Starting a new business
Whether you are looking to start your own business, grow your operation or move your business into the area, we are here to help with each step of the process.
Our team has a wealth of knowledge, experience and contact and can help with ongoing advice on everything from finding premises to accessing funding.
The team can offer excellent links to departments such as planning, environmental health and business rates, and external organisations including the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), New Anglia Growth Hub and Norfolk County Council.
If you wish to find out more and speak to one of our dedicated business advisors about the support available for your business, please contact us on the details at the bottom of this page.
Foundation start-up support
If you have a business idea and don't know where to start, we offer a dedicated business advisor who will talk through your idea and help move it to the next stage. They can also offer access to a free comprehensive online course covering all the basics involved in getting started such as business plans, marketing and finances.
Find out more for Broadland start-ups
Find out more for South Norfolk start-ups
Business news and information email
To stay up to date with the latest information, guidance and support, subscribe to our business news email service.
Subscribe to receive our newsletter
Grants and funding
Find out more about grants and funding that may be available to your business including our Business Builder programme across Broadland and South Norfolk.
Find out more about grants and funding
Business Start-Up Grant
As part of the Start-up programme, Norfolk County Council and BIPC have recently launched a Business Start-Up Grant to help aspiring Norfolk business owners get their businesses up and running successfully.
Start-up and recently established small and micro businesses (trading for less than 24 months and under £250,000 projected first year turnover), based in Norfolk, may apply for grants of between £300 and £1500 to assist with the purchase of equipment, stock, marketing or professional services that will kick-start establishing the business.
Grants may be used to fund projects or activities costing in the range of £400 to £2500, with a self-invested applicant contribution required of 25% (for projects of £400-£500), 30% (for projects of £501-£1000) or 40% (for projects of £1001-£2500).
To find out more about the grant, email MENTA at heretohelp@menta.org.uk
Business Regulatory Support Hub
The Business Regulatory Support Hub offers a dedicated and friendly point of contact for all your regulatory enquiries such as starting a food business, licensing and registration of businesses.
Find out more about the Business Regulatory Support Hub
Business rates
If you are starting a new business and taking on a property or premises then you may need to have or change an existing rates assessment. Find out more about whether you qualify for any rates reliefs to reduce your bill.
Find out more about business rates
Planning and building information
Find out about planning permission which you may require if you are considering extending a property to accommodate your business, looking to change the use of an existing property or building a new commercial building.
Find out more about planning permission
Norfolk Insight
Norfolk Insight is a locality-focused information system providing data and analysis for neighbourhoods in Norfolk and Waveney. By empowering you with up-to-date knowledge of local communities, Norfolk Insight provides the evidence-base you need to make better informed decisions to improve services and localities.