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Support for Businesses

The Royal Borough is keen to help local businesses get the information they need to continue to thrive and grow during this period of economic uncertainty. Below are links to local organisations which offer advice and support to businesses as well as links to other parts of the council's website that may be useful to businesses.

Training support for apprentices

Whether you are an individual looking for an Apprenticeship, or an employer looking for an apprentice, there is a whole range of information available to help you decide if Apprenticeships are the right route for you. There are more than 190 roles across a wide variety of industry sectors. Visit the Apprenticeships website for more information.

Public services all in one place

For Real help now for people with businesses through practical information and advice. Easy access to the public services you use and the information you need, delivered by the UK government. For further information see the Direct.gov website.

Windsor & Eton and Maidenhead Town Partnership

Useful information for businesses during the credit crunch brought to you from Windsor & Maidenhead Town Partnership helping to support local businesses.

Keeping Business local - Information on Local Procurement opportunities

RBWM The Council spends over £83M per year on providing essential services to the visitors and those who work and live in the Borough and is keen to ensure that its suppliers reflect the area's diversity and will encourage as many businesses as possible to apply for its contracts. Visit the Council procurement webpages to find out more.

Business Rates

For information on the business rates paid by businesses and other occupiers of non-domestic properties, please visit our Business Rates webpage

COBRA - Complete Business Adviser service

COBRA is a comprehensive, practical and continually updated information resource for anyone looking to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.

Business Opportunity Profiles (BOPs) - hundreds of small business idea guides
Business Information Factsheets (BIFs) - over 300 practical how-to guides, reports, checklists and factsheets covering hundreds of small business subjects.
UK Market Synopses - market research guides and synopses covering dozens of UK business sectors.
Local Area Profiles - profiles covering sources of business support, financial support, workspace and networking opportunities in over 200 UK areas including the Maidenhead area.
Sources of Business Information - a directory of organisations dealing with issues relevant to setting up and running a small business.

It is one of the e-Library online services freely available on the public PCs in our libraries, or from home to library members. You join online to become a library member. For further information about the borough libraries and services see our Libraries webpage.

The South East Business Portal (SEBP)

The South East Business Portal covers all 74 Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and Kent Councils and is free to use. It provides on current contract opportunities (including sub-OJEU [smaller than £139k total value]) for suppliers to view. Suppliers may register themselves on the portal in order to obtain alerts on new contract opportunities in their area.

Business Link

Is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers.

The government has introduced a new package of financial measures, as part of its Solutions for Business portfolio, to provide real help to firms through the economic downturn. If you have short-term working capital constraints or are looking to invest to grow your business these schemes could help. For further information, please visit the Business Link website.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

BIS is making a difference by supporting sustained growth and higher skills across the economy working together for growth. BIS brings all of the levers of the economy together in one place. Our policy areas - from skills and higher education to innovation and science to business and trade can all help to drive growth. For more information visit the BIS website.

Thames Valley Berkshire - Local Enterprise Partnership

TVB LEP pulls together key players representing education, employment and skills, SME and corporate enterprises, Local Authorities and the community sector - all working together to bring about a plan that will deliver economic prosperity for the next 20-30 years.

To find out more visit the Thames Valley Berkshire website.

Chambers of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce comprise nationally a network of quality-accredited Chambers of Commerce. Chambers of Commerce are local, independent, non-profit making and non party-political organisations, funded by membership subscriptions. Listed below are local borough Chambers with links to their websites:

Windsor and District Chamber of Commerce
Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce
Thames Valley Chamber of Commence which also covers Windsor and Maidenhead

The Federation of Small Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. To find out more visit the FSB website or contact the customer helpline on 01253 336 000.

Help with exporting

Overseas customers and markets continue to offer your business real opportunities. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) advisers can help you access the right contacts and raise your company's profile. To find out more visit the UKTI website or call 020 7215 8000.

Capital for Enterprise Scheme

Viable small businesses with high levels of existing debt can get real help to raise long-term finance. Professional fund managers will provide equity investment which you can use to pay off existing debt.
Call the Capital for Enterprise Fund Registration Helpline on 0845 459 9780.

Social Enterprise Berkshire (SEB)

Social Enterprise Berkshire is a business support organisation working to establish and promote a vibrant social enterprise sector throughout Berkshire. Social enterprises make a significant contributes to social inclusion, community and skills development and to a sustainable economy. To find out more please email: info@seberkshire.org or call 0118 901 5799.

Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age from welfare into work, and helping employers to fill their vacancies. For more information contact your local Jobcentre.

Jobcentre Plus offers a professional, free service helping employers access information on the governments new package of intensive support, 'Employers' Golden Hellos", new training places, cash to start-up your own business through practical vacancy filling support and the longer term partnership working characterised by Local employment Partnerships For more information, contact your local Jobcentre.

Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) are a deal between Government and business to tackle the increasing recruitment and skills challenges of our labour market and economy. To explore the ways that Local Employment Partnerships could work for your business and make a difference to your community, contact Jobcentre Plus on lep.enq@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk, or call 0845 600 8192.

Are you looking for training?
The Skills Funding Agency is dedicated to helping people get on though learning. If you are looking to imprive your skills, there is a range of support available to you. For more information, please see the Skills Funding Agency website.

Debt Problems

Business Debtline

To get free, confidential and independent help to deal with business debt problems so you can successfully manage your way through financial difficulties, call Business Debtline, 0800 197 6026.