Business Support & Resources

Castle Point Borough Council 

We have a number of business services to support businesses

business@castlepoint.gov.uk 

01268 882492

www.castlepoint.gov.uk/business-support-and-regeneration

The BEST Growth Hub

Access bespoke business support in your local area: grant funding, business skills workshops, specialist advice, alternative funding options, apprenticeships and more.

Backing Business Essex delivered by Let's Do Business Group

Fully funded by Essex County Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, Back to Business Essex is here to support business development during COVID-19 and beyond with up to 12 hours free business support.

Tel: 0800 970 8981
www.backtobusinessessex.co.uk                                                                                                                                                                       

Tel: 0844 415 2272
www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk

Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are experts in business, offering their members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Their aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

NWES

NWES provides independent, confidential, impartial business advice and training, access to finance and business premises.

COLBEA

Colchester Business Enterprise Agency have been offering advice and training to businesses in Colchester for 37 years and they are now extending these services to other ​parts of Essex.

Initially it will be in the form of fully funded, one hour, One to One business advice sessions online, where a fully qualified business adviser will be able to answer your questions.

Tel: 01206 548833
www.colbea.co.uk

www.colbea.co.uk/business-advice-coronavirus

Essex Chamber of Commerce

Essex Chambers of Commerce, the home of business right across the county helping businesses from SME’s through to national and international companies to succeed.  Focusing on three essentials to help your business grow:- International Trade, Business Support and Campaigning.

Enterprise Nation

Enterprise Nation is a vibrant community of small businesses and business advisers that exist to shortcut your route to trusted business support.

Superfast Essex

Superfast Essex is a broadband improvement programme run by Essex County Council. Ensure you and your employees have the best speeds available and check @SuperfastEssex’s interactive map to find the broadband status for your address.

www.superfastessex.org

www.superfastessex.org/maps

The Air League

South Essex local authorities and The Voluntary Sector are delighted to be working with The Air League Charity to offer young people aged 14-18 years old the opportunity to take part in the Soaring to Success South Essex Project. This project aims to inform and inspire the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals and is particularly focused on engaging with those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not otherwise consider this sector as accessible. This project is being funded by The Department for Transport and we are keen to engage with local businesses in the aviation and aerospace sector.

Working Well

Working Well is commissioned by Essex County Council and offers small, medium and large organisations holistic health and wellbeing support.  The programme has been relaunched in July 2020 to support your business during COVID and the EU transition. Our Working Well programme includes free and discounted online training, and you can choose the offer that best suits your organisation’s needs.

This service is commissioned by Essex County Council

Innovation Centre

Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway is the bold new office space for innovative and technology-focussed business.

Small Business Commissioner

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) is an independent public body appointed by the government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and poor payment practice in the private sector of the UK.  The SBC can assist small businesses by checking contracts and providing advice on getting invoices right. The SBC operates a complaints scheme where small businesses can present their complaints in writing about payment issues they are experiencing with larger businesses. We are an impartial and free service.