Business advice
Wyre Forest District Council has a strategic commitment to support local businesses with grants and support. Working in partnership with other local districts across the county, we finance, shape and influence the delivery of several business support schemes that are available across the district.
Using UK Shared Prosperity funding, we fund the following programmes:
Worcestershire Growth Hub
A ‘One stop Shop’ for all business support, guidance and grants. Working exclusively with the region’s small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) the team of specialist business advisers provide a bespoke selection of recommendations following a business diagnostic. These recommendations include introductions to grant programmes, specialist consultants and a range of other support tools.
BetaDen
Worcestershire’s award-winning Hi-Tech business incubator
Enterprise Worcestershire
Start up business Support –Delivered by Worcestershire County Council.
Elevate Worcestershire
This is an exclusive and unique offer for established Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with growth ambitions to gain high quality, specialist support to reshape and grow their business, taking it to the next level.
Net Zero Worcestershire
Funded by Wyre forest District Council’s UKSPF budget, this programme of advice and grants helps businesses in Wyre Forest to implement energy saving initiatives including LED lighting, heating and insulation and renewables. The initiative aims to support Worcestershire SMEs to make the transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon future. The programme is delivered by Worcestershire County Council.
Innovation Worcestershire
This programme offers bespoke support to help SMEs develop new innovative processes, products, technologies and services and will soon launch for Worcestershire businesses.
General Business Information
The Insolvency Service
Their enquiry lines provide initial information on insolvency and redundancy legislation and procedures, including details of the work of the official receivers and redundancy payments offices.
Department of Work and Pensions
The Department provides benefits and services for a wide range of people.
ACAS
FREE help and advice with employment relations whether you are an employer or an employee.
Business Rates
Find out more about your business rates here, including any questions about business rate relief available for small businesses.
HM Inland Revenue and Customs
Information and Advice for businesses and corporations, employers, individuals and employees.
Trading Standards
Useful information for consumers and businesses.
Member Organisations
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
A Network that directly serves not only its member businesses but the wider business community.
Federation of Small Businesses
UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
Help to understand your employment rights, dismissal and benefits, insolvency payments, income-related and contributions-based job seekers allowance, and redundancy.
Gov.uk
Government website that offers advice on
- redundancy
- advice for people of working age from welfare into work,
- helping employers to fill their vacancies
- advice on training, learning and the world of work
Financial Advice
Business Debtline
Offers a helpline that provides businesses with FREE, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
National Debtline
The helpline provides FREE confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
StepChange Debt Charity
If you’re struggling financially get in touch with StepChange Debt Charity. Their expert advisors give free debt advice and offer realistic solutions. You can contact their debt Helpline free, on 0800 138 1111.
Payplan
Access to a full range of FREE debt advice and FREE debt solutions.
Useful Contacts
Legal Aid Agency
Work in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide information, advice and legal representation to people in need.
Energy Saving Trust
A non-profit organisation that provides FREE, local, impartial advice tailored to suit you. They also offers advice to the business and public sector on sustainable development and greening your fleet.
Kidderminster Library
The local library offers a variety of information and online access to British Standards and Kompass (British information for UK purchasers and suppliers), as well as FREE internet access.
Carbon Trust
Advice on saving energy, renewable energy and other low carbon issues to the private and commercial sectors.
Stress
Local GP Surgery
Offers support, advice and can recommend treatments such as talking therapy or counselling.
Samaritans
Offers confidential and emotional support to those experiencing personal crises, and help with managing stress.