Business Advice
MDHUB: Invitation to join.
Tel: 01273 311 220
Email: joinus@mdhub.co.uk
Web: www.mdhub.co.uk
The MDHUB is Sussex’s premier peer-to-peer business support network for Managing Directors. Its aim is to help local businesses develop and maintain sustainable business growth by providing MDs with an open, honest and trusting environment in which to test business thinking with the confidential support of their peers.
MDHUB, it has now two divisions, the MDHUB100 and the MDHUB250, catering to MDs with different lengths of experience. If you are an ambitious entrepreneurially minded MD and would like to learn more about the MDHUB, join us for a free taster session.
For further information on how to apply for membership please contact Alex De Santis or Gail Boustead on the details above.
Free City Business Clinics, Kings House, Hove These free clinics have been designed to provide local enterprises with a face-to-face review with an experienced Business Link adviser. You can discuss finance, sales & marketing, staffing, operations or regulatory requirements - whatever is causing concern at the moment. And if you need specialist help or support, the business adviser can help you find that too. Each session will last an hour so that your time away from your business will be kept to a minimum. Four slots are available during that day. • All building services, rates, heating and utilities included.
1st Tuesday and Thursday of each month.
Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce, Brighton & Hove City Council, Business Link.
Booking essential: 0845 6009006, quote 'Brighton & Hove clinics'
Open to any business, limited or sole trader, that has been in operation for more than two years. Places for these clinics are limited and booking is essential.
The Werks, Church Road, Hove
Email: james.mccarthy@artisthaus.com
A new and refurbished 4000 sq foot business incubator for the creative industries, offering workshops, specialist support, think tanks, events and showcasing. Spaces are available as serviced desks, single units or whole suites.
• Attractive front entrance with door entry phone.
• Lounge area.
• High specification conference/meeting facilities
• Excellent natural light
• Managed internet,phone,wifi available
• Car and bike parking on site
• Security alarms and night patrol
• Kitchen
Arts & Business Southeast
4 Frederick Terrace, Frederick Place, Brighton BN1 1AX
Tel: 01273 738 333
Email: south.east@AandB.org.uk
Web: www.aandb.org.uk
A national organisation with regional offices, Arts & Business match business people with specific expertise to arts organisations via their successful Board Bank programme. They aim to increase resources for the arts from business and its people through a range of services, including their investment programme New Partners. Also offer consultancy and run a range of professional development programmes.
Association of New Media Freelancers
6 Cambridge Mews, Cambridge Grove, Hove BN3 3EZ
Tel: 01273 726714
Email: jon@hirsch.co.uk
Web: www.anmf.org.uk
Membership is free and open to freelancers and micro-businesses working in new media. The Association provides advice, information, access to members database, social events, newsletters and seminars.
Brighton Business Forum & Economic Partnership
8-11 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE
Tel: 01273 735062
Web: www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/
The Business Forum operates the city centre management initiative. The Economic Partnership works with stakeholders to devise the economic strategy for the city. Their comprehensive website packed with local and regional information relevant to business, with a page of business Funding and business support links (not reproduced here). Your first port of call for detailed information on the business environment in Brighton & Hove.
Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce
Tel: 01273 719 097
Web: www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/
Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce holds regular training, business, networking and social events. The Chamber is the voice of business in the area and a membership organisation, welcoming all sizes of businesses from any sector or from other business groups. Now hosts the Enterprise Agency.
Brighton & Hove City Council
Web: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
See Business pages for advice and signposting to general business development resources and support available in the city, including funding opportunities. Well worth looking at before you pick up the phone.
Business Link
Tel: 0845 600 9006
Email: info@businesslinksussex.co.uk
Web: www.businesslinksussex.co.uk
The gateway for all publicly funded business advice. Offers pre-start and start-up worksphops, business reviews and signposting to other business advice.
Business in Prisons
Tel: 01283 584 139
Email: businessinprisons@aol.com
Business mentoring and financial assistance for ex-offenders.
Companies House
Tel: 0870 333 3636
Web: www.companieshouse.gov.uk
For guidance about creating a limited company or limited liability partnership.
Data Protection
Tel: 01625 545 745
Web: www.dataprotection.gov.uk
Guidance on data protection.
Disabilities Equal Business
Tel: 01903 708 880
Web: www.disabilityequalsbusiness.org.uk
Offer free business advice on disabilities and equalities in the workplace.
NEW: East Sussex Enterprise Hub
Web: www.eastsussexhub.co.uk
Tel: 01323 739591
Look for entrepreneurs or small businesses with innovative, original ideas that they can help take to market and turn into a successful high growth business. They have recently appointed a Creative Sector Advisor and are in the process of finding digital media/creative clients in the Brighton area that we can lend our free (SEEDA funded) services to.
