Other Business Support Organisations

Other business support organisations who provide additional help and information are:

Business Link West Midlands

Getting business support in the West Midlands has never been easier. You can now access impartial and expert information, support and advice to help develop and make your business more successful. Whether you are thinking about starting your own business, have recently started up, or have been established for some time Business Link West Midlands can help.

 

Our service is tailored specifically to the needs of your business, whatever your challenge and no matter what stage your business is at.  By simply contacting 0845 113 1234 you can benefit from our knowledge, expertise and contacts, making it easier to move your business forward.

 

We can help you...

• Access business information and research
• Get expert advice on how to improve your business performance
• Find relevant solutions through access to quality assured suppliers
• Improve the skills of you and your people
• Access specialist manufacturing advice
• Start a dynamic new business

Business Link West Midlands is available locally - contact us today to find out about the availability of our Business Clinics or Enterprise Awareness Sessions in your area.

 

Easy ways to get in touch

• By phone: call 0845 113 1234 / Minicom 01384 360391 and start accessing the support you need. We are open Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm.
• Online: visit our website www.businesslinkwm.co.uk by clicking here and access a range of useful self help guides and business tools. Register for your free online newsletter.
• By email: you can send us an email on info@businesslinkwm.co.uk with your query or request and we will get back to you during our opening hours.

British Chambers of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce is

• The Voice of UK Business
• The Partner of first choice for information and guidance
• The natural choice for Business Support

More information can be found at the website: www.chamberonline.co.uk

Business Rates

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will provide a Draft List of the New rateable values on 1st October 2004. Ratepayers will be able to check their own rateable value and get further advice on all aspects of their business rates on the new website: www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk

After 1st October 2004 most businesses will also receive a summary valuation which will explain how the VOA has worked out their new rateable value. In most cases, these will also be available on the VOA's website at www.voa.gov.uk

From April 2005, all business rate bills will be based on these new rateable values.

Transitional Relief

Transitional relief from business rates will be available as a result of this revaluation. Further information on this is available from revenues@northshropshiredc.gov.uk

Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

The CBI is one of the UK's leading independent employers' organisations. It is the premier lobbying organisation for UK business on national and international issues, and works with the UK government, international legislators and policy-makers to help UK businesses compete effectively. Visit the website at www.cbi.org.uk

Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses is the largest direct member business organisation in the UK, with over 190,000 members representing 1.3 million people. It exists to promote and protect the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
Further information can be found on the website www.fsb.org.uk

HM Revenue & Customs

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the new department responsible for the business of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise.
Web : www.hmrc.gov.uk

Impetus - Rural Reinvestment in the Marches

Impetus, the Community Development Funding Institution (CDFI) which operates throughout the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, has more funds available to lend to local enterprises, thanks to a new £133,000 award from the region's development agency, Advantage West Midlands.

The Advantage Small Loans Programme will enable Impetus to make capital loans to more enterprises that are experiencing difficulties raising sufficient finance from mainstream sources. Impetus are now looking for new, emerging and established small businesses to lend money to, and they can also help social enterprises, which can find it difficult to obtain finance.

Since it was set up in 2004, Impetus has helped local enterprise projects including the Warehouse Cinema in Kidderminster, Walford Village Hall in Herefordshire and the Fat Cat Studios in Shropshire. Typical Impetus loans range from £1,000 up to £50,000. More than £260,000 of loans were made last year through the DTI-backed Phoenix Fund, and this new £133,000 award will allow Impetus to make even more. Further funding will follow next year.

For further information about the Advantage Small Loans Programme in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, please contact Steve Williams or Bill Richardson at 141 Church Street, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2AN, telephone 01684 893883. Alternatively, visit the website: www.impetus-marches.co.uk.

Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) provide finance and support to enterprises in disadvantaged communities. Enterprises that can be helped include small businesses that create jobs and much needed services and business start ups as well as established businesses experiencing funding difficulties.
Although not conventional sources of finance like banks, building societies or venture capital funds, CDFI's provide finance to viable enterprises and seek financial returns on their investments. In the case of Impetus, the need is broadly described as that derived from the nature of rural counties - the geographical and economic isolation (low paid jobs and limited work opportunities, higher cost of living, and poor access to services such as shops and public transport).

Insurance For Business

For more information on business insurance, visit the website www.insurance4business.org.uk. This website is useful for small companies wishing to learn more about business insurance and provides handy information regarding the different types of cover available. The site is simple to use and contains links to professional organisations that can help small businesses obtain advice about the cover they need.

Jobcentre Plus

Provides help and advice on jobs and training for people who can work and financial help for those who cannot. Jobcentre Plus is the point of contact for all people of working age looking for information and advice with regards to looking for work or claiming benefit.

From an employer's point of view Jobcentre Plus is a free service, specially designed to make your recruitment process run smoothly whatever the scale. One call to EMPLOYER DIRECT on 0845 601 2001 will put you in touch with a customer service adviser who will discuss your requirements and help you place your vacancy.

Within a few minutes of receiving your vacancy, it can be posted to the network of touch screen jobpoints in Jobcentre Plus offices across the country and placed on our website http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/, which has been ranked number one most visited website in the Employment sector since 2003.  Your vacancy will also be instantly accessible through our telephone service that receives over 120,000 calls from jobseekers every week.

You will have access to specialist advice on anything from training, rates of pay, employing people with health conditions and disabilities as well as taking on overseas workers. This service enables you to take the all-important decision about who to recruit. Jobcentre Plus has also developed Work Trials, so that you can try out prospective candidates for up to 15 days completely free and with no obligation on either side. This is a service that many employers now use as an integral part of their recruitment and selection process.

