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BUSINESS SUPPORT GUIDE FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES

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FOREWORD

Welcome to the Business Support Guide for businesses currently operating or looking to relocate to Britain’s Ocean City.

There is a large and yet frequently changing amount of business support available making it a full time job for businesses to keep up.

To make the process of finding appropriate support easier for businesses in the City, City Council Economic Development Service produce and maintain two booklets focussed on helping start-ups and existing businesses to find support locally available:

Click here to see Business Support Guide for Start Ups

We aim to update this guide at six monthly intervals to ensure the contents stay relevant and up to date.

The information in this guide is subject to change and was accurate when published in November 2019. If you notice any business support that has been left out, please contact us: E [email protected] www.investinplymouth.co.uk

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

SUPPORT SERVICE CONTACT COST PROVIDER Business Advice

ACAS (Advisory, Provides free and impartial 0300 1231100 Free. Conciliation and information and advice to www.acas.org.uk Arbitration Service) employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.

BEIS (Business, Brings together businesses and [email protected] There may be cost Energy and regulators to consider and www.gov.uk/government/org implications from the Industrial Strategy) change how local regulation is anisations/office-for-product- service provider. delivered and received, safety-and-standards promoting growth.

Better Business for Up to date advice on business www.bbfa.biz There may be cost All regulation to help you achieve implications from the accepted standards at service provider. minimum cost. They have access to a wide range of technical advice and where appropriate will direct you to other support available.

Business Support The Government’s Business 0300 456 3565 Advice is free. Call Helpline (England) Support Helpline (England) charges may apply. offers advice and guidance to enquiries@businesssupporth elpline.org new and existing businesses. It has information on national www.gov.uk/business- and local schemes, grants and support-helpline loans to help businesses start and grow.

Chartered Trading Free impartial legal guidance www.businesscompanion.info Free, impartial legal Standards Institute for businesses that sell goods guidance for and/or services to consumers. businesses.

Connecting Advice and support for [email protected] Advice is free. and Somerset businesses to understand the www.connectingdevonandso benefits and adapt to faster merset.co.uk broadband availability across Plymouth.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Cyber Essentials Help to guard against the most 0808 2812459 Free online resource. common cyber threats and [email protected] demonstrate your commitment to cyber security. www.cyberessentials.ncsc.gov .uk

Devon and A not-for-profit organisation 01752 294187 Membership fee Training Providers that covers both Devon and [email protected] applies. Network Cornwall, providing Training, om Skills, Apprenticeships info and support, Workforce www.trainingprovider.com Development and Apprenticeship Levy.

Digital Business The Digital Business Academy info@digitalbusinessacademy All courses are Academy from Tech City UK has more uk.com available free to than 50 courses from www.digitalbusinessacademyu everyone in the UK. University College London, k.com University of Cambridge and other industry experts.

Diversity Business Business support for the Black, 07376 790747 Initial free Incubator Asian Minority Ethnicity [email protected] consultation followed (BAME) living in Devon to help by two free days of them thrive in business and www.dbi.org.uk business support to integrate effectively into their BAME businesses wider community. followed by chargeable support.

Enhance Social The programme delivers [email protected] 12 hours of support is Enterprise business support and advice to available for free. www.new.devon.gov.uk/econ established social enterprises omy/business- within the Heart of the South support/enhance-social- West LEP area. enterprise/

General Data Advice for people to have www.gov.uk/gdpr Free online resource. Protection more control over their Regulation (GDPR) personal data and be better protected in the digital age.

Great Business Support, advice and inspiration 0300 456 3565 Great Business is a for growing your business. www.greatbusiness.gov.uk free online resource.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Growth Hub The Growth Hub service is 03456 047 047 Free service. Heart of the South the first point of contact for [email protected] West LEP both new and established o.uk businesses seeking business www.heartofswgrowthhub.co support. .uk/better-business-for-all

Growth Support A fully funded 1:1advisor 03456 047 047 Free - ERDF eligibility Programme service which helps businesses [email protected] applies, limited to identify and plan their o.uk specific business development needs. Additional sectors. follow up specialist workshops www.devon.gov.uk/economy/ available including a mandatory business-support/growth- Digital Support session and a support-programme/ further session from a choice of Finance, HR, Marketing, Innovation, Business Planning.

