A guide to Business Support in Fenland

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1 A guide to Business Support in Fenland

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3 Introduction Fenland District Council is committed to providing an integrated and comprehensive business support service to enable Fenland businesses to flourish. This is why we have produced this useful booklet to help your business get the best possible start, maximise your potential and take full advantage of all the help, advice and opportunities that is on offer here in Fenland. Here at Fenland Council, we recognise that businesses need space to develop and grow, and this is why over the last four years we have invested in the multi-million pound award-winning Boathouse Business and Conference Centre, and the South Fens Business Centre, both designed to exceed modern business demands. This investment has created nearly 350 jobs and supported over 70 new businesses. With our commitment to the success of Fenland businesses, the council is now seen as a regional exemplar for business support through the Government s Solutions for Business programme. I hope that you will find this booklet a valuable guide to business support in Fenland. Councillor Christopher Seaton Contents Developing your business 2 Financing your business 8 Skills and Retraining 12 Business Premises and Conference Centres 14 District Council Contacts 16 1

4 Developing your business Fenland is a great place to do business and we want to make sure that it continues to be. To ensure that it does, Fenland District Council and its partners are investing funding and resources to help support and develop new and existing companies. Supported in Fenland by Fenland District Council, the East of England Development Agency s own take on the iconic London Underground tube map plots all forms of support available to businesses in Fenland from business finance, office and industrial space for start-ups to London 2012 contracts and recruitment. Start your journey today at Training Tourism Shared Business Support Understanding Finance European Funding Women In Business Tailored Expert Advice Business Networks Manufacturing Resource Efficiency Waste Management & Environment Business Link Your connection to business support in the East of England Coaching and Mentoring Recruitment Migrant Workers International Trade & Investment Olympic Opportunities IT Grants Business Creation Information and Advice Technology Innovation Collaboration Loans Equity Operations People Finance Sales Start-up Growth Environment 2

5 Fenland District Council working in partnership with organisations listed within this section can help develop your business through specific information, expert advice and specialist support. Business Link - Whether you are already running or growing a business or just starting out, Business Link offer independent and impartial solutions by providing a one-to-one business diagnostic and brokerage service, workshops and seminars info@businesslinkeast.org.uk NWES - Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES) specialise in helping people who have a good idea for a business make it a reality, by offering fully funded professional advice, an excellent start-up business training programme leading to the compilation of a business plan, and a loan fund specifically for anyone who has been refused credit from a bank mepreception@nwes.org.uk UKT&I - UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) provides expert trade advice and practical support to UK-based companies wishing to grow their business overseas. Through a range of unique services, UKTI can assist you on every step of the exporting journey. Whatever stage of development your business is at, they can give you the support that you need to expand and prosper. +44 (0)

6 Fenland Chamber of Commerce - A not-for-profit organisation, Fenland Chamber of Commerce is the voice of local business, dedicated to supporting the continued success of businesses throughout Fenland. They do this by providing valuable networking opportunities for their members, assisting businesses of all sizes in increasing sales and cutting costs, while the policy team ensures that your views are represented to all levels of Government enquiries@cambscci.co.uk Federation of Small Businesses - The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK s largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms Green Business Club - If you are a local small or medium sized business, the Green Business Club can provide you with free support to assess your energy usage and waste production, and identify practical and cost effective actions to save you energy and reduce waste. The Green Business Club holds regular workshops and seminars where businesses can share ideas and experiences iedgington@fenland.gov.uk Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE) - SEEE is a membership and networking organisation for social enterprises and supporters. Their primary aim is to support and promote the social enterprise sector in the East of England as an indispensable part of the economy tellmemore@seee.co.uk 4

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8 HM Revenue & Customs - HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) was formed on the 18 April 2005, following the merger of Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise Departments. HMRC exist to ensure the correct tax is paid at the right time, whether this relates to payment of taxes received by the department or entitlement to benefits paid Non-domestic Rates - Non-domestic, or business, rates are the way in which businesses and other occupiers of non-domestic property contribute toward the cost of local authority services. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for assessing all business and non-domestic property in England and Wales, giving each one a rateable value. If you have reason to believe your rateable value is wrong, you need to let the VOA know as quickly as possible. Contact your local office and talk to someone on the business rates team. Valuation Office Agency, Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 2DU Fenland District Council Business Rates Team - collect business rates behalf of the Government. Please contact us if you have any queries about how much you should pay, different ways to pay or if you are having difficulties in paying. There are many discounts available. These apply for small businesses where you own one (or in some cases, several) small commercial properties which could mean up to 50% off your bill. Also there is a reduction for empty or partly occupied property. Some charities, non-profit making and rural businesses can also get a reduction. Check out our website or get in touch for further details. Business Rates Team businessrates@fenland.gov.uk 6

