What support?
Business support and procurement
Business support is available from a number of organisations that offer a range of services such as business reviews, start-up advice, information on economic down-turn and legal advice for small businesses. There is also web based support for businesses to guide them through economic downturn, with interactive tools and information on positioning business.
Business start-up advice
GOV.UK business webpages offer start up information and advice for any individual interested in starting up their own business.
Where a number of redundancies are announced Business Link has increased flexibility to hold extra start up courses. This supports those individuals affected by redundancy and wishing to change career direction into self employment.
Business support contacts
There are a number of different organisations offering business support:
- The Federation of Small Businesses
- The North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
- Click here Hampshire County Council's web pages covering business support
Advice on doing business with the council
The council‘s procurement web pages are designed to help companies to do business with the council. There are three elements:
The Procurement Strategy - setting a clear framework for procurement throughout the council
A Selling Guide - explaining the rules we have to abide by, our procedures, and letting you know how you can compete for our business
E-Procurement - explaining how we are developing our strategy so you can do business with us electronically
The principles of the Small Business Concordat that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has adopted, demonstrate a commitment to small businesses which will ensure that local companies are able to tender effectively for public sector contracts.
For more information contact a member of the Procurement team by emailing [email protected], phoning 01256 844844 or or visit the procurement web pages which also contain links to the South East Business Portal for contract opportunities.
Training opportunities
In this challenging climate, investing in skills is even more important than before in terms of increasing the competitiveness of your business - your staff are one of your greatest assets and could be the key to retaining customers and keeping your business running.
Training is important to their personal development and the productivity of your business, so don't be tempted to scrap your training plan because finances are tight. The Hampshire County Council website Business advice gives a range of information particularly relevant in this time of recession. For additional training courses you can also visit:
Basingstoke College of Technology
Skills Funding Agency
Queen Mary's College
Employment Law
At this difficult time with potential redundancies and options for a shorter working week, it is essential that businesses have access to advice on employment law. The following websites give information on courses to help small business understand employment law:
Basingstoke College of Technology
GOV.UK
ACAS also provides employment law training for employers.
The Business, Innovation and Skills department works to create the conditions for business success and help the UK respond to economic challenges and regulatory reform. Guidance includes business and employment law.
Contact details
Business development team
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01256 845359
Sectors covered
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Aerospace and Defence
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Animal Health
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Advanced Aerospace & Automotive Manufacturing
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Computer Games and Entertainment Technologies
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Cyber Security
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ICT and Digital Media
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Advanced materials and Nano-technology
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Pharmaceuticals
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Photonics
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Professional and Business Services
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Satellite Technologies
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5G Telecommunications
Advice offered
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Access to finance
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Legal
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Premises
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Regulation
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Skills & Training
