Business advice and support

Rising costs are affecting us all and making things difficult for many people and businesses across Gateshead. We've brought together information and advice to help you and your business.

This page will be updated regularly with relevant resources, guidance, and support. Bookmark this page or sign-up to our newsletter to keep up to date.

If your business is facing any issues, from budgeting and reducing spend to struggling to pay business rates, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to advise and guide during these difficult and uncertain times.

Energy Bill Relief Scheme

The government announced a new Energy Bill Relief Scheme to provide energy bill relief for non-domestic customers, including businesses and organisations in the voluntary and public sectors. Discounts will be applied to energy usage initially between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. The support will be automatically applied to all eligible bills. You do not need to take action or apply to the scheme.

Warm Spaces Directory

Search for Warm Spaces in Gateshead using the Warm Spaces directory. You can view opening times, contact details and filter locations by available facilities such as free wifi, charging facilities or work stations.

North East Growth Hub Cost of Living Toolkit

The North East Growth Hub Cost of Living Toolkit brings together the latest information on reducing costs within your business - from cutting energy bills to accessing government support - as well as supporting your staff through the cost of living crisis.

Climate Change and Other Energy Support

There are a range of resources, tools and funding to help your business with its energy usage and become more sustainable and efficient. You can also read Gateshead Council's Climate Strategy for Gateshead and the plans to achieve net zero by 2030.

• Ofgem - Great Britain's energy regulator offers energy advice for businesses on energy complaints, micro business gas or electricity, and advice on energy efficiency schemes.
• The UK Business Climate Hub seeks to help businesses take their first step on their climate journey by committing to cutting those carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to reach 'net zero' by 2050.
• The North East Growth Hub Net Zero for Business Toolkit is designed to support businesses on their net zero journey and identify changes to reduce carbon emissions.
• The SME Carbon Footprint Calculator has been designed to help UK-based SMEs measure their corporate emission footprint.
• Funding is available to help your business become greener as part of the government's commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Funding opportunities will be awarded to businesses investing in green technologies to increase energy efficiency or reduce carbon emissions.
• The Clean Growth Fund is a commercially run venture capital fund, which aims to speed up the deployment of innovative clean technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making direct investments in companies seeking to commercialise promising technologies.
• Grant scheme for electric vehicle charging infrastructure - The government offers grants to support the wider use of electric and hybrid vehicles via the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).