9 Fenland District Council Food and Safety Team - The Food and Safety Team deals with the enforcement of food safety and health and safety legislation through scheduled inspections of local businesses, dealing with complaints, investigating accidents and ill-health from food borne disease and giving advice and information. It also runs a range of training courses to help businesses comply with the law. Mike Gleadow Fenland District Council Planning and Development Service - Development Services comprises Development Delivery, Building Control and Planning Policy services. Specific functions include: The consideration of planning applications, including informal advice in respect of planning proposals before formal applications are prepared; A cost effective Building Control Service, responsive to your needs and of the highest possible standard, and can provide guidance and advice on all matters relating to the building regulation. The formulation of future planning and transport policy planning@fenland.gov.uk buildingcontrol@fenland.gov.uk planningpolicy@fenland.gov.uk 7

10 Financing your business The economy is an ever changing and dynamic marketplace, and financial concerns are at the top of the agenda for most businesses. Finding and raising finance is getting harder, taking much longer and is even more complicated than ever before. Help is available and now may be the right time to explore some of the various funding opportunities listed here. GREEN Grants for Research & Development The East of England Development Agency is offering a Green Grant for Research and Development, which is available for projects with a low-carbon focus. Projects will be funded up to an intervention rate of 40% of the total cost of the project with a maximum Grant offer of 250k. These projects will be funded directly from European Regional Development funding (ERDF) Carbon Small Loans for Business Small loans for business provide loans to start-ups, SMEs and social enterprises in the East of England. These loans of 500 to 50,000 offer flexible repayment terms (min 6 month, max 7 years) to groups who typically are refused finance to encourage and make it easier for more people to start up and grow their own enterprises. To be eligible for a small business loan you must have: Proof that you have tried to obtain funding from traditional sources such as your bank or building society and been refused for whatever reason - a poor or no credit history, etc. A workable business plan, ideally demonstrating the potential to create new jobs Small loans for business are managed on behalf of EEDA by Foundation East. To find out if you are eligible for this loan, or to find out more, please contact Foundation East

11 Proof of Market Funding A proof of market grant enables you to test the commercial potential of an innovative idea for a new technology. Entrepreneurs, SMEs and academics/research institutions can apply for grants of 5000 to 20, Innovation vouchers The East of England Development Agency have launched a new round of Innovation Vouchers. These vouchers, which are worth up to 3,000, enable businesses to collaborate one-to-one with the region s top universities and research institutes, to help overcome a specific technical problem they have encountered, for example in bringing a new product to market. The vouchers are available free of charge on a first come first served basis. To check availability, visit their website

12 Regional Loans Growth EEDA s regional growth loan is available to new and existing businesses in the East of England with the potential for long term growth. Loans of 50,000 to 200,000 are available to SMEs that; Are based within the East of England Have a minimum turnover of 500k (This can be complied with on an annualised basis using at least 6 months trading numbers and in the knowledge that there are no exceptional/seasonal revenues in the period used) Have growth potential Have a long-term investment need The loan fund is managed on behalf of EEDA by Finance East. To find out if you are eligible for this loan, or to find out more please contact Finance East enquiries@financeeast.com Enterprise Finance Guarantee - Government-guaranteed lending through the new Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) is open to businesses with an annual turnover of up to 25million who are currently not easily able to access the finance they need. This will enable businesses to secure loans of between 1,000 and 1million. Note: all lending decisions will be at the discretion of the bank supplying the loan. A list of participating banks can be found on the Business Link website info@businesslinkeast.org.uk 10

13 Fens Adventurers - The Fens Adventurers Rural Development Programme (FARDP) is a 4 million grass roots grants programme. FARDP s aim is to support the start up or the enhancement of rural local enterprises which trade within specific rural parishes within the Cambridgeshire and West Norfolk Fens. The vision for the programme is: to develop a thriving farming and rural business economy which contributes to and is supported by the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Fens communities Business Funding Options - Choosing and securing the right type of finance for your business is essential. There are many types of finance available - each of them designed to meet different needs. Business Link can provide a personalised list of the most suitable finance options for your business. Visit their website for the most up-to-date business funding opportunities

