Entrust run a series of Customised Start-Up Programmes, aimed specifically at providing advice to clients who are thinking about, or intend to set up in business as either a sole trader, partnership, limited company or co-operative.

The purpose of the training is to ensure that clients are fully aware of the legal status and implications involved with each type of business, together with a broad outline of what financial assistance may be available.

Included within the training is advice from outside agencies, i.e. Customs & Excise, Banks, Marketing Advice Centre etc, who provide input in the form of a 30/45 minute presentation to the clients, followed by a question and answer forum.

Once each client has undergone the training, which is in the form of 4 modules, they are entitled to further one to one counselling sessions with an Entrust Business Counsellor and at which stage further assistance is given to help and finalise the completion of a businessplan if required. The client does not need to attend all of the modules, but can pick and choose the most relevant modules.

The majority of start-ups use the training to apply for business funding through grant finance available with either The Princes Trust, North Tyneside Council or Project North East. Whilst there is no guarantee that the application for grant/loan funding will be agreed, the training will still served a useful purpose and raised the awareness of the individuals involved.

The programme consists of the following modules:-

Basic Information Technology

Book Keeping

Marketing

Financial Planning

Other services are provided, in the form of free advice from accountants and solicitors.

Details of managed workspace and properties available from the City Council are also held.