Health and Safety Online health and safety www.hse.gov.uk A vast amount of Executive (HSE) toolbox, providing relevant information is information to SMEs that available for free applies to their industry. through the HSE website.

HMRC Support and advice to help www.hmrc.gov.uk Information on the businesses understand their website is provided tax affairs. Aimed at new, free. The website also start-up and expanding allows businesses to businesses, and contains download relevant videos, interactive tools, documents and forms factsheets and online for free. presentations, as well as signposting to other services.

ICO – Information Find out about your 0303 123 1113 There is a data Commissioner’s obligations and how to comply, www.ico.org.uk protection fee and Office including protecting personal there are three tiers information and providing of fee but for most access to official information. organisations it will be £40 or £60.

Institute of Business advice session with a www.icaew.com ICAEW offers one Chartered chartered accountant including hour free business Accountants subjects such as business support. England and Wales growth, securing loans, capital Business Advice Service and finance, export planning, meeting tax and regulatory requirements.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Intellectual Property The Intellectual Property 0300 300 2000 Information supplied Office Office provides advice and www.gov.uk/ipo by the Intellectual guidance to educate businesses Property Office is free about their IP rights and but to protect IP will responsibilities including have a cost associated trademarks and designs. with it.

MarJon Business MarJon Business School is an 01752 636700 Fee dependent on School innovative business school, www.marjon.ac.uk/about- programme and dedicated to developing the marjon/marjon-business- eligibility. entrepreneurial effectiveness school of all its students through a suite of programmes and flexible modules suited to both the student and local business community.

MentorSME MentorSME is a gateway for www.mentorsme.co.uk Free service. Some businesses that are looking to mentors on the contact a mentor in their area. website charge for their services, each is different and some offer free information to SMEs.

Plymouth City Free impartial support to help 01752 304820 Free service. Council businesses identify available [email protected] property, relocation advice, Business Relationship https://www.visitplymouth.co. Programme recruitment, links to regional funding and skills schemes, uk/invest/contact network introductions, economic research and gateway to relevant council services.

Plymouth City Provides free patent searches 01752 306795 Free of charge. Council by appointment and advice and [email protected] PATLIB guidance around copyright, v.uk trademarks and designs. www.plymouth.gov.uk/librari es/informationandresearch/pr otectyourideas

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Plymouth City Advice, guidance and training public.protection@plymouth. Free thirty minute Council courses to all businesses gov.uk advice session. Public Protection concerning regulation and best www.plymouth.gov.uk/public Service (PPS) practice. Operates the assured protectionadviceandsupport trader scheme ‘Buy With Confidence’. www.plymouth.gov.uk/public Key services: protectionadviceandsupport/  Trading Standards environmentalconsultancy  Environmental Health trading.standards@plymouth. (Food Safety) gov.uk  Environmental Health www.plymouth.gov.uk/busine (Environmental sses/businessadvicetradingsta Protection) ndards  Licensing www.plymouth.gov.uk/public protectionadviceandsupport/f oodsafety

Plymouth Octopus Provides infrastructure 01752 395131 Free website Project (POP+) support for the Voluntary and [email protected] resource. Community Sector in Plymouth. www.plymouthoctopus.org

Plymouth Social Promotes social enterprises in [email protected] Membership fees start Enterprise Network and around Plymouth. It www.plymsocent.org.uk at £25. provides a range of networking and membership services.

Small Business Small Business Saturday UK is comms@smallbusinesssaturd Free website content. Saturday a grassroots, non-commercial ayuk.com campaign, which highlights www.smallbusinesssaturdayu small business success and k.com encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

South West Cyber A not-for-profit collaboration 01392 247007 Free service. Security Cluster raising cyber security www.southwestcsc.org awareness and best practice in the South West.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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SWMAS – South We help and inspire ambitious 0845 608 3838 Funded consultancy West Manufacturing SME manufacturers to improve [email protected] and capital grants Advisory Service their productivity, develop available for eligible their capabilities, and enter www.swmas.co.uk companies. new markets.

University of The University of Plymouth 01752 585650 Free service. Plymouth Business School's purpose is to fobfacultysupport@plymouth Business School inspire and enable students, .ac.uk staff, alumni and communities to achieve their full potential. www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/ plymouth-business-school

0800 052 5600 Services are free via Enterprise Solutions Enterprise Solutions helps you the website. Fee to navigate your way to the enterprisesolutions@plymou based for research University of Plymouth's th.ac.uk and other services. internationally renowned www.essupport.com research expertise, facilities and business services.

