Business Support
In this time of economic uncertainty it is vital that Peterborough’s businesses are able to find quickly the help and advice needed to ensure their survival in the long-term. The Greater Peterborough Partnership has drawn up this guide to publically funded national and local organisations providing business support services. The organisations listed belowoffer a broad range of services for existing businesses and for people wanting to start a business.They provide information, advice, guidance and support to ensure your business is running as efficiently and effectively as possible to help your business with various issuesarising as a result of the economic downturn or that your business gets off to the best possible start.
Why not try Business Link as your first port of call? Business Link offers free, confidential and impartial advice and information and can signpost you to the most relevant support available to address specific business concerns. It has recently introduced a range of services designed to help businesses through the economic downturn, including:
- A free and confidential 'health check’, which takes stock of where your business is currently and looks at what needs to be done to prepare fora slowdown.
- Free briefings on key subjects like managing money and improving your marketing;
- A free 'recession survival guide'
Call: 08457 17 16 15
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/east
The East of England Development Agency has recently launched its ‘Business Map’ to help businesses navigate the network of business support services available in the region. The Business Map website allows you to quickly identify the information, advice or other support that's right for your business.
For ease of use the map has been designed to resemble a London Underground map, with the 'lines' representing different areas of support or advice and the 'stations' offeringsources of help or advice for your business.
Visit the Business Map at www.bizmapeast.co.uk to see what support is available.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
ACAS is an independent, impartial and confidential service that aims to improve employment relations by supplying up-to-date information, independent advice and high quality training, and working with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance. Whether you're an employer or an employee you can get free advice from ACAS. Employers might also be interested in its more specialised services, including training, workplace projects, conciliation and mediation.
Call: 08457 474747
Website: www.acas.org.uk
Business Club, the
A business network aimed at providing its members with useful information and resources to help build better businesses.
Call: 01733 564167
Website: www.the-businessclub.org/Peterborough/
Business Debtline
Provides free, confidential, independent and practical advice to small businesses experiencing cash flow or debt problems.
Call: 0800 197 6026
Website: www.bdl.org.uk/englandandwales.asp
Business Envestors
Business Envestors is an award winning environmental consultancy with 10 years experience in helping organisations reduce environmental impact and increase profits. The service is designed to fit around busy schedules and deliver results effectively and efficiently. Whether you are looking for a kick start towards environmental management, fast track accreditation, or tailored support Business Envestors can help you.
Call: 01733 897780
Website: www.businessenvestors.co.uk
Business for People
Business for People offer a wide range of services based on vocational career and workplace guidance for both individual and corporate clients.
Call: 0845 017 9951
Website: www.businessforpeople.org.uk
Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust works with businesses and other organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. It provides strategic and business development consultancy advice on matters such as finance, mentoring andenergy-related market research. It also provides fundingforUK businesses and research institutions to support the development of commercially viable low carbon technologies.
Call: 0800 085 2005
Website: www.carbontrust.co.uk
Chamber of Commerce - Peterborough
An established business network, the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce works in partnership with local businesses and other organisations to provide a forum for dealing with business issues relevant to the area, lobbying on behalf of its members and organising events to benefit Peterborough businesses.
While the county body continues to represent member businesses at regional, national and international levels, the Peterborough Chamber seeks to influence and improve the environment in which local companies operate.
Call: 01733 370809
Website: www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/peterborough/homepage.asp
Citizens Advice Bureau - Peterborough
The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. Amongst others topics, advice is available for employment issues.
Call: 08444 994120
Website: www.peterboroughcab.org.uk
Community Legal Advice
Offers free, confidential and independent legal advice for a variety of legal problems. Can also direct you to local solicitors that can help you with your issues.
Call: 0845 345 4 345
Website: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
East of England Development Agency
Sponsored by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is charged with the economic growth and physical and social regeneration in the eastern region and has responsibility for improving the region’s economic performance. In conjunction with Business Link, it offers a range of business support services. EEDA has recently launched its ‘Business Map’ to help businesses navigate the network of business support services available in the region. Visit the Business Map at www.bizmapeast.co.uk to see what support is available.
Call: 01223 713900
Website: www.eeda.org.uk
East of England International
East of England International (EEI) is the international business support organisation for the East of England. It with companies seeking to grow their businesses by exporting services or products. It also assists overseas-owned companies setting up in the region or already here. EEI teams have the experience and access to current information essential to international growth.
Call: 01223 450450
Website: www.eei-online.com
Eastex is a free online information service where businesses can view and place information about redundant stock and surplus raw materials. Businesses and other organisations are automatically matched via the internet so that unwanted items can be passed on or sourced.
Call: 01733 569875
Website: www.eastex.org.uk
Eco Innovation Centre
The Eco Innovation Centre (EIC) Peterborough is a new facility and the latest in a network of Innovation Centres spread across the East of England. The EIC has been established to offer specialised support to the fast-growing Environment Goods & Services (EGS) sector both in Peterborough and across the East of England. The EIC caters for the needs of start-up companies in this field, offering flexible working space and advice, a place to meet, to network and to present ideas and find solutions.
