Destination Chesterfield

Looking to grow your organisation? Several business support services are on hand to ensure you have the right tools and guidance to enable your growth.

A number of organisations also offer support on local tendering opportunities, skills and funding opportunities.

Find out below about the latest advice and funding schemes available to firms in Chesterfield:

Support for businesses affected by flooding in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council has shared the following information with regards to support for businesses in the borough which were affected by the floods in October 2023.

Business Recovery Grant

Small-to-medium sized businesses in affected areas will be eligible for up to £2,500 to help them return quickly to business as usual. Further details on the scheme are currently awaited from the Government; businesses are asked to register with the council so it can inform on the next steps as soon as possible.

Business Rates Relief

Businesses may be eligible for 100% Rates Relief for a minimum of three months, where flood water entered the property, or the flooding seriously impacted upon the ability to trade from the property for over 48 hours. Once a business has registered with Chesterfield Borough Council, an officer will visit the property to assess if it meets the eligibility criteria.

Chesterfield Borough Council is still awaiting further guidance from the Government about the Business Recovery Grant and Business Rates Relief. You can register your interest in these schemes and the council will contact you once the application form goes live, to do this please email:

floodrecoverygrant@chesterfield.gov.uk

Please ensure you provide your name and business name, the address impacted by the flood and contact details. Chesterfield Borough Council will be in touch as soon as it recieves more information from the Government.

Supporting innovation

The Chesterfield Innovation Support Programme is a Chesterfield Borough Council project which aims to increase the level of support available to businesses in the borough.

The project offers a variety of funded support which includes:

• one-to-one business reviews
• workshops, seminars and networking events
• access to specialist innovation advisers
• support to identify potential funding choices

For additional information on the Innovation Support Programme, please contact:

Adrian Williamson
Innovation Support Project Manager
adrian.williamson@chesterfield.gov.uk

Get your business idea off the ground with start-up support from Vision Derbyshire

Support is currently available to those wanting to set up their own business here in Chesterfield.

The Vision Derbyshire Business Start-Up and Business Support Grant Scheme is open to people who live in Derbyshire and are starting their own business, or have recently set up a business in the last year.

A team of local expert business advisors are in place to offer free advice and support. Additionally, funding of up to £10,000 per applicant is available.

Furthermore, Vision Derbyshire offers networking opportunities and help in securing a wide range of services. All of which are necessary to help entrepreneurs turn their venture into a success are also part of the support package on offer.

The scheme is particularly interested in helping entrepreneurs based in Derbyshire, as well as those aged between 17 and 30, or who are aged over 50 and who lost their jobs or livelihoods during COVID.

Find out more by visiting: Vision Derbyshire Business Support scheme – Derbyshire County Council

Find out how the East Midlands Chamber Accelerator project can support you

Businesses in the region can receive a significant boost to their operations with a helping hand from East Midlands Chamber’s new generation of business support.

The chamber of commerce has secured £8.9m of public funding until March 2025 to deliver its Accelerator project, which aims to provide one seamless point of entry for relevant business support.

It comprises key activities under the strands of net zero, innovation, digital and finance, with the aim of helping companies at all stages of their development to start, sustain, grow and innovate.

The East Midlands Chamber Accelerator project brings together a number of publicly-funded contracts including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a key part of the Government’s levelling up agenda to enhance communities, businesses and skills; Innovate UK EDGE, which helps innovative SMEs to grow and achieve scale; and Made Smarter East Midlands, which assists manufacturers in switching to advanced and automated technologies.

Key activities will be delivered under the strands of net zero, innovation, digital and finance to help businesses achieve the following:

• Develop new-to-the-firm technologies
• Improve productivity
• Safeguard and create jobs
• Adopt new digital technologies and processes
• Engage in new markets
• Improve productivity
• Introduce new products and services
• Increase revenue
• Make progress on their journey to net zero.

Get access to the support available to you through D2N2 Growth Hub

The D2N2 Growth Hub is designed to help identify local business support information to aid developing a business or starting a new business.

Furthermore, the Growth Hub provides links to key national sources of information and support across the country.

For more information, call 0333 006 9178 or visit: www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/

Growth and sustainability support available from the University of  Derby

The University of Derby offers support for business growth with access to expert advice and practical solutions.

Your business could be eligible for grants and loans, as well as funded business support programmes. Most of these are aimed at local businesses who want to innovate, grow, de-carbonise or upskill.

Visit the University of Derby’s web page to find out about the latest initiatives. For further advice, get in touch with their team, who will be able to signpost you to the relevant support available.

Find the services you need from Chesterfield businesses in our directory

Image courtesy of Derbyshire Economic Partnership

Chesterfield is home to many professional service and business support organisations.

Our directory of Chesterfield Champions showcases the range of options available to you for financial, legal and other business support services in the area.

What’s more, we’re positive you’ll receive excellent customer service, and no-nonsense, practical advice from our town’s organisations.

Harness skills and resources from nearby Universities

Boost your business by harnessing the skills and resources of the Sheffield Universities.

The Sheffield Innovation Programme is a regional initiative which aims to stimulate growth and promote the development of long-term relationships with SMEs, by providing access to a broad range of academic expertise and university facilities.

The support is in the form of bespoke research and innovation based consultancy, workshops and other events.

https://www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/sheffield-innovation-programme/

Derbyshire Job Centre Plus

Derbyshire Job Centre Plus can help with recruitment or information about local labour availability, wage rates, employment subsidies or training. A package of assistance can be tailor-made to meet your needs. This may include; pre-employment courses to prepare people for specific entry criteria; Work Trials which allow job seekers and the business to test out a job for a couple of weeks before making a commitment; and help for applicants with tools, clothes etc.

In addition if you are registered unemployed and have been in receipt of either Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance, then Job Centre Plus can advise you about New Enterprise Allowance which offers financial assistance to help you start a business.

More information can be found here www.gov.uk/new-enterprise-allowance

Contact Derbyshire Jobcentre Plus on 0845 604 3719 or visit the website: www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus

Trusted Trader Scheme (Derbyshire County Council)

Trusted Trader Scheme can help individuals find honest and reliable traders who commit to doing a good job for a fair price. It includes plumbers, builders, roofers, decorators, joiners, electricians, gardeners, retailers and many more.

Businesses can use the Trusted Trader website to find out more about the benefits of being a Derbyshire Trusted Trader and learn how to sign up. Visit the website:http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/community/trusted_trader/

Voluntary and Community Group Funding

For information on grants available for Voluntary and Community Groups, visit the website: http://www.linkscvs.org.uk. The Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Service and Action Ltd. The contact details are:

Links CVS
No.1 Rose Hill East
Chesterfield
S40 1NU

01246 274844

Business Finance Support Finder

The Business Finance Support Finder is an HM Government tool to help you access information about funding options in your area.  You may also find the D2N2 website useful in identifying  further potential routes to finance for your enterprise  www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/access-to-finance

Business Doctors Chesterfield

Business Doctors Chesterfield provides advice, coaching and mentoring to business owners in Chesterfield and the North Derbyshire area. Dedicated to helping small and medium sized businesses achieve their goals.  https://www.businessdoctors.co.uk/business_doctors/emily-coy/