Local Factsheet - Worthing

Business West Sussex Growth Hub focus on engaging directly with people starting and growing a business.

The team will discuss your needs and put you in touch with local, regional and national support initiatives that can help you develop your business.  For those needing more support, a business account manager will offer 1:1 support to identify barriers and help your business growth journey.

The website is available to all stages of business and provides a range of local information and resources.

To make an enquiry for support, email the team.

Website: https://west-sussex-business-hub.mn.co/

Eligibility: Available to all trading stages.

Website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/start-or-grow-your-business/business-west-sussex/business-support/growth-hub/

E-mail: WSCC.GrowthHub@westsussex.gov.uk

Adur & Worthing Councils can provide information on business rates, licensing, food hygiene and safety.
Trading standards support is offered through West Sussex County Council - which is a chargeable service.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/businesses/

Tel: 01273 263000 - General
Tel: 01273 263463 - Economic Development, Place & Economy
Tel: 01273 263111 - Adur Business Rates 

West Sussex County Council can provide information and advice on starting and growing a business, with links to useful resources and information on funding via the Business West Sussex website. Also offers a chargeable trading standards service for businesses.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/business-and-consumers

Business West Sussex Website: http://www.businesswestsussex.co.uk/

Tel: 01243 777 100 - Main switchboard

Tel: 01243 642124 - Trading standards

A provider of business support and finance across the South East and East of England. Let’s Do Business Group offers business consultancy, business resources and training as a chargeable service, but also delivers a variety of fully funded business support services on behalf of local authorities and government organisations.

Eligibility: Information and templates for businesses not yet trading. Business advice is available to trading businesses at a cost.

Website: http://www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/

Tel: 0844 415 2272

E-mail: info@ldbgroup.co.uk

Are you thinking about starting a new business or becoming self-employed?

Free, fully funded, short courses offered online, providing an introduction to the key considerations of starting a business or becoming self-employed.  Learners will gain two enterprise qualifications, and receive ongoing support for three months afterwards.  To register your interest, complete the online form.

Following completion of the course, participants have the option to join further free programmes focussed on digital promotion and digital skills in the business, covering areas including using digital technologies and software for word processing, presentations and spreadsheets and digital skills career progression.

They also provide access to a fully funded, self-paced online Functional Skills course to help people build on their abilities in English and Maths, equivalent to a GCSE qualification.

For ex-offenders who have left the prison service, Through the Gate Support, provides learners with the opportunity to gain a recognised business qualification.  Through a series of engaging sessions, the course covers all the basics of starting up, and supports learners to work with other specialist ex-offender agencies as part of their resettlement journey.  To make an enquiry contact the team by emailing referrals@kickoffinbusiness.co.uk. 

Eligibility: Available for people over the age of 19, not started trading or within the first 12 months of trading.

Website: https://www.kickoffinbusiness.co.uk

General contact form: https://www.kickoffinbusiness.co.uk/contact

Do you have questions about market research and intellectual property?

The BIPC offers guides, highlights useful databases, publications and websites (all of which may be available from local libraries or via the British Library). The guides include resources for the following industries: Advertising; Alcoholic drinks; Books and Publishing; Childrenswear; Confectionery; Construction; Energy; Fashion; Fast Food and Snacks; Footwear; Frozen, chilled and ready-made foods; Furniture; Giftware; Global business; Green and Ethical business and Social Enterprise; Health and Fitness; Horticulture; Insurance; Jewellery; Music; Organic food; Over-the-counter and Complementary Medicine; Packaging; Recruitment and Training; Sports; Telecommunications; Toiletries and Cosmetics; Toys and Games; Travel and Tourism; and TV and Film.

Eligibility: Available to all stages of business, including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.bl.uk/bipc/

Tel: 020 7412 7901

E-mail: bipc@bl.uk

Online contact form: https://bl.libanswers.com/form.php?queue_id=2495

Let’s Go Net Zero West Sussex can help you overcome common barriers to reducing your carbon footprint and energy costs, and includes:

- Online resources to help you get going.
- Countywide opportunities to connect and network with other businesses on the same journey.
- A team of Green Business Champions to share their stories and tips on getting started.

Eligibility: Available for trading businesses in West Sussex.

