Jobless people in Greater Manchester are being offered a share of a £150,000 pot to help start their own franchise business.

The cash has been pledged by NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland as part of the FranchisingWorks programme, which aims to reduce unemployment by creating new businesses through franchising.

The eight-month scheme aims to support 50 people with a training programme of workshops designed to give them the skills needed to run their own business. Successful candidates will get financial support to buy a franchise licence, which can be repaid once the business becomes profitable.

FranchisingWorks is a social enterprise in Greater Manchester which provides practical help to support people looking to become franchisees.

One entrepreneur who has already taken advantage of the scheme is Stockport-based Colin Hughes, who was made redundant last November after a 25-year corporate career.

He has started his own wheelie bin cleaning franchise, VIP Bin Cleaning, for domestic and commercial customers in south Manchester.

He said: “The FranchisingWorks project was helpful in a number of ways, but primarily in introducing candidates to a number of credible, pre-approved franchisors, cutting down the time needed to search through the vast choice available, and giving guidance to franchisees on how to decide which type of franchise would be best for them.”

He added: “I can already see the potential in the VIP business for me to buy another territory in the Manchester area and employ several staff in a variety of roles.”

Former art teacher Neela Jackson also took advantage of the scheme to start a Manchester franchise of The Creation Station, which runs art and crafts activities and parties for children.

She said: “FranchisingWorks has helped me immensely.

“Initially it gave me a really good insight into what franchising is through the workshops and it made me realise that franchising was a good option for me and that as someone new to self-employment, a franchise could offer the information and support I might need.”

Graeme Jones, head of franchising for RBS and Natwest, said: “By helping to reduce unemployment and create new businesses the FranchisingWorks programme has the potential to create a lasting and positive impact in Greater Manchester.”

The scheme is backed by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, the Commission for the New Economy and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts.

A survey by NatWest and the British Franchise Association showed franchise businesses turned over £1.3bn in the north west last year.

Nationally, there were around 37,000 franchisees employing more than 520,000 people with turnover of £12.4bn.

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