Business in Stockton

A range of specialist support for businesses is available through the Council or it's partner providers. Click on the links for more information.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Stockton Council is proactively taking on a leadership and co-ordinating role, working with regional and local partners to put measures in place that may help mitigate some of the effects of the economic downturn and be prepared for when the economy improves in the future.

We are working closely with Business Link to help your business survive the economic slowdown. Business Link has a team of expert advisers who can deliver free health checks to help your business identify issues and opportunities to see through a difficult economic climate. They will be hosting workshops to look at practical steps to address the challenges presented by the changing economy. There will be also be free fact sheets available about topics such as chasing payment.

Business Link can help you to:

Look at what you can do to put your business in a better position to withstand difficult economic conditions.
Look towards the future and start planning for opportunities.
Look at alternative income revenue streams.
Discover what help and support is available.
Help your business through the economic slowdown.

Anyone interested in receiving a business health check, interested in attending a future workshop or to order a fact sheet or a credit crunch information pack please contact Business Link on 0845 600 9 006 or email: enquiries@businesslinknortheast.co.uk. .

At a regional level, One North East has made an additional £10m available, to bolster firms' growth plans, create and protect jobs, cut energy bills and extend a scheme to help companies experiencing tax and credit difficulties. This can also be accessed through Business Link - North East.

HM Revenues & Customs (HMRC) has introduced a new dedicated Service designed to meet the needs of businesses affected by the current economic conditions. If you're worried about being able to meet tax, National Insurance or other payments, you can contact them to discuss payment options to help you deal with temporary cash flow difficulties.

You can call the HMRC Business Payment Support Line on: 0845 302 1435 (open 7 days) or take a look at their website: HM Revenues and Customs - Business Support information.

To enable us to better understand business needs and to keep in touch with key issues during these difficult economic conditions the Council is meeting with local businesses on a regular basis to help us to develop solutions, where possible, and provide ongoing support.

In response to the economic conditions the Council has agreed to allow small local existing businesses that are struggling to temporarily take space in the Stockton Business Centre (normally only for new businesses) to give them an opportunity to recover and reposition their business within a supportive environment. For further information telephone Stockton Business Centre: 01642 527933 or email: enquiries@StocktonBusinessCentre.org.

Over the next three years the Council will be investing £2 million from the Communities Fund to provide further support for enterprise, establish neighbourhood enterprise services and provide intensive support to new and existing small businesses.

The Council is also developing an action plan to make more procurement and sub-contracting opportunities available to small businesses.

The Stockton Business Forum website is now live and is open to all businesses located in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. It presents an opportunity to promote your business and find out about tender opportunities. The Council will also use the site to disseminate information to local businesses. Please register your business by visiting : www.stocktonbusinessforum.co.uk

Paying your Business Rates must remain a priority in your financial planning and any failure to pay has to be treated seriously. If you anticipate having problems paying your Business Rates please immediately contact the help line on: 01642 397108 or e mail: business.rates@stockton.gov.uk at the earliest opportunity.

If you have any suggestions how the Council can help businesses survive the current economic climate email:business.enquiries@stockton.gov.uk or telephone the Business Development Team: (01642) 528383.

Last updated January 22nd 2009.