Website: https://www.letsgonetzero.net/what-we-do/

Do you need specialist support with an innovative project?

SINC provides expertise and practical help for innovative ambitious start-ups, scale-ups and high-growth businesses and corporate innovation projects. They offer a range of tailored support services, access to professional networks, events and flexible office space and a gateway to accessing the resources of the University of Sussex.

Eligibility: Available for all stages of business including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://www.sussexinnovation.co.uk/

Tel: 01273 704 400 (Falmer) or

Tel: 0203 828 1300 (Croydon)

E-mail: info@sinc.co.uk

A police-led and not-for-profit organisation providing support to help protect businesses from cybercrime. You will gain access to a range of different tools and resources providing you with practical steps to protect your business. Different membership levels are available, including a free membership package. A range of cyber resilience services are also available – more information can be found on the website. 

Eligibility: Available to all stages of business. 

Website: https://www.secrc.co.uk/

Brighton University can support your business with help to recruit university students via internships & placement opportunities, and the Careers Connect portal to post any job vacancies you have to offer graduates.  They also offer apprenticeships, peer to peer action learning group sessions, and a range of support for businesses looking to grow through innovation.  Whether you are looking to make efficiencies, explore new markets, or need specialist expertise and access to facilities for R&D projects, their knowledge exchange team can discuss your needs and explore the options with you.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/index.aspx

E-mail: KnowledgeExchange@brighton.ac.uk

Enquiry form: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/business-services/talk-to-us.aspx

A programme for manufacturing companies in the South East of England. Made Smarter is designed to help accelerate growth, boost productivity and increase competitive edge through new digital technologies.
This includes support from Technical Experts to help businesses switch to advanced and automated technologies, up to 50% match-funding, specialist advice, leadership training and student placements.  

To find out more and make an enquiry, visit the website.

Eligibility: Manufacturing businesses trading longer than two years, with a turnover above £100,000.

Closing date: March 2026

Website: https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/south-east/

Innovate UK Business Growth (was Innovate UK EDGE) is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It provides intensive, specialist-led support to ambitious innovation-led businesses to help them grow and scale.

Each high-potential, innovative business is supported by a dedicated innovation & growth specialist local to them. The specialist will consider a business in the round and, working closely with its leadership, identify the most productive ways to accelerate its growth. This could be by working on the core business plan and value proposition or through exploiting innovation, accessing funding and finance, and/or expanding into new markets.

In particular, the specialists can help companies to develop an innovation-driven business plan; understand how to protect and create value from their intellectual property; develop a strategy to fund and finance their innovation, growth and be investment ready; connect to new partners for commercial, technology and R&D collaborations; and discover opportunities in overseas markets learning how to capitalise on them.

Innovate UK Business Growth  also offer the Scaleup Programme for enhanced support, the Global Incubator Programme and the Global Business Innovation Programme.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading (innovative businesses, looking to grow and scale their business in the UK market and internationally) with up to 500 employees (250 in Northern Ireland). It is not suitable for pre-starts, or for those businesses who have no ambition to grow through innovation or internationalisation.

Website: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth/

Online Contact Form: https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/business-growth-contact/ 

Tel: 0300 123 3066  (National Gateway)

Are you a creative business in Essex, Kent or Sussex with an ambition to grow?

Create South East offers a free programme of support to help businesses prepare for investment, create jobs and grow. The support is tailored to the needs of different creative disciplines, their retrospective markets, governance and distribution models. The programme consists of 1-2-1 mentoring, tailored workshops, peer to peer cohorts and investment opportunities for businesses in the creative sector. 

Eligibility: Limited Companies that have begun trading in the Essex, Kent or Sussex area.

Sectors include: Advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design/design fashion, film and TV, games, IT and software, publishing, music and audio, performing arts.

Website: https://createsoutheast.org.uk/programme/

Tel: 0787 487 4616

Email: createsoutheast@wearecreative.uk

The Gatwick Diamond Initiative provides a range of business support services to existing businesses and businesses looking to relocate to the Gatwick Diamond area.

Support includes signposting, help and advice to relocate a business, a bespoke premises search service, and statistical information on the Gatwick Diamond area. Some services may be chargeable.