Call: 01733 294520
Website: www.ecoinnovationcentre.co.uk
Enterprising Women
Provides information, help, business support, training, inspiration, mentoring and networking events specifically aimed at women looking to start-up or grow a business.
Call: 0800 012 1365
Website: www.enterprising-women.org
EnviroCluster
EnviroCluster is the UK's largest concentration of environment sector organisations. It was established by the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UK CEED) to stimulate and support business development in this rapidly developing sector. EnviroCluster promotes skills development, knowledge sharing and networking capabilities and can provide specialised help when developing and implementing R&D and commercial projects. It works in conjunction with the Eco Innovation Centre.
Call: 01733 311644
Website: www.envirocluster.net
Envirowise offers free, independent advice to business on becoming more resource efficient and saving money. It also offers advice on managing unavoidable waste and working with your suppliers to maximize gains from beginning to end.
Call: 0800 585 794
Website: www.envirowise.gov.uk
Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) campaigns on behalf of the self-employed and owners of small firms. The FSB provides its members with a wide range of business services, practical information and advice on important issues affecting the business community.
Call: 01522 688070
Website: www.fsb.org.uk
HM Revenue and Customs
The Government department responsible for all aspects of taxation in the country. It has its own business support advice team available to help businesses with business tax enquiries.
Call: 01480 421685
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk
i10
i10 is a portal for businesses to connect to a range of expertise and facilities available from the East of England's twelve universities. It offers a range of services to help businesses to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. Its business development managers provide one-to-one advice and support.
Call: 0845 234 2314
Website: www.i10.org.uk
Institute of Directors
The Institute of Directors (IoD) provides a professional network that reaches into every corner of the business community. Its membership spans the whole spectrum of international business leadership, from the largest public companies to the smallest private firms. Membership of the IoD is individual - each member joins the IoD in his or her capacity as a director. Members receive a variety of benefits including information, advice, training, conferences and publications to help them maximize their potential. They also have an influential organisation on their side - representing their concerns to government - and at their side - providing professional business support, wherever it is needed.
Call: 01223 421665
Website: www.iod.com
Jobcentre Plus
Offers recruitment-related services to individuals and employers. Services offered to individuals: Employment training, Workstep, job search and assessment for employment, work preparation, Access to Work assistance. Services for employers: vacancy advertising, recruitment advice and help with redundancies. Personal adviser service for disabled people and people with health problems.
Call: 01733 297600
Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Learning and Skills Council
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is a publicly-funded organisation charged with building a dynamic and successful Further Education system for England, to give young people, adults and employers the high quality learning and skills they need for economic and social success. The LSC works with local partners to deliver these post-16 learning and skills opportunities.
Call: 0845 019 4165
Website: www.lsc.gov.uk/regions/EastofEngland
Manufacturing Advisory Service - East
The Manufacturing Advisory Service provides manufacturing businesses with expert advice to deliver measurable improvements by helping improve performance and productivity through hands-on support, training and events.
Call: 0845 300 4443
Website: www.mas-east.org.uk
National Industrial Symbiosis Programme
The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) identifies mutually profitable links between member companies, across a varied range of sectors, so that previously unused, under utilised or discarded resources from one are recovered, reprocessed or reused by others. Membership is free regardless of company size, turnover or sector.
Call: 0845 094 9501
Website: www.nisp.org.uk
NetRegs
NetRegs is a partnership between the UK environmental regulators. It provides free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. Helping businesses to understand what they need to do to comply with environmental law and protect the environment. It can help to find businesses potential savings through increased efficiencies.
Call: 08708 506 506
Website: www.netregs.gov.uk/
nextstep
The nextstep service provides free, impartial information and advice on training, learning and work. It provides adults aged 20+ with advice on ways to get back into work or improve their skills. It can help with CVs, interview techniques, career change and course information to gain qualifications and any other assistance in helping people into training, work or learning.
Call: 0845 603 1059
Website: www.nextstepeastofengland.org.uk
Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services
NWES offers a wide range of advisory services, business start-up programmes, training and development courses for self-employed individuals, employees and existing businesses. In Peterborough, NWES offers its Peterborough BEAT (Business Enterprise Advice and Training) programme, designed to help people who want to set up their own business in the city. The service includes one-to-one business advice, structured training courses and workshops on subjects like business plans, cash flow and marketing, with support in approaching banks or help for obtaining loans.
Call: 01354 660900 or 0845 6099991
Website: www.nwes.org.uk
Opportunity Peterborough
Opportunity Peterborough is the city’s urban regeneration company. Its Business Engagement team provide local companies and new inward investors from the UK or abroad with the information they need to find suitable business premises in Peterborough. The team also assists with other inward investment support enquiries.
