Starting a business

• Find support, advice and inspiration for growing your business at businesssupport.gov.uk
• Call the Government Business Support Helpline on 0300 456 3565, find them on Twitter or chat to them online
• Visit Solent Growth Hub, call them on 01329 820 898 or email info@solentgrowthhub.co.uk
• A range of business information is available in Portsmouth Central Library
• Get online advice on protecting your business ideas and read about government advice and services.
• For general business support enquiries phone us on 023 9284 1074
• Business South can give you the tools you need to help your new business thrive, including access to start-up loans. Email info@businesssouth.org to discuss your needs.
• WSX Enterprise has experts who deliver a range of business support programmes, often working with funding organisations. For more information call 01329 223242.

Solent Growth Hub offers access to expert advice and specialist services:

• Single point of reference for Business Support Growth Initiatives
• One-to-one advice from Business Support Navigators by phone or in person
• Signposting and referrals to local and national schemes supporting business growth
• Growth Audits and expert growth advice to assess growth options/unlock finance
• Business Growth specialist events and seminars

Email solentgrowthhub@hampshirechamber.co.uk or phone 013 2982 0898.

The government campaign Business Support has a website offering practical support, advice and inspiration to UK businesses – businesssupport.gov.uk.

• Solent Growth Hub on 01329 820 898 or email to info@solentgrowthhub.co.uk
• Government Business Support Helpline 0300 456 3565
• City Development Team at the council on 023 9284 1074

• The Business Support Bank can link you with another Portsmouth-based business who can give you one-to-one advice and support.
• Mentors can also be arranged through Mentor-Net
• and for young people through Prince’s Trust

For general advice on business plans, visit the following:

• Solent Growth Hub
• Business Support
• Business South

• The Portsmouth Library business service based at Central Library can offer help and support with information and advice on:
• protecting your Intellectual Property (IP), together with
• trademarks,
• patents and copyright guidance.

Visit the library or phone 023 9283 4118 for more information.

• You can also access the Government Intellectual Property Office.

There is an ongoing programme of free business training and networking events to help you learn new techniques for starting a new business and meeting new customers, clients and suppliers.

Business to Business networking meetings are held monthly at the Mountbatten Centre. Make your own pitch, hear speakers and get networking! Contact danielle.eberhardt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for more information.

Free monthly business networking event on the first Friday of every month at Portsmouth Enterprise Centre, Quartermaine Road – firstfriday-network.co.uk

You can find about funding for start-up businesses at:

• Gov.uk’s business finance support finder
• Business Support
• Virgin start-up loans
• Loans for young people through Prince’s Trust
• Solent Growth Fund or call Solent Growth Hub 01329 820898, email at info@solentgrowthhub.co.uk
• Read our funding sheet. There are also low-cost loans available from the Start-Up Loans Company. Anybody living in the UK and at least 18 years of age at the time of registration, can apply for a Start-Up Loan, even if they have already started a business – but they must not have been trading for longer than a period of 12 months.

The Princes Trust can help people aged 18-30 who are interested in being self-employed, through low interest loans of £5,000 with additional one-to-one support, training and mentoring.

If you are currently claiming unemployment benefit and would like to set up your own business, talk to your Jobcentre Plus personal advisor about help to become self-employed. For example: this could be the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, which provides money and support to help an unemployed person start a business.

Follow the link for more information on moving from benefits to work at gov.uk.

Businesses that have been turned down for a commercial loan can ask their bank to access the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, which backs loans to viable businesses who don’t necessarily have the security a normal loan would need.

Follow the link for guidance on home businesses

Yes. To find out actual business rates on individual properties, details of any discounts that may apply or specific queries please visit the business rates page or for specific queries email localtaxation@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.