Eligibility: Available for businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://investgatwickdiamond.co.uk/the-gdi/

Do you need legal advice? Lawyers for your business is a scheme offering a free half-hour consultation with a member of the Law Society.

The lawyer will not be able to deal with existing legal issues but can help with general legal enquiries about starting a business, employing people, contracts with customers and suppliers, taking on leased premises, business structures, health and safety and raising finance. When contacting a solicitor for a 30-minute free consultation you must advise you are calling regarding the Lawyers for your business scheme and use the named contact on the sheet sent to you from the service.

Eligibility: Available for businesses trading up to 12 months including businesses not yet trading.

Website: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Tel: 020 7320 5650 - If you need help with using the find a solicitor section, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

E-mail: lfyb@lawsociety.org.uk - please include postcode or town/city in the e-mail.

For solicitors interested in joining the LFYB scheme
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/individual-accreditations/lawyers-for-your-business

The Samuel Wilson Loan Trust offers Loans of up to £50,000 to people over 18 and under 40 years old for establishing and developing new businesses, and who are "in need by reason of ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage."

Loan amounts are dependent on the type of business: Loans of up to £50,000 are available for limited companies. Sole traders can apply for loans of between £25,000-£50,000.

Eligibility: Available for businesses who have been trading for less than 3 years, or a just about to start up a business. Please note that the Trust does not loan to any business whose primary trade is the manufacture or sale of alcohol. The process to access a loan can take between 2-4 months.

Website: Samuel Wilson's Loan Trust - City of London

E-mail: SWLT.Enquiries@cityoflondon.gov.uk (contact via e-mail only)

Are you looking to explore your loan & equity options?

FSE offers a range of loans and equity finance for innovative growth companies. You need to be able to demonstrate the potential for significant growth and investment-ready to apply. You can find more information on the funds available via the website.

Eligibility: Available to businesses that have begun trading.

Website: https://www.thefsegroup.com/

Tel: 01276 608 510

E-mail: fundingenquiries@thefsegroup.com

Offers business finance to businesses who might struggle to gain access to finance through mainstream lenders. Accredited business support partners of British Business Bank offering Start Up Loans, Recovery Loans and Growth Loans to businesses in the South East and East of England.

Business growth loans range from £20,000 - £150,000 and are available to businesses who have been trading for at least 24 months who are looking to grow. Some earlier stage businesses can be considered.

Website: https://www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/business-loans

Tel: 0844 415 2272

E-mail: info@ldbgroup.co.uk

Adur & Worthing Councils
Information on procurement, tender and contract opportunities.
http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/purchasing-and-procurement/
Tel: 01903 221454
E-mail: procurement@adur-worthing.gov.uk 
 
West Sussex County Council
Information on tender opportunities and doing business with the council.
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/supplying-wscc-with-goods-or-services/becoming-a-supplier/
Tel:01243 777 100 (Main switchboard).
E-mail: procurement@westsussex.gov.uk

SE Shared Service e-Sourcing portal
The portal is a collaboration between public sector authorities in the South East region to provide a simple, secure and efficient way for managing sourcing and quotation activities, reducing time and cost for buyers and suppliers.
Website: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sesharedservices/aspx/Home

South East Business Portal
Portal for businesses looking to supply to Local Authorities in the South East. Registration is not required to browse opportunities.
https://sebp.due-north.com/
E-mail: ProContractSuppliers@proactis.com

Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce
Events, network and sponsorship opportunities and business awards from WACCI.
http://www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk/

Federation of Small Business (FSB) 
Virtual events, networking opportunities and business surgeries designed to help you find advice, support and guidance.
https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar.html

Sussex Chamber of Commerce
They offer networking events throughout the region. Some are free to non-members, others are chargeable.
http://www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk/

First Friday Networking
A monthly free networking event that takes place on a Friday across the Sussex area.
https://www.firstfriday-network.co.uk/

Adur & Worthing Councils
Land and property information from the local council.
https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/land-and-property/
Tel: 01273 263463

The Track
A creative and digital co-working space at Bognor Regis train station, for entrepreneurs, freelancers, business startups and growing businesses in the West Sussex coastal area.
https://thetrackbr.co.uk/