A campaign is to be launched in Hartlepool to support budding entrepreneurs who dream of running their own business.
The Be Your Own Boss initiative, organised by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth Team, will comprise a series of workshops and advice sessions to be held at The BIS in Whitby Street and Hartlepool Enterprise Centre in Brougham Terrace from Monday 12th January-Friday 23rd January 2026.
During the first week (Monday 12th January-Friday 16th January), people will be able to drop-in for free advice and support between 9am and 4pm (online appointments outside these hours are available on request). Booking is not required.
On Saturday 17th January, The BIS will be open from 10am-1pm for 30-minute one-to-one appointments. These need to be booked in advance.
Week two of the campaign (19th-23rd January) will comprise a series of events on specific subjects, including book-keeping for start-ups; design thinking; boosting your business through search engine optimisation; Chat GPT for small businesses; trading overseas; enterprising mums and bringing a business idea to life with a Start Up Loan. These events must be booked in advance.
.Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Council’s Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: “Small businesses are a key element of a healthy local economy and it is vital that they are able to access advice and support so that they can grow and prosper.
“It is also often the case that people who dream of launching their own business don’t actually know where to start. By drawing on the knowledge and expertise of members of the Economic Growth Team and a range of other organisations, we aim to help them turn their dream into reality.”
For more details of the campaign, including how to book/register for events, go to: www.investinhartlepool.co.uk/be-your-own-boss-2026/ or call (01429) 363150.