For shops, cafés, pubs, salons and the self-employed

Running a small business in the North East is hard right now. Some of the help is already yours.

Rates relief you may never have claimed, a tax bill you can spread, free advice, and someone to ring when it's getting on top of you. Free, no sign-up, nothing stored.

Rather just explain it?Say it how it is, like “my energy bill has doubled and I'm behind on VAT”. We'll find what fits, and nothing you write is kept.

Or browse by need

Business rates Tax and HMRC Staff and apprentices Grants, loans and bills Free advice and someone to talk to

Need to talk to someone today?

All free. The first two are confidential and won't judge you.

Money worries, tax or rentBusiness Debtline, free and confidential 0800 197 6026 Hospitality: need to talkHospitality Action, 24 hours 0808 802 0282 Pubs: need to talkLicensed Trade Charity, 24 hours 0808 801 0550

What this is, and isn't

A guide to what exists, checked against official sources, with the lower rates, reliefs and free services most small businesses never hear about. We don't give debt, tax, insolvency or legal advice; we point you to the free, regulated people who do.

Help us see the bigger picture

If you choose to, you can share your situation anonymously. We never keep your words or your details, only the themes, and we use them to show what the North East is telling us and to add the help that's missing.