Business Support

There are a number of organisations who may be able to give business advice, support and guidance.

Business Link Wessex - Provides a wide range of impartial advice and specialist services to businesses of all sizes located in west Dorset.  Services include consultancy and advice on starting a business, funding, business planning and networking.  The briefing search will take you to a variety of informative business briefings from Business Link Wessex, covering everything from starting to closing a business, and including fact sheets, case studies and news articles.  For further information, please call 08454 588558.

The North Dorset office of Business Link Wessex at Gillingham runs Business Clubs covering our District.

National Business Link website: businesslink.gov.uk

Dorset County Council – Services undertaken by the County Council include the provision of statistics and information on social and economic issues, trading standards and work with enforcement authorities.

Learning and Skills Council – The local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in Dorset is responsible for ensuring that skills development, training and enterprise development programmes are provided in Dorset which meet local individual and business needs.  For further information please call 01202 488400.

Princes Trust - Aims to help young people make their way in life through self-employment.  Financial and other assistance is targeted at disabled people and young people (aged between 18 and 30) who are unemployed or disadvantaged and that have a viable business idea.  For further information, please call 01202 888845.

Shell LiveWire Scheme – Shell offers support for young people, aged less than 26 years, starting up in business.  For further information, please call 0345 573252.

Rural Business Support Group - A group of like-minded local business professionals, working in and across all sectors, with untold years of experience and knowledge relevant to the business community in general.

There are a number of Agricultural and Rural Advisory services.

Federation of Small Businesses - The FSB is the largest campaiging pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.  Formed in 1974, it now has over 185,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches.  For further information, please check www.fsb.org.uk or call Wessex Regional Office 01425 280080.

You can find information about these and other organisations by visiting our Useful Organisations page.