Two Shropshire firms have joined together to provide support for start-up businesses across the county as more and more people look to self-employment.

Hundreds of new businesses are being launched across the UK every year but Government support for these fledgling ventures has been reduced due to the current economic climate.

Nigel Lomax, of Shrewsbury-based TaxAssist Accountants, and Janet Dale, of Shrewsbury-based It’seeze Web Design, decided the new businesses of Shropshire deserved a support network as they took their first steps and so have launched www.startassist.co.uk.

Janet said: “We wanted to give new start-ups a place where they could go to find out more about the business community in Shropshire and access affordable offers to help them get off the ground.

“The cost of launching a firm can be quite high and for those who are starting a business because they have been made redundant, do not want to return to work after having a baby or cannot find employed work, high start-up costs are not an option.

“We hope StartAssist will be able to help in a number of ways. From experience, we know that a business with a professional website is more likely to attract customers. However, quality websites can prove too expensive for new businesses with limited cash flow, we want to help with that and more.”

The scheme is £129 to sign up to and for that businesses will get a web page with a domain name and professional company e-mail address. They will also be able to add their company logo and a contact form and the deal includes Google map placing and free social media training worth £390.

The company will also be promoted by StartAssist through social networking and have access to information and advice from the StartAssist business community.

“A number of established businesses have come on board to provide assistance to start-ups, including special discounted rates for their own services,” added Janet.

“We hope this is going to be a huge support for the businesses in that nervous time when they are not sure what is ahead – our aim is to make sure their venture is successful.”

For more information visit www.startassist.co.uk.