14 Skills and retraining for your business Skills and Training - The economic growth and competitiveness of Fenland s economy are key economic development priorities for Fenland District Council. To ensure skills provision is responsive to local economic need, the Economic Development team is working closely with a range of partners to improve aspirations, attainment and the skill levels. Improving workforce skills increases productivity and can improve turnover, and these organisations can give you advice and help to meet all your training needs. Train to Gain - This programme offers funding to businesses who want to improve their workforce s skills to boost productivity. Delivered by Business Link, businesses can use the Train to Gain service to fund valuable skills for employees. Specialist advisors will provide expert, one-to-one skills advice. Business Link will also help to organise a full training package tailored to an individual business needs sourcing providers and finding funding to complement the business investment info@businesslinkeast.org.uk Beyond Beyond 2010 is an initiative to assist small to medium-sized businesses in the East of England give staff new skills to move the business forward. The project works alongside Train to Gain to ensure that businesses can get the skills training that they need. Businesses employing up to 250 staff can contact specialist sector advisors who are able to discuss training needs in detail and agree with the business which training course will best meet their needs. Up to half of the cost of training is available from EEDA and the European Social Fund. Response 2 Redundancy - Beyond 2010 also includes the Response 2 Redundancy programme (formerly known as Responding 2 Redundancy) which provides advice, guidance and re-training opportunities to individuals facing redundancy. It gives early support to certify their existing skills, and provide 12

15 appropriate training to improve their opportunities in the job market when they are made redundant. The programme is linked to the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service to make sure that people who face redundancy are given appropriate help to move back into work as efficiently as possible. College of West Anglia - CWA Business Services offers you, the employer, a professional service to find solutions to all your training and development needs. With access to all the expertise and resources of one of the largest training organisations in the East of England, their team of experienced advisors can advise on a wide range of work-based qualifications, bespoke training programmes and apprenticeships to suit your needs. They will also provide expert advice on the range of government-funded programmes cwabusiness@col-westanglia.ac.uk Jobcentre Plus (Recruitment Services) - Jobcentre Plus offer free support for businesses to help them to retain and recruit the right people. Its Vacancy Advertising Service reaches millions of candidates and its Local Employment Partnerships work with employers to understand recruitment and training needs and access the appropriate assistance to help your business grow and prosper. Peter Weight

16 Business premises and Conference Centres Fenland District Council owns and operates two modern business and conference centres strategically placed in the north and south of the district. The Boathouse Business Centre is a prestigious managed office development in the vibrant market town of Wisbech. Situated within the riverside quarter, this dramatic and impressive landmark building has been designed to exceed modern business demands whilst creating the perfect location for local, national and international businesses boathouse@fenland.gov.uk South Fens Business Centre is located in the charming town of Chatteris. This high quality business and conference centre comprises of 45 offices and 3 conference suites, ideal for businesses wishing to start up and grow southfens@fenland.gov.uk For information on other council owned business premises, please contact Justin Wingfield - Business Premises Manager

17 Fenland District Council - Here at Fenland Council, we recognise that businesses often need assistance, whether they are at the start-up stage or if they are growing. The Councils own dedicated Economic Development service is here to help and can support your business by; Identifying suitable funding streams Working with you to develop the skills of your workforce Improving local aspirations and skills by working with the Fenland Strategic Partnership Facilitating high quality business support to help your business grow Identifying suitable land for expansion Identifying suitable commercial premises for relocation Helping to facilitate business planning applications Promoting of Fenland to attract further inward investment Promoting Fenland as a desirable place to live and work Promoting of tourism both nationally and internationally Giving advice and guidance to tourism providers on East of England Tourism initiatives Developing closer links between businesses to improve supply chains Working with partners and identifing new routes to market for Fenland businesses Giving free support on energy and waste reduction 15

18 Further information Clive Gibbon Economic Development Manager Vicki Whittingstall Economic Development Officer Amy Wilson Economic Development Officer Rachel Fuller Economic Development Officer Fenland District Council Business Reception This booklet is also available to download from our website. Contents will be updated regularly

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20 You can get this document in another language, in large print, in Moon, in Braille, on audio cassette and in electronic format. Please ask us if you would like this document in any of these formats. Fenland District Council, Fenland Hall, County Road, March, Cambridgeshire. PE15 8NQ T: E: W: fenland.gov.uk