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Support Agencies

People and Organisations it may be useful to know

Transmit (Start-up Loans)

Transmit Start-Ups to provide business loans for young people across Lancashire. The initiative was launched earlier this year by the Government and James Caan to help people aged 18-30 to get their business ideas off the ground.

What you get:

  • An unsecured loan of between £1,000 and £10,000 for each founder of the business
  • An interest-only repayment holidays of up to 12 months if required
  • A low interest rate of 6.2% over a repayment period of between 24 and 60 months
  • Assistance with putting a business plan together
  • Help from an experienced business mentor once you've received your money


Transmit Start-Ups have extensive knowledge of the creative sector so if you are a designer, photographer, web developer, film maker, music business you are in safe hands. They understand how creative businesses work and the unique opportunities and challenges that come when balancing creativity and art with business.

Transmit Start-Ups, PO Box 404, Durham, DH1 2ZR

Email: info@transmitstartups.co.uk
Tel: 0845 094 3670
Web: http://www.transmitstartups.co.uk

CultureHive

CultureHive is a new, free resource to help you discover and share best practice in cultural marketing. Featuring key case studies, toolkits, research, articles and more, we have the tools you need to promote art and culture. Resources have been sourced from across the UK and beyond - from cultural organisations, audience development agencies and consultants. As part of Arts Council England's Audience Focus programme, we aim to make everything available to access and download for free. Get started now by entering a query into the search box above, or dip into some of the resources featured on the homepage.

Marketing Association, 7a Clifton Court, Clifton Road, Cambridge CB1 7BN        

Tel: 01223 578078 Fax: 01223 245862
Web: http://culturehive.co.uk/contact/

Access 2 Finance Team

Financial advice and analysis service which is part funded by European Regional Development Funds  and provided FREE OF CHARGE to eligibleNorth West based businesses.

Lee House, 90 Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5JW

Tel:  0161 359 3050
Web: http://www.a2fnw.co.uk

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber provides business support services into the wider business community, with specific emphasis on gaining new markets, increasing sales and reducing costs.

Red Rose Court
Clayton Business Park
Accrington BB5 5JR

Tel: 01254 356400
Email: info@chamberelancs.co.uk
Web: http://www.chamberelancs.co.uk

North & West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber provides business support services into the wider business community, with specific emphasis on gaining new markets, increasing sales and reducing costs.

9-10 Eastway Business Village
Olivers Place
Fulwood
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 9WT

Tel: 01772 653 000
Email: info@lancschamber.co.uk
Web: http://www.lancschamber.co.uk

Enterprise4All

Enterprise4All specialises in maximising engagement in enterprise, education and employment. They are a not-for-profit company offering a range of consultancy services. They also deliver publicly funded programmes that assist new and established businesses and help to build more dynamic, cohesive communities.

Enterprise4All (North West) Limited
Enterprise Suite
Blakewater House
Capricorn Park
Blakewater Road
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 5QR

Tel: 01254 693999
Email: info@enterprsise4all.co.uk
Web: http://www.enterprise4all.co.uk 

More Programme

The MORE Programme is delivered by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). We provide a combination of advice, guidance, business support and access to facilities to help the growth of creative, digital and media sector companies in the North West of England.

Eligibility criteria does apply:

The MORE Programme is open to existing businesses who:

  • Have set-up and registered their business in England within the last 3 years
  • Are trading in the North West of England
  • Employ fewer than 250 people
  • Have a turnover of less than £40million


The MORE Programme is open to pre-start businesses who:

  • Are looking to set-up within the next 3 years
  • Want to locate their business in the North West of England
  • Who want to start a creative, digital or media focused business


We are only able to work with businesses who work "Business to Business"
The support delivered through this programme is free, but numbers are limited so register your interest with us now.

Web: http://moreprogramme.co.uk/

Blue Orchid

Blue Orchid provides a flexible programme of one to one business support, coaching and training available to people who live throughout the UK, particularly those considering self-employment or starting their own business, including individuals who are unemployed or facing redundancy.
Our advisors work with people on a one to one basis to support those starting up in business because we believe that everyone is an individual with their own ideas and objectives.
They work with many business advisors across the country many of whom are experts in their own specialised areas.

We can help you with:

  • Exploring your business idea
  • One to one business advice
  • Specialist training workshops
  • Business plan preparation
  • Referral to support organisations
  • Social Enterprise advice
  • Support for businesses trading for less than three years


Blue Orchid are working in partnership with Business Finance Solutions to provide Start Up Loans, a government backed scheme to support new business.

Web: http://www.blueorchid.co.uk/starting-a-business/

Selnet

Selnet is the lead body inLancashire for social enterprise and through its membership is able to bring together a wide range of businesses working for the social good to network, form consortia and inter-trade. Selnet delivers a host of business support programmes specifically designed to meet the needs of social enterprises to help them develop and grow on behalf of the European Regional Development Fund.

G14 Preston Technology Centre
Marsh Lane
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 8UQ

Tel: 01772 200690
Email: admin@selnet-uk.com  
Web: http://www.selnet-uk.com

Orvia

Orvia exists to support and guide people through their business journey, providing professional, confidential and impartial information and advice to anyone who wants to start their own enterprise or grow an established company

Centurion House
Leyland Business Park
Centurion Way
Farington
PR25 3GR

Tel: 01772 422242
Email: ask@orvia.co.uk
Web: http://www.orvia.co.uk

Winning Pitch
  
Winning Pitch is a specialist provider of high growth coaching services.  They are a research led business with a passion for supporting ambitious entrepreneurs to realise their full potential and achieve levels of growth way above the norm.                                                      

Building 8
Exchange Quay
Salford
M5 3EJ

Tel: 0161 876 4922   
Web: http://www.winning-pitch.co.uk

The Furniture Makers’ Company (Furniture Makers Guild)

The Furniture Makers’ Company is the British furnishing industry’s charity, which fosters and supports the industry by nurturing skills and expertise, helping those in need, and championing excellence.

We support students and young professionals with training and mentoring in order to foster talent and safeguard the future of the industry.

We provide support and assistance to those in need, who are working or have worked in the UK furnishing industry. 

We encourage the highest standards and best practice in the design, manufacture, and retailing of all kinds of furniture and furnishings throughout the UK, recognising quality through the award of our prestigious Guild Marks.

For further information, contact Veronica Dunn, marketing@furnituremakers.org.uk  or 020 7562 8522

furnituremakers.org.uk

Lancashire County Council

Tel: 0845 053 0000
Email: enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk
Web: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk