More details have been released of schemes that aim to help businesses in the region access ‘future markets’ and lead the way in new technologies.
Gateshead Council has received more than £2.1m from the Government’s Community Renewal Fund for four projects that aim to help the town’s economy recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the grants received is an allocation of £730,000 to help people furthest from the labour market find work, while the Immex City programme will aim to support companies in Gateshead’s immersive technologies sector as they scale-up and create new jobs.
Read more: go here for more North East business news
The town was also one of a number of areas, including Sunderland, to receive funding from the Future Markets Accelerator Programme, which aims to help SMEs gain a greater share of emerging markets by prioritising innovation and product development.
Gateshead has also received funding of £550,000 for plans to revive Riverside Park and the area around Dunston Staithes, a scheduled ancient monument and listed buiding which has suffered from a number of fires in recent years.
It’s hoped the project, in which Gateshead Council will work with the National Trust and the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust, will enhance the visitor economy in the area.
Coun Malcolm Brain, cabinet member for the economy on Gateshead Council, said: “We are delighted that these bids for the Community Renewal Fund have been successful. There are some fantastic projects and hugely imaginative people here, really working hard to take their projects forward, and help the local economy recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Most Read
Elsewhere from the Community Renewal Fund, Durham County Council has received £836,724 for an Emerging Markets Innovation Accelerator programme, while the North of Tyne Combined Authority received more than £1.5m in funding for two projects, one of which will create 40 online training centres for people who don’t have access to the internet to improve digital skills and open up digital employment opportunities.
Sunderland City Council received grants totalling £1.6m for five projects, including schemes to boost business innovation and support for the city’s voluntary sector.
A total of 30 schemes, including projects to support jobs in the region’s rail industry and in the green economy, were unsuccessful in winning funding, however.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “We are levelling up in every corner of the United Kingdom, backing locally-led projects that will make a real difference to communities and help to deliver our net zero commitments. There is incredible talent spread right across our great country and this investment will unlock the opportunities to match.”
You can join the BusinessLive North East conversation on and