A new service launched last Summer by Advance Northumberland to support businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 is proving to be a success.

The project has been made possible with funding received by Northumberland County Council from the North of Tyne Combined Authority. So far 65 small businesses have signed up to the Northumberland COVID Business Response Programme’s (NCBRP) Digital Advantage campaign, where they are provided with a bespoke Digital Marketing package worth £1000 - £500 going towards online advertising spend through Google Ads or Facebook.

The campaigns, delivered by Gateshead-based Digital Allies, have so far seen participating businesses enjoy a combined 3.59 million impressions via GoogleAds and have reached over 1.3 million people on Facebook.

Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society is one of the businesses to benefit from the programme. Heather Woodfine, Events and Communications Administrator, says: “We briefed Digital Allies to focus on promoting our gift vouchers and we saw an almost 20% increase in sales. The advert enjoyed extensive reach for the budget which was good and shows our content works very well.”

John Dunn, Managing Director of Starscape Ceilings Ltd in Scremerston, Berwick-upon-Tweed, says they also enjoyed great success through the programme. “The overall experience was very positive with plenty of help and support from the experts at Digital Allies. We did see an increase in online sales during the campaign, which would have easily covered the costs.”

NCBRP is a new service for businesses that have been adversely affected by COVID-19. The Project is funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and delivered by Advance Northumberland on behalf of Northumberland County Council and the Northumberland Business Hub.

Digital Allies also deliver online workshops for support programme Business Northumberland, also delivered by Advance Northumberland, covering Digital Marketing, Social Media, eCommerce, Websites and SEO.

Business Northumberland provides support to small and medium enterprises across the North East who are looking to sustain and grow their business online. The fully funded support programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Advance Northumberland, so there is no cost to eligible businesses when accessing the support.

Find out more by visiting: https://northumberlandbusinessresponse.co.uk/