If you would like to find out more about Jobcentre Plus and its' services to employers, contact Mike Dzioba, Employer Engagement Manager for Jobcentre Plus on 01432 363670, or email Michael.dzioba@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk.

Lawyers for Your Business

Tel : 0207 405 9075
Web : www.lfyb.lawsociety.org.uk
The Law Society's initiative to provide the business community with accessible legal advice.

Lawyers For Your Business offers:

• A free consultation with a solicitor of at least half an hour
• Access to over 1500 solicitor's offices in England and Wales
• The solicitor will tell you what help you need and the likely cost
• You are not under any obligation to take the matter further

Who qualifies?
The scheme is open to the whole business community. You can participate whether you are just starting up, recently up and running or managing a substantial enterprise.

To gain a list of local members in your area who will provide you with an initial free consultation contact the Law Society

Learning and Skills Council

The LSC is committed to improvement of the further education and training sector to raise standards and make learning provision more responsive to the needs of individuals and employers.  Initiatives are targeted to 14-19 year olds, Adult Learners and Employers.

Web : www.lsc.gov.uk

Livewire

Tel: 0845 757 3252
Web : www.shell-livewire.org
Email : enquiries@shell-livewire.org

The purpose of Livewire is to develop, manage and share quality programmes which improve opportunities for young people to realise their potential through the creation and development of business enterprises.
Livewire provides information and business awards to any 16 - 30 year old in the UK who wants to start up their own business and a link to free, local advice and support. Further details contact the local co-ordinator on the numbers listed above.

Marches Energy Agency

Marches Energy Agency is an independent charity and nationally recognised organisation with a remit to disseminate information regarding climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy. It is involved in projects as diverse as steering local, regional and national policy, assisting community groups, managing energy efficiency projects and assisting with the installation of renewable technologies.  For more information see the website: www.mea.org.uk.

National Farmers' Union

The National Farmers' Union represents the farmers and growers of England and Wales.  Its central objective is to promote successful and socially responsible agriculture and horticulture, while ensuring the long term viability of rural communities.

 

For more information contact NFU Call First on 0870 845 8458 or visit the website: www.nfuonline.com.

North Shropshire Tourism

North Shropshire has a lot to offer visitors from parklands and canals, meres and mosses, to pretty little market towns and beautiful countryside.  For further information on tourism support, visit the North Shropshire Tourism website by clicking here.

The Prince's Trust

Tel : 01939 235449
Email : info@princes-trust.org.uk
Web: www.princes-trust.org.uk

The Prince's Trust helps 14-30 year olds to develop confidence, learn new skills and get into work.
What the Trust Do

• We offer opportunities when no one else will.
• If you're aged 14 - 30 we can give the chance to improve your life.
• If you need money to get on the right track - maybe to go to college or to get a job - we can help.
• If you've got an idea for a business but no one else will give you the money to get it off the ground, we can offer you finance and advice.
• We offer lots of different - and exciting - ways to improve your skills, confidence and chances of getting the job you want.

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise

Tel : 01952 208200
Email : enquires@shropshire-chamber.co.uk
Web : www.shropshire-chamber.co.uk
Training schemes, personal development, enterprise support, business counselling, loan-funding and specialist advice.

Click here for a link to the latest Shropshire Chamber E-Newsletter (April 2007).

Shropshire County Council

Tel: 0845 6789000
Web : www.shropshire.gov.uk
The Council's economic development department can provide advice on financial assistance, property and land, business development and economic advice.

Invest in Shropshire

Tel : 01743 252596
Email : investinshropshire@shropshire.gov.uk

Web : www.investinshropshire.com

This is the new inward investment partnership to promote the county as a premier business destination. The services provided include:

• matching business requirements with land and property;
• general information on the local economy;
• training; grant applications;
• business database;
• business support and aftercare service.

UK Trade & Investment

The role of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is a proactive one of facilitating overseas investment in the UK and enabling domestic business to expand confidently overseas. As the UK Government's international business development organisation, UKTI help companies internationalise. UKTI works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, and also encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.

 

For more information visit the website at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or email enquiries@uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Women's Business Development Agency

The Women's Business Development Agency is a non-profit organisation offering assistance for women to start and grow their own business, and is now working in the Shropshire area.

 

The Agency's small all-female team has worked with hundreds of women all over the UK, helping them overcome the barriers that prevent them from becoming self-employed.  Highly qualified and experienced advisors provide all the free advice , support and training you may need, along with a friendly face and lots of confidence-boosting encouragement.  The Agency can help you get a new business idea off the ground and support you during the all-important growth stages, or can offer advice about an aspect of an existing business.

 

For more information contact the switchboard on 02476 236 111 or visit the website: www.wbda.co.uk.

Women In Rural Enterprise

Based at Harper Adams University College, WiRE is an organisation for rural women in business, offering a dynamic member package of practical and specific business services and support for women in rural enterprise including; WiRE Local Network Groups (70 across the UK) offering rural women in business the chance to network and do business with like-minded women, a quarterly glossy magazine, monthly e-newsletter and countless marketing opportunities.

 

WiRE is unique in its approach to business help, invaluable to all rural women in business at any stage, from the established or growing business, to new or potential businesses.

 

More information can be found on the website: www.wireuk.org

YourSmallBusiness

YourSmallBusiness was formed to offer a unique reference point on how to create, run and maintain your own business.

 

If you run a small business or want to start one up, you will find clear advice and information on everything from finance to premises to promotion on the website: www.yoursmallbusiness.co.uk

 

email:	flauriello@northshropshiredc.gov.uk
telephone:	01939 238417
fax:	01939 238563