[email protected] Free service. Inspiring Futures Opportunity for free business c.uk consultancy advice from Plymouth Business School www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/ talented students. We engage plymouth-business- with a range of businesses, school/inspiring-futures social enterprises and charities of all sizes from pre-start-ups to large enterprises.

YTKO We give expertise in 0800 587 7707 Free. supporting both new and [email protected] established businesses from a Growth Support wide range of sectors. We are www.ytko.com Programme currently delivering the [email protected] Growth Support programme, om to benefit businesses in Plymouth. www.getsetforgrowth.com/pl ymouth/ Exporting

China Britain The China-Britain Business 020 7802 2000 Some services are Business Council Council helps businesses and [email protected] free. Membership fee organisations work together in applies. www.cbbc.org China, the UK and third markets around the world.

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Department for Through the Department for 01275 370 944 Most services International Trade International Trade (DIT) you [email protected] provided by DIT are South West can gain access to an free, but cost may www.great.gov.uk experienced international vary for some trade adviser who will act as services. your guide to help develop your international business strategy.

Devon Chamber of Provides export services for 01752 220471 Membership fee Commerce planning, finance, logistics, sales [email protected] applies. and marketing. o.uk

www.devonchamber.co.uk

Enterprise Europe Helping ambitious businesses 0300 1233066 Advice and services Network innovate and grow contact@enterprise- are generally free. internationally. Expert advice europe.co.uk and support for businesses looking to commercialise ideas www.enterprise- and succeed in new markets. europe.co.uk

Export for Growth Two core strands of support; 01275 770 708 Free ERDF eligibility Export Essentials – for SMEs [email protected] applies. considering export for the first o.uk time. www.export4growth.co.uk Extend your Global Reach – for exporters who want to expand in to high-growth markets.

Open to Export Free online information service [email protected] Free online resource. provided by the Institute of www.opentoexport.com Export & International Trade, which is dedicated to helping small UK businesses get ready to export and expand internationally.

UK-ASEAN The UKABC is the leading UK- 020 7828 3431 Some services are Business Council based organisation promoting [email protected] free. trade and investment between the UK and Southeast Asia’s www.ukabc.org.uk dynamic markets.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

SUPPORT SERVICE CONTACT COST PROVIDER Finance

British Business The business finance guide is www.thebusinessfinanceguide Advice is free. Bank an invaluable tool for directors .co.uk Finance Guide managing established or growing companies of all sizes.

Business, Energy The Angel CoFund (ACF) is a [email protected] The fund invests right and Investment UK based venture capital fund across the UK and is www.angelcofund.co.uk Strategy (BEIS) that co-invests alongside happy to consider

Angel CoFund (ACF) syndicates of sector-smart investments in almost Angel investors, to fund and any sector. scale some of the best high- potential early-stage businesses.

Crowdfunder Advice, tips and crowdfunding [email protected] Free advice on how methods for anyone looking to to run a crowdfunding raise funds from the crowd. www.crowdfunder.co.uk project, but there are cost implications to using the service to raise finance.

Devon and Cornwall A not-for-profit organisation 01752 294187 Membership fee Training Providers that covers both Devon and [email protected] applies. Network Cornwall, providing funding, om workforce development and Apprenticeship Levy. www.trainingprovider.com

Fredericks Loans to individuals who are 01276 472722 The loan will need to Foundation unable to access funds from [email protected] be paid back to mainstream lenders for rg Fredericks Foundation business start-up and through an agreed growth. We cover England www.fredericksfoundation.or format. and Wales. g

Funding Central Database of grants and funding [email protected] Subscription based available to the voluntary and .uk service free if an community sector including organisation’s annual social enterprise. www.fundingcentral.org.uk income is below £100,000, if above £100 excl. VAT.

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Funding Circle An online marketplace which 0800 048 2467 Costs associated with can help businesses access Funding Circle finance exclusively focused on www.fundingcircle.com services. small businesses.

Innovate UK Drives productivity and 0300 321 4357 Service is free. economic growth by [email protected] supporting businesses to develop and realise the www.innovateuk.ukri.org potential of new ideas.

Patent Box The Patent Box enables www.gov.uk/guidance/corpor You can only benefit companies to apply a lower ation-tax-the-patent-box from the Patent Box if rate of Corporation Tax to your company is liable profits from exploiting to Corporation Tax patented inventions. and makes a profit from exploiting patented inventions.

