BUSINESS SUPPORT. A guide for new businesses in the city

Transcription

1 BUSINESS SUPPORT A guide for new businesses in the city

2 FOREWORD Welcome to the Business Support Guide, the map of the support available for start-up businesses. This guide was produced by Plymouth City Council at the request of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses. This guide aims to simplify how you access support by pulling many of the different strands together into one easy to digest document which is available to any business in the city. We have produced this guide in response to a number of changes that have taken place over recent years. It became apparent to us that in Plymouth businesses need to access support and guidance without spending a large amount of time tracking it down. This guide will be updated at regular six monthly intervals to ensure the contents stay relevant and up to date. The information in this guide is subject to change and was accurate when published. If you notice any business support that has been left out please contact us: Economy, Enterprise and Employment Team T E invest@plymouth.gov.uk

3 SUPPORT PROVIDER Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) Business In You Business West Ready for Business Business West Starting a High Growth Business Citizens Advice Bureau Adviceguide Connecting Devon and Somerset Fredericks Foundation Gov.uk SERVICE CONTACT COST Web based support and advice for businesses. The Business In You website is an online resource that houses links to business support providers / organisations. The programme will help people looking to start their own business to develop ideas, create a clear business plan and provide expert support up to and beyond the launch of their business. Specialist support for high growth potential start-up businesses. The Adviceguide is a web accessible tool that walks through the key elements of starting a business. Advice and support for businesses to understand the benefits and adapt to faster broadband availability across Plymouth. Micro loans for startup and established businesses unable to borrow from conventional sources, with funds secured from Plymouth City Council. Gov.uk is an online service that provides advice and guidance to businesses. gov.uk T E readyforbusiness@ businesswest.co.uk T E info@growthsouthwest. co.uk co.uk/business-solutions/ business-growth/start-ups E broadband@devon.gov. uk E annie@ fredericksfoundation.net www. fredericksfoundation.org business Use of the Business In You website is free. There may be a cost for any services accessed via the website but this will depend on services accessed. Stage 1 and 2 are free. There may be some cost related to this. In order to find out what this could be please contact Business West directly. The Adviceguide is free to access. Advice is free. The loan will need to be paid back to Fredericks Foundation through an agreed format. Gov.uk is a free online resource.

4 Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN) GAIN is a network to help businesses achieve sustainable growth and create wealth and jobs in the South West. GAIN can help develop plans, advise on investment and give the practical support needed to turn ideas into a high quality business. T E info@gainbusiness.com GAIN services are free via the website. HMRC Support and advice to help businesses understand their tax affairs. Aimed at new, start-up and expanding businesses, and contains videos, interactive tools, factsheets and online presentations, as well as signposting to other services. Information on the website is provided free. The website also allows businesses to download relevant documents and forms for free. Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales Business Advice Service Free business advice session with a chartered accountant including subjects such as business growth, securing loans, capital and finance, export planning, meeting tax and regulatory requirements. T E bas@icaew.com ICAEW offers one hour free business support. Intellectual Property Office The Intellectual Property Office is able to provide advice and guidance to businesses about their IP including innovative designs and trademarks. T Information supplied by the Intellectual Property Office is free but to protect IP will have a cost associated with it. MentorSME MentorSME is a gateway for businesses that are looking to contact a mentor in their area. finding-a-mentor The MentorSME service is free. Some mentors that advertise on the website charge for their services, each is different and some offer free information to SMEs. Plymouth City Council PATLIB Plymouth PATLIB is a service offered through the central library in Plymouth which provides free patent searches by appointment and advice and guidance around copyright, trademarks and designs. T E patlibplymouth@ plymouth.gov.uk Some services offered by PATLIB have a small administrative cost of 25.

5 Plymouth University Enterprise Solutions Enterprise Solutions can provide access to Plymouth University s facilities, expertise, and services. T E enterprisesolutions@ plymouth.ac.uk There may be a cost implication depending on what services are used. Plymouth University, PATLIB UK, NJ Akers & Co Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, Francis Clark, Bright Solicitors, Outset Finance and the Social Enterprise - University Enterprise Network One Stop Ideas Shops are monthly events designed to provide specialist information and guidance on protecting a business idea or product from the partners listed. T E enterprisesolutions@ plymouth.ac.uk There is a cost of 25 for administrative activities. One Stop Ideas Shop Prince s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) Provides over 50s with the means to explore and develop their business ideas. T E primeinfo@bitc.org.uk PRIME offers free support through training courses, mentoring support, networking events and online resources. Prince s Trust Enterprise Programme The Prince s Trust Enterprise Programme supports unemployed young people aged to establish whether or not their business idea would be viable. T E webinfosw@princestrust.org.uk Free to eligible people. Start-up Loans UK Support for young people to start in business, including business planning, funding and on going mentoring. E hello@startuploans. co.uk Free mentoring with every loan awarded.

6 Supported by: Business Support - New Businesses Published by Plymouth City Council October 2014 CONTACT Economy, Enterprise and Employment Team Plymouth City Council Civic Centre Plymouth PL1 2AA T E invest@plymouth.gov.uk