Business Support Links

The sites are summarised as follows:

Business Link

Getting business support in the West Midlands has never been easier. You can access impartial and expert information, support and advice to help develop and make your business more successful. Whether you are thinking about starting your own business, have recently started up, or have been established for some time Business Link West Midlands can help.

Our service is tailored specifically to the needs of your business, whatever your challenge and no matter what stage your business is at. By simply contacting 0845 113 1234 you can benefit from our knowledge, expertise and contacts, making it easier to move your business forward.

We can help you…

• Access business information and research
• Get expert advice on how to improve your business performance
• Find relevant solutions through access to quality assured suppliers
• Improve the skills of you and your people
• Access specialist manufacturing advice
• Start a dynamic new business

Business Link West Midlands is available locally - contact us today to arrange for a business adviser to talk to you about your business or about starting up.

To contact Business Link click on the logo to the right of this page where you can also access a range of useful self help guides and business tools

Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire
The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire has been helping businesses for almost 200 years! Established in Worcester in 1832, the Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business in the two counties ever since, actively promoting trade, lobbying for members' interests and facilitating training and workforce development. The Chamber of Commerce has remained relevant to local business by continually looking to the future. It has kept ahead of local trends, remained on top of new legislation and continually strives to represent the interests of its members in both Westminster and Brussels.

It is a dynamic, forward thinking organisation with business development and growth at its heart. The Chamber of Commerce helps businesses just like yours by providing easy access to help, advice, support and growth opportunities.
Whether you are a sole trader or a large firm employing hundreds of people, the Chamber of Commerce can help you.

Hereford Office
Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Crossway House, Holmer Road, Hereford, HR4 9SS
Tel: 0845 641 1641
Fax: 0845 641 4641

E-mail: enquiries@hwchamber.co.uk
Website: http://www.hwchamber.co.uk/

Riverside Training
The local provider of the Business Link West Midlands Business Start Up Programme is Riverside Training on St Martin Street in Hereford. They can be contacted on 01432 349950.

Connect Midlands
Connect Midlands offers the following services:

• Conferences and events where new and expanding companies can showcase their ideas and discuss their needs with the investment community and resource providers.
• A dedicated SME "investment readiness" programme, InvoRed.
• Workshops and seminars designed to develop and maximise individuals' key business skills.
• A thriving network of entrepreneurs, investors, business service providers, and the region's key decision makers.

Creative Industries in Herefordshire
This site will tell you all about the Creative Industries in Herefordshire programme, and gives you ways of requesting more information, applying for parts of the programme, or finding someone local to do some creative work for you or your business. Search the contact database using 'Advanced Search' by simply selecting the type of creative industry you are interested in to see a full list with links to the artists' websites.

Local Business Adviser
This website is aimed at business start-ups and provides information and advice in the form of checklists, FAQ's, factsheets and features on the following: Planning; Marketing; Selling; Finance; Purchasing: HR; Legal; Workplace.

Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands
The Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM) was launched in July 2002 by the DTI and Advantage West Midlands as part of the government's response to developing manufacturing in the West Midlands. MAS-WM is dedicated to helping manufacturers in the West Midlands improve any aspect of their manufacturing operations, processes, production or materials technologies. Most of the help available is free or heavily subsidised, and has been designed to be easy to access. The first step towards more successful manufacturing is a phone call to 0845 245 0845.

Prince's Trust
Business start up support for 18-30 year olds who would not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their self-confidence, achieve economic independence, fulfil their ambitions and contribute to the community through the medium of self-employment. Funding in the form of loans up to £5,000 and/or grants up to £1,500. A business mentor is appointed to each new business to provide help and support for the first three years. Test marketing grants up to £250. Applicants must be unemployed or under-employed, and not be able to raise necessary finance elsewhere.

WiRE
WiRE is a organisation for rural women in business, offering a dynamic member package of practical and specific business services and support for women in rural enterprise including; WiRE Local Network Groups (70 across the UK) offering rural women in business the chance to network and do business with like-minded women, a quarterly glossy magazine, monthly e-newsletter and countless marketing opportunities. WiRE is unique in its approach to business help, invaluable to all rural women in business at any stage, from the established or growing business, to new or potential businesses