Research and R&D is a Corporation Tax www.gov.uk/guidance/corpor Companies can only Development tax (CT) tax relief that may reduce ation-tax-research-and- claim for R&D tax relief (R&D) your company’s tax bill. development-rd-relief relief if an R&D project.

SWIG Finance Non-profit organisation that 01872 223883 The majority of Limited provides risk capital to [email protected] money is available businesses in the South West through a loan www.swigfinance.co.uk scheme.

Thincats Thincats is a leading alternative 01530 444040 Service is free. finance provider, dedicated to [email protected] funding growing and ambitious SMEs up to £5m. www.thincats.com

UK Angel Investor Helping SMEs to find equity info@angelinvestmentnetwor Costs associated with Network finance and business angels. It k.co.uk UKAIN services. assists private investors to www.angelinvestmentnetwor search for company k.co.uk investment opportunities in businesses with growth potential.

Networks

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Devon and Cornwall A not-for-profit organisation 01752 294187 Membership fee Training Providers that covers both Devon and [email protected] applies. Network Cornwall, providing a voice for om the training provider sector, as well as giving practical support www.trainingprovider.com and partnership opportunities for members.

Devon Chamber of Plymouth’s local chamber 01752 220471 Membership costs Commerce providing opportunities to [email protected] vary. make new connections meet o.uk other businesses and stay informed about activities www.devonchamber.co.uk taking place in the local business community.

Digital Plymouth Connecting Plymouth’s digital www.digitalplymouth.com Events are free to community. An opportunity to attend. network and learn about the amazing things that are being created right here in Plymouth.

Federation of Small Wide range of vital business 0808 2020888 Membership costs. Business (FSB) services including advice, [email protected] financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in www.fsb.org.uk government.

Knowledge Transfer Knowledge Transfer Network 03333 403250 Service is free. Network (KTN) is Innovate UK’s network [email protected] partner and also provides innovation networking for www.ktn-uk.co.uk other funders in line with its mission to drive UK growth. KTN can lead businesses to potential partners, horizon expanding events, bespoke support and innovation insights relevant to their needs.

Mylor Ventures Mylor Ventures Angel 01326 727088 Membership costs Angel Network Network (MYVAN) is a www.mylorventures.co.uk/an vary. private network of active gel-network business angels looking for exciting opportunities.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Plymouth Law Share best practice, discover www.plymouthlawsociety.co. Membership costs. Society new career opportunities or uk simply engage with like-minded individuals that face the same challenges.

Plymouth An informal network of www.mypmg.co.uk Membership cost. Manufacturers’ manufacturing companies from Group across the Plymouth travel-to- work-area.

Plymouth Woman An opportunity for women Facebook page. Free to attend. in Business business owners and decision makers to meet with local, like-minded business focused women, once a month, at a well-structured and facilitated network meeting.

Six O’Clock Club The Home Of Brighter www.sixoclockclub.com Free to attend. Business Networking. Great business networking events in Plymouth & London.

South West The South West Business 01752 395665 Membership costs. Business Council Council is the economic [email protected] (SWBC) partnership for the South West of the UK, representing www.southwestbusinesscoun the interests of businesses cil.co.uk across the region, nationally, and globally.

South West Women SWWIC provides women in www.swwic.co.uk Free to attend. in Construction the south west from any discipline, trade or organisation involved in construction with the opportunity to meet, network and share knowledge and experience.

The Cream Tea The Cream Tea Club provides www.creamteaclub.co.uk Tickets are £12.50 + Club an opportunity to network in a VAT with a donation relaxed atmosphere with from the proceeds other local businesses over a going to the Club’s cream tea in a collection of chosen charity of the South West venues. year.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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University of The Starting Post is a business 08000 525600 Free to attend. Plymouth - Starting network for people with a new www.formationzone.co.uk/ou Post business or those thinking r-difference/the-starting-post about starting up. It is there to support the start-up community across all sectors.

Women in Stem Women in Stem Plymouth www.winstemplymouth.org Free to attend. Plymouth aims to use the power of networking to increase the number of women in STEM roles in the Plymouth travel- to-work area.

Skills

Apprenticeships UK National apprenticeship 0800 015 0600 Free website programmes. www.apprenticeships.gov.uk information. There will be a cost implication to employing apprentices.

