Northumberland Start-Ups Get Expert Boost at Enterprise Festival
The Northumberland Enterprise Festival 2025, delivered by the Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS), has been hailed a huge success after bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage businesses from across the County.
The three one-day events were held across the County at the brand new Market Pavilion in Blyth, Brocksbushes in Hexham, and The Alnwick Garden. The events that took place in October, attracted over 100 participants, a mix of pre start and new businesses. The festival offered inspiring workshops, practical business advice, and real-life success stories, all designed to help people take their first steps into business with confidence.
The Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) is delivered by Northumberland County Council. The project is part funded by the North East Combined Authority and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the lead authority.
Highlights included expert led sessions on common mistakes in the first year around pricing and cashflow, business planning, and strategies to help understand your customers and grow your business. Attendees also heard from local entrepreneurs from the 2024 cohort who shared their journeys, challenges, and successes. Delegates described the festival as “inspirational” and “insightful”.
A start up attending also said “A great event in a beautiful setting. It was inclusive, insightful and very motivating. It was wonderful to hear form businesses who have also been in the same boat about the grant and the support in Northumberland”.
A key focus of the festival was raising awareness of the £2,000 grant available for pre-starts and new businesses in Northumberland, which is already generating significant interest and those interested are urged to apply for the grant as soon as possible.
Lucy Evermore, Programme Manager for NSBS said “The Enterprise Festival is about inspiring people to see business as an achievable and exciting opportunity.
It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm, connections made, and the confidence people have taken away. We’re excited to continue building a culture of enterprise across Northumberland.”
The festival not only celebrated local entrepreneurial spirit but also signposted attendees to the wider range of business support, mentoring, and funding available through the Northumberland Small Business Service.
For more information about the Northumberland Small Business Service and available support, visit:
www.northumberlandsmallbusiness.co.uk
NSBS also offers assistance to micro-small sized businesses across Northumberland. The experienced team and its range of experts work directly with businesses and individuals to help them start, grow, diversify, and sustain their ventures through workshops, 1-2-1 support and networking events across the county.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
If you have any questions about the event or the Northumberland Small Business Service, please visit Northumberland Small Business Service or contact the team at business@businessnorthumberland.co.uk.