South Gloucestershire Council Business support agencies

Your guide to comprehensive business support from South Gloucestershire Council

www.southglos.gov.uk Advisory Conciliation and & Bath Enterprise Arbitration Service () Network (BEN) ACAS aims to improve organisations and BEN is the membership organisation of working life through better employment Science City Bristol Ltd, which aims to relations. The role of ACAS is to help parties help make the Bristol and Bath region a with an industrial relations dispute to great place to start and grow science and reach agreement through discussion and technology businesses. negotiation. We have more than 2,000 individual The Waterfront, Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB members consisting of entrepreneurs, ❚ 08457383736 academics, investors, industry leaders and ❚ www.acas.org.uk professional service providers. We also have over 1,000 organisation members. Membership is free. Our core activity is a Bristol and Enterprise series of evening networking events and Agency (BRAVE) workshops. Expert speakers address the BRAVE is an independent, not-for-profi t opportunities and challenges faced by organisation based in Bristol, providing tech businesses, as well as key technology support to: trading businesses looking themes. BEN is a member of Business to develop and grow, business needing Navigator - the support access service solutions to problems, start-up businesses of the West of Local Enterprise and those thinking about starting a . business or becoming self employed for Science City Bristol Ltd, SPark One, Bristol and the fi rst time. At the Coach House in central Bath Science Park, Dirac Crescent, Emersons Bristol, we have a range of small offi ces to Green, Bristol, BS16 7FR let at reasonable rents. The meeting rooms ❚ 01173707788 can hold from 2 up to 40 people and are ❚ www.sciencecitybristol.com available by the half or full day. The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street, Bristol BS2 8QN Bristol Enterprise Development ❚ 01179445330 Fund (BEDF) ❚ www.brave.org.uk BEDF provides start-up and expansion loans ❚ [email protected] to small businesses in the former Avon area. BEDF is part of South West Business Finance, a partnership of agencies across the region. Unit 3, The Coach House, 2 Upper York Street, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 8QN ❚ 01179444700 ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.bedf.co.uk Business Council for Sustainable House Development When setting up a limited it (BCSD-UK) is necessary to conduct a check on the proposed company name. New company The focus of BCSD-UK is on the names must be registered with Companies practical implementation of sustainable House. development as a key to world-class business standards and new business Crown Way, Maindy, Cardiff , CF14 3UZ opportunities. ❚ 03031234500 The Arch, Unit F3, 48-52 Floodgate Street, ❚ [email protected] Birmingham, B5 5SL ❚ www.companieshouse.gov.uk ❚ 01216938338 ❚ [email protected] Department for Business ❚ www.bcsd-uk.co.uk Innovation and Skills (BIS) The Department for Business, Innovation Business West & Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and Business West is a powerful voice for competitive UK economy by creating the business. All companies can benefi t conditions for business success; promoting from the range of information, advice, innovation, enterprise and science; and networking events and international trade giving everyone the skills and opportunities support that is available from Business West. to succeed. To achieve this we will foster Delivering essential Chamber of Commerce world-class universities and promote an services in Bristol, Bath and Gloucestershire open global economy. to almost 2,000 members enables Business ❚ 02072155000 West to speak with authority on the issues ❚ [email protected] that matter to business. As an eff ective link ❚ www.bis.gov.uk between the private and public sectors, it ensures the interests of commerce are taken Disclosure and Barring Service into account when key decisions are made at local, regional and national levels. The Disclosure