Business Support Services

If you are thinking about starting up a new business or even if you are already an established business, there's a host of business support and advice services available.

Tendring 4 Growth

Funded and delivered by Tendring District Council, Tendring4Growth is an initiative designed to support local businesses. The scheme provides opportunities throughout the year to attend business support events, enabling businesses to network, share knowledge, and build strong working relationships. Tendring4Growth also produces a dedicated e‑bulletin, which is currently distributed twice a month to keep businesses informed of the latest opportunities and updates.

For more information, visit Tendring4Growth

Colbea (Colchester Business Enterprise Agency)

Colbea supports businesses in Colchester and the surrounding areas, delivering around 1000 training events and advice sessions per year. Join their networking groups, access managed workspace and virtual office solutions as well as free business advice.  

If you are looking to test your business idea, set up, or are ready to grow, Colbea has a programme to help you develop. A range of entrepreneurial training is available to support you and your business:

• First Steps to Start up Success – a short course covering the main things to consider when starting a business aimed at those who are thinking of starting up or have recently started.
• Young Persons Entrepreneurial & Employability Course – aimed at 18-24-year-olds looking to develop themselves for their first job or start their own business.
• Change & Grow Programme – A series of masterclass development and mentoring sessions with a dedicated advisor to support you and your business. Intended for those who have already started on their business.

For more information, visit Colbea

Ambitious Essex

Ambitious Essex is the county‑wide business support platform for Essex, commissioned by Essex County Council. It provides free and impartial support for entrepreneurs, start‑ups and growing businesses, offering access to events, mentoring, specialist advice, funding information and resources to help businesses start, grow and thrive. Ambitious Essex also acts as a central hub for business news and opportunities, helping to connect businesses with the right support at the right time.

For more information, visit Ambitious Essex

HM Revenue & Customs

‘Starting your own Business’ e-Learning Tool

HM Revenue & Customs provide a FREE e-learning tool that covers the tax and National Insurance issues involved in starting your own business.

The package can be completed in bite-size pieces and covers subjects including:

• Starting in business
• Registering your self employment
• What records should I keep?
• What can I claim against my income?
• VAT registration
• Becoming an employer

Incorporated into the package are learning checks and videos as well as links to further advice on YouTube & gov.uk website. Start the tutorial here

Government Support  

There are a range of business allowances and tax incentives which businesses may be able to take advantage of. For up to date information the GOV.UK website has information on Grants and Government Support.

The GOV.UK website is a service designed to promote enterprise. Whether you are already running or growing a business or just starting out, the GOV.UK website is a good place to start as it provides easy-to-use, tailored information to help you start-up, improve or grow your business, features include:

• A 'growth and improvement' service to make your business work better including: tools to help you diagnose and solve business problems, a business support finder, tutorials and video case studies, information on events in your area and links to business discussions and other services
• If you are planning to start a business, or know someone who is, a whole new area of the Business Link website called 'My New Business' will provide tailored information and training to guide people through the process
• If you are a business that needs support or a business professional who can offer support, the MentorsMe scheme can help you connect with each other. MentorsMe connects companies with mentoring organisations that can support and guide their growth

For further information on starting up or developing your business visit the GOV.UK website