Latest Business Support in North Somerset
Economy Team
The North Somerset Council Economic Development team are here to help local businesses with their needs.
Business In North Somerset Newsletter
Business In North Somerset Newsletter
Subscribe to receive key updates to your inbox once a month.
Updates include grants, funding opportunities, events and other news that would be relevant to North Somerset businesses.
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Updates include grants, funding opportunities, events and other news that would be relevant to North Somerset businesses.
Property Search
Property Search
Our team will try their best to find a potential property that suits your requirements.
Simply click the button below to send us an email.
Contact us
Simply click the button below to send us an email.
Explore North Somerset
Networking Event
Explore North Somerset
Networking Event
Explore North Somerset is a host of networking events for Visitor Economy businesses to showcase North Somerset's distinct offerings and encourage connections.
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The Hive
The Hive is a business support centre in Weston-super-Mare that offers advice, training, workspace and funding for people who want to start or grow their own business.
Start-up support
Start-up support
Starting a business is a big adventure, but there's more to it than just having an idea. We're here to help! Let's schedule an appointment to discuss your business and provide valuable resources to support you in setting up and running it.
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Business Support Unlocked
Business Support Unlocked
Business Support Unlocked provides free pre-start, early growth, and business resilience support to North Somerset businesses.
Includes 3.5-day course, phone/online advice, workshops, & market intel through COBRA/CBI.
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Includes 3.5-day course, phone/online advice, workshops, & market intel through COBRA/CBI.
Business Support
Events & Courses
Business Support
Events & Courses
The Hive offers a number of Business Support Events throughout the year.
To see the upcoming events, check out their calendar.
Find out more
To see the upcoming events, check out their calendar.
Growing Your Business
Growing Your Business
The Hive offers a number of services and opportunities available to you and your business including:
Business advice & coaching, Practical skills training, Specialist business information, Local contacts & further support, Access to funding opportunities, Networking and Access to business clinics.
Find out more
Business advice & coaching, Practical skills training, Specialist business information, Local contacts & further support, Access to funding opportunities, Networking and Access to business clinics.
Social Media and Digital Marketing Support
Social Media and Digital Marketing Support
JAE Digital Ltd, headed by Jack Easterbrook has begun working in partnership with the hive to offer free un-biased advice on social media & digital marketing for micro/small businesses & prestart ups in North Somerset as part of the hive’s business support offer.
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Expert HR Advice at the hive
Expert HR Advice at the hive
Free 1:1 appointments available at the hive for North Somerset Businesses on Friday 31st January 2025. Limited availibility for a free 45-minute appointments with Jay Wiliamson.
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The Food Works SW
Food Works SW is a food and drink innovation centre that helps businesses grow. It provides affordable, modern and compliant business units, as well as a range of support services. If you are a food or drink manufacturer, Food Works SW can help you take your business to the next level.
Business Units
Business Units
The Food WorksSW provides food and drink businesses with modern, cost-effective, and food-grade Business Units which come in different sizes and are suitable for both start-ups and established businesses.
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West of England
Food and Drink
Support Initiative
West of England
Food and Drink Support Initiative
Funded support is available to new and existing food and drink businesses funded by the West of England Councils, West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council and being provided by the Future Food Partnership CIC through Food WorksSW.
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Development Kitchens
Development Kitchens
FoodWorks SW offers food-grade development kitchens for short-term hire by any food and drink business size. The kitchens are equipped with standard and specialist catering equipment for bakery, dairy, ready meal, and drinks development, allowing businesses to scale-up production and pilot improvements.
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Meeting Room Hire
North Somerset Business Club
Food WorksSW offers affordable meeting and conference rooms for 2 to 100 people, with amenities such as parking, WiFi and audio-visual equipment. There's also a coffee shop and engagement center for additional space and catering needs.
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Business Support Events
Business Support Events
The Food WorksSW is offering several events targeted at Food and Drink businesses in North Somerset.
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The West of England Growth Hub
The West of England Growth Hub is a business support service that provides a range of resources and advice for businesses in the West of England region.
