Welcome
"I hope you find our regional pages useful for lobbying info, business news, branch event info, and to review the great work undertaken by North East members. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the largest campaigning member based organisation promoting and protecting the interests of small businesses in the UK. There are well over 4,000 members in the North East of England who have access to free legal support and a range of business benefits."
Colin Stratton - FSB North East Regional Chairman
Not an FSB Member...can you afford not to join?
The FSB not only promotes, protects and lobbies on behalf of small businesses like yourself but also has a vast array of business benefits. Apply to join now and start receiving the great privileges that been part of the ever growing FSB membership brings you.
Available to Download Now - North East Regional Events Diary (UPDATED).
The FSB has a number of events throughout the region which members are free to attend and take on board the networking and learning opportunities. We now have a Regional Diary which is available for download which makes it easier to keep those important dates fresh in the mind. Should you require this in an alternative format please do not hesitate to contact David Longstaff, North East Regional Organiser.
Prompt Payment Critical for Small Businesses
The FSB are championing the importance of paying suppliers promptly and within agreed timescales through the Prompt Payment Code (PPC). Prompt payments are crucial to the small business community. Visit the Prompt Payment Website now to sign up or to view approved companies who have entered into the scheme.
Have Your Say...On Alcohol
What do people in the North East really think about the alcohol issue? You are invited to contribute to an open and honest debate where the feedback will influence how risky drinking is tackled. To achieve this, the North East Big Drink Campaign are asking people to fill in a short and simple questionnaire, and enter the prize draw to win one of 10 iPod Shuffles. This information will be used to produce a detailed report that will be shared with key decision-makers with the aim of developing a regional alcohol strategy. It will also help shape future government policy on this vital issue. Visit the Big Drink website for more information.
World Heritage Site Status Bid Needs Your Input
After more than ten years of hard work, the joint Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, located in St Peter's Church area of Sunderland and St Paul's Church area of South Tyneside Wearmouth-Jarrow has gained the UK Government's commitment that it will be the UK's nomination for World Heritage Site status in January 2010. World Heritage Site Status will improving the image and status of the area, increasing the number of visitors to the area and contributing to regeneration – all of which will undoubtedly have implications for the wider region and many businesses based in the region. However, to achieve this status, local businesses and people need to demonstrate their support and any concerns about the nomination and for the proposed management plans for protecting the site into the future.