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Free start-up support is available for would-be entrepreneurs in South Tyneside thanks to government cash.

TEDCO was one of eight organisations to successfully bid for a slice of £8.8m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The company, which offers start-up and growth support, now aims to help create 200 new businesses in the borough, engaging particularly with people in areas of deprivation or who are out of work.

CEO James Craft said: "The programme is flexible so that the support we provide can be bespoke, from group workshops and drop-in sessions to one-to-one coaching.

"If someone has a business idea they want to pursue, we can guide them through the process, no matter if they are right at the start or at the point where they are ready to launch. We're supporting people across the board.

"It could be that someone has worked in a trade for 20 years and now decides they want to go it alone, someone who has been unemployed for some time and might need support developing their confidence and readiness for work, or someone setting up an online business or turning a hobby into a business."

The project, Start Up South Tyneside, was allocated £495,000 over three financial years.

The team's business advisers can offer support around accessing loans and other finance, marketing, social media, legal and cash flow support, as well as signposting to other organisations that can help.

The Shared Prosperity Fund aims to 'build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK'.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport, said: "We identified projects for the UK Shared Prosperity Funding that could really have maximum impact in the borough and complement our local growth priorities.

"Connecting residents to jobs is one of our ambitions and this programme is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of going into business - even if they just have the seed of an idea."

For further information on the Start Up South Tyneside, contact TEDCO on 0191 516 6102 / hello@tedco.org