City College We work closely with local 01752 305026 Free website Plymouth businesses, to ensure that the [email protected] information. training and education we provide benefits both students www.cityplym.ac.uk/help- and employers. advice/employers

Devon and Cornwall A not-for-profit organisation 01752 294187 Membership fee Training Providers that covers both Devon and [email protected] applies. Network Cornwall, providing Training, om Skills, Funding, Skills Analysis, Workforce Development. www.trainingprovider.com

Gradsouthwest The graduate job board for 01392 241302 Cost is from £80 exc . They [email protected] VAT. advertise graduate jobs, graduate schemes, paid www.gradsouthwest.com graduate internships and degree apprenticeships.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Skills Support for Free bespoke training for 0345 5210066 Free to small medium the Workforce businesses, to raise attainment www.serco-ese.com/skills- enterprises. levels and to reduce skills support-for-the-workforce shortages that restrict business growth.

The Federation for Represents, promotes and 0300 303 4444 Free. Industry Sector supports the 21 Sector Skills [email protected] Skills and Standards Councils (SSCs) across the www.fisss.org UK, working with over 550,000 employers to define skills needs and skills standards in their industry. Provides certification and assessor services for Apprenticeships.

Tech Support

Centre for Independent, non-for-profit 0117 906 1100 There will be a cost Modelling & organisation, committed to [email protected] implication of using Simulation (CFMS) accelerating the delivery of CFMS. more intuitive and powerful www.cfms.org.uk simulation-based design processes.

DATA Plymouth Open data is data that anyone 01752 305477 Free website content can access, use and share. [email protected] and data. ov.uk

www.dataplymouth.co.uk

DATA Play [email protected] www.dataplymouth.co.uk/dat aplay

DATA Place www.plymouth.thedata.place

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

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Do More Design Logo design specialists that [email protected] Cost is £229 for a create unique brand logos for m custom logo. businesses or events. A www.domoredesign.com/ service for new and existing businesses. Various logos designs will be created and businesses pick the design that best suits their needs. This is all backed by a money back guarantee.

i-DAT i-DAT is an Open Research 01752 586262 There may be costs Lab for playful associated for the experimentation with creative [email protected] required facilities. technology. www.i-dat.org/

National Independent, open-access 0117 370 7600 Tiered memberships Composites Centre national centre that delivers [email protected] option available or world-class innovation in the pay-per-use for design and rapid manufacture www.nccuk.com private venture work. of composites and facilitates their widespread industrial exploitation.

Regen Regen is an independent, 01392 494399 There may be a cost mission led organisation that is [email protected] implication depending working to transform the on what services are energy system. We support www.regen.co.uk used. government, local authorities and business to work towards a democratic, decentralised and decarbonised energy system.

University of Providing industry focused 01392 725831 A range of cost Centre for Alternative research support for the more structures available Materials and sustainable manufacture of [email protected] including support with Remanufacturing polymers and composites. gaining collaborative Technologies www.emps.exeter.ac.uk/engin grant funding. eering/research/calmare

University of Exeter Conducting collaborative 01392 725831 A range of cost The Centre for materials research for Additive [email protected] structures available Additive Layer Manufacturing with polymers. www.emps.exeter.ac.uk/engin including support with Manufacturing eering/research/etg/centres/c gaining collaborative alm grant funding.

Plymouth City Council OFFICIAL:SENSITIVE

SUPPORT SERVICE CONTACT COST PROVIDER

University of Enterprise Solutions can 0800 052 5600 There may be a cost Plymouth provide access to University of enterprisesolutions@plymou implication depending Enterprise Solutions Plymouth’s facilities, expertise th.ac.uk on what services are and services. used. www.essupport.com

University of Offers expert, specialist 01752 586125 There may be costs Plymouth support to companies in [email protected] associated for the imaging and analytical required facilities, but Plymouth Electron www.plymouth.ac.uk/emc Microscopy Centre microscopy, acting as an funding is available. ‘outsourced lab’ for many Please enquire for businesses in Plymouth and the prices. surrounding areas.

Business Support – A guide for businesses in the city Published by Plymouth City Council

Contact Economy, Enterprise and Employment Team Plymouth City Council Ballard House Plymouth PL1 3BJ

E [email protected] www.investplymouth.co.uk @investplymouth

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