BICStartUp
Sunderland West
Resident of west Sunderland with ambitions of launching your own business? If you’re thinking of starting a new business but don’t know where to start, the Sunderland West Area programme could help you finally embrace self-employment.
Supported by Sunderland City Council, ERDF and the Northern Powerhouse Initiative, the Prospecting for Enterprise programme provides intensive, one-to-one support and workshops for those who are ready to set up on their own.
This dedicated project provides free business advice to residents located in:
Pallion, Ford, High Barnes, Pennywell, South Hylton, Grindon, Hastings Hill, Thorney Close, Springwell, East & Middle Herrington, Farringdon, Silksworth, Humbledon, Plains Farm.
We cover everything from coming up with business ideas to business planning, marketing and much more including:
- Turning your hobby into a business
- Building a website and brand
- Finding customers
- Creating the initial business plan
- Setting up the right legal structure
- Understanding cashflow, tax and record keeping
Events in the community
Our expert business adviser Hina is bringing our start-up workshops to a community venue near you!
Over the coming months, the Sunderland West Area programme will be hosting a series of start-up workshops across the west of the city.
Each of the three expert events will be completely free to attend with no strings attached.
Interested in finding out more?
How can the BIC help?
We offer free, one to one support to help get you trading. Over the years we’ve supported over 4,000 business, with 75% still operating after three years. No matter how far you are in your thinking, we can help.
Support to suit you
- Face to face meetings
- Video chat (e.g. Zoom)
- Workshops
- Resources and templates
- Ongoing phone and email support
Your questions answered
Fancy working for yourself but not sure what you want to do? We’ll help you to explore your options.
Have a brilliant idea but don’t know how to bring it to life? We’ll give you the knowledge and confidence to get started.
Speak to one of our advisers
Regular business advice drop-in sessions are held in various local community venues. Please get in touch for details.
We also provide free business skills workshops to help develop your business knowledge and build new contacts too.
“The advice of Kevin Marquis and Ernest Dodds has been spot on. They are real experts in social enterprise so walked us through the differences in being set up this way and showed us how to apply for funding. Proof of their good advice came almost immediately, when our bid for a grant of £6,296 was approved by the Hays Foundation, meaning we can guarantee at least one monthly workshop for a whole year.”
Nicola Pallas / North Start Counselling
