Fully-Funded Support for SMEs in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, and Now Northumberland
In April 2023, we celebrated the start of a great program aimed at strengthening our local economies – the Citylife Business Support Scheme. Many businesses in Newcastle jumped at the chance, eager to grow and ready to tackle the challenges after COVID. Like all good stories, this one has continued, bringing new opportunities and hope.
Great news – as of August 2024, the Citylife Business Support Scheme is not only back but has expanded its support to businesses located in Northumberland, along with those in Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland. This fantastic opportunity is available until March 2025, offering a helping hand to keep your business shining bright. But what does this mean for you?
Up to twelve hours of free support from Business & IP Centre North East (BIPC) Citylife Experts
Workshops tailored to specific business needs
A free events programme based on current business challenges, the funding landscape, resilience, and innovation
The program is scheduled to run until March 2025.
Are you wondering if your business qualifies?
Here are the prerequisites:
Your business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise located within Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland, or Northumberland’s local authority areas.
You need to be looking to safeguard or create new jobs.
To qualify as an SME, your business cannot exceed 250 employees during a financial year, have an annual turnover surpassing £36m, or a balance sheet total over £18m.
What can you expect from this support?
As a BIPC Newcastle’s Citylife Expert, HiThrive is committed to providing tailored advice to meet your unique needs. This could be one-to-one advice, online or in-person, or even a project they would carry out on your behalf. You can benefit from expertise on topics like improving business performance, conducting business audits, turning around a failing business, growing sales, and strategic planning.
Who are these Citylife Experts, you ask?
The Citylife Experts are small businesses or business support organisations that work in partnership with BIPC North East, through the Centre’s Experts-in-Residence programme, or have delivered and supported workshops and events organised by BIPC.
How do you get started?
Simply visit our Citylife page, and schedule an initial call on your preferred date and time. If you require further meetings or support, this will be agreed at your first meeting.
Once you’ve received support, BIPC will pay the Citylife grant into your business bank account so you can pay the Expert. However, if your business is not registered for VAT, the grant will include the Expert’s fee plus VAT. If you are VAT-registered, you will have to cover this cost yourself.
What if you need more than twelve hours of support?
Although larger projects can be undertaken, the Citylife Business Support scheme only funds the first twelve hours provided by the Expert. The remaining balance must be paid when the work is completed.
Not sure what support you need?
Don’t worry! The BIPC team will help you select the right Expert. You can even split your 12 hours between up to two experts. The service is flexible and designed to suit your business needs.
In addition, SMEs will have access to a free events programme based on current business challenges, the funding landscape, resilience, and innovation.
If you still have questions or want to discuss how the Citylife Business Support scheme could benefit your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, let’s thrive with Citylife!
