Payment firm Mastercard has launched a month-long initiative to help small business owners in the North East.
Thrive Street has been opened at the Metrocentre in Gateshead and will run throughout November, providing small firms with an opportunity to sell goods and services from pop-up stands.
Business owners will also be able to attend a series of masterclasses to develop skills to build long-term resilience and improve growth prospects, as well as network with other entrepreneurs within their community.
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The event was opened by the mayor of Gateshead Coun Dot Burnett and retail consultant Mary Portas, who delivered a talk about the impact of the pandemic on business and the importance of digital tools for revenue growth.
There will also be masterclasses on subjects including retail, marketing and PR, and digital skills.
The iniative is part of Strive 海角视频, a programme created by Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth focused on supporting micro and small businesses around the country to succeed in the digital economy.
Kelly Devine, 海角视频 and Ireland president at Mastercard, said: “Small business owners told us they hope to achieve a collective £827bn in growth over the next five years, but this won’t happen without support, particularly when it comes to digital tools which have been so integral during the pandemic.
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“Thrive Street, and our wider Strive 海角视频 programme, aims to empower small businesses with the skills they need to not just survive but thrive in the digital economy.”
Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “Thrive Street brings a whole host of opportunities and support for small business owners in the North East of England.
“Working directly with local communities is so important when it comes to developing small businesses, and Thrive Street offers business owners an invaluable platform for connecting with their peers, learning essential new skills and testing out physical retail for those who have not done so before.”
Business owners can sign up to attend the masterclasses by going to https://www.enterprisenation.com/find-something/thrive-street-masterclass-the-power-of-collaboration/.