Call for grants to help launch new businesses May 22 2012
THERE are fresh calls for a grant scheme that helps jobless people get their business ideas off the ground to be extended. more

COLUMN: Neil Warwick - Comply with latest red tape rulings May 22 2012
COMPLIANCE is a big issue for a number of companies. Even identifying what compliance means and defining what it covers can provoke heated debate. It also gets swept up in the whole debate over too much red tape in this country. more

Dad launches Ellwoods Horticultural Services May 21 2012
A HORTICULTURIST who spent almost two decades working at flagship gardens and garden centres around the region has started his own business after being made redundant. more

Sunderland woman set to make cake business full-time May 21 2012
AN NHS admin worker is preparing to give up her full-time job and take her part-time cake business full time. more

UK banks urged to support exporters May 21 2012
BANKS are being encouraged to step up to the plate and support small firms in their export ambitions. more

Specialist recruiting agency for ex-forces May 15 2012
A SPECIALIST recruitment agency for people leaving the armed forces is expanding to cope with demand. more

Regional divide poses a problem for smaller firms May 15 2012
NORTHERN small firms say the cost of energy and access to decent broadband services are the top business infrastructure issues they are currently facing. more

Social media benefits for North East small food firms May 14 2012
USING the internet to make the most of small food businesses has been coming under the spotlight in County Durham and Northumberland. more

Small firms struggle on public sector contracts May 14 2012
GOVERNMENT efforts to make it easier for small businesses to win public-sector contracts are not yet bearing fruit, according to research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). more

Violet Interiors offers a design diagnosis for sellers May 8 2012
AN enterprising interior designer is aiming to help people sell their homes in the shortest possible time. more

North East small firms are urged to work together to cut costs May 8 2012
SMALL firms are being advised to work together to save on overheads and the cost of raw materials. more

COMMENT: James Wilders - Justifying an enforced retirement May 8 2012
IN THE last week, the Supreme Court has handed down an important judgment dealing with age discrimination. more

By Gina proves an instant hit with Dragons' Den panelist Theo Paphitis May 1 2012
A NORTH Shields-based firm received a business boost from Theo Paphitis, the entrepreneur and panelist on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den television series. more

Late payment culture is blighting smaller firms in the UK May 1 2012
THE late payment culture is putting the very survival of some small firms in question, according to a report into the issue. more