Support for business
We value our business community and want to help you start, grow and succeed.
Essex businesses of all sizes – from young enterprises to long-established firms – can get support from the BEST Growth Hub: South East Business Hub, including free impartial signposting to funding and finance options, one-to-one business advice, skills and training.
Start-up businesses can get advice and guidance:
- locally from BEST Growth Hub: Start your business
- nationally via NWES: Start your business and GOV.UK: Set-up a business
You can also get free advice from the government's Business Support Helpline – go to GOV.UK: get help and support for your business. For further information on starting a business, growing your business, and exporting from the UK, go to GOV.UK: help to grow.
A range of funded business support is available through the GOV.UK: UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Federation of Small Businesses subsidised membership
We are financially subsidising memberships to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The substantial reduction on FSB membership fees means business need only contribute the following for a 2-year membership:
- sole traders – £50
- 1 to 4 employees – £75
- 5 to 10 employees – £100
- 11 to 50 employees – £150
Benefits of an FSB membership include:
- The FSB Legal Hub – an online library of 1,400 legal documents and templates
- FSB Legal Protection – a 24-hour helpline and up to £100,000 legal protection per case
- a debt recovery service
- free business banking
- a funding platform
- payroll and pensions services
- unlimited phone counselling
- discounted health cash plans
- access to networking events, online support and business guides
To enquire about FSB membership, email the FSB East of England Membership Advisor covering areas of Essex. Go to FSB: Membership advisors.
NWES business support
We've partnered with NWES [https://www.nwes.org.uk/] to offer a business advice programme to help local businesses to start-up and grow. All start-up and early-stage businesses can access free one-to-one start-up advice in-person from experienced entrepreneurs. They can also benefit from a 2-day 'How To Start Your Business' workshop.
Existing small and medium-sized businesses are eligible for free one-to-one advice and consultancy along with a series of growth-focused workshops aimed at improving their business in areas such as financial management, marketing and business planning.
Contact NWES for more information.
: 01375 430 003
Social enterprise support
We've partnered with BASES CIC [https://www.basildon-socialenterprise.co.uk/] to create Social Enterprise Network Thurrock (SENT). SENT works to empower and support Thurrock's community of social entrepreneurs. The SENT programme offers a range of support, including:
- comprehensive training on topics such as personal development, market research, social media marketing and social impact reporting
- support with securing funding
- one-to-one mentoring with experienced professionals
- networking opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals
Support is available for existing social enterprises and anyone thinking about starting a social enterprise.
To find more information, contact BASES CIC below.
Support for early years providers
We've partnered with Colbea to offer support for early years providers. This will help providers to make the most of the new rules to benefit their business and boost the borough's childcare infrastructure. From streamlined administrative processes to financial consultations, the programme aims to alleviate the operational burdens.
To take advantage of this support, contact Colbea below.
: 01206 548 833
Businesses looking to invest or rent space in Thurrock
If you're interested in taking advantage of unique business opportunities at the heart of the Thames Gateway, we can help by providing:
- advice and support to businesses looking to locate or grow in Thurrock
- help with your location enquiries
- help to make sure get the information and advice you need for your business decision
We also own serviced business centres offering space to rent at locations around Thurrock. For details, go to Thurrock business centres.
Contact us for more information.
Health at work guidance
Investing in employees' health and wellbeing is good for business. A heathy workforce has better morale, is more motivated and productive, has fewer absences and is less likely to leave. Our workplace health toolkit, below, helps local businesses support the health and wellbeing of their staff.