This page is dedicated to helping you find subsidised or free business support in the East Midlands.

There are various agencies throughout the East Midlands providing subsidised (and often free) training, business advice and support.

I know this list isn't comprehensive so if you work for/with an agency then please get in touch and I'll include your details for free.

The Welland Enterprise Agency

Tel: 0845 050 1050
Fax: 0845 050 1650
Email: biz@wellent.co.uk
Website: www.wellent.co.uk

Offers help and advice to people who are thinking of setting up their own business. They also assist smaller or growing businesses who seek to expand or improve their operations.

The head office is based in Stoke Rochford with offices in Melton, Stamford, and Lutterworth.

FREE advice
They offer FREE advice to help you write that vital business plan, understand your business finances and increase your business awareness.
They can help you access IT and website planning training and a tailor made book keeping course too.
The advisory service is one to one, impartial and confidential.
They also offer mentoring and coaching, and ongoing support through the initial start up phase to the additional growth stage of your business.

Areas Covered
Geographical districts of East Northamptonshire, Harborough, Melton, Rutland, and South Kesteven. The towns covered are Bourne, the Deepings, Grantham, Stamford, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Oundle, Rushden, and Thrapston.

East Midlands Incubation Network (EMIN)

The Innovation Centre
49 Oxford Street
Leicester
LE1 5XY
Tel: 0116 257 7952
Email: info@emincubation.co.uk
Website: www.emincubation.co.uk

EMIN is a regional network of business incubators. EMIN's mission is to increase the volume, value and survival rates of new start businesses in the East Midlands.

EMIN can help you lay the foundations for a business that will not only survive but flourish. Through EMIN's services and expertise you can access the tools and knowledge you need to ensure your business grows from strength to strength.

Primarily working with our experienced team of hands-on business support professionals, but also by working closely with other business support organisations such as InvoRed, Connect Midlands and emda, EMIN provides the gateway to a comprehensive network of business support and potential investment opportunities.

The Prince's Trust

East midlands Office
41 Guildhall Lane
Leicester LE1 5FQ
phone: 0116 253 7824
email: webinfoem@princes-trust.org.uk
website: www.princestrust.org.uk

The Prince's Trust is a UK charity with regional offices that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working.

Through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, they help 14-30 year olds realise their potential and transform their lives.

They focus their efforts on those who've struggled at school, been in care, been in trouble with the law, or are long-term unemployed.

Business support for young entrepreneurs

Are you aged 18-30, unemployed, living in England, have an idea for a business but can't raise all the cash you need from anywhere else? We could help you get up and running.

With start-up support from The Prince's Trust, you could get:

a low interest loan of up to £4,000 for a sole trader, or up to £5,000 for a partnership (the average loan is between £2,000 and £3,000 but varies regionally)
a grant of up to £1,500 in special circumstances (subject to local availability)
a test marketing grant of up to £250
ongoing advice from a volunteer business mentor
access to a wide range of products and services. Includes our free Legal Helpline sponsored by Barclays.

We can help you turn your dream into reality.

Connect Midlands - East Office

Loughborough Innovation Centre
Epinal Way
Loughborough
LE11 3EH
phone: (01509) 228 702
email: invoredeast@connectmidlands.org
website: www.connectmidlands.org

Connect Midlands is a not-for-profit network built for entrepreneurs and investors.

Our prime purpose is to act as a facilitator and networking vehicle, uniting emerging technology businesses with the resources they need to succeed. Our focus is on improving early stage companies’ understanding of, and access to, equity based finance of up to £5m.

With a comprehensive programme of practical events across the Midlands, we are the regional network for new and growing science, engineering and technology (SET) businesses. We are committed to playing a fundamental part in enabling these entrepreneurs to succeed.

Connect Midlands’ mission is to be a fundamental part of the process of enabling science, engineering and technology entrepreneurs across the region to grow their businesses.

What They Offer

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.

How HM Revenue & Customs can help your business

East Midlands Office
phone 01332 724410
website: www.hmrc.co.uk/bst

Revenue & Customs Advice Teams (RCATs) were created to provide free educational support to new and small self-employed businesses, and helps businesses (including employers) to file their returns via the Internet.

There are about 700 business advisers located in offices throughout the UK offering free support through presentations, workshops and consultations.

Currently the workshops cover the following topics:

Becoming self employed
Self assessment for the self employed
Paying your employees
Paying director's National Insurance
Statutory payments (sick/maternity etc)
Expenses and benefits to employees
Completing P11Ds
Employer's Annual Returns (P35/P14s)
Paying tax credits
Starting a limited company
Construction Industry Schemes
Online filing

It's worth finding out from our workshops how we can help your business, save you time and effort on your financial management.

Currently, as much as £575 tax-free is up for grabs from HM Revenue & Customs, if you have fewer than 50 employees and file your Employer's Annual Return (P14s and P35) online.

To book your free place for any of the workshops in the East Midlands please telephone 01332 724410.

If you work for or with a support agency in the East Midlands then send the relevant details in the format you see them here and I'll add them for free.