Whether you’re starting out or looking to grow your business, support is available across Portsmouth. These services can help you with business planning, funding applications, licensing and legal advice, skills and training, and more.
Portsmouth Business Support Service (PBSS)
Portsmouth City Council, together with Shaping Portsmouth, offers a friendly support service for all businesses in Portsmouth.
We help with:
- supporting you through the cost of living crisis
- funding and finance advice
- 1-2-1 mentoring
- marketing support and The Marketing Agency
- business planning and HR advice
- training and skills development
- business intelligence and networking
- finding business premises including market stalls
- intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyrights
- other council services including planning permission, business rates and licensing
- how to start or grow your business
- Rediscover Portsmouth – a website for people to discover your business
Free business training and networking events are available to help you learn new techniques for starting a new business and meeting new customers, clients and suppliers. To keep in touch sign up for our free Business Update e-newsletter.
Visit Shaping Portsmouth for more information about PBSS , contact us using the online form, call 023 9284 1641, or email business@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Other business support services
- The Hive Portsmouth – social enterprise start up support, charity information, funding search, workspace and networks.
- Solent Growth Partnership – free business advice for all Solent-based businesses, with local and national business opportunities
- Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – services for small businesses and self-employed
- Business and self-employed – GOV.UK
- Get help and support for your business – GOV.UK
- Hampshire Chamber of Commerce – not-for-profit business support and networking organisation
- University of Portsmouth business services – a wide range of services to help grow your business, including business events and programmes.
Training and development
- Help to Grow Management Programme – fully funded SME training run by the University of Portsmouth.
- Help to Grow Management Essentials – free online course with practical tips and resources for small businesses funded by the Department for Business and Trade.
- Business Masterclasses – free masterclasses delivered by industry professional through the South Hampshire College Group, covering topics like AI, social media and bid writing.
- NatWest Business Builder – practical resources to help businesses start or grow.
- NatWest Accelerator programme – annual free programme open to entrepreneurs, including coaching, training and events.
Contact us
To contact the Portsmouth Business Support Service (PBSS), you can use the online form, call 023 9284 1641, or email business@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Find out more at:
- X @portsmouthbiz
- LinkedIn Portsmouth Economic Development & Skills
- Invest Portsmouth website
- sign up for our e-business bulletin