and offer advice.

Email: business@northtyneside.gov.uk | 0191 643 6409

Are you interested in starting a business? Or are you looking to grow your business?

The Business Factory can help you. We will work with you free of charge to provide guidance, and help your build your skills.  

Available to any resident, business or social enterprise in North Tyneside, you can access: 

• Help to finding idea and turning your passions, interests and skills into a business
• workshops to help grow your established business
• consultancy and mentor support for growing businesses trading over 12 months

Whatever stage you are at with your business idea, from just thinking about it, to being ready to start, our advisers will help.

businessfactorynt.co.uk

Email: info@businessfactorynt.co.uk
Telephone: 0191 643 6409

North Tyneside Council also support the North Tyneside Business Forum (NTBF).

The Business Forum is a peer to peer support organisation for the business community in North Tyneside.

The Business Forum is managed by a group of local business owners & managers from across all sectors and have the needs of the local business community at heart. It's their aim to support all North Tyneside companies from the very smallest micro-business to the largest.

NTBF run regular networking events, business safaris, business support showcases and manage the annual North Tyneside Business Awards.

To be notified of business support, grant schemes and networking events please register to become a member of North Tyneside Business Forum. 

Visit the Business Forum website   

Email Rachel Laffey at business.forum@northtyneside.gov.uk | 0191 643 6000

North Tyneside Council recognise the impact of the rising cost of living on businesses across the borough. Although the Council cannot help with rising costs, energy bills, supply chains etc for businesses, there are a number of resources, support and in some cases grants available to assist your business to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable.

Grants, support and resources.

You can also learn more about North Tyneside Council’s aim to achieve carbon net zero by 2030 here.

We can support your town centre or high street-based business with advice on property, vacancy rates and footfall figures.

There are bespoke business support programmes in a number of our towns & high streets:

Wallsend Town Centre

Funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authorities Town & High Street Fund, a dedicated Business Liaison Officer will listen to and offer advice on issues such as how to access finance, employment issues and marketing whilst being able to liaise with internal departments such as planning, highways and waste; to businesses in Wallsend Town Centre.

Digital Wallsend

Digital Wallsend supports local businesses currently trading within Wallsend and provide them with funded access to digital tools including:

• A digital audit of their business operations followed by tailored digital consultancy support provided by a Digital Expert.
• A tailored digital marketing campaign targeting the relevant customer profile.

Register now

Contact wayne.young@northtyneside.gov.uk | 0191 643 3888

North Shields Cultural Quarter

Artists’ Agency by Helix Arts is an artist development programme in North Shields Cultural Quarter for creatives living and or working in North Tyneside. The programme includes

• 1-2-1 mentoring
• networking events,
• workshops
• drop-in Co-Cafes
• problem solving sessions

You can sign up to Artists’ Agency here

Email: nsculturalquarter@northtyneside.gov.uk

This grant is aimed at supporting newly trading businesses within Wallsend town centre or NE28 postcode area; to invest in the external appearance of their commercial premises and encourage future business growth.

This grant is for any retail unit with a ground floor shop unit or doorway access / signage for an upper floor commercial premises, which is accessible to the public and seen on the high street; based within the Wallsend town centre which has moved into the town since 1 January 2025.  

This scheme is funded by the North East Combined Authorities Town & High Street Fund. 

The scheme will be open until all funds are allocated or 31 July 2025, whichever is sooner.

Application form can be found here

ShopNT is a digital platform and mobile app for North Tyneside businesses to showcase their goods & services, promotional offers, and events.

Registration is completely free of charge.

By being active and regularly uploading your promotions, you not only catch the eye of local shoppers but also increase the likelihood of being featured in our social media posts.

Register your business for free Sign up with Shop NT now (monday.com)

Download ShopNT now https://onelink.to/shopnt

Support to navigate all of the available support

Our Business Development Officer Vanessa Murphy can help guide you through all local, regional & national support available, matching you with the most appropriate connections to help you grow your business.

Contact business@northtyneside.gov.uk |  0191 643 6409