Call: 01733 317417
www.opportunitypeterborough.co.uk
Peterborough College of Adult Education
PCAE provides a wide range of courses to help individuals develop workplace skills. The college can deliver tailor-made courses in your workplace or at a centre that is convenient to you. There'sa range of free and low cost courses available.
‘Skills for Business’, a brand new service introduced by PCAE, provides an extensive range of flexible training and support services; standard and bespoke courses are available to individuals and organisations alike. Up to 100% funding is available for many of these services, keeping your costs to a minimum.
Call: 01733 761361
Website: www.pals.ac.uk
Peterborough Regional College
PRC helps thousands of adults and young people every year to change their lives through learning. Its courses and qualifications are taught by inspirational tutors in first class facilities and lead to real career success. PRC is committed to helping Peterborough and the region to thrive by providing a
well-qualified, skilled workforce, who can meet future challenges head on.
PRC’s Business Training Services is a service dedicated to helping businesses achieve better results through high-quality work-based training, guidance and consultancy. Dedicated business advisers offer free, impartial advice on all aspects of staff development and business development and are committed to helping you to improve your business, you efficiency, your profits and to make the most of your market opportunities.
Call: 0845 872 8722
Websites: www.peterborough.ac.uk and www.peterboroughbts.co.uk
Peterborough Workspace Limited
A “not for profit” company providing low cost business premises (offices and workshops) and support for, primarily, start-up companies or businesses working from home who want to move to the next level. A total of 52 serviced offices and workshops of various sizes are available for rent.
Call: 01733 390707
Website: www.peterboroughworkspace.co.uk
The Prince's Trust offers practical and financial support to help young people get their lives working. It provides a range of solutions for 14-30yr olds to develop key skills, confidence and motivation, enabling young people to move into work, education or training. The services include a‘Business Programme’ providing money and support to help young people start up in business.
Call: 0800 842842
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk
Response to Redundancy Programme
The Response to Redundancy programme provides advice, guidance and re-training opportunities to individuals facing redundancy. It gives early support to certify their existing skills, and provide 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.
Website: www.bizmapeast.co.uk/people/training/response-to-redundancy/default.aspx
takeITon
The takeITon campaign, led by East of England Development Agency, offers free IT support and advice to businesses to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. As part of the campaign businesses can have a free IT Health check and a free guide to business IT.
Call: 01727 733889
Website: www.takeiton.org.uk
Trading Standards - Peterborough
Peterborough City Council Trading Standards works with local businesses to provide advice and guidance on a wide range of civil and criminal legislation in order to create a safe and fair trading environment for both businesses and consumers in the Peterborough area. The business advice team is available to give advice directly to local businesses in order to educate them on their rights and responsibilities as well as those of their consumers.
Call: 01733 453560
Website: www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-12&Action=ServID&Param=222
Train to Gain
Train to Gain is the national skills service, administered by the Learning and Skills Council, offering independent advice that supports employers of all sizes and in all sectors to improve the skills ofyour employees as a route to improving your business performance. The Service offers skills adviceon everything from Investors in People,basic skillsthrough to leadership and management training. A skills broker will work with your company to identify your training needs, will help you to find the right training and the right providers, and construct a training package tailored toeach business.
Call: 0800 387326.
Website: www.traintogain.gov.uk
Travelchoice
The Travelchoice team offer a free support service to local businesses looking to develop travel plans to reduce business costs, tackle parking problems and reduce congestion, to increase productivity through healthier, less stressed staff and to demonstrate your environmental credentials.
For a full list of available services, guidance and information and to find out about all your travel choices, including walking, cycling, bus, rail and the city wide car share scheme visit our website or the Travelchoice Centre located in Queensgate bus station, open Mondays to Fridays 9am (10am Wednesdays) to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.
Call: 01733 864594
Websites: www.travelchoice.org.uk and www.carsharepeterborough.com
Works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets. UKTI also encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their partner of choice. Whether you're a seasoned exporter or just beginning to expand overseas, talking to UKTI is one of the best moves your company can make. Through a range of unique services, including participation at selected trade fairs, outward missions and providing bespoke market intelligence, we can help you crack foreign markets and get to grips quickly with overseas regulations and business practice.
Call: 020 7215 8000
Website: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
VentureNavigator
VentureNavigator is a state-of-the-art online service designed to help start-ups and small businesses improve their chances of success by road testing ideas before you spend valuable time and money. The service is funded by the UK Government, ensuring that the service is free of charge to end users. The handy Community area lets you post questions and receive impartial answers back from the 5000 registered users - no one is paid to answer, they want to help, so the responses are impartial and give you valuable real world feedback.
Website: www.venturenavigator.co.uk
Waterwise
Waterwise is an independent, not for profit organisation focused on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large-scale water efficiency. Provides information and assistance to households, businesses, the media and the government.
Website: www.waterwise.org.uk