Click here to find out more and get in touch
Thrive at Work
Thrive at Work
The Growth Hub offers Thrive at Work: free eLearning, webinars and guides on mental health in the workplace for managers.
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Intellectual Property Support
Intellectual Property Support
We offer IP support for businesses, including free advice from experts, up to £8,000 in grants for IP costs, and access to finance, growth programmes, and networking opportunities via Growth Hub.
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The Good Employment Charter
The Good Employment Charter
The Good Employment Charter is a voluntary accreditation scheme by West of England Combined Authority that improves employment standards for all organizations. The Authority also provides a Growth Hub with support for businesses including advice, funding, training, events, and networking.
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Skills Bootcamps
The Good Employment Charter
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
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Investment Readiness Advisory Service
Investment Readiness Advisory Service
The Investment Readiness Advisory Service (IRAS) is a free, grant-funded consultancy commissioned by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and delivered by BBRC providing expert guidance to support businesses in preparing for investment, helping them navigate the journey to connect with the right investors.
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ADOPT funding opportunity information webinar
ADOPT funding opportunity information webinar
As announced by Defra Secretary of State, Steve Reed at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Conference in February, the first funding opportunity as part of ADOPT will open in Spring 2025 to support on-farm tests and trials to evaluate tools, technologies, systems, and approaches to enhance the profitability, productivity, and sustainability of farmers, growers, and foresters in England.
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Made Smarter
Made Smarter
Are you a production or manufacturing business based in the West of England?
You could be eligible for Made Smarter, a programme specifically designed to get your business future ready. One of the support measures you can access is a student intern from University West of England.
Internships can last up to 250 hours, starting in April 2025.
Find out more
You could be eligible for Made Smarter, a programme specifically designed to get your business future ready. One of the support measures you can access is a student intern from University West of England.
Internships can last up to 250 hours, starting in April 2025.
Weston College
Weston College offers supportive learning with experienced staff and modern facilities.
Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
SWAP is a fully-funded government programme delivered by Weston College, which helps jobseekers improve their skills in industries such as retail, care or construction. Employers offer work experience placements and guaranteed interviews, making it a valuable opportunity for participants lasting up to six weeks.
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Industry Work Placements & Work Experience
Industry Work Placements & Work Experience
Weston College offers Industry T-Levels which are 80% in class learning and 20% (minimum 315 hours) as a work placement.
Work experience isa 5 day taster week that students do, often in Year 10 to gain experience in a real business and learn valuable skills in their chosen field of work.
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Work experience isa 5 day taster week that students do, often in Year 10 to gain experience in a real business and learn valuable skills in their chosen field of work.
Working with an Apprentice
Working with an Apprentice
Weston College offers over 50 different apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 to Degree-level. They have provided some materials for employers to support them with looking for and employing apprentices.
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Work-based Traineeships
Work-based Traineeships
Traineeships train young people for future careers and help employers find new talent. Trainees take classes to learn skills like interview prep, CV writing, and workplace behavior before starting a 6-week placement.
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Become an Inclusive Employer
Become an Inclusive Employer
Weston College's "Become an Inclusive Employer" workshop helps businesses support neurodiverse employees, boost staff retention, and tap into the talents of those with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other conditions that can affect the way they work.
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Creating an Inclusive Workforce
Creating an Inclusive Workforce
Weston College is a national Centre for Excellence in SEND and a Queen’s Anniversary Prize winner for its inclusive practice. It offers training workshops, recruitment support, consultancy, and resources for employers to improve accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.
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Inward Investment Advice
WsM Enterprise Area
North Somerset's WSM Enterprise Area offers an ideal business location with skilled workforce, accessibility and diverse industries including a food enterprise zone, and business centre, suitable tech, manufacturing, and professional services.
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Invest Bristol and Bath
Invest Bristol & Bath supports business growth and collaboration in the West of England, offering tailored services and promoting the region as a top investment destination. Key sectors include creative industries, aerospace, digital technology, and life sciences.