Finance Southeast Finance South East is a regional funding organisation backed by SEEDA and privately governed. With access to a breadth of public and private resources, FSE specialises in the identification, funding and development of ambitious businesses with high growth potential. Current funds and services under management include: Accelerator Fund; South East Seed Fund; Commercialisation Fund; SECA business angel network; provision of investment readiness and business mentoring programmes to support growth companies.
The Environmental Agency
Tel: 0845 933 3111
Web: www.environment-agency.go.uk/netregs
Information on complying with rules on environmental protection.
Riverside House, 4 Meadows Business Park, Station Approach, Blackwater, Camberley GU17 9AB
Tel: 01276 608510
Web: www.financesoutheast.com
Fredericks Foundation
Tel: 01276 472 722
Email: mail@fredericksfoundation.net
Web: www.fredericksfoundation.org
Business mentoring and funding for unemployed, single parents, ex-offenders.
Health & Safety Executive
Tel: 08701 545 500
Web: www.hse.gov.uk
Information, advice and publications on health and safety matters.
Inland Revenue Helpline for the Newly Self-employed
Tel: 08459 154515
Web: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/leaflets
To register as self-employed if you are going into business as a sole trader or partnership.
Employer's Helpline
Tel: 08457 143 143
Web: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/employers
Advice on paying employee's tax and national insurance.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
www.own-it.org/
This is a complex but important area for both protecting creative work and ideas from others who may want to copy it, and to license intellectual property as a step towards business expansion. This website provides a useful resource, with free downloadable contract templates, a legal advice service through free or subsidised legal clinics and a range of specialist seminars.
Intellectual Property
www.intellectual-property.gov.uk
Information on intellectual property.
Law Society: Lawyers for your Business
Tel: 0207 405 9075
Web: www.lfyb.lawsociety.org.uk
Gives small firms a free half-hour consultation.
Office of Fair Trading
Tel: 08457 224 499
Email: enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.oft.gov.uk
To apply for a consumer credit licence.
The Patent Office
Tel: 08459 500 505
For help in protecting your own ideas and to check that others intellectual property is not being infringed upon.
Prime
Tel: 01483 484 200
Email: prime@ace.org.uk
Web: www.primeinitiative.org.uk
The only national initiative dedicated to helping people aged over 50 set up in business.
The Princes Trust
Tim Jones House, Rochester Gardens, Hove BN3 3AW
Tel: 0800 842 842/ 01273 723399
Email: webinfose@princes-trust.org.uk
Web: www.princes-trust.org.uk
A national UK charity with a branch in Hove, the Princes Trust have a long history helping young people (aged 16-30) set-up in business. They work through offering practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, focussing their efforts on those who have struggled at school, been in care, been in trouble with the law, or are long-term unemployed.
SAM culture
11b Dyke Road Mews, 74 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3JD
Tel: 01273 882112
Email: info@sam-culture.com
Web: www.sam-culture.com
Sussex Arts Marketing is the audience development agency for Sussex. SAM provides marketing support, research and market intelligence, and manages the cultural tourism initiative Arts in Sussex. Charges for services.
SEEDA – South East England Development Agecny
Cross Lanes Guildford GU1 1YA England
Tel: 01483 484200
Email: seeda@seeda.co.uk
Web: www.seeda.co.uk
SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the economic and social development of the South East. It invests directly in a range of economic and social development programmes, and can help secure European Union and private sector investment in the region.
Shell LiveWIRE
Tel: 0191 261 5584
Email: shell-livewire@projctne.co.uk
Web: www.shell-livewire.org
Information, advice and support for entrepreneurs aged under 30.
www.startups.co.uk/
A comprehensive web resource if you are thinking of starting up in business.
Sussex Enterprise
Greenacre Court, Station Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9DS
Tel: 0845 67 888 67
Email: info@sussexenterprise.co.uk
Web: www.sussexenterprise.co.uk
The Chamber of Commerce for Sussex, they offer business support, training and advocacy service. A business-led membership organisation they are owned by Sussex businesses through their 2500 strong membership. Some economic and business information is available on the website.
Sussex Innovation Centre (SINC)
Tel: 01273 704 400
Web: www.sinc.co.uk
Incubation units for hi-tec start-ups.
Trading Standards Institute
Tel: 0870 872 9008
Web: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
UKTI Passport to Export
Email: Linda.Williams@uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Web: www. Uktradeinvest.gov.uk (then run search)
Passport to Export is UK Trade & Investment’s programme for new and inexperienced exporters. It provides the training, planning and ongoing support needed to begin a successful export operation. Participants receive a business health check, mentoring from an export professional, an individual export plan and a range of developmental training options.
Working Links
Tel: 01273 774 010
Email: brighton@workinglinks.co.uk
Web: www.workinglinks.co.uk
Help and support for unemployed looking to establish themselves as self-employed.