Business Support and Advice
Bedford Borough Council is committed to creating the right
environment for business to grow and prosper. Working in
partnership with key business support organisations we can provide
valuable advice, information and guidance to help your business
succeed.
Currently there are training opportunities through the European
Socail Fund for employees who are aged 19+ years old and
employed in Bedfordshire-based small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
or public sector companies (excluding businesses paying rates in
LU1, LU2, LU3 and LU4). For more information visit our
Training
Opportunies page.
Business Link East
The main access route into business support available in Bedford
is provided by Business Link. Business Link is the government's
online resource for businesses and provides a range of advisory
services for both existing Bedford businesses and the start-up
market.
Website:
Business Link
Business Debt line
Providing businesses with free, confidential
and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
Telephone: 0800 197
6026
Website: Business Debt
line
East of England Development
Agency
Sponsored by the DTI, the East of England
Development Agency (EEDA) is concerned with economic growth and
developing skills and employment, cultivating sustainable
development and maintaining a high quality environment.
Telephone: 01223 713900
Website: http://www.eeda.org.uk
East of
England
International
As of April 1st 2010 East of England
International (EEI) will be handing over the provision of services
to East of England IDB Ltd (EEIDB). EEIDB Ltd will manage the
Trade and Inward Investment activity in the East of England on
behalf of the East of England Development Agency and UK Trade &
Investment.
Federation of Small
Businesses
Campaigns on behalf of the self employed and
owners of small firms. Their publication ‘First Voice' allows small
businesses to obtain practical information and advice on important
issues affecting the business community.
Website: http://www.fsb.org.uk/
Manufacturing Advisory Service -
East
Provides manufacturing businesses with expert
advice to deliver measurable improvements by helping improve
performance and productivity.
Telephone: 0845 300
4443
Website: http://www.mas-east.org.uk
NetRegs
Free environmental guidance for small and
medium-sized businesses in the UK. Helping businesses to understand
what they need to do to comply with environmental law and protect
the environment. Potential savings from increased
efficiencies.
Website: http://www.netregs.gov.uk/
takeITon
The takeITon campaign offers free IT support
and advice to businesses to improve their efficiency and
effectiveness.
Website: http://takeiton.ning.com/
UKTrade &
Investment
Work with UK-based businesses to ensure their
success in international markets. Also encourage the best overseas
companies to look to the UK as their partner of choice.
Website: https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/
Venture
Navigator
Free online business support service which
helps you take your idea for a road test before you spend valuable
time and money.
Venture Navigator was created by the
University of Essex and Library House in Cambridge to help the
success rate of start ups in the UK.
See if you're onto a winner by taking one of
our online assessments which range from General Business Viability,
Leadership Skills, to Manufacturing Processes.
Find out more about key early stage business
issues on the Resources section - search hundreds of articles
written by business leaders and academics.
The handy Community area lets you post
questions and receive impartial answers back from the 5000
registered users - no one is paid to answer, they want to help, so
the responses are impartial and give you valuable real world
feedback.
Telephone: 01206
874102
Website: Venture
Navigator
Wenta
Is a not for profit enterprise agency, giving
confidential and impartial advice, training and guidance for
start-up, new & existing small businesses across Hertfordshire
and Bedfordshire.
Telephone: 0845 371 0891
Website: http://www.wenta.co.uk/
The Chamber for Bedfordshire &
Luton
The local Chamber of Commerce for the County. The
Chamber support business in a number of ways, from membership
support programmes and lobbying duties to the delivery of a range
of projects assisting business to improve their operations and meet
their ambitions.
Telephone: 01582 522448
Website: http://www.chamber-business.com/