Launch of new business support helpline

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A telephone A new business support helpline has been launched this week, as part of the Yorkshire Coast Business Gateway programme. The new freephone number, 0800 083 0402 is targeted both at people who are considering starting a new business, and existing companies.

Yorkshire Coast Business Gateway is the brand name for a £2.1m programme which aims to improve the economic performance within the borough of Scarborough by increasing the number of business start-ups, improving business survival rates and creating jobs. It is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is being delivered by a partnership which includes Scarborough Borough Council, Yorkshire Coast College, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Seachange.

The programme is already proving to be a great success, up to the end of March 2012, the project has engaged over 350 people interested in starting a new business, resulting in 30 new businesses being created. The project has also helped 28 existing business across the borough, with a range of issues including marketing, workforce development and access to finance.

The new helpline will be open five days a week, between 9.15am and 5.00pm but requests for support can also be emailed to business.support@scarborough.gov.uk which will be replied to within one working day. Services and support are available which cover a wide range of issues including sales and marketing, finance, training, premises, business planning, social enterprise, as well as relative legislation and regulations.

David Kelly, Scarborough Borough Council’s Economic Development Manager said:

“We are really pleased with the success of the project so far, and want more people to benefit from the services of Yorkshire Coast Business Gateway by using the new helpline. It is vital for local economic development that we increase the numbers of new business start-up, and help those existing companies that have the potential to grow or who are struggling in these difficult economic times.”

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