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Bristol Property Agents Association
The BPAA is a Bristol property industry group that includes commercial and residential professionals. Established in 1946, it provides insight for local decisions, meets regularly with Local Planning Authority, and hosts events like an annual dinner for members.
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Other business support
Opportunity North Somerset
Our Employment and Skills team offers various support for your business, such as recruitment advice, connections with larger employment partners, opportunities for upskilling, promotional opportunities, access to untapped talent pools, and direct news updates on local job fairs.
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South West Investment Fund
Supports new and growing businesses with finance options, including loans from £25k to £2m and equity up to £5m. It's part of the British Business Bank's new Nation and Region Investment Funds, with a £200m commitment to drive economic growth.
Find out more
Business support in libraries
A collection of support services that our Libraries team have collated for businesses,
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The Kings Award for Enterprise
Acknowledge UK businesses' remarkable achievements in Innovation, International Trade, and Sustainable Development. Winners will receive the Royal Emblem and attend a Royal reception hosted by the King.
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Somerset Training and Employment Support Grants
Financial assistance to individuals who are unemployed or seeking new employment, or who are looking to upskill or retrain.
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Barclays Eagle Labs
Eagle Labs has received £12 million grant to support UK tech startups and scaleups. The funding will help achieve four objectives: deliver support services, grow regional networks, provide digital entrepreneurship training, and signpost existing initiatives.
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Santander's Open Academy
There are many offers of ever-changing scholarships, courses and more resources to upskill your staff.
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Visitor Economy Support
Visit Weston
Visit Weston promotes tourism and business in Weston-super-Mare under Weston Town Council, offering similar services, and has a team of Holiday Makers to welcome visitors.
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Visit Somerset
Visit Somerset promotes tourism and business in Somerset, offering advice and services, such as accommodation, events and activities.
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Visit West
Visit West promotes tourism and business in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It operates Visit Bristol, Visit Bath and Meet Bristol and Bath.
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Business Support Partners
Business West
Business West is a Certified B Corp that aims to make the West of England the best place to live and work. It helps 24,000 businesses start, grow and export, as well as lobby government on their behalf. It has 200 staff and a turnover of £10 million.
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Federation of Small Businesses
FSB supports UK small and medium-sized businesses, providing benefits and lobbying government. Members receive legal advice, business banking, tax protection and networking opportunities.
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EGI Radius
EGI Radius is a commercial real estate platform that offers data, news, and analysis. It combines Radius Data Exchange's property data and market trends with legal commentary from Estates Gazette. Users can search for properties by location, type, size, price, and more, as well as access reports, charts, and maps.
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Weston-super-Mare Chamber of Commerce
The Weston-super-Mare Chamber of Commerce represents local businesses in and around the area, both small and large. Their mission is to cultivate a network of members providing community, support, and opportunities.
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Clevedon Chamber of Commerce
Clevedon Chamber of Commerce represents businesses in North Somerset's seaside town. Members have diverse skills and work to boost the local business community. They participate in initiatives like Coastal Community Team and North Somerset Ambassador group.
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Somerset Chamber of Commerce,
Somerset Chamber of Commerce, est. 1994, supports 2,000+ businesses of all sizes across Somerset in partnership with town chambers. Accredited to British Chambers of Commerce, representing over 100,000 UK businesses, their aim is to connect, influence, represent and provide growth opportunities.
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Weston BID
The Weston BID is a Business Improvement District that covers Weston Town Centre and works with about 450 businesses. It aims to improve the town centre’s attractiveness, security, promotion and communication1. It was established in 2012 and renewed in 2016 and 2021.
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Clevedon BID
Clevedon BID improves the town centre, Hill and Seafront shopping and leisure areas through marketing, promotion and street enhancement. Launched in 2018 it has raised £500,000 for its projects.
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Libraries Connected
UK Libraries Connected represents public library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and promotes the value of libraries while driving innovation in the sector. It also provides online courses, resources and events for library staff, volunteers and users.
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Other
Libraries Connected
A travel management platform for companies providing business travellers a consumer-style booking experience with a huge choice of local and international train services.
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