Business advice is free in Barnard Castle – so why low take-up?

A TEAM of dale business leaders has urged more firms to take up their free advice services.
The “One-Stop Shop” at Enterprise House, on Barnard Castle’s Harmire Enterprise Park, was launched in 2015 with a £12,000 support grant from Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP).

But a year and a half on from its inception, some of its advice sessions have seen low attendances. Joan Casson, from Tilly, Bailey and Irvine Solicitors, offers help on employment law and human resources fortnightly at Enterprise House.
She was surprised at the low uptake. Ms Casson said: “People tend to have basic issues like holidays, how much they have to pay their staff or if someone’s not performing.
“Perhaps we have not made it as well known as we could have.”
Appointments can be booked on marketing, generating sales, human resources and recruitment, grants and finance as well as business planning. Ms Casson said her niche of helping business owners with tribunals gave firms the basic groundwork they’d need should problems arise.
“I find if people had taken advice sooner they would not find their problems were as bad,” she added.
“We’re not promising to solve everyone’s issues but it’s to give them the basic background – especially with new businesses.”
Organisations including the NE Chamber of Commerce, Business Durham and Northumberland Business Services Ltd are on board with the project.
Lynn Todhunter, from Enterprise House, said new firms would benefit from their team of “experienced and knowledgeable” advisors.
“Starting your own business can be very exciting and the service of a professional advisor can be invaluable,” she added. For more information or to book an appointment call Ms Todhunter at Enterprise House on 01833 696750 or email info@e-house.co.uk