Did you know that there are a variety of regional and national agencies and organisations that provide free business training and support? The type of support available frequently changes and is often subject to specific criteria, for example location, size, sector and age of your business.
Our suggestion would be that if there is a particular project or investment that you are looking at for your business, that you check to see if there is any free support, grants or funding that you could access before you start. It could be time very well spent.
Here is a list of some of the organisations and agencies that we are aware of, but please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it is most definitely a good starting point.
Regional Business Support Agencies
CW LEP / Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub https://www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk/
Warwickshire Rural Hub http://ruralhub.org.uk/
Coventry Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust https://www.cwrt.uk.com/
Business Growth West Midlands https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/
Membership Organisations (With free programmes and support)
Federation Of Small Business https://www.fsb.org.uk/
Coventry Warwickshire Chamber Of Commerce https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/
Enterprise Nation https://www.enterprisenation.com/
Universities
Coventry University https://www.coventry.ac.uk/business/
Coventry University Enterprises https://www.cuebusinesssolutions.com/
Warwick University https://www.warwicksciencepark.co.uk/business-support/
Birmingham City University https://businessbirmingham.com/
Aston University https://www2.aston.ac.uk/business
Banks
Barclays Eagle Labs https://labs.uk.barclays/
Natwest Entrepreneur Accelerator https://www.business.natwest.com/business/business-banking/services/entrepreneur-ac celerator.html
British Business Bank https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/
Local Authority
Warwickshire County Council http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/business
Warwick District Council http://www.wdcbusinessenterprise.co.uk
Rugby Borough https://www.rugby.gov.uk/w/information-advice-and-support-for-business
Coventry City Council http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/13/invest_in_%20coventry/2423/business_support_in_coventry
North Warwickshire Borough Council https://www.northwarks.gov.uk/info/20106/business_funding_development_and_support
Stratford District Council https://www.stratford.gov.uk/business-investment/index.cfm
Birmingham City Council https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20012/business_and_licensing
Solihull Borough Council http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Business
Redditch Borough Council https://www.redditchbc.gov.uk/business.aspx
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council https://www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/info/20063/business
Worcestershire County Council http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20001/business
If you do take time to explore some of these sources and there isn’t anything currently relevant to your business, several of these organisations have newsletters and it may be worth signing up to be first to know of any new free support options that might become relevant to your business.
Of course, as your accountants, we are not simply here to file your accounts and submit tax and VAT returns, we are here to offer expert advice and guidance for your business too. So, if you do have any projects or plans for your business and you would like to book a meeting to discuss them, get in touch and we can arrange time.
Contact anne@cubeaccounting.co.uk or call the office at 01788 815017.