and Barring Service, previously called the Criminal Records ❚ 01275373373 Bureau, aims to help organisations in ❚ www.businesswest.co.uk the public, private and voluntary sectors ❚ [email protected] by identifying candidates who may me unsuitable to work with children or other Centre for Sustainable Energy vulnerable members of society The Centre for Sustainable Energy off ers ❚ 08709090811 advice on sustainable energy solutions. ❚ www.homeoffi ce.gov.uk/dbs 3 St Peter’s Court, Bedminster Parade, Bristol, BS3 4AQ ❚ 01179341400 ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.cse.org.uk Enterprise Europe Network Federation of Small Businesses South West (FSB) Enterprise Europe Network South West The FSB is non-profi t making and non-party provides free business support and advice political. It is the UK’s largest campaigning on trading in Europe; access to hundreds pressure group promoting and protecting of business opportunities across all sectors the interests of the self-employed and through the Partner Alert Service; a direct owners of small fi rms. In addition to route to feedback your business issues to lobbying the Government on legislation the European Commission and support in and regulation aff ecting small businesses, accessing European funding. the FSB provides a range of benefi ts to c/o Business West, Business Centre, members including access to a 24hr, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3RA 365-days-of-the-year legal advice line, free ❚ 01275370997 banking, fi nancial services and a lot more. ❚ [email protected] There are also networking opportunities. ❚ www.enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk FSB is organised on regional lines and the South Gloucestershire branch forms part of the Gloucestershire and West of England Environmental Sustainability region. Knowledge Transfer Partnership Gloucestershire and the West of England Region The Environmental Sustainability O ffi c e Knowledge Transfer Network (ESKTN) is ❚ 01285740550 accelerating the UK’s transition to a low ❚ region.offi [email protected] carbon, resource and energy effi cient ❚ www.fsb.org.uk economy by connecting businesses, ❚ Twitter: @FSBGlosandWoE universities, other research organisations and government agencies, and catalysing innovation across a wide range of HM Revenue & Customs environmental technologies. For free ESKTN HM Revenue business advisors off er a range membership details, please visit www. of free workshops to help local businesses innovateuk.org/sustainabilityktn as well as payroll support to new and small c/o University of Oxford, Earth Sciences, businesses. For queries relating to personal Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1PF tax, please dial 0845 9000 4444. Bristol and North Area, Business ❚ 01865610500 Support Team, Norfolk House, Temple Street, ❚ [email protected] Bristol BS1 6HR ❚ www.innovateuk.org/sustainabilityktn ❚ 01179072581 ❚ www.hmrc.gov.uk Improving Your Resource Business Navigator Effi ciency (IYRE) Businesses need support to grow, and the The improving your resource effi ciency West of England area is full of resources. (IYRE) service is a programme aimed Whether you’re a new business or a new at small and medium sized enterprises social enterprise, growing or looking to aspiring to make environmental effi ciency become more sustainable, there’s support improvements and boost their profi ts. The available to help you make it happen – service off ers a variety of specialist support and Business Navigator will help you to to eligible businesses including advice, site fi nd it. Business Navigator was originally visits, identifi cation of cost savings, events, created by the West of England Local and help with environmental management Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as a hub to systems. For more information and to signpost business support for Bristol, Bath contact a specialist adviser, please call the and beyond. It is still supported by the LEP Business Link gateway. at arm’s length, but is now owned and ❚ 01275376233 operated by a private company. ❚ www.businesswest.co.uk/iyre ❚ www.businessnavigator.org.uk

Institute of Directors (IoD) Jobcentre Plus Institute of Directors (IoD) membership Jobcentres can off er employers a complete off ers support for entrepreneurs and recruitment process from the issue of Directors to maximise personal potential application forms through to candidate sift and enhance business performance. and shortlist. Jobcentres can also help and Successful companies need solid, strategic advise on employment legislation, training, frameworks and the IoD provides this rates of pay, equal opportunities, specialist information through business networking, types of employment and employing training and advice. people with disabilities. Jobcentres have Orchard Street Business Centre, 14 Orchard the facility to circulate vacancies nationally Street, Bristol BS1 5EH and internationally if employers are having diffi culty fi lling them locally. Jobcentres can ❚ 01179055050 also off er support to employers who are ❚ [email protected] facing redundancies; providing information ❚ www.iod.com/southwest on local job vacancies, Benefi t one-to-one, Housing Benefi t, Tax Credits, CVs, Career Intellectual Property Offi ce advice and one-to-one support for staff . The Intellectual Property Offi ce is ❚ www.businesslink.gov.uk/jobcentreplus responsible for the registration of patents, trade marks, designs and copyright. ❚ 03003002000 ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.ipo.gov.uk Low Carbon South West Manufacturing Advisory Service Low Carbon South West is a partnership South West of businesses, academia, investors, Manufacturing Advisory Service in the local authorities, regional and national South West (MAS-SW) provides advice and agencies promoting the growth of the hands-on support for small and medium- environmental technologies and services sized manufacturers to help improve sector in the South West. Membership is productivity, increase competitiveness, open to any business in the South West develop strategic direction and support with an interest or involvement with product innovation. Much of the support the Environmental Technologies Sector. available is either free or subsidised. Benefi ts of membership include invitations Unit 3 Twigworth Court Business Centre, to networking events and seminars, Tewkesbury Road, Twigworth, Gloucester, mailings of news, events and projects, and GL2 9PG a profi le in the searchable membership directory. ❚ 08456083838 ❚ [email protected] 28 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4ND ❚ www.mas.bis.gov.uk/south-west ❚ 01179458730 ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.lowcarbonsouthwest.co.uk National Apprenticeship Service The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has end to end responsibility for Managed Workspace apprenticeships in England. The NAS has In partnership with New Work Trust the been designed to increase the number of council provides almost 80 managed apprenticeship opportunities and provide workspace units (industrial and offi ces) at a dedicated, responsive service for both Station Road Workshops in Kingswood. employers and learners. We are simplifying The units are self contained and range in the process of recruiting an apprentice size from 100 sq.ft. to 2,500 sq.ft. Units are through Apprenticeship Vacancies, an off ered on a short or long term basis for an online web-based matching service. inclusive licence fee which includes rent, Cheylesmore House, Quinton Road, business rates and water / sewerage. Cheylesmore, CV1 2WT Greg Lovell, Manager, Station Road Workshops ❚ 08000150600 ❚ 01179575577 ❚ www.apprenticeships.org.uk ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.newworktrust.co.uk National Industrial Symbiosis SETsquared at Bristol University Programme (NISP) SETsquared accelerates early stage, high- NISP is a free business opportunity tech, high growth business from inside programme that delivers environmental, and outside the University. It provides social and economic benefi ts and is the fi rst subsidised offi ce space, mentoring, industrial symbiosis initiative in the world to coaching, workshops, investment readiness be launched on a national scale. training, investment showcase events and NISP South West, 44 Imperial Court, Kings access to an extensive network of investors, Norton Business Centre, Pershore Road South, entrepreneurs and professional advisers. Birmingham, B30 3ES SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre, Bristol University Gate East, Park Row, Bristol BS1 5UB ❚ 08450949019 ❚ [email protected] ❚ 01179031100 ❚ www.nisp.org.uk ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.setsquared.co.uk REGEN SW Regen SW helps speed up the transition to Solutions for Business a low carbon economy in the South West. The services deliver one-to-one assistance It unlocks sustainable energy business through over 100 of the top independent opportunities, gives independent advice to business coaches based in the region. You’ll decision makers, acts as a sounding board benefi t from their extensive boardroom for developers, supports demonstrator experience and a carefully planned projects across a range of technologies and combination of advice, workshops, business stimulates an informed public debate about strategy and fi nance guidance. Support sustainable energy. is long-term and targeted to the exact The Innovation Centre, Rennes Drive, Exeter, requirements of your business. EX4 4RN Leigh Court Business Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3RA ❚ 01392494399 ❚ [email protected] ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.regensw.co.uk ❚ www.growthsouthwest.co.uk Sustainability South West Sustainability South West is an advisory and awareness-raising charity that works with businesses to future-proof their activities. 2 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6EH ❚ 01179001909 ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk The Design Programme The Green Register of Design Programme transforms businesses Construction Professionals through the eff ective use of design. Our The Green Register is a training and independent, experienced design advisers membership organisation bringing provide tailored advice, information and together all disciplines in the construction support. We can help your business in a industry with a commitment to sustainable range of areas including: company literature; building practices. The network includes websites and communications; developing architects, engineers, builders, surveyors products or services and refreshing or and construction trades and provides a vital creating new brands. link between these professionals and their WSX Enterprise Ltd, Wates House, Fareham, clients. Hampshire, PO16 7BJ The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, ❚ 01983400867 BS1 6XN ❚ [email protected] ❚ 01173773490 ❚ www.thedesignprogramme.co.uk ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.greenregister.org.uk The Environment Agency The Environment Agency is responsible for The Health and Safety regulating industrial pollution, land quality, Executive (HSE) radioactive substances, waste management The Health and Safety Executive has and water quality. responsibility for health and safety in South West Regional Offi ce, Manley House, nuclear installations and mines, factories, Kestrel Way, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7LQ farms, hospitals and schools, off shore gas ❚ 03708506506 and oil installations, the safety of the gas ❚ [email protected] grid and the movement of dangerous ❚ www.environment-agency.gov.uk goods and substances, railway safety, and many other aspects of the protection of workers and the public. Local authorities are responsible to HSE for enforcement in offi ces, shops and other parts of the services sector. 