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.
Below are a list of services available to local businesses or residents considering starting a new business.
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
Award winning Hi-Tech business incubator and accelerator.
Enterprise Worcestershire (pre-start-up support)
The Enterprising Worcestershire Start-It Business Masterclass is a fully funded, two-day programme designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners in developing and launching successful businesses.
Delivered monthly at locations across Worcestershire, the masterclass provides 12 hours of structured, face-to-face support covering business planning, financial management, and the key steps required to launch and run a business with confidence.
Elevate Worcestershire
With focussed support to develop clear strategies and set priorities within a robust growth plan, the Elevate programme can help make the vision for growth a reality taking your business to the next level.
This is an exclusive and unique offer of bespoke business consultancy and peer2peer working for established Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
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
- running a business from home
- 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.
Children in employment and entertainment | Worcestershire County Council
Information to ensure the safety of children if they work part-time (including in a family business) or are involved in entertainment productions.
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.