A business support centre has seen a surge of interest in self-employment over the pandemic from people aged over 50.
More than a fifth of inquiries to the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) have come from older people, with an increase in inquiries about starting businesses that can be run from home.
Shirley Hermiston, business support manager at the BIC, said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide start-up support to such a broad range of people here at the BIC and the rise in enquiries we’ve received from aspiring entrepreneurs aged 50 and over during the past 12 months just goes to show you are never too old to start a business.
“After all, the UK has an ageing population, and everyone should be given the chance to start a new business, regardless of their age. It’s important that we work to support mature entrepreneurs and give everyone an equal opportunity to explore their ideas and find out more about the support available to them.
“Mature entrepreneurs also have a number of unique advantages over young people when it comes to starting a business.
“Thanks to their years of experience and advanced skills and knowledge, they have the confidence to help them overcome many of the most common challenges that can come with starting your own business, and the ability to leverage their talent with a depth of experience and wisdom that naturally comes with age. They may also have access to capital, helping to accelerate their business ideas from the get-go.
“After what has been a challenging year for many industries, we’re delighted to have helped so many people explore the concept of self-employment, especially from such a broad age range.”
The BIC has helped thousands of businesses set up since being established in 1994, helping create thousands of jobs and driving innovation among the region’s SME community.