4th Floor, The Pithay, Bristol, BS1 2ND ❚ 01179886000 ❚ www.hse.gov.uk The Prince’s Trust The University of the West of The Prince’s Trust provides support England (UWE) to unemployed young people aged The University of the West of England (UWE) 13-30 to progress into employment, is a modern, growing university in the education or training. This includes self thriving city of Bristol. UWE is one of Britain’s employment and employability courses, most popular universities, with more than personal development programmes and 30,000 students and 3,000 staff and is the engagement courses. largest provider of higher education in the South West Regional Offi ce, 9 Marsh Street, South West of England. Students come Bristol, BS1 4AA to Bristol UWE from all parts of the UK, as ❚ 01179292300 well as a signifi cant and growing number ❚ [email protected] of international students from over 140 ❚ www.princes-trust.org.uk countries worldwide. Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, The University of the West of BS16 1QY England (UWE) RBI ❚ 01179656261 ❚ www.uwe.ac.uk The Research, Business and Innovation Department at UWE provides access to UWE services for business and the UK Trade & Investment community whilst promoting collaboration We work with UK-based businesses to and commercialising the outcomes ensure their success in international of university research and expertise in markets, and encourage the best overseas innovation. Service areas include: Continual companies to look to the UK as their global Professional Development; consultancy; partner of choice. business start-up and incubation; International Trade Centre - South West, Leigh collaborative research including Knowledge Court Business Centre, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, Transfer ; innovation and BS8 3RA enterprise support including technology transfer, public engagement projects and ❚ 08456060969 work-based learning. ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.ukti.gov.uk Research, Business and Innovation, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY. West of England Aerospace ❚ 01173282039 Forum (WEAF) ❚ [email protected] WEAF’s overall aim is to facilitate the ❚ www.uwe.ac.uk/business future competitiveness and growth of the aerospace industry in the South West. ❚ 01275872353 ❚ [email protected] ❚ www.weaf.co.uk West of England Carbon South Gloucestershire Business Challenge Directory The West of England Carbon Challenge If you would like your business to enjoy supports organisations in the region to the same benefi ts as the thousands of reduce their emissions. Membership is companies already registered, submit your free, and members receive advice, tools details by registering online at: and practical support to measure, manage ❚ www.burrows.co.uk/southgloucestershire and reduce their CO2 emissions. For more Your business must be located in South information and to sign-up, see: Gloucestershire. You can also keep your ❚ www.westofenglandcarbonchallenge.org organisation’s details up-to-date, just fi nd your entry and click “Update your Company WRAP (Waste and Resources details” link. This will ensure that your Action Programme) potential customers have access to accurate information about you. Find out about how to recycle at work and which recycling companies are active in your area: To support businesses to prosper and grow, ❚ www.wrap.org.uk/content/how-recycle-work South Gloucestershire Council provides practical support to its town centres, high streets and economic hubs. This Preparing for climate change helps contribute towards their resilience impacts against economic uncertainty. Innovative Climate change is happening now and it techniques of increasing footfall in town will impact in some way on almost every centres and high streets are crucial to business in the UK. Climate change may improving the vibrancy and vitality of town present both challenges and opportunities and district centres. The latter is highlighted for businesses. Increased frequency of as a priority in the Council Plan. extreme weather events (such as heat waves, fl oods and droughts) may cause South Gloucestershire Council has helped disruption to businesses. For example, facilitate the start-up of new business extreme weather events could cause loss groups in town centres and high streets of productivity by disrupting transport where none existed. As well as supporting services, supply chains and staff travel. these groups, it also provides support However, climate change may also provide to existing groups in the area including opportunities for new markets for products, business parks, trading estates and technology and service. The Department industrial sites. The council works closely for Environment, Food and Rural Aff airs can with members of the South Gloucestershire help you plan ahead. Economy & Skills Partnership and introduces ❚ www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/ them to business groups so relevant sectors/business support can be accessed. To fi nd out more about how your business Thornbury Chamber of Commerce can receive support and what South ❚ www.thornburychamber.org.uk Gloucestershire Council is doing to improve the vibrancy and vitality of your town Bradley Stoke Small Business Forum centre/high street or commercial hub, contact your local business group or search ❚ www.bssbf.co.uk online: Sodbury Chamber of Commerce ❚ www.visitchippingsodbury.com

Sodbury & Yate Business Association ❚ www.sodburyandyate.biz

Downend Business Community ❚ www.downendbusiness.org.uk

Staple Hill Chamber of Trade ❚ www.staplehill.co.uk

Kingswood Business Association ❚ www.mykingswood.co.uk/KBA

Hanham Business & Community Partnership ❚ www.hanhamtraders.co.uk

Patchway & District Chamber of Trade ❚ www.patchwaychambers.org

Filton Chamber of Trade ❚ Follow us on or LinkedIn

For more information, email ❚ [email protected] or visit ❚ www.southglos.gov.uk/business

Information correct at time of print (January 2013) if you have any comments, please email ❚ [email protected] If you would like this information in a different format or language, please contact